Infertility Specialist Training and Care

Infertility specialist care early in patient treatment has been shown to increase the chances of having a baby usually in shorter times at significantly less expense.  "Cost" is critical for all couples and especially those that have limited infertility insurance benefits. Infertility specialists order fertility tests to identify the specific causes of infertility in the female and male. Once these causes are known, specific treatments are recommended while considering many factors such as cost and each couple's personal situation.

The “diagnosis” of infertility can be devastating to a couple who has been trying for months to become pregnant. Fortunately, if an infertility specialist is consulted soon, there are many effective fertility treatments. It is extremely important that the "right" treatment begin as soon as possible, especially if the female is in her mid-late thirties. Our Utah fertility specialists are board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility and offer all therapies including advanced reproductive technologies, such as IVF and donor egg IVF.

	Keith L. Blauer, MD

Infertility specialists usually perform "baseline" fertility tests prior to beginning female therapy. However, if the patient is not ovulating some obstetrician/gynecologists may initiate Clomid without a complete workup or male semen analysis.

Infertility specialists agree that Clomid® therapy beyond 6 months is rarely effective. Even so, as referral physicians, infertility specialists still encounter patients who have been on Clomid far longer than recommended many without a semen analysis.

While a specific diagnosis is not always possible (unexplained infertility), it is vitally important that the husband have a semen analysis prior to any treatment of the female.

Our Utah infertility specialists devote the time necessary to stay abreast of the latest developments in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. They also attend scientific meetings where they can interact and exchange knowledge with other infertility specialists. The female reproductive processes are complex involving several organ systems and intricate hormonal interactions.  There has been an explosion of knowledge over the last ten years and physicians must work constantly to stay abreast of the latest treatment developments. A busy general practitioner does not have the time to devote solely to infertility.

Virtually, any physician with a medical degree can call him/herself a fertility specialist.  Some yellow page ads promote the vast infertility treatment experience of the physician with no mention of qualifications such as board certification in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Some infertility specialists completed their Fellowship training but never attained their board certification which requires extensive written and oral examinations. 

Reproductive endocrinologists/infertility specialists must first complete an accredited medical school program followed by four years of intense residency training in obstetrics and gynecology.  After successful completion of training in general OB/GYN, fertility specialists must complete an additional two – three years of training in infertility, and other areas of reproductive endocrinology and reproductive surgery, at an approved Fellowship program. Infertility specialists are board certified in OB/GYN but rarely deliver babies after their initial training.

Infertility specialist fellowship training involves extensive clinical and research work.  Infertility specialists work under the tutelage of fertility experts and learn the many facets of infertility diagnosis and treatment. They also gain experience in managing in vitro fertilization cycles and the use of drugs, such as FSH.  Additionally, they are trained in the latest microsurgical and laparoscopic surgical techniques.

Once the fellowship training is completed, a rigorous 3 hour written exam must be passed. Following successful completion of the written exam a case list covering 1-2 years of patient care (including outcomes) must be submitted for professional review and an oral exam must be passed. A “thesis” covering original work in the area of reproductive endocrinology and infertility must have been published in a peer review journal and the results must be explained and defended during the oral exam.

The success rates for top programs in the United States can be reviewed at the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Web site, although the data is dated by two years. All fertility programs in the United States are required by law to submit their data to the CDC.

Board Certified Infertility Specialists/ Reproductive Endocrinologists are usually members of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) and submit their IVF success data for publication on the SART Web site (which is usually only dated by 1 year).

	James S. Heiner, MD

Patients managed by an infertility specialist are much more likely to ultimately become pregnant.  In fact, studies demonstrate that more than 90% of those who seek infertility specialist care will become pregnant if they are willing to use the technology and fertility treatment options that are currently available.

Our Utah infertility specialists Dr. James Heiner, Dr. Keith Blauer and Dr. Hatasaka are board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.  Biographies of our infertility specialists are posted online.