In this blog post, we will discuss the role of OBGYNs in infertility, exploring what they do, how they differ from fertility specialists, and their ability to diagnose and treat infertility.
March 17, 2024
An OBGYN specializes in obstetrics (pregnancy) and gynecology (reproductive health), offering general women's healthcare and managing pregnancies. An infertility specialist (REI) is an OBGYN with extra training in diagnosing and treating infertility, including advanced reproductive technologies like IVF. OBGYNs provide routine care, while infertility specialists focus on complex fertility issues and treatments.
Your local OBGYN can do a part of fertility treatment (IVF or egg freezing) under the supervision of a fertility doctor. Blooming Eve helps to set it up. Book a time for a consultation if you want to do part of IVF/egg freezing at your local OBGYN
OBGYNs are medical doctors who specialize in women's health, including pregnancy, childbirth, and disorders of the reproductive system. When it comes to infertility, OBGYNs play multiple roles:
Initial Evaluation: OBGYNs are often the first point of contact for individuals or couples struggling with infertility. They conduct thorough evaluations to identify potential causes of infertility, which may involve reviewing medical history, performing physical examinations, and ordering diagnostic tests.
Diagnostic Testing: OBGYNs can perform various tests to assess reproductive health and identify potential causes of infertility. These tests may include hormone level assessments, imaging studies (such as ultrasound), and evaluations of ovulation and menstrual cycles.
Treatment Recommendations: Based on the findings from diagnostic tests, OBGYNs can provide personalized treatment recommendations. This may include lifestyle modifications, medications to stimulate ovulation, surgical interventions to correct anatomical issues, or referrals to fertility specialists for advanced treatments.
Available only through Blooming Eve - Monitoring for more advanced infertility treatments: For some patients - more advanced fertility treatments may be required, such as egg freezing or IVF. For these patients, OBGYN can do monitoring during the treatment including bloodwork and follicular count (ultrasound). Book a time for a consultation if you want to start your IVF with your local OBGYN.
While OBGYNs specialize in women's health, fertility specialists, also known as reproductive endocrinologists, undergo additional training specifically focused on diagnosing and treating infertility. Here are some key differences between the two:
Yes, OBGYNs can perform various tests to evaluate reproductive health and identify potential causes of infertility. These tests may include:
Hormone Level Testing: OBGYNs can assess hormone levels, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, and progesterone, to evaluate ovarian function and identify hormonal imbalances.
Imaging Studies: OBGYNs may use imaging techniques such as ultrasound to do an egg count or visualize the reproductive organs and identify any structural abnormalities or conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or uterine fibroids. Some OBGYNs we work with can do ultrasound monitoring for IVF, egg freezing, and surrogacy.
Ovulation Monitoring: OBGYNs can monitor ovulation by tracking menstrual cycles, conducting ovulation predictor tests, or performing ultrasound scans to assess follicle development and ovulation timing.
Semen Analysis: While OBGYNs primarily focus on women's reproductive health, they may also order semen analysis tests to evaluate male fertility factors and identify any issues with sperm count, motility, or morphology. You can also order at-home semen testing.
OBGYNs can provide various treatments for infertility, depending on the underlying causes identified during the diagnostic process. Treatment options may include:
OBGYN Prescribing Medications for Infertility:
OBGYNs can prescribe medications to stimulate ovulation, regulate menstrual cycles, or address hormonal imbalances that may be contributing to infertility or for a medicated IUI cycle. Common medications include clomiphene citrate, letrozole, and gonadotropins. OBGYNs usually do not prescribe medication for IVF or egg freezing.
Lifestyle Modifications for help with fertility:
OBGYNs may recommend lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and managing stress, as these factors can impact fertility.
Surgical Interventions for Infertility Treatment:
In cases where anatomical abnormalities or conditions such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids are contributing to infertility, OBGYNs may perform surgical procedures to correct these issues and improve reproductive outcomes.
Referrals to Fertility Specialists:
If initial treatments provided by OBGYNs are unsuccessful or if more advanced interventions are needed, they may refer patients to fertility specialists for specialized care, including procedures such as IVF, IUI, or surgical interventions.
Obstetricians and Gynecologists (OBGYNs) play a critical role in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of infertility. They are often the first point of contact for individuals or couples seeking assistance with fertility issues, conducting comprehensive evaluations, and providing personalized treatment recommendations. While OBGYNs can perform diagnostic tests and offer basic fertility treatments, they may collaborate with fertility specialists for more advanced procedures when necessary. Learn how you can start your fertility treatment with a local OBGYN.
Talk to one of our fertility advisors about pros and cons of each clinic, process, preparation. We will share cost & results optimization tips to save $3,000 on average.
We'll go over the process, preparation, and cost and results optimization tips to save $3,000 on average.
