Who are OB-GYNs?
OB-GYNs, or obstetrician-gynecologists, specialize in female reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbirth. They care for the biological functions associated with women's health, such as menstruation, birth, and menopause. OB-GYNs also provide routine medical services and preventive screenings.
What are obstetrics and gynecology?
Obstetrics is the area of medicine that focuses on medical and surgical care before, during, and after childbirth. It also focuses on maintaining a woman's overall health during maternity, such as pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum care, and fertility treatment.
Gynecology is a field of medicine specializing in examining, treating, and maintaining the female reproductive system. The woman's reproductive system comprises the vagina, uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. A gynecologist conducts screening and treats issues associated with women's breasts and problems with the urinary tract.
An "OB-GYN" is an obstetrician-gynecologist, a doctor certified in obstetrics and gynecology. They work as part of a large medical group or hospitals or pursue private practice. OB-GYNs can perform surgery, assist with labor and delivery, and deal with health issues such as birth control, high-risk pregnancy, menopause, cervical and breast cancer screening, and urinary tract problems.
What education and training does an OB-GYN have?
Gynecologists and obstetricians are medical doctors specifically trained in treating the uterus, vagina, and general reproductive system. Gynecologists specialize in standard care for the reproductive system. On the other hand, obstetricians specialize in all aspects of pregnancy, from prenatal to after-delivery.
The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) outlines the education and training requirements for OB-GYNs. The educational framework includes the following criteria:
- Graduation from an approved medical school and the American Board of Internal Medicine certification
- Completion of an OB-GYN residency program (minimum of four years in length), specifically in gynecology and obstetrics, accredited by the American Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
- Become a certified doctor by passing the ABOG exam in the chosen specialty.
OB-GYNs gain experience in primary and preventive care roles, including inpatient and ambulatory care, diagnosing and managing breast disease and lower urinary tract dysfunction, and performing and interpreting diagnostic pelvic and transvaginal ultrasounds. OB-GYNs are required to take exams every six years to retain their certifications.
What are some OB-GYN subspecialties?
While most OB-GYNs handle a wide range of women's health issues, some choose to specialize further. Here are seven recognized subspecialties for OB-GYNs:
1. Maternal-fetal medicine: These doctors specialize in caring for pregnant women and their babies, especially during pregnancy complications.
2. Reproductive endocrinology and infertility: These specialists focus on evaluating and treating fertility issues and hormone problems in women.
3. Female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery: These physicians treat women with pelvic area problems and offer medical and surgical solutions.
4. Gynecologic oncology: These specialists are experts in treating female reproductive system cancers.
5. Critical care medicine: These specialists focus on helping very sick patients in hospitals.
6. Complex family planning: These doctors assist women with complicated reproductive health needs, often working with other specialists.
7. Hospice and palliative medicine: These OB-GYNs help patients with serious illnesses feel as comfortable as possible and support them and their families in the treatment journey.
What conditions do OB-GYNs treat?
OB-GYNs evaluate and manage various conditions based on the patient's age, health, and reproductive goals. OB-GYNs near you treat the following common conditions:
- Abnormal bleeding
- Pelvic pain
- Genital itching
- Urinary incontinence
- Urinary tract or vaginal infections
- Endometriosis
- Breast disorders
- Hormonal disorders
- Infertility issues
- High-risk pregnancy
When should a female see an OB-GYN?
You may consult an OB-GYN if:
- You have questions concerning the female reproductive system
- You have urological or gastrointestinal symptoms
- You have menstrual, pregnancy, fertility, or contraception questions or issues
- You have sexual health concerns like changing libido levels, pain during sex, or if you face abuse
At what age should a female visit an OB-GYN?
If a female has completed 11 years of age and has any of the following concerns, then she could visit an OB-GYN:
- Delayed puberty (no breast tissue changes before age 14)
- Delayed menstruation (no menstrual cycles before age 16)
- Painful menstrual cycles
- Difficulty wearing a tampon
- Any sexual health questions or contraceptive needs
What procedures can OB-GYNs perform?
