Lesson 3: Your Doctor, Your Options
What an RE is
As was mentioned before, a Reproductive Endocrinologist, or RE for short, is an OB/GYN that has received additional training in the field of infertility. While all OB/GYNs receive some additional training in infertility, an RE receives 2 to 3 years of additional training and also has published at least one report in a medical journal.
Because of the additional training that an RE receives, they are able to provide the following services and treatments in addition to what an OB/GYN provides.
- Advanced surgical issues and techniques
- Injectable fertility medications
- IUI
- IVF
- Other assisted reproductive techniques (ART)
- Onsite laboratory
- Extended clinic hours and availability
As you can see, the services and treatments that you can receive from an RE are more extensive than what is possible from an OB/GYN. An OB/GYN attends school and receives training for a total of 8 years, an RE on the other hand, attends school and receives training for a total of 10 to 11 years. Many REs also participate in research and teaching while receiving their training.
One of the differences that separates an OB/GYN practice from an RE practice is the availability of the physician. An RE should be available according to YOUR cycle, not according to 'regular office hours'. Because a woman can ovulate during the weekend, an RE and their staff must be available to perform ultrasounds, blood tests, examinations, and ART during this time.
An RE can also order and receive blood test results 'in house'. This means that the waiting time for blood work results should be slightly reduced and that the woman and man will not have to leave the office to have them performed. Because an RE does not have to 'send out' the blood, they will also have their own 'normal' ranges for the tests and can explain these levels to the patient fully.
Almost all REs also are equipped to perform many procedures 'in house' as well including IUI, donor insemination, egg retrieval, SA, IVF, GIFT, ZIFT, ICSI, other ART, and trans-vaginal ultrasounds. Those REs that do not offer these services 'in house' usually work closely with a local hospital, and the services are provided at that hospital. Be sure that you know where such procedures will be performed if you are seeing an RE.
The additional training and education that an RE receives includes not only instruction in the most recent infertility treatments, but they also are schooled in the endocrine system. The endocrine system is the system in the body that controls and produces hormones. For this reason, an RE may be the best physician to see if you have PCOS.
Specific disorders of the reproductive endocrine system include thyroid dysfunction, ovulatory dysfunction, testicular dysfunction, and hormonal dysfunctions not directly related to the ovaries or testies (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, etc).
