How to Become a Fertility Doctor

Fertility doctors--also called reproductive endocrinologists--are doctors who have trained in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as reproductive endocrinology, according to the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, a trade group. Becoming a fertility doctor takes dedication and many years of training and testing.

Instructions

1. Complete a medical degree. Four years of medical school will give you a broad education in classes such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology and pathology, as well as exposure to all of the disciplines of medicine through clinical rotations. Elective courses or additional rotations in obstetrics and gynecology or endocrinology will help lay the groundwork for further training.

2. Complete a four-year obstetrics and gynecology residency. Specialized residency training in all aspects of obstetrics and gynecology will help prepare you for the care of women. Rotations will expose you to preconceptional health, pregnancy, labor and delivery issues and postpartum care, as well as genetic counseling. You will also train to diagnose and treat general women's health problems, screen for cancer and learn appropriate management of hormonal, pelvic and urinary tract problems, according to the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

3. Pass the national board certification exam in obstetrics and gynecology. The exam has two parts: a written test and an oral exam. The written exam tests whether you have attained the knowledge needed to serve as a primary care provider for women in all cycles of life, according to the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The oral exam provides an opportunity for national experts to test your knowledge and skill in diagnosing and treating a variety of clinical problems.

4. Complete fellowship training. Specialized training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility will provide you with additional focused education in the diagnosis and management of hormonal problems and fertility issues. Most fellowships in reproductive endocrinology last three years and feature a combination of clinical rotations through fertility and hormone clinics, research time dedicated to a scientific research project and additional elective coursework in specific aspects of the field.

5. Pass the national subspecialty board certification exam. An additional certification exam is necessary to become a fertility doctor; like the ob/gyn board certification exam, this test has two parts--written and oral--and seeks to test your knowledge and skill in the finer points of treating fertility and other endocrinology problems.

References

• American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology: Training and Certification in Subspecialties
• Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility