Reproductive endocrinology and infertility
Encyclopedia
Reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) is a surgical subspecialty
of obstetrics and gynecology that trains physicians in reproductive medicine
addressing hormonal
functioning as it pertains to reproduction as well as the issue of infertility
. While most REI specialists primarily focus on the treatment of infertility
, reproductive endocrinologists are trained to also evaluate and treat hormonal dysfunctions in females and males outside of infertility. Reproductive endocrinologists have specialty training in obstetrics and gynecology (ob-gyn) before they undergo sub-specialty training (fellowship) in REI.
Reproductive surgery
is a related specialty, where a physician in ob-gyn or urology
further specializes to operate on anatomical disorders that affect fertility
.
, for instance, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) sets the standards for sub-specialtists to become certified. After four years of training in Obstetrics and Gynecology, a three-year approved fellowship
needs to be successfully completed. Then, to become board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, one must first complete board certification
in obstetrics and gynecology (written and oral exams), and then certify in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (written, oral, and thesis
exams).
Also, many academic journals in obstetrics and gynaecology dedicate many articles to reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
Subspecialty
A subspecialty is narrow field within a specialty such as forensic pathology, which is a subspecialty of anatomical pathology. A subspecialist is a specialist of a subspecialty....
of obstetrics and gynecology that trains physicians in reproductive medicine
Reproductive medicine
Reproductive medicine is a branch of medicine that deals with prevention, diagnosis and management of reproductive problems; goals include improving or maintaining reproductive health and allowing people to have children at a time of their choosing...
addressing hormonal
Hormone
A hormone is a chemical released by a cell or a gland in one part of the body that sends out messages that affect cells in other parts of the organism. Only a small amount of hormone is required to alter cell metabolism. In essence, it is a chemical messenger that transports a signal from one...
functioning as it pertains to reproduction as well as the issue of infertility
Infertility
Infertility primarily refers to the biological inability of a person to contribute to conception. Infertility may also refer to the state of a woman who is unable to carry a pregnancy to full term...
. While most REI specialists primarily focus on the treatment of infertility
Infertility
Infertility primarily refers to the biological inability of a person to contribute to conception. Infertility may also refer to the state of a woman who is unable to carry a pregnancy to full term...
, reproductive endocrinologists are trained to also evaluate and treat hormonal dysfunctions in females and males outside of infertility. Reproductive endocrinologists have specialty training in obstetrics and gynecology (ob-gyn) before they undergo sub-specialty training (fellowship) in REI.
Reproductive surgery
Reproductive surgery
Reproductive surgery is using surgery in the field of reproductive medicine. It can be used for contraception, e.g. in vasectomy, wherein the vasa deferentia of a man are severed, but is also used plentifully in assisted reproductive technology....
is a related specialty, where a physician in ob-gyn or urology
Urology
Urology is the medical and surgical specialty that focuses on the urinary tracts of males and females, and on the reproductive system of males. Medical professionals specializing in the field of urology are called urologists and are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with urological...
further specializes to operate on anatomical disorders that affect fertility
Fertility
Fertility is the natural capability of producing offsprings. As a measure, "fertility rate" is the number of children born per couple, person or population. Fertility differs from fecundity, which is defined as the potential for reproduction...
.
Certification
In a number of countries, the pathway to become a sub-specialist in REI is regulated. Thus, in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, for instance, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) sets the standards for sub-specialtists to become certified. After four years of training in Obstetrics and Gynecology, a three-year approved fellowship
Fellowship (medicine)
A fellowship is the period of medical training in the United States and Canada that a physician may undertake after completing a specialty training program . During this time , the physician is known as a fellow...
needs to be successfully completed. Then, to become board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, one must first complete board certification
Board certification
Board certification is the process by which a physician , dentist , or podiatrist in the United States demonstrates through either written, practical, and/or simulator based testing, a mastery of the basic knowledge and skills that define an area of medical specialization...
in obstetrics and gynecology (written and oral exams), and then certify in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (written, oral, and thesis
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
exams).
Societies
Reproductive endocrinologists Certified by ABOG often belong to a specific medical society (SREI) Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. As a condition of full membership, medical practitioners must be ABOG-certified in the reproductive endocrinology and infertility subspecialty.Journals
- Human ReproductionHuman Reproduction (journal)Human Reproduction is a peer-reviewed scientific journal covering all aspects of human reproduction, including reproductive physiology and pathology, endocrinology, andrology, gonad function, gametogenesis, fertilization, embryo development, implantation, pregnancy, genetics, preimplantation...
is published on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and EmbryologyEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and EmbryologyThe European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology was founded in 1985 by Robert Edwards and J. Cohen , who felt that the study and research in the field of reproduction needed to be encouraged and recognized.- Aims :...
. According to SCImago Journal RankSCImago Journal RankSCImago Journal Rank is a measure of scientific influence of scholarly journals that accounts for both the number of citations received by a journal and the importance or prestige of the journals where such citations come from. The SJR indicator is a variant of the eigenvector centrality measure...
, its review journalReview journalA review journal in academic publishing is a periodical or series that is devoted to the publication of review articles that summarize the progress in some particular area or topic during a preceding period.-Types:Review journals can be divided by...
Human Reproduction Update was the highest ranking journal in obstetrics and gynecology in 2008. - ReproductionReproduction (journal)Reproduction is a peer-reviewed medical journal covering reproductive biology. Its focus is on cellular and molecular biology of reproduction, including the development of gametes and early embryos in all species; developmental processes such as cell differentiation, morphogenesis and related...
is published on behalf of the Society for Reproduction and Fertility in the United Kingdom. - Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology (RB&E) is an online open access journalOpen access journalOpen access journals are scholarly journals that are available online to the reader "without financial, legal, or technical barriers other than those inseparable from gaining access to the internet itself." Some are subsidized, and some require payment on behalf of the author.Subsidized journals...
published by BioMed Central. It deals with both veterinary and human reproductive medicine. - Fertility and Sterility is a monthly journal from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine
Also, many academic journals in obstetrics and gynaecology dedicate many articles to reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
Patient's needs
According to a systematic review, fertility patients want to be treated like human beings with a need for medical skills, respect, coordination, accessibility, information, comfort, support, partner involvement and a good attitude of and relationship with fertility clinic staff.External links
- Requirements for certification by ABOG/USA
- Guidelines for assessment and treatment for people with fertility problems from the National Institute for Health and Clinical ExcellenceNational Institute for Health and Clinical ExcellenceThe National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is a special health authority of the English National Health Service , serving both English NHS and the Welsh NHS...