| Occupation | |
|---|---|
| Names |
|
Occupation type | Specialty |
Activity sectors | Medicine,Surgery |
| Description | |
Education required |
|
Fields of employment | Hospitals,Clinics |
Reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) is a surgicalsubspecialty ofobstetrics and gynecology that trains physicians inreproductive medicine addressinghormonal functioning as it pertains toreproduction as well as the issue ofinfertility. While most REI specialists primarily focus on the treatment ofinfertility, reproductive endocrinologists are trained to also test and treat hormonal dysfunctions in females and males outside infertility. Reproductive endocrinologists have specialty training (residency) inobstetrics 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 orurology further specializes to operate on anatomical disorders that affectfertility.[1]
In a number of countries, the pathway to become a subspecialist in REI is regulated. Thus, in theUnited States, for instance, theAmerican Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) andAmerican Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology set the standards for subspecialists to become certified. After four years of training in Obstetrics and Gynecology, a three-year approvedfellowship needs to be successfully completed. Then, to become board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, one must first completeboard certification inobstetrics and gynecology (written and oral exams), and then certify in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (written and oral exams).
In the United States, fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility usually takes 3 years, and is offered in 40 centers across the country as of 2013.[2]
In theEuropean Union, the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (EBCOG) has accreditation centers for a subspecialist training program in reproductive medicine at 4 centers across the EU as of 2012.[3]
InAustralia andNew Zealand, a training program in reproductive endocrinology and infertility takes 3 years, and is offered in 15 centers across the two countries.[4]
InIndia, Assisted Reproductive Technology bill has been passed in parliament.[5] This bill mandatesgyncelogists or andrologists to have 3 years of experience in recognized ART centers to conduct procedures such asIVF, PGT.
Reproductive endocrinologists Certified by ACOG often belong to a specific medical society namedSociety for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (SREI). As a condition of full membership, medical practitioners must be ACOG-certified in the reproductive endocrinology and infertility subspecialty.[6]
Also, manyacademic journals in obstetrics and gynaecology dedicate many articles to reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
