Who is a gynecologist?
Medically Reviewed by Nassim Assefi, MD on December 14th, 2023
A gynecologist specializes in female sexual and reproductive health. They diagnose and treat medical conditions of the female reproductive tract, which consists of the vulva, vagina, fallopian tubes, uterus, ovaries, and breasts. They differ from OB-GYNs, gynecologists practicing as obstetricians and offering medical care during pregnancy and childbirth.
Training and specializations for gynecologists
Gynecologists receive extensive training with theoretical and practical components. They complete a pre-medical undergraduate degree and clear the Medical College Admissions Test. These make them eligible for medical school, where they spend four years before graduating with an MD or a DO degree.
After that, they complete a four-year residency program, during which they work in a hospital setting to acquire in-depth knowledge about diagnostics, surgery, and preventative care. Following this, they obtain a medical license and can practice as generalists. Alternatively, they can enroll in a fellowship to specialize in a specific area of gynecology. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recognizes the following specialties:
- Critical care gynecology
- Gynecologic oncology
- Maternal-fetal medicine
- Complex family planning
- Hospice and palliative medicine
- Reproductive endocrinology and infertility
- Female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery
Upon completing the fellowship, gynecologists pass oral and written exams to earn certification from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
What kind of issues do gynecologists treat?
Gynecologists treat various conditions, including:
- Uterine fibroids: Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) are non-cancerous tumors that form in or on the walls of your uterus. They cause a variety of symptoms, such as abdominal pain and heavy bleeding, while many people do not experience any symptoms. Uterine fibroids are of four types - intramural, subserosal, submucosal, and pedunculated.
- Ovarian cysts: Ovarian cysts are sacs full of fluids or semi-solid materials inside one or both of your ovaries. Their symptoms include painful periods, pelvic pain, pain during sexual intercourse, and a feeling of fullness or bloating that is more prominent on one side of the body. However, these symptoms vary from person to person; some people might not feel any pain or discomfort despite having ovarian cysts.
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): You can get STIs through any sexual activity involving your vagina, anus, penis, or mouth. STIs are of various types, some of which are asymptomatic. In other cases, their symptoms include unusual vaginal or penile discharge, pain during sex and/or urination, itching or swelling around your genitals, skin rashes, diarrhea, and bumps, sores, or warts on or near the infected body parts. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and syphilis are examples of STIs.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): PID, an infection in your uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes, primarily results from STIs. Its symptoms include lower abdominal pain, burning sensation while urinating, irregular periods, fever, nausea, and yellow or green vaginal discharge.
Understanding endometriosis: symptoms, causes, diagnosis & treatment
Endometriosis is the cause of tissue similar to the uterine lining growing outside the uterus. This tissue often appears in areas like the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the space behind the uterus. It can also affect the bladder, rectum, intestines, and, in rare cases, the lungs or diaphragm. Endometriosis commonly affects people aged 20 to 40 and may lead to pelvic pain, heavy periods, and infertility.
Endometriosis is characterized by pelvic pain, especially around menstruation. Other symptoms include painful menstrual cramps, lower back or abdominal pain, pain during sex, heavy or irregular bleeding, digestive problems like bloating or constipation, and discomfort while urinating or during bowel movements. Some people may have no symptoms and discover the condition only during fertility tests.
While the cause of endometriosis remains unclear, experts are studying the links to genetics, immune system issues, and hormonal imbalances. Having a family history, long and heavy periods, or short menstrual cycles may increase the risk.
Diagnosis begins with a pelvic exam and may involve ultrasound or MRI imaging. However, a confirmed diagnosis requires laparoscopy, which is a minimally invasive surgical procedure. It involves using a small camera to locate and sometimes remove the abnormal tissue.
Endometriosis is chronic and has no cure, but treatment options can manage symptoms. These include medications like NSAIDs for pain and hormonal therapies (birth control pills, GnRH agonists/antagonists, or danazol). Hormonal treatments reduce or stop menstruation but may not be suitable during pregnancy attempts. Surgery, including laparoscopy or, in severe cases, hysterectomy, can remove endometrial tissue and ease pain. However, symptoms may return over time.
Although rare, endometriosis may continue after menopause, especially with hormone replacement therapy. It can also cause complications such as scarring, adhesions, bowel or bladder problems, and difficulty getting pregnant.
