Specialty Area: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Description of Specialty: A specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology who is capable of
managing complex problems relating to hormonal issues in women and to the promotion of
pregnancy.
1. Diagnosis: Male Factor Infertility
Questions that should be asked:
- Is there a medical therapy which will improve my (husband's) semen parameters?
- Is it possible to use my (husband's) sperm for: artificial insemination?
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?
- Does insurance usually pay for this treatment?
2. Diagnosis: Therapeutic Donor Insemination
Questions that should be asked:
- Who are the donors that are recruited?
- How are they screened to avoid transmission of: infectious disease?
- genetic abnormalities?
- How are the donor characteristics matched to my needs?
- What controls assure I am receiving the correct samples?
- What technique is used to place the sample: vaginal cap?
- intra-cervical placement?
- Intra-uterine placement (IUI)?
- intra-tubal placement (SIFT)?
- What is the pregnancy rate per cycle or per 6 cycles in your unit?
3. Diagnosis: Anovulation
Questions that should be asked:
- Have you checked my thyroid hormone levels?
- prolactin level? androgen levels?
- If all I need is regular menstrual periods, why do I need birth control pills?
4. Diagnosis: Ovulation Induction Drugs
Questions that should be asked:
- What is the likelihood for multiple pregnancy?
- What is the risk for ovarian tumors/cancer?
- What is the risk for abnormalities in the baby?
5. Diagnosis: Tubal Blockage
Questions that should be asked:
- Compare the effectiveness of surgery in my case to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
- Should my tubes be removed to improve the effectiveness of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?
- How often do you do tubal reconstructive surgery?
- What techniques do you use to assure the tubes will heal open?
- When and how do you test that the tubes have healed open?
- How many patients in your practice have a baby and how many have an ectopic pregnancy?
6. Diagnosis: Unexplained Infertility
Questions that should be asked:
- What empiric therapies do you recommend?
- How many women have a living baby following these therapies in your unit?
- Why are you recommending this therapy in my case?
7. Diagnosis: In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)/Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer
(GIFT)
Questions that should be asked:
- What are the indications for these technologies in your unit?
- Why are you recommending IVF/GIFT in my case?
- How many patients: are cancelled before egg recovery?
- have no eggs captured?
- have no fertilization? have no embryo development?
- What is the number of embryos (eggs) that you recommend for transfer in my age group?
- How many patients have a multiple gestation?
- How many patients have a living baby?
- How often do your patients experience Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome?
- What surgical complications have your patients experienced?
8. Diagnosis: Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Questions that should be asked:
- What are the indications to use this technology in your unit?
- Why are you recommending this technology in my case?
- How often do eggs fertilize?
- How often do patients have a living baby?
9. Diagnosis: Assisted Hatching
Questions that should be asked:
- What are the indications to use this technology in your unit?
- Why are you recommending this technology in my case?
- How often are embryos damaged and become unfit for transfer?
- How often do patients have a living baby?
Ronald C. Strickler, M.D. Chief, OB-GYN Henry Ford Hospital Detroit, MI