A gynecologist is a doctor specializing in women’s health and mostly focuses on the reproductive system. Contrary to popular belief, women should not only consult a gynecologist when they are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant. They should actually visit their gynecologist regularly to ensure that their reproductive system is healthy. Regular visits to the gynecologist can also help women learn more about common reproductive system health problems, such as adenomyosis or endometriosis, and determine if they have any underlying illnesses and diseases. For instance, Athens women’s health specialists tackle a wide range of issues such as pregnancy, obstetrics, fertility issues, hormone disorders, STI’s, and menstruation among others.
Most women prefer to visit a women’s clinic rather than a family doctor when they have general health issues. A gynecologist can refer you to another specialist depending on the complexity of your problems.
Qualified gynecologists have undergone 8 years of medical training before being certified by the ABOG (American Board of Gynecologists), then getting registered by other professional organizations such as ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists).
How Does a Woman Benefit from a Gynecologist?
Gynecologists treat women having reproductive health problems, regardless of whether they identify as women or not. However, an obstetrician mainly has specialization in pregnancy and childbirth.
Women are advised to go for annual screenings by a gynecologist anytime they have problems such as vaginal, vulva, and pelvic pain, or abnormal bleeding from their uterus.
What Does a Gynecologist Treat?
The doctor handles a wide range of issues dealing with women’s health such as:
- Family planning including pregnancy termination, contraception, and sterilization
- Pregnancy-related issues such as menstruation, fertility, and menopause
- Issues with tissues supporting your pelvic organs including muscles and ligaments
- STI’s
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Fecal and urinary incontinence
- Problems with the reproductive tract such as ovarian cysts, vaginal ulcers, fibroids, vulva, breast disorders, among other non-cancerous changes
- Premalignant conditions like cervical dysplasia and endometrial hyperplasia
- Cancers of the reproductive tract, breast, and pregnancy-related tumors
- Congenital abnormalities relating to the female reproductive tract
- Sexual dysfunction
- Pelvic inflammatory diseases like abscesses
- Sexuality problems relating to bisexual and same-sex relationships
- Emergency gynecology care
The specialists also offer preventive medicine for diagnosis and treatment of issues like mood changes, acne, low back pain, and headaches. The doctors also treat cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, psychiatric conditions like personality disorders and depression, sexual assault and domestic violence, thyroid disorders, hormonal issues, and osteoporosis. Also, women get lifestyle advice that improves their health like cessation of smoking and weight loss advice.
If you have been having problems getting pregnant or notice odor and discharge from your private area, it’s best if you consult a gynecologist as soon as possible. These problems can be symptoms of more severe illnesses and diseases that can eventually take a toll on your life when left untreated. In worse cases, a woman’s problem on her reproductive system can even become the reason why her relationships will fail.
At What Age Should a Woman See a Gynecologist?
Gynecologists treat girls and women at any age. The recommended starting age by ACOG is from 13 years to 15 years for girls.
The earlier the better as it allows you to build a beneficial relationship health-wise with your doctor. Besides, it makes the girl more comfortable consulting on issues like sexuality and menstruation. It also offers the girl and woman a point of contact if they have any problems in the future. Seeing a gynecologist early will make it easy for a woman to build healthy and meaningful friendships with the professional. This connection will make it very easy for the woman to open up any concerns about her reproductive system.
Early contact enables the gynecologist to offer overall guidance in the best interest of the woman in the long-term via counseling on vital lifestyle and health issues.
What Should a Woman Expect from a Gynecology Visit?
What happens entirely depends on your individual situation and reason for the visit. For the first visit by a girl, the doctor will have a pleasant chat to get general health information and learn about what to expect in the future. However, it’s vital to remember to give an honest account of your lifestyle and health concerns to give the doctor a better grasp of your situation to get the best help possible.
Schedule an annual checkup with your gynecologist for screening, evaluation, and advice on your health. Diagnostic tasks include ultrasound, hysteroscopy, endometrial biopsy, and colposcopy. Consult a gynecologist to learn more.
What Should A Woman Look For In A Gynecologist?
The gynecologist you hire can significantly affect the quality of your life, which is why you should be careful in choosing one. If this is your first time to work with a gynecologist, make sure that you do it with someone who is highly recommended by your friends and family. The gynecologist should also have positive reviews online, accept your insurance, and have received the necessary training for the job.
Aside from this, the gynecologist should also have good communication skills, show empathy to your concerns, and share your values as a woman. All of these qualities will make it easy for you to create and maintain a harmonious relationship with your gynecologist.
In Conclusion
Working with a gynecologist is important, so start looking for options as soon as possible. The earlier you start your search, the faster you can find a gynecologist who suits your needs and budget!