While there is no way to prevent endometriosis, the risk appears lower in those who’ve been pregnant more than once or who breastfeed. The condition can be emotionally and physically taxing. It’s important to talk about treatment options with a healthcare provider, particularly if you’re experiencing chronic pelvic pain, fertility issues, or other symptoms. They can help tailor a plan that may include medication, surgery, or both.
Questions you can ask your doctor:
- What are my treatment options?
- Can it come back after treatment?
- Will it affect my fertility?
- Does it increase the risk of other health problems?
Reasons to see a female gynecologist near you
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women see a gynecologist initially between the ages of 13 and 15. During your first visit, your doctor might perform some tests and administer necessary vaccines. You can ask them any questions you might have about your body, sex, etc.
Besides regular checkups, you can see a gynecologist if you:
- Want to learn about contraceptives and identify which option is the most suitable for you
- Notice your vaginal discharge has an unusual smell, color, or thickness
- Have concerns regarding your periods or pregnancy
- Have severe pelvic or abdominal pain
- Want to get the HPV vaccine
What should you expect from an appointment with your gynecologist?
Your gynecologist will inquire about your menstrual and sexual health. Be open with them, as it will help them assess your symptoms (if any) accurately. They might ask you when your last period was, which birth control method you use, how often you have sex, whether you have multiple sexual partners, etc. If you are more comfortable sharing such details with other women, visit a female gynecologist.
Next, they will inspect your reproductive organs internally and externally. This process can involve them checking your breasts for lumps, performing a pelvic exam and a pap smear, pressing on your pelvis, and inserting a gloved digit/finger into your rectum to check for any abnormalities.
How can you find the best female gynecologist near you?
Finding the right doctor for your sexual and reproductive health concerns can be difficult. But with Zocdoc, you can find top-rated doctors who best suit your needs with just a few clicks!
Get started by visiting the website and creating a free account. Next, select your preferred location, specialty, date, and appointment time. The website will provide a list of doctors matching your search criteria. Select your insurance carrier and plan from the drop-down menu to narrow down the results and ensure your health insurance covers your visit.
Our online patient support center can help you find female gynecologists who accept your insurance. On Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account; however, you can only use one per appointment.
You can mention your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes if you have multiple insurance plans. Alternatively, if your healthcare provider uses Zocdoc’s Intake forms, you can enter your secondary insurance information directly through the form.
Zocdoc also allows you to book appointments with female gynecologists before, during, and after regular office hours, depending on their availability. You can even book appointments on weekends and holidays if their schedule allows.
On Zocdoc, each doctor has a dedicated profile with details about their education, specializations, certifications, experience, and ratings and reviews from past patients. This information helps you make an informed choice about your healthcare. Moreover, Zocdoc offers multiple filters to sort the results according to the languages spoken by the doctors and whether or not they treat children. You can also sort the doctor profiles by their gender if you feel more comfortable discussing sexual health concerns with a female gynecologist near you.
On Zocdoc, you can make both in-person and virtual appointments. While browsing the list of doctors, look for a purple video icon beside their names. The presence of this icon indicates the doctor offers virtual consultations. All bookings on Zocdoc are 100% free, fast, and secure!
Statistics on female sexual and reproductive health
According to the National Survey of Family Growth (2017-2019), the average age for getting a first period among US women aged 15-49 is around 12.4 years. Furthermore, approximately 3.7% of the same group of women received treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease.
Findings from the KFF Women’s Health Survey (2020) indicate that about 72% of women use some form of birth control, and on average, women use 3.4 different contraceptive methods in their lifetime. However, around 14% of sexually active women reported not using birth control, citing their concern about its side effects as the primary reason. Additionally, nearly 18% use contraception solely for a reason other than pregnancy (preventing STIs, managing a medical condition, etc.).
According to the Frequency of Menstrual Pain or PMS in the country (2020) report, approximately 31.31 million women reported menstrual pain and PMS symptoms in 2020. In addition, the Sexual Health Services Used by Women in the country (2006 to 2019) by Service Type reported an increase in the percentage of women aged between 15-44 seeking medical assistance for HIV or STI from nearly 26% (2006) to around 38% (2019).
Sources
KFF
WebMD
Statista[1]
Statista[2]
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Cleveland Clinic[3]
Cleveland Clinic[4]
Cleveland Clinic[5]
Cleveland Clinic[6]
Medical News Today
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
