What does the reproductive health department check?

The core of the reproductive health department is to conduct relevant examinations around the three categories of male and female reproductive system health, fertility, and sexual health, covering reproductive-related issues of all ages from adolescence to old age. It is not at all "only available if you cannot conceive a child" as everyone thinks.

I have been in the outpatient clinic for almost 6 years, and I have seen too many patients who went to the wrong department. Not long ago, there was a girl who was just in her second year of college. Her face was full of acne, and her aunt only came once every two or three months. She first went to the dermatology department for half a year to get an acid scan, and then went to the gynecology department for more than half a year to have her menstrual period checked. Finally, after a hormone test, it was found to be polycystic ovary syndrome. When she was transferred to our department for endocrine adjustment, she muttered that she never knew that the reproductive department could see this. There are also couples in their 30s who are preparing for pregnancy. Before, they only knew that the woman had to go for a gynecological examination. They did not know that the man could go directly to the reproductive department to have his sperm motility and reproductive hormones checked, saving him a long wait at the urology department. Oh, yes, there is also a eldest sister who is almost 50 years old. She always feels dry and painful in the sex room. I am embarrassed to tell others. It took me more than half a year to come here. It was found out that it was caused by the decrease in estrogen before menopause. I was prescribed some topical medicine and it was relieved quickly.

Many people will be curious, what is the difference between reproductive medicine, gynecology, and urology? In fact, gynecology is more focused on the treatment of organic diseases of the reproductive system, such as uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts that require surgery. Most of these are within the scope of gynecology. Our department is more focused on subdivided issues related to endocrinology and fertility, such as eugenic screening before pregnancy preparation, ovulation monitoring, fallopian tube patency testing, male sperm quality, reproductive system infection screening, and even patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy who want to freeze sperm and eggs in advance for fertility preservation, they can come to our department for evaluation first.

But I have to be honest here. Now, regarding whether unmarried people can undergo fertility assessment and egg freezing and sperm freezing, the regulations in different regions and hospitals vary greatly. Many hospitals need to provide clear medical indications, such as treatments that affect fertility. Not all independent needs can be met. Before going, you can call the hospital’s consultation phone number to find out, so as to save you a wasted trip.

To be honest, you don’t need to feel any shame about the reproductive department. Just like you go to the respiratory department for a cough or the gastroenterology department for a stomachache. If you have reproductive-related discomfort or have fertility-related questions, you can just register for a check-up. Early detection of problems and early adjustment is better than dragging out the discomfort.