What to Expect During Your First Consultation with a Fertility Doctor

Whether you’ve been trying to conceive for a while or want to be proactive about your fertility, your first consultation with a fertility specialist is an important moment. It’s a chance to get expert guidance, discuss your options, and take control of your fertility journey. But what exactly happens during that first visit? Here’s what you can expect, so you feel prepared and confident.

Who is a Reproductive Endocrinologist?

A reproductive endocrinologist (RE) is a fertility specialist with advanced training in diagnosing and treating reproductive health issues. They focus on helping individuals and couples conceive, offering treatments like IVF, IUI, and fertility preservation, such as egg freezing. Beyond helping their patients get pregnant, they can also help manage other conditions that impact reproductive health, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis.

Before Your Appointment: Preparing Your Information

Before your first consultation, your doctor will likely ask you to gather some information about your background ahead of time. This could include:

Your medical history: Be ready to share details about your menstrual cycle, any past pregnancies or miscarriages, and any other relevant health conditions you’re already aware of like PCOS, thyroid issues, or endometriosis. If you’ve been charting your cycle or tracking ovulation, bringing that data can be helpful.
Your partner’s health history: If you’re trying to conceive with a partner, your partner’s health information may also be discussed. This includes any known reproductive health issues, previous children, or surgeries.
Previous fertility tests: If you or your partner has already undergone tests like hormone panels, ultrasounds, or a semen analysis, bring those results with you to avoid repeating tests unnecessarily.
Lifestyle information: Be prepared to discuss your lifestyle habits, including diet, exercise, stress levels, and any supplements or medications you’re currently taking. Your doctor will want to get a full picture of your overall health to help guide their recommendations.

During the Appointment: A Comprehensive Review of Your Health

Your first consultation with a reproductive endocrinologist will generally start with a detailed conversation about your medical history and fertility concerns. The goal is to better understand your unique situation and any factors that may be impacting your ability to conceive.

1. A Discussion of Your Fertility and Family Planning Goals

This is your opportunity to share your goals for building a family. How many children do you want to have, and what kind of age gap between children would you ideally like to have? Do you have concerns about your age or reproductive timeline? Your doctor will want to understand your expectations so they can recommend the most appropriate next steps.

2. Detailed Medical History

The first part of your consultation will likely involve a discussion of both your medical history and your partner’s, if applicable. Your doctor will ask about:

How long you’ve been trying to conceive
Your menstrual cycle patterns (regularity, flow, and symptoms)
Any previous pregnancies or miscarriages
Any existing medical conditions that may impact your reproductive health (PCOS, thyroid disorders, diabetes, etc.)
Family history of reproductive or hormonal issues
Your lifestyle, including diet, stress levels, and physical activity

For many couples, fertility challenges are complex, so your Reproductive Endocrinologist will take time to gather as much information as possible to make the right recommendations moving forward.

3. Review of Past Testing and Treatments

If you’ve already completed fertility tests or tried other treatments, your doctor will review those results in detail. This includes any hormone tests, ultrasounds, semen analyses, or previous cycles of fertility treatments like IUI or IVF. Based on this information, your Reproductive Endocrinologist may recommend additional testing to get a clearer picture of your reproductive health.

Potential Next Steps

After discussing your history and goals, your Reproductive Endocrinologist may suggest a series of tests to evaluate your fertility more closely. These could include:

Hormone Testing: Blood tests to measure levels of hormones like Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH), and estradiol, which provide insights into ovarian reserve and reproductive health.
An Ultrasound: A transvaginal ultrasound may be performed to assess your ovaries, uterus, and other reproductive organs. This can help identify conditions like cysts, fibroids, or polyps that could impact fertility.
A Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): This is an X-ray procedure used to check whether your fallopian tubes are open and to assess the shape of your uterus.
A Semen Analysis: In some cases, your partner may undergo a semen analysis to evaluate sperm count, motility, and morphology.
Other Specialized Tests: Depending on your medical history, your doctor may also recommend tests to check for conditions like endometriosis, thyroid imbalances, or genetic factors that could affect your ability to conceive.

Developing a Treatment Plan

Once your Reproductive Endocrinologist has gathered enough information, they’ll discuss a customized treatment plan based on your unique needs and fertility goals. Some common next steps may include:

Ovulation Induction: If you’re not ovulating regularly, medications like Clomid or Letrozole may be prescribed to help stimulate ovulation.
IUI (Intrauterine Insemination): If timing and sperm quality are the primary concerns, your Reproductive Endocrinologist may suggest IUI as an initial treatment.
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): For more complex cases, or when other treatments haven’t worked, IVF might be recommended to give you the best chance of conception.
Lifestyle Changes: Sometimes, small lifestyle changes like adjusting your diet, reducing stress, or timing intercourse more precisely can improve your chances of conceiving without assistance.

Questions That Address Your Unique Needs

This consultation is also your opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Don’t hesitate to ask about the recommended tests, potential treatment options, or any concerns you have about the process. Your Reproductive Endocrinologist is there to guide you, and it’s important to feel fully informed before making any decisions. Some questions you might want to ask include:

What do you think might be affecting our ability to conceive?
What tests do you recommend, and why?
What are the potential treatment options based on what we’ve discussed today?
How long should we try this treatment before considering something else?
What are the success rates for treatments like IUI or IVF for someone in my situation?

After Your Consultation: Next Steps

After your first consultation, your Reproductive Endocrinologist will schedule any necessary tests and follow-up appointments. From there, you’ll work together to review the results and determine the best path forward. Remember, this process is unique for everyone—there’s no one-size-fits-all timeline or solution.

At Prima, we’re here to help you navigate this journey with the support and expert guidance you need. From your first consultation to your last treatment, we’re with you every step of the way.