What is an endometriosis specialist? Here’s what to know (& how to find one)
When you’re trying to conceive (TTC) and things aren’t going as planned, you might find yourself looking for answers.
Conditions like endometriosis can sometimes fly under the radar, and even though it’s thought that roughly 30% to 50% of women with endometriosis may experience infertility, not every OB-GYN or fertility doctor is trained to recognize the condition, or to treat it effectively.
Getting the right support really matters for your journey, that’s where seeing a specialist can make a real difference.
How to find an endometriosis specialist (plus other key questions, answered)
We’re back partnering with the amazing team behind the ReceptivaDx™ test – the only test that can identify leading causes of unexplained infertility, including endometriosis, in a single, minimally invasive sample – to lift the lid.
Here’s a clear breakdown from us and the ReceptivaDx™ team, covering off:
- What an endometriosis specialist is
- The different kinds of endometriosis specialists
- When you might need to see one
- How to actually find one that can best support your fertility journey and your family-building goals
Let’s get into it.
What is an endometriosis specialist?
An endometriosis specialist is a doctor with advanced expertise in diagnosing and managing endometriosis.
They go beyond standard gynecology training to understand the full scope of the condition – how it shows up, how to remove it, and how it might impact your fertility and whole-body health.
Endometriosis specialists are also trained to recognize the wide range of symptoms that often go overlooked or misdiagnosed, from bowel or bladder pain to leg pain or painful sex.
What is an endometriosis specialist called?
There’s no single title for an endometriosis specialist — who you should see depends on your symptoms and where you are in your journey, and you may end up working with more than one expert.
Here are the main types:
Gynecologic surgeons and endometriosis excision specialists
These are surgeons who have advanced training in intricate procedures involving the female reproductive system.
An endometriosis excision specialist is trained to perform laparoscopic excision, which is the gold standard for long-term relief. Rather than burning or lasering endometriosis tissue (ablation), excision removes it at the root, reducing the chance of regrowth.
Many gynecologic surgeons and excision specialists operate in multidisciplinary teams or work alongside fertility clinics.
Reproductive endocrinologists
These are fertility doctors trained in hormone-related conditions and assisted reproduction.
Some are highly experienced in supporting patients with endometriosis, especially when IVF is part of the picture.
Pelvic pain specialists
Focused on chronic pain management, these doctors may be pelvic floor physical therapists, neurologists, or gynecologists with extra training in nerve-related pain.
They may work in tandem with a surgeon or help with pain management before or after surgery.
Gastroenterologists or urology specialists with endo experience
If your symptoms involve the bowel or bladder, you may need a colorectal surgeon or urologist who has worked with endometriosis patients before.
This is especially important if endo is suspected (or found) in these areas.
Read up here for more super-specific information on what kind of doctor to see for endometriosis issues, straight from the ReceptivaDx™ team.
When might you need to see an endometriosis specialist?
If you’ve been trying to conceive or having treatment and things aren’t moving forward, it might be time to consider whether endometriosis could be a factor.
Or, if you have symptoms like painful periods or pelvic discomfort, but others don’t notice anything unusual at all.
You might want to speak to a specialist if:
- You’re dealing with unexplained infertility
- You’ve had one or more failed IVF cycles with no clear reason why
- You’ve had recurring implantation failure or pregnancy loss
- You experience pain during your period, sex, or bowel movements
- You’ve been diagnosed with IBS, bladder issues, or similar, but symptoms persist
The key takeaway here? You don’t need a confirmed diagnosis before seeing a specialist.
In fact, seeing a specialist is a key step towards getting that diagnosis, and many are referred based on strong suspicion alone, especially if they’ve tried other approaches without results.
How can an endometriosis specialist help me on my fertility journey?
Endometriosis can impact fertility in several ways, by affecting egg quality, damaging the fallopian tubes, or creating an environment where implantation is less likely.
But with the right diagnosis and treatment plan, many people go on to conceive successfully.
An endometriosis specialist can:
- Accurately diagnose endometriosis – Potentially starting with the ReceptivaDx™ test to detect markers of endometriosis even without surgery, and subsequent confirmation via surgical laparoscopy
- Perform excision surgery – This aims to remove endometriosis that may be affecting the ovaries uterus
- Coordinate with a fertility clinic to time treatment or fertility preservation steps
- Help adjust medications or protocols to give you the best chance of success with IVF or other treatments
How to find an endometriosis specialist
Finding the right specialist can feel like a lot, especially if you’re already navigating a fertility journey, but there are trusted routes to get you started.
- Your OB-GYN or fertility center – Ask for a referral to someone with extensive experience in endometriosis. Don’t be afraid to ask how many patients with endometriosis they see or whether they can perform the ReceptivaDx™ test.
- Check ReceptivaDx™’s list of testing partners – Clinics that offer the ReceptivaDx™ test are often closely connected to endometriosis care and may work with or refer to top specialists – start your search here.
- Speak to the ReceptivaDx™ team – Schedule a 20-minute consultation with the ReceptivaDx™ team, free of charge, to find specialists in your area.
- Use other specialist directories – Try searching online for endometriosis specialists near me, or how to find an endometriosis specialist. Other search tools like iCareBetter or the American End of Endo Project can help you identify experts in your area.
- Look beyond your zip code – If you’re not finding someone nearby and your current personal situation allows, consider casting a wider net.
A specialist’s top tips
Keep the following things in mind, says Dr. Mona Orady, a leading endometriosis specialist and gynecologic surgeon with nearly 20 years of experience in minimally invasive surgery:
- Training and experience in diagnosing and treating endometriosis
- Their approach to treatment – Whether they offer both medical and surgical options, and what type of minimally invasive surgery they use
- Their philosophy of care – Do they individualize treatment based on your symptoms, goals, and fertility plans?
- Whether they’re willing to listen to you as a person, take your concerns seriously, and support a plan that works for you
A fertility journey can be exhausting, and yet another referral or appointment might feel like just an extra hoop to jump through. But when it comes to endometriosis, seeking help from a specialist is crucial.
Whether you’re dealing with unexplained infertility and haven’t yet looked at possible endometriosis, or you’re navigating confirmed endometriosis alongside a fertility journey, getting specialist support could really move the needle, from diagnosis all the way through to treatment.
Feeling stuck? Ask your specialist or fertility center to connect with ReceptivaDx™ and order a test for you, and keep pushing for answers.
And as always, TRB readers can get $75 off – just use code TRB23 on the test request form.
