Gynecologists: When To See One, What To Expect, Common Procedures

Maybe your like

Medical News TodaySubscribeGynecologists: When to visit and what to expectMedically reviewed by Michael Weber, M.D. — Written by Markus MacGill on August 29, 2017

What is a gynecologist?
When to see one
What to expect
Screening
Common procedures
Qualifications

Gynecologists are doctors who specialize in female health, with a focus on the female reproductive system.

They deal with a wide range of issues, including obstetrics, or pregnancy and childbirth, menstruation and fertility issues, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), hormone disorders, and others.

In the United States, some women prefer to visit a well-woman clinic rather than a family doctor for general health issues. The gynecologist may then refer the patient to another specialist.

A qualified gynecologist has at least 8 years of training and should be certified by an examining body, such as the American Board of Gynecologists (ABOG) and registered by a professional organization, such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

Fast facts about gynecologists:

A gynecologist is a doctor who specializes in the health of the female organs.
Many women start visiting a gynecologist from their early teens and continue to attend a well-woman clinic for general health issues too.
Women are advised to visit a gynecologist annually for a checkup, and any time they have symptoms that concern them.
A gynecologist should be certified and registered with a professional body, such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

What is a gynecologist?

Gynecologists specialize in women's health issues. — Gynecologists specialize in women’s health issues.

A gynecologist treats patients with female reproductive organs, whether or not they identify as women. An obstetrician is a kind of gynecologist who specializes in pregnancy and childbirth.

To become a gynecologist, a person must train first as a doctor for 4 years, then specialize for another 4 years in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Passing a further examination will enable them to be certified and registered.

In May 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that 19,800 obstetricians and gynecologists were employed in the U.S, earning an average of $234,310, or $112.65 an hour.

When to see one

A visit to the gynecologist is recommended for annual screening and any time a woman has concerns about symptoms such as pelvic, vulvar, and vaginal pain or abnormal bleeding from the uterus.

Conditions commonly treated by gynecologists include:

issues relating to pregnancy, fertility, menstruation, and menopause
family planning, including contraception, sterilization, and pregnancy termination
problems with tissues that support the pelvic organs, including ligaments and muscles
STIs
polycystic ovary syndrome
urinary and fecal incontinence
benign conditions of the reproductive tract, for example, ovarian cysts, fibroids, breast disorders, vulvar and vaginal ulcers, and other non-cancerous changes
premalignant conditions, such as endometrial hyperplasia, and cervical dysplasia
cancers of the reproductive tract and the breasts, and pregnancy-related tumors
congenital abnormalities of the female reproductive tract
emergency care relating to gynecology
endometriosis, a chronic condition that affects the reproductive system
pelvic inflammatory diseases, including abscesses
sexuality, including health issues relating to same-sex and bisexual relationships
sexual dysfunction

Gynecologists in the U.S. frequently offer both gynecological and general health care, including preventive medicine for women and diagnosis and treatment of issues such as headache, low back pain, mood changes, and acne.

They may also treat:

asthma
psychiatric conditions such as depression and personality disorders
cardiovascular disease
diabetes
thyroid disorders and other hormonal issues
domestic violence and sexual assault
osteoporosis

Preventive medicine may include lifestyle advice about issues such as smoking cessation and weight loss.

At what age can I see a gynecologist?

A gynecologist can treat a girl or a woman at any age. ACOG recommend starting to visit a gynecologist from the age of 13 to 15 years.

Building up a relationship with the doctor enables a girl or woman to be more comfortable asking questions about menstruation, sexuality and so on, and provides a point of contact if symptoms occur in future.

It also gives the doctor a chance to guide a woman’s overall welfare in the long term, through counseling on important health and lifestyle issues.

What to expect

What happens at the gynecologist’s depends on the reason for the visit and the individual’s situation.

If it is a young woman’s first visit, she may just have a chat with the doctor, get some general health information, and find out what to expect in the future.

At any visit with the gynecologist, it is worth remembering:

An honest account of your health concerns and lifestyle gives the gynecologist a better idea of your situation and enables them to help you more.
A gynecological examination, including a pap smear, may be uncomfortable, but it is not usually painful.
It is not necessary to wax or shave before the visit.
Bodily odor is natural. If it indicates a problem, the gynecologist needs to know.
If you have a period when the appointment is scheduled, you can still go ahead with the visit, but it may be better to postpone, unless you have symptoms that need urgent attention.
It is best to avoid sexual activity, using a vaginal douche, or using tampons for 2 days before a gynecological examination.

A patient can ask to have someone with them at the visit, either in the room or outside the door.

Screening

The ACOG recommend visiting a gynecologist at least once a year for an annual checkup.

This will include:

screening, evaluation and advice
immunizations based on age and risk factors
a physical examination, which will include measuring standard vital signs, body mass index, palpating the abdomen and inguinal lymph nodes, and assessing overall health
a pelvic examination and a breast examination, as appropriate for the patient’s age

You may have to give a blood or urine sample for a screening test.

Regular visits to a well-woman clinic enable the individual to keep up to date on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and minimize health risks at each age.

Other yearly health assessments can include mammography, colonoscopy, blood pressure monitoring, immunizations, and advice about calcium and folic acid intake.

Common procedures

ABOG-certified gynecologists are trained to carry out certain diagnostic and surgical procedures.

