Reproductive endocrinology and infertility

Reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) is a surgical subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology that trains physicians in reproductive medicine addressing hormonal functioning as it pertains to reproduction as well as the issue of infertility. While most REI specialists primarily focus on the treatment of infertility, reproductive endocrinologists are trained to also evaluate and treat hormonal dysfunction in females and males outside infertility. Reproductive endocrinologists have specialty training in obstetrics and gynecology before they undergo subspecialty training in an REI fellowship.

Reproductive surgery is a related specialty where a physician in OB/GYN or urology further specializes to operate on anatomical disorders that affect fertility.

Certification
In the United States, the American Board of Obstetrics nad Gynecology (ABOG) and American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology set the standards for subspecialists to become certified. After four years of training in obstetrics and gynecology, a three-year approved fellowship needs to be successfully completed. Then, to become board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, one must first complete board certification in obstetrics and gynecology (written and oral exams), and then certify in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (written and oral exams).