Fertility specialists are typically gynecologists or urologists who’ve had additional training to deal with issues surrounding the reproductive organs. There are a variety of reasons your doctor may refer you to a fertility specialist, including:

• Difficulty conceiving for more than six months if you’re age 35 or older, or for more than a year if you’re younger
• Having had two or more miscarriages
• Starting to try to conceive with known risk factors or symptoms of infertility, such as irregular cycles, genetic conditions, or prior sexually transmitted infections (even if already treated)
• Interest in permanent birth control options, like tubal ligation or vasectomy
• People with a cancer diagnosis who need guidance on how to preserve fertility before treatments, or those ready to conceive after treatments