Diagnostic tasks include:

pap smear tests
ultrasound scanning
colposcopy, a microscopic examination of the cervix
endometrial biopsy, or taking a sample from the lining of the uterus
hysteroscopy, the use of an endoscope to see into the uterus

Surgical tasks include:

preparing patients for surgery
laparoscopy, a keyhole abdominal procedure. for both diagnostic and surgical purposes
minor surgery, for example, sterilization
major surgery, for example, removing fibroids in the uterus
postoperative care, including treating complications

They can also become involved with other surgical conditions, such as small bowel obstruction.

Qualifications

All gynecologists certified in the U.S. must first graduate from an “acceptable medical school.” This means they are fully trained medical doctors with a license to practice.

Fully qualified gynecologists have at least 8 years of medical study and training. To become a gynecologist, an individual must study 4 years at medical school, followed by a 4-year obstetric-gynecology residency program.

Specialty training includes:

care of patients before, during, and after pregnancy
genetics and genetic counseling
female general health, including hormones, the reproductive system, breast health, and sexual function
screening for cancers that affect women
diagnosing and treating female hormone disorders and infections

Many gynecologists undergo surgical training to correct female pelvic, reproductive, or urinary tract problems, including cancers of the reproductive system.

Many women in the U.S. consult their gynecologists with questions about their overall wellbeing, and gynecologists are trained to carry out:

routine examinations and health screening
immunizations
overall medical care for women, whether or not it relates to the reproductive system

Further specialization can take 3 years. Options include gynecologic oncology, pediatric gynecology, and maternal fetal medicine, among others.

What is a board-certified gynecologist?

A further examination enables a gynecologist to achieve full certification from the ABOG and to be listed by ACOG.

This involves two tests:

a written, multiple-choice test covering conditions commonly treated by gynecologists
a half-day oral test, including a selected review of the gynecologist’s first year of clinical cases

This means that fully qualified, board-certified gynecologists have spent 9 years training and gaining experience in their field. Some go on to specialize further.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) maintain an online directory of gynecologists who have have an active license to practice medicine, and ABOG certification in the U.S.

Abortion
Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Sexual Health / STDs
Women's Health / Gynecology

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Find an ob-gyn. (n.d.)http://www.acog.org/About_ACOG/Find_an_Ob-Gyn.aspx
My first time: A girl's guide to visiting her gynecologist. (n.d.)http://www.aoafamily.com/home/news-topic.php?newsid=195
Obstetrics and gynecology. (n.d.)http://www.facs.org/education/resources/residency-search/specialties/obgyn
Occupational employment and wages, May 2016: 29-1064 Obstetricians and gynecologists. (2017, March 31)https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291064.htm
Well-woman recommendations. (n.d.)https://www.acog.org/About-ACOG/ACOG-Departments/Annual-Womens-Health-Care/Well-Woman-Recommendations
Well-woman visit. (2012)http://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Gynecologic-Practice/Well-Woman-Visit
What health issues or conditions are specific to women only? (n.d.)http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/womenshealth/conditioninfo/pages/whatconditions.aspx
What is obstetrics/gynecology? (n.d.)http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/obstetrics/conditioninfo/Pages/default.aspx
Your first gynecologic visit (especially for teens). (2015, March)https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Your-First-Gynecologic-Visit-Especially-for-Teens

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Michael Weber, M.D. — Written by Markus MacGill on August 29, 2017

Latest news

Is everything we know about fat wrong? Experts debunk 4 myths
Once-daily pill could transform treatment for people with complex HIV regimens
Parkinson's protein linked to 20 times faster Alzheimer's progression in women
Could GLP-1 drugs cut the risk of complications after a heart attack?
How do GLP-1s affect bone health? New studies investigate

Related Coverage

New ACOG guidelines may help change, shorten endometriosis diagnosis times
The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) has issued for the first time standard of care guidelines that offer comprehensive…
READ MORE
Ovulation fatigue: Does ovulation make you tired?
It's common to feel tired or low on energy during ovulation. This can typically be managed by ensuring you get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and eat a…
READ MORE
Hot flash treatment can slow breast cancer growth, trial finds
Megestrol, which helps treat hot flashes associated with menopause, may have the added benefit of slowing the growth of ER-positive breast tumors, a…
READ MORE
FDA approves daily pill to treat low libido in women after menopause: What to know
The FDA approved Addyi (flibanserin), a libido-enhancing drug, in postmenopausal women under the age of 65. Experts explain what to expect, the side…
READ MORE
Cervical cancer screening guidelines updates: What to know
The American Cancer Society has recently updated cervical screening guidelines for HPV and cervical cancer. Here are the main changes.
READ MORE

Tag » When Should You Start Seeing A Gyno

Gynecologists: When To See One, What To Expect, Common Procedures

Fast facts about gynecologists:

What is a gynecologist?

When to see one

At what age can I see a gynecologist?

What to expect

Screening

Common procedures

Qualifications

What is a board-certified gynecologist?

How we reviewed this article:

Latest news

Related Coverage

When Should My Daughter First Go To The Gynecologist? - Kids Health

When And Why A Teen Should Start Seeing A Gynecologist - Health

When To See OB-GYN Vs. Family Medicine

When Should You Start Seeing A Gynecologist?

When Should You See A Gynecologist For The First Time?

When To Start With A Gynecologist? - The New York Times

When Do Teens Need A Gynecologist? - Yale Medicine

When Is It Time For My Daughter's First Gynecologist Visit? - Geisinger

Signs You Need To See A Gynecologist - WebMD

Gyn Care 101: What To Know About Seeing A Gynecologist

How And When Should I Schedule My First Gynecology Appointment?

Your First Gynecologic Visit - ACOG

When To See A Gynecologist: 7 Key Signs That You Should See ...

When Should Teens And Preteens Start Visiting The Gynecologist?

Contact