An Andrologist is a medical practitioner who deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to the male reproductive and urology organs such as fertility and sexual problems. Andrologist is trained to treat disorders like erectile dysfunction, infertility, and genital trauma of their patients generally ranging from puberty to the elderly age.
Andrologist job description includes performing various physical examinations and diagnostic tests to determine the cause of the disorder and prescribe the best possible treatment for the speedy recovery of their patient. They use a variety of treatments such as medication, hormone therapy, or even surgery for the treatment of the patients.
Increasing cases of male infertility and other related disorders have increased the demand for specialized medical professionals in the recent past. Thus the scope for those who want to join the field of Andrology has increased a lot.
Andrologist Eligibility
Aspiring candidates must possess a 5½ years MBBS degree followed by 2 years MS (Urology) and M.Ch. (Urology) course. To be specialized in the field of Andrology candidates are supposed to do a Fellowship course in ‘Andrology & Men's Health’.
Andrologist Required Skills
- Andrologists should have excellent decision-making ability, knowledge of the latest medical developments, zeal to work in trying conditions, and genuine care and concern for their patients, can become good Andrologists by taking the necessary qualifications.
- They should have enough self-confidence to make quick decisions in emergency situations.
- They also possess good knowledge about the disorders that affect male reproductive and urological systems.
- They should possess good problem-solving skills and the ability to withstand the pressure of their work.
- They should be able to keep their patients comfortable as reproductive health is a sensitive issue among people.
How to Become an Andrologist?
Aspiring candidates have to follow the below-given steps to become an Andrologist.
Step 1
Students who have appeared or are appearing in +2 (with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as main subjects) have to appear in Medical Entrance Tests conducted by the various state and Independent bodies like PMT, taken by Punjab Government and CBSE-PMT (Pre Medical Test) taken by the Central Board to admit candidates in various medical institutions affiliated with it.
A separate test is conducted by some of the highest-rated medical institutions like AIIMS, PGI, GMCH, AFMC Pune, etc. These exams are generally held in the month of May-June.
Step 2
After completing this four and half year of MBBS degree course and one year and six months of compulsory training one has to go MS (Urology).
Aspiring MBBS doctors have to appear in Post Graduate Medical Entrance Tests like the All India Post Graduate Medical/Dental Entrance Exam and Jawaharlal Institute of Post-graduate Medical Education and Research Entrance Exam.
However, some institutes also provide admission on the basis of marks obtained in the MBBS course and the work experience of the aspiring candidates.
Step 3
After completing MS (Urology) the aspiring candidates can enroll for M.Ch - a 3-year courses-for further specialization in the field.
Step 4
For Specialization in the field of Andrology, the candidates are required to do a Fellowship course in ‘Andrology & Mens Health’ provided by various reputed Health universities like Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore.
Andrologist Job Description
Andrologist job description includes the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of male reproductive organs-related problems they treat patients with problems like erectile dysfunction, infertility, and genital trauma. They are also trained to do various kinds of diagnostic tests and imaging to determine the cause of the problem and its best possible medical or surgical treatment.
Andrologist Career Prospects
Career prospect for Andrologist appears bright in the coming times due to growing cases of male infertility and related problems in the recent past. There are ample job opportunities for young Andrologists in upcoming Male infertility Centres. They can also get placed in the Andrology departments of reputed Hospitals like AIIMS etc.
More enterprising Andrologists can also open their own Mail Infertility Centres. Andrologists may also become teachers in different medical schools and colleges besides going for research work.
Andrologist Salary
Andrologists in the government sector can expect to get nearly Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 60,000 depending upon their experience and expertise. Besides, they are also entitled to government accommodation and other perks as admissible. However, experienced Andrologists working in the corporate sector can expect anything between Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 per month depending on their success rate. Andrologists successfully running their own Male Infertility Clinic has the ability to earn a lot of money in a few successful cases only.
