Getting to Know About Doctor Fertility and the Role it Has

Fertility doctors are doctors who specifically deal with fertility problems. Not only that, doctors who study fertility or fertility also handle problems in the reproductive system and sexual function disorders, both men and women.

Fertility doctors who deal with cases of fertility disorders are generally a specialist in andrology (SpAnd) and a fertility consultant obstetrician (SpOG - KFER).

Andrologists or andrologists are specialist doctors who deal with fertility disorders and problems in the male reproductive organs, while obstetricians are in charge of handling diseases or disorders of the female reproductive organs as well as problems in pregnancy and childbirth.

The Role of Fertility Specialists
Fertility doctors, both andrologists and obstetricians, usually work in hospitals or fertility clinics, which are clinics that specifically deal with fertility disorders (infertility).

To learn more about the roles of these two specialists, see the discussion in the following article:

Andrologist
Andrologists play a role in diagnosing and managing disorders of the male reproductive system, such as sexual dysfunction and infertility in men. Fertility disorders or infertility in men can be caused by several things, such as:

• Problems with sperm count, shape and function, for example, due to genetic disorders and hormonal disorders.
• Certain diseases, such as sexually transmitted diseases, enlarged veins in the testicles or varicoceles, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and thyroid disorders.
• Ejaculation disorders, such as premature ejaculation and ejaculation retrograde or conditions when sperm does not come out into the penis during ejaculation.
• Injury to the penis, sperm ducts or testicles.
• Unhealthy lifestyles, such as frequent smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, stress, and rarely exercising.
• Side effects of certain drugs, such as steroids, chemotherapy, antidepressants, and blood pressure-lowering drugs spironolactone.

To determine the diagnosis of infertility in men and look for the cause, andrology doctors can conduct a physical examination and several supporting examinations, such as sperm examination, hormone testing, genetic testing, testicular biopsy, and testicular ultrasound.

Obstetrician

Not only in charge of examining and dealing with problems in pregnancy and childbirth, obstetricians or obstetricians and gynecologists also play a role in dealing with disorders of the female reproductive system, including infertility in women.

Obstetricians can examine and treat fertility problems in women caused by certain medical conditions or diseases, such as:

• Menstrual disorders.
• Sexual problems, such as reduced sexual desire or libido, pain during intercourse, and vaginal dryness.
• Abnormalities in the female reproductive organs, such as PCOS, sexually transmitted diseases, pelvic inflammation, ovarian cysts.
• Cancer in female reproductive organs, such as cervical cancer, cervical cancer, and ovarian cancer.
• Hormone disorders.

In addition, women's fertility problems can also be caused by age, side effects of drugs, stress, and unhealthy lifestyles, such as frequent smoking, consuming alcohol, and overweight.

To diagnose and determine the cause of infertility in women, the obstetrician can do the following tests:

• Physical examination, including examination of the pelvis, vulva, and vagina, cervix and breast.
• Radiological examination, such as uterine and transvaginal ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, and hysterosalpingography.
• Hormone tests, such as estrogen and progesterone.
• Uterine or cervical biopsy, such as a pap smear.

Some Handling Measures Fertility Doctors Do

Once the cause of the fertility disorder is known, the fertility doctor will suggest several treatment options to increase fertility and the chances of getting pregnant, such as:

Medication use

Doctors can prescribe medicines to treat fertility problems. If fertility problems are caused by sperm disorders, your doctor may prescribe medicines to increase sperm count and quality.

To overcome the problem of female fertility, your doctor may prescribe medicines to smooth ovulation and menstruation and improve egg quality.

Artificial insemination

The purpose of artificial insemination is to increase the number of sperm reaching the fallopian tubes (fallopian tubes), resulting in fertilization and pregnancy. Artificial insemination is done by placing sperm directly in the uterus when releasing eggs or ovulation.

Fertility doctors will usually recommend artificial insemination in patients who have difficulty conceiving due to disorders of the cervix, formation of scar tissue in the ovaries, or because their partners experience ejaculatory disorders.

Test-tube baby

If treatment and artificial insemination do not reach pregnancy, the fertility doctor may recommend IVF or in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs.

This procedure is done by selecting and taking healthy sperm and egg cells to produce fertilization in the laboratory. After successful fertilization, the fetus (embryo) formed will be implanted in the uterus so that pregnancy can occur.

The fertility doctor may advise you to undergo an IVF program if you have difficulty getting pregnant due to the following conditions:

• Endometriosis.
• The couple's sperm count is small.
• Egg quality is not good.
• Genetic disorders.
• Abnormalities in the uterus, cervix, or ovaries.

What Needs To Be Prepared When Consulting A Fertility Doctor

So that the examination and treatment carried out by the fertility doctor can run more smoothly, you and your partner are advised to prepare the following things:

• Make notes containing menstrual history, fertility, sexual activity, and planning for your pregnancy and your partner.
• Make notes regarding the history of your illness and your partner and medical treatment that has been done, including the use of drugs, supplements, herbal medicines, or certain medical measures.
• Make a list of questions to ask the doctor, such as treatment options to overcome the problem of pregnancy, the risk of such treatment, and the costs involved.

If you or your partner are under 35 years old and have not had a baby even though you have planned pregnancy for 1 year, you should consult the fertility problem with the fertility doctor.

However, if you or your partner is over 35 years old, consultation with a fertility doctor is necessary if you have not reached pregnancy after planning a pregnancy for 6 months.

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