Focusing on the health of the female reproductive system, both obstetrics and gynecology have been medical specialties of staggering concern. As per the Center for Disease Control, since the turn of the millennia, women have been facing decreasing fertility rates even in first-world countries like the United States of America, being distressed in both metro and rural counties. For instance, since 2007, there has been an 18% fall in female fertility within large metropolitan counties and a 12% fall in female fertility within rural counties in the U.S.A (Galvin). As childbearing ages and families continue to have children at a later age, the female fertility rate has decreased due to age-specific fertility rates (shown below). To make matters worse, there have been increasing tensions that the congregation of increasing infertility among men and that among women could lead to a decrease in the human population, which is not only suffering from world hunger but, also, from a relatively contemporary issue: infertility. Nonetheless, obstetrics and gynecology have been working towards finding a faucet of opportunities for provisional families via many subspecialties, including Reproductive Endocrinology. Furthermore, doctors specializing in Reproductive Endocrinology use medicines, surgeries, or various medical stratagems to treat infertility among women. Essentially, there are various treatment plans in Reproductive Endocrinology, recommended medical procedures in Reproductive Endocrinology, an assortment of steps in being a Reproductive Endocrinologist, and many reasons behind having check-ups with a Reproductive Endocrinologist.
Furthermore, due to nearly 15% of couples being infertile (US Department of Health and Human Services), there is a multitude of treatment plans that occur in Reproductive Endocrinology, which is the study of the health of the glands and hormones associated with the reproductive system, due to the very different case scenarios. For instance, to check if infertility may be linked to glucose or iodine levels, Reproductive Endocrinologists might check for blood sugar and thyroid abnormalities. Moreover, to check for anatomical or structural issues, Reproductive Endocrinologists might order an X-ray of the fallopian tubes, uterus, ovaries, etc. Additionally, to find out whether or not the female reproductive system contains the necessary hormones, the ovarian reserve fertility test could be taken to measure the Follicle stimulating hormone, which would essentially stimulate the presence of the follicles that influence the stages of the menstrual cycle; Estradiol, which can treat the removal of ovaries after the treatment of cancers; and the Anti-Müllerian hormone, which plays a pivotal role in determining the biological gender of the developing fetus. With the treatment plans in mind, Reproductive Endocrinologists can make recommended procedures like Laparoscopy, Hysteroscopy, and Abdominal myomectomy.
For example, Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgery that utilizes a tiny video camera with a light on the end to monitor what is happening within the individual. Hence the surgeon won't have to cut as much because of the special instruments. It was used in gynecological operations, but, because of its minimally invasive nature, it came to play in other endocrine areas. There are smaller scars and there will be less pain. Essentially, a Laparoscopy will allow you to see the activity of certain organs within the body during certain activities that may trigger the reproductive system. Furthermore, a Hysteroscopy is a procedure that also uses a small camera that can take images of your cervix and uterus. Additionally, an abdominal myomectomy is a surgery to remove uterine fibroids. Infertility treatments can consist of Intrauterine insemination and In vitro fertilization. Intrauterine insemination can consist of the purification of a partner's sperm sample that would eventually be placed into the female uterus. Moreover, the In vitro fertilization method would fertilize an egg with another sperm and then transfer the best embryos to the mother's uterus.
To become a Reproductive Endocrinologist, you need a bachelor's degree in science. You must then pass the MCAT to get into medical school through which you must graduate from a four-year medical school program. You must then partake in a residency program and get certified as OB/GYN through the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. You must then complete a specialized fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Finally, you must take an oral and written exam to become board certified as a reproductive endocrinologist.
While you're under the age of 35, if you're having trouble getting pregnant and want to conceive a child, you should spend a year trying before seeing a reproductive endocrinologist. However, you may want to receive an appointment with a Reproductive endocrinologist if you have irregular menstrual periods, miscarriages, infertility-causing treatment, or PCOS diagnosis. Through the help of reproductive endocrinologists, you can receive knowledge of the necessary treatment, procedures, and more tips to provide medical interventions for pregnancy when designated.
Works Cited
Felson, Sabrina. “Laparoscopic Surgery: Purpose, Procedure, and Benefits.” WebMD, 6 March 2021, https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/laparoscopic-surgery#1. Accessed 23 August 2022.
Galvin, Gaby. “As Fertility Rates Fall Across U.S., Gap Widens Between Rural and Urban Counties.” USNews.com, 17 October 2018, https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2018-10-17/as-fertility-rates-fall-across-us-gap-widens-between-rural-and-urban-counties. Accessed 23 August 2022.
Morse, Anne. “Fertility Rates: Declined for Younger Women, Increased for Older Women.” Census Bureau, 6 April 2022, https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2022/04/fertility-rates-declined-for-younger-women-increased-for-older-women.html. Accessed 23 August 2022.
Pathak, Neha. “What is a Reproductive Endocrinologist? What They Do and When to See One.” WebMD, 20 November 2020, https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-a-reproductive-endocrinologist. Accessed 23 August 2022.
US Department of Health and Human Services. “How common is infertility? | NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.” National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 8 February 2018, https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/infertility/conditioninfo/common. Accessed 23 August 2022.
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