Gynecologist, Doctor For Women

A gynecologist doctor is a specialist who takes care of women’s reproductive health from adolescence through old age. While some women choose to have their gynecological health tended to by their general practitioner, others prefer a specialist with a depth of knowledge about female health needs.

- What’s the difference between a gynecologist and an OB-GYN? The OB of the latter practitioner stands for obstetrician. An obstetrician is a medical provider who delivers babies. An OB-GYN is a physician who takes care of female reproductive wellness as well as delivering babies. This can be quite convenient for patients in their childbearing years that plan to procreate. For others who are not planning to have children, it may be preferable for them to select a standard gynecologist so that the doc won’t be called away on a regular basis to deliver infants.

- What ages should teen girls begin to visit their GYN? Beginning at age eighteen, females should begin to have annual examinations by this specialist, sooner if they are sexually active. Every year, an annual exam should be performed that entails a pelvic exam and a pap test.

- What are pelvic exams and pap tests? A pelvic screening is a physical exam in which the physician manually checks the ovaries, uterus and vagina for wellness and abnormalities. The pap test is a diagnostic screening tool in which a sampling is taken and sent to a laboratory for evaluation. These screenings are designed to catch diseases and conditions in the early stages for more successful treatment.

- How should a patient prepare for her annual exam? The ideal time for this regular check up is mid-menstrual cycle. Two weeks before and two weeks after a period is the optimum time frame. It is best to empty one’s bladder before an examination, as well. Sexual intercourse should be avoided for twenty-four hours before the appointment. Vaginal douching should be avoided, as well, as this creates an unnatural and sometimes unhealthy bodily reaction.

- What else should a patient bring to her annual physical? It’s a wise idea to have a calendar of monthly cycles and a list of questions to ask during the appointment. Many times patients have good intentions of asking certain questions but get flustered during the appointment and forget what they were. A prepared list of queries is always a good idea.

- Regular once-a-year appointments are important: It’s very important to get in to see this specialist once a year as a preventative health care tool. Making the appointment one year in advance is one way of achieving this, especially if the office staff will send out reminder notices. If that’s too far away for planning, consistently scheduling it during summer vacations or winter breaks will be a good way to remember, as well.

- Red flags that should alert a patient to get in sooner than the annual appointment: If a woman has any unusual symptoms, such has pain, bleeding between periods, missed menstrual periods, bleeding after intercourse, or an unusual discharge, she should make an appointment with her gynecologist doctor to be seen right away.