Specialist fertility care:
Why is choosing the right fertility clinician so confusing?
Understanding
What’s in a name?
If you’ve searched for specialist fertility online, you’ve probably noticed something confusing.
Everyone seems to offer fertility care.
- Your GP may advertise fertility services.
- Gynaecologists often treat fertility conditions.
- Fertility clinics employ a range of clinicians.
- Then there are fertility specialists.
So…how are you supposed to know who to see?
It’s a question I hear almost every week.
As a CREI-certified Fertility Specialist, I often meet patients who have already seen one or more healthcare professionals but still aren’t sure who provides what, or why they’ve been referred from one clinician to another.
That’s understandable.
Fertility medicine has become increasingly complex, and the titles used by different clinicians don’t always explain their qualifications, training or scope of practice.
The good news is that once you understand the different training pathways, choosing the right clinician becomes much clearer.
I’ll explain what the different titles mean, how fertility training works in Australia, and why understanding those differences can help you make informed decisions about your care.
Fertility Specialist Perth
The fertility care hierarchy
Not everyone working in fertility has completed the same training. Understanding the pathway can make it much easier to choose the right clinician for your situation.
Your GP
For many people, a GP is the first step.
A GP can:
- organise initial fertility investigations
- discuss preconception health
- arrange semen analysis and blood tests
- refer you to a gynaecologist or fertility specialist when needed
Some GPs have a particular interest in fertility and provide more extensive fertility care.
Fertility GP
Some GPs develop a particular interest in fertility and undertake additional education through continuing professional development, short courses, workshops, conferences or postgraduate study. Many also gain valuable experience working alongside fertility specialists within fertility clinics.
This additional education can be valuable in helping patients access early fertility assessment, investigations and ongoing care.
However, it is important to understand that this is not the same as completing specialist training in obstetrics and gynaecology, nor the accredited CREI subspecialty training pathway in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. There is currently no recognised specialist GP training pathway in fertility medicine that is equivalent to CREI accreditation.
For patients, this means the title “fertility GP” describes a GP with an interest or additional experience in fertility, rather than a recognised medical specialty or subspecialty qualification.
Specialist Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
A Specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist is trained to diagnose and treat the full spectrum of women’s reproductive health conditions.
Some choose to include fertility care as part of their broader practice, particularly where conditions affecting fertility overlap with gynaecological health.
Their work may include:
- diagnosing and treating conditions that can affect fertility, such as endometriosis, PCOS and fibroids
- performing gynaecological surgery where appropriate
- investigating fertility concerns
- providing preconception advice
- referring patients for advanced fertility treatment when needed.
For many gynaecologists, fertility is one part of a much broader women’s health practice.
Fertility specialist
A fertility specialist is also a Specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, but their practice is primarily dedicated to helping people conceive and managing infertility.
Rather than treating the full range of gynaecological conditions, their day-to-day practice is centred on:
- investigating infertility
- interpreting complex fertility investigations
- reproductive hormone disorders
- ovulation disorders
- male and female infertility
- recurrent miscarriage
- fertility preservation
- fertility treatment, including ovulation induction, IUI and IVF where appropriate
In other words, while a gynaecologist may treat fertility as one aspect of women’s health, a fertility specialist has made fertility and reproductive medicine the primary focus of their clinical practice.
CREI fertility specialist
Some fertility specialists choose to undertake further accredited subspecialty training through the Certificate in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (CREI).
CREI is a recognised subspecialty of obstetrics and gynaecology. To enter the program, a doctor must first qualify as a Specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist before completing several additional years of accredited training focused exclusively on reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
This advanced training includes the comprehensive management of infertility, reproductive hormone disorders, assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF and ICSI, fertility preservation and recurrent miscarriage.
Fertility treatment Perth
Why is specialist fertility care so confusing?
One of the biggest reasons is that not all fertility-related titles are regulated.
Terms such as “fertility doctor”, “fertility clinician” and “fertility expert” are not recognised medical specialties in Australia. This means they don’t necessarily tell you what formal specialist or subspecialty training a clinician has completed.
By contrast, the title Specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist is a recognised specialist registration, and CREI is a recognised subspecialty qualification in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
As a patient, it’s easy to assume that anyone using fertility-related titles has completed the same level of training. In reality, clinicians may have very different qualifications, experience and scope of practice.
That doesn’t mean one clinician is better than another. GPs, gynaecologists and fertility specialists each play an important role in fertility care. The key is understanding what their title actually represents, rather than relying on marketing language alone.
If you’re unsure, it’s perfectly reasonable to ask:
- Are you a Specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist?
- Have you completed CREI subspecialty training?
- What additional fertility training have you undertaken?
- Which fertility investigations and treatments do you personally provide?
- If my situation becomes more complex, who will manage my fertility care?
Understanding these distinctions can help you make an informed decision about your care.
What people often tell me
- "There were so many different titles online that I wasn't sure who I actually needed to book with."
- "My GP suggested seeing a gynaecologist after my initial tests, but what her really meant was seeing a CREI-certified fertility specialist.”
Dr Tamara Hunter
Choosing the right fertility clinician starts with understanding their training
Choosing the right fertility clinician shouldn’t feel confusing, but for many people it does.
The growing use of fertility-related titles means it’s not always obvious what training or qualifications sit behind them. Understanding the difference between a GP, fertility GP, Specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, fertility specialist and CREI fertility specialist can help you make informed decisions about your care.
Every clinician has an important role. The key is making sure the care you receive matches your needs and that you understand the qualifications, experience and scope of practice of the person guiding your fertility journey.
If you’re unsure, ask questions. It’s entirely reasonable to ask about a clinician’s training, recognised qualifications and experience in fertility care. Understanding those answers can help you feel more confident in the decisions you make.
Specialist fertility
FAQ
What is specialist fertility care?
Specialist fertility care focuses on investigating, diagnosing and managing conditions that affect fertility. It may include fertility testing, reproductive hormone assessment and treatments such as ovulation induction, IUI or IVF where appropriate.
What is a fertility specialist?
A fertility specialist is a medical doctor with advanced training in reproductive medicine and infertility. In Australia, many fertility specialists complete additional CREI subspecialty training after becoming Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
What qualifications does a fertility specialist have in Australia?
Many fertility specialists complete the Certificate in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (CREI), an advanced subspecialty qualification through RANZCOG following specialist obstetrics and gynaecology training.
What is the difference between a fertility specialist and a gynaecologist?
A gynaecologist treats a broad range of reproductive health conditions, while a fertility specialist has additional training focused on diagnosing and managing infertility and reproductive hormone conditions.
When should I see a fertility specialist?
If you’ve been trying to conceive without success, have irregular menstrual cycles, recurrent miscarriage, endometriosis, PCOS or concerns about preserving your fertility, your GP may recommend referral to a fertility specialist.
Does a fertility specialist perform IVF?
Yes. Fertility specialists may provide IVF and other assisted reproductive treatments where these are appropriate for your individual circumstances.