An endometriosis specialist is a gynecologist who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of endometriosis, a condition in which uterine cells grow outside the uterus. Extensive education is typically required when you want to become an endometriosis specialist. Usually, this means graduating from high school or earning an equivalent diploma and then going on to earn a college degree. After earning a bachelor's degree, or an equivalent credential in your jurisdiction, you will likely have to earn a medical degree and participate in a type of hands-on medical training that is referred to as a residency. It is during residency training that you will get trained to deal with gynecological issues, including endometriosis — you may also choose to participate in a fellowship in your specialty as part of your training.
Your preparation to become an endometriosis specialist generally begins after you graduate from high school. In most cases, you will have to earn an undergraduate or bachelor's degree to seek a career in evaluating and treating patients with endometriosis. Many people who have medical career goals choose premedical or science majors in college, and this can provide a good foundation of knowledge you can use in medical school. You can, however, choose just about any other major and still gain admittance to medical school.
Medical school is likely to be your next step as you work to become an endometriosis specialist. As a medical school student, you will learn in a variety of formats, including classroom settings, laboratories, and by observing patient-doctor contact. In fact, the latter years of medical school even include some supervised patient contact as part of the learning experience. While you are in medical school, you will most likely learn about a number of different medical specialties, including gynecology and other specialties that involve the treatment of endometriosis. It is after medical school, however, that you will typically gain more in-depth knowledge of this specialty.
Following medical school, you will most likely engage in a residency training program that trains you to work as a doctor. You will usually get practice in a variety of types of medical care during a residency but also have the chance to pursue your specialty in gynecology. Your residency training will typically last for about three to five years, depending on your jurisdiction, and you may engage in additional residency training or a fellowship in your specialty as you work to become an endometriosis specialist.
