Fertility specialist or Gynecologist? Which is right for you?

When you are trying to conceive, it is understandable to wonder when and which doctor to consult. Patient confusion tends to originate from the fact that the answer is not always straightforward. Age, underlying health conditions, the number of children you have already had, the length of time you have been trying to conceive, and more are all factors that will determine whether you should visit your gynecologist versus seek fertility specialist care. Also, it is possible that your gynecologist may ultimately refer you to a fertility specialist after consulting with you.

A gynecologist is not a fertility specialist. Most people who experience difficulties having a baby turn to their primary care gynecologist for immediate treatment; however, this is not ideal and may even be counterproductive, because these types of doctors are not trained, knowledgeable, or experienced in specific reproductive issues such as assisted reproduction, unlike fertility specialists.

While seeing a general gynecologist is a good place to begin, Only Fertility specialists who have been trained and have extensive experience in Reproductive Biology are capable of providing you with the best reproductive health treatments and will assist you in achieving pregnancy as soon as possible.

Therefore, it is expected that obstetricians and gynecologists refer their patients to a fertility specialist who has the full picture and all the factors that come together for a pregnancy to occur and be brought to term, bringing a new baby into the lives of aspiring parents!

Fertility specialists and gynecologists: What is the difference?

Gynaecologist is generally your first go-to-place for any female reproductive health issues. However, when you are specifically seeking some medical aid to get pregnant, an obstetrician or gynaecologist may not come to your rescue. It is necessary for them to possess some specialized training in order to assist patients with fertility problems. To ensure that you consult the appropriate medical expert for your fertility concerns, it is important to distinguish between a fertility specialist and a gynaecologist. An obstetrician or gynecologist who has completed specialized training in reproductive endocrinology is a fertility specialist. They undergo extra training to assist patients who are struggling with fertility issues.

Furthermore, human reproductive specialists and biologists are fertility specialists as well as obstetricians and gynecologists. They even specialize in reproductive endocrinology, which deals with hormonal treatments that affect a woman’s healthy ovulation process, among several other subspecialties. They are completely dedicated to solving reproductive health issues with their experience and dedication.

However, in order to achieve successful treatments, reproductive biologists need to work in a dedicated fertility center. What should you expect to find at these facilities? Additionally, we have a team of specialists with experience in Embryology, Andrology, Psychotherapy, and Nutrition to provide families with the best chances of becoming parents.

How a Gynaecologist can help?

A woman’s fertility needs determine whether she should see an RE or a gynecologist. In the early stages of trying to conceive, a woman may visit her gynecologist for a fertility consultation. Gynecologists have completed medical school, a residency in obstetrics/gynecology, and two years of practice.

Gynecologists can perform some basic fertility treatments, such as ovulation medications and intrauterine insemination if they are trained to do so. In addition to most of these basic treatments, a complete fertility workup should include blood tests, AMH tests, hysterosalpingograms (HSG), and sperm analysis for both partners before committing to these treatments. You can use these tests to determine if your treatment can address underlying problems that are interfering with your ability to build a family. Your journey to parenthood can be made simpler and cheaper by thorough testing at the beginning.

How a Fertility specialist can help?

Fertility specialists only come into the picture when a woman is having trouble conceiving. A fertility specialist is trained to make the right infertility diagnosis to enable them to create and implement a customized treatment plan. In this way, parents have a better chance of taking home a healthy child.

An IVF lab with a certified lab director and embryologists with extensive training will also be affiliated with the fertility specialist. A variety of advanced techniques are available at these labs, including in vitro fertilization and embryo genetic analysis.

If you’ve been trying for six months (for women over 35) or for over one year (for women over 30), the best thing you can do for yourself is to immediately swing into action and acknowledge the fact that you and your spouse may need some medical intervention to expedite your journey to parenthood.

If you need medical assistance, here are a few things you should know.

Think about how long you’ve been trying to conceive
Consider your age, knowing that a woman’s ovarian reserve begins a rapid decline from age 35

You might not know who to turn to for treatment. A fertility specialist or your Gynecologist? Can one help me more than the other?

In order to determine some of the challenges you may face, your GYN can conduct an evaluation and get you to take preliminary tests. It has been observed that a common problem couples have is timing intercourse rightly. Knowing the woman’s fertile window helps give couples some form of precision.

