What is Reproductive Endocrinology and What Jobs are Available in this Field?

Question: What is Reproductive Endocrinology and What Jobs are Available in this Field?

Answer: Reproductive endocrinology is a subspecialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology that entails reproductive medicine, also known as infertility treatment. Fertility medicine uses a variety of artificial methods to help a woman become pregnant when she has been unable to conceive naturally. This relatively new medical sub-specialty relies upon cutting-edge technology that becomes more advanced each year.

A variety of careers are available in the field of reproductive endocrinology. Reproductive endocrinologists are physicians who have completed all of the medical education and training necessary to practice obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn). Then, the physician would complete an additional fellowship training year in reproductive endocrinology, to help them learn how to diagnose and treat a variety of causes of infertility.

In addition to physician careers in reproductive endocrinology, other careers are available in the field, such as nurses and lab technologists, called cytotechnologists. A cytotechnologist plays a key role in building a strong reproductive endocrinology program. Cytotechnologists are specially trained to perform in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other microscopic procedures to assist in conception.

Some of the other treatments utilized by reproductive endocrinologists are artifical insemination, hormones and fertility drugs.