Gynecologists may have additional training and may be able to help you with your fertility concerns. Fertility specialists, on the other hand, have specialized training in dealing with fertility issues. They are able to dive deeper into the issues to reveal the possible cause(s) of your problem. If you have experienced at least two miscarriages, painful periods, or irregular ovulation, you should consult a fertility specialist. Sexually transmitted diseases, fibroids, and even obesity may require the attention of a fertility specialist.

In addition to evaluating the woman, a fertility specialist can also evaluate the man (unlike a gynecologist) and address any potential sperm quality issues. A fertility specialist may request a semen analysis and, based on the results, may refer your partner to a urologist for further evaluation. A fertility doctor will be able to help you understand your difficulties much more quickly if you are experiencing issues related to fertility.

Top Reasons You Should See an Infertility Specialist

In spite of the fact that you have not used any birth control methods for more than a year, there is still “NOT PREGNANT” on the pregnancy test kit.
Your period has been missed for more than a month, but the pregnancy test kit still does not indicate that you are pregnant.
You have come up “Pregnant” on a pregnancy test kit, but then your period began and this has happened more than once.
Your partner is known to have some problems like low sperm count.
You came off the pill and your periods got all sorts of weird…irregular, light, heavy, or really frequent…just weird. In three months, they failed to correct themselves.
It is known that you have a problem with your reproductive system such as a folded-over-the-top uterus, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), or another reproductive condition.
You have miscarried more than once. The problem is that many Gynecologists will say that it is normal or whatever, but it is not.
You should seek the assistance of a specialist if your regular Gynecologist has run out of suggestions or wants to start putting you on medication in order to induce ovulation.
You are over 35 (because your little repro system is probably gathering dust bunnies).
You have an STD of any kind.

Benefits Of Visiting A Fertility Clinic

Consultations in detail

If you’ve been struggling to get pregnant, you know how frustrating and demoralizing the process can be. When you discuss the struggle with your general doctor, you may not receive satisfactory answers.

When you visit a fertility clinic, you’ll be speaking with a specialist who is an expert in the area of fertility. In these clinics, highly trained professionals provide fertility treatment, testing, and support in a specialized, onsite environment.

There are multiple treatment options available

Specialized fertility clinics offer a variety of treatment options, including IUI, IVF, and egg freezing. Every fertility struggle is unique, and every treatment course should be tailored to the individual.

Infertility specialists are aware of this, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to help you fulfill your dream of starting a family.

Personalized Service

Fertility specialists are uniquely qualified to understand the emotional struggle associated with infertility.

At First Steps, for example, our team of doctors, nurses, and technicians strive to provide a warm and welcoming environment that feels like coming home. This is a personalized service you can trust, with solutions that are tailored to your needs.

Complimentary Services

IVF is not the only service offered by fertility clinics. Clinics provide complementary services such as naturopathic care, cycle monitoring, and ovulation induction. These services can help you get pregnant in the least invasive, most natural way possible.

A Wide Variety of Resources

Are you interested in learning more about infertility? The fertility clinics can provide you with a wide range of resources.

Our Infertility Solutions are tailored to your specific needs. There is power in knowledge and First Steps Fertility specialists are here to assist you in learning everything you can about the fertility process.

Hopefully, you now know the difference between Fertility Specialists and Ob/Gyns. However, the right choice for you is completely based on your health issues and the types of health problems you have experienced in the past that contributed to infertility or other reproductive
problems.

If you are contemplating seeing a fertility specialist, remember that you are not alone and that resources are available to assist you.

Consult Expert Doctor Prakash Patel at Shukan Hospital and IVF Centre, the best IVF Clinic in Ahmedabad, if you are having trouble conceiving. Shukan Hospital and IVF Centre’s medical professionals have years of experience and expertise in treating fertility problems. Parenthood is a dream that can become a reality with the right care and support.

Author Bio

Dr.Ajay Prajapati

He is a highly respected specialist in the fields of infertility, IVF, and fetal medicine. With over a decade of hands-on experience, he has successfully treated numerous patients facing complex fertility and pregnancy-related challenges. His expertise in advanced laparoscopy has made him a trusted name for minimally invasive surgeries, providing patients with cutting-edge treatments and compassionate care.

As a FOGSI-certified sonologist, he ensures accurate and detailed assessments during pregnancies, particularly in high-risk cases. His commitment to excellence is reflected in the numerous successful outcomes and the trust he has earned from patients across Gujarat and beyond.