OB-GYNs are skilled surgeons who can perform various surgical and non-surgical procedures to help keep you healthy. Some of the surgeries include:
- Removing growths like ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids
- Repairing injuries to the pelvic organs through surgery
- Delivering babies by cesarean section when necessary
- Assisting during childbirth with instruments
- Performing hysterectomies, which is the removal of the uterus
In addition to major surgeries, OB-GYNs can also perform routine procedures in their office, such as:
- Using pelvic ultrasounds to check on your reproductive organs and monitor pregnancies
- Providing counseling and treatments for infertility and urinary issues like infections or incontinence
- Testing for sexually transmitted infections
- Helping with fertility treatments, such as retrieving eggs for IVF or egg-freezing
- Treating common problems like anemia and conducting breast exams and screenings for breast cancer
They also assist with general health needs, including screening for mental health issues, filling prescriptions, conducting blood work, and referring you to specialists. Whether it is a major surgery or a routine checkup, your OB-GYN is there to support your health needs.
Sexual health topics to discuss with your OB-GYN
In addition to conducting your annual exam or helping you with pregnancy-related matters, your OB-GYN has valuable knowledge that can help enhance your sex life. Here are a few sexual health topics to discuss with your OB-GYN:
Pain during intercourse is a common concern. Some causes, such as vaginal dryness or infection, may have simple solutions. However, others, like endometriosis or uterine fibroids, may require more advanced care. Regardless, be sure to share your concerns with your OB-GYN so they can identify the cause and suggest treatment options.
- Changes in your feelings about intercourse
If you are having trouble enjoying intercourse as you once did, it may be time to talk to an OB-GYN near you. While sex drive is a complex issue, a change in your feelings toward sex could have an underlying cause. Many medical conditions, as well as certain medications, can impact your sex drive. For instance, hormonal changes during menopause are a common cause of low sex drive. Additionally, factors like prolonged stress, relationship difficulties, or mental health issues may be contributing factors. Your doctor can rule out gynecologic causes and refer you to other care resources if necessary.
If you are sexually active but not planning a pregnancy, your OB-GYN can assist you in selecting the right birth control method. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, you may want to consider how frequently you will need to manage your birth control. Some options require action every time you have sex, while others offer long-term solutions. You may also need to consider factors such as your age, health conditions, future family plans, effectiveness, and potential risks. Your choice of birth control may change as you progress through different stages of life.
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
It is crucial to be aware of your body and recognize signs that something may be wrong. However, STIs don't always produce noticeable symptoms. At your next appointment, ask your OB-GYN about STI screenings. The testing guidelines vary depending on your health and lifestyle. Based on these factors, your OB-GYN can help you prevent and treat STIs before they seriously affect your health.
- Changes in partners or sexual activity
If you have recently changed partners or have begun engaging in new sexual behaviors, let your OB-GYN know. These changes may impact your risk for certain conditions. You may also need additional screenings or a change in your birth control method.
Rest assured, any details you share about your sexual health will remain confidential. Your OB-GYN has experience caring for women with diverse lifestyles and sexual health choices. Be open about your sexual history, partners, and activity—it will ultimately help you receive more personalized, quality care.
What happens during a well-woman exam?
Once you turn 21 or become sexually active, you should make the well-woman exam a part of your healthcare routine. Besides the obvious benefit of keeping a tab on your sexual and reproductive health, it also helps you build a trusted partnership with your provider. This way, you will be comfortable discussing your concerns and queries about your sexual health.
You can make an appointment with an OB-GYN or female gynecologist near you for the checkup, which usually comprises the following steps: medical history, vital signs, the physical exam, breast exam, pelvic exam, and pap smear. Let's review each one so you know what to expect if you are going for one soon.
- Medical history: Before the exam begins, you will most likely fill up paperwork with questions about your menstruation, family history, sexual history, medications, and other details.
- Vital signs exam: Your provider will measure your height, weight, blood pressure, temperature, and other vital signs.
- Physical exam: It is similar to your routine annual physicals. The OB-GYN will discuss your updated personal and family medical history and check your general appearance, heartbeat, lungs, head, neck, abdomen, skin, and nervous system. You will change into the hospital gown for the following three examinations.
- Breast exam: Your doctor will inspect your breasts for lumps, swelling, discharge, or other abnormal signs that may indicate breast cancer. They will also teach you how to perform a breast self-exam every month.
- Pelvic exam: For this exam, you will lie back down on the exam table with your feet in the stirrups. Your provider will first visually examine your vagina for abnormal signs such as redness, irritation, or discharge. Then they will insert two lubricated, gloved fingers into the vagina and press the other hand on your abdomen to check the status of internal reproductive organs. These include the uterus, ovaries, and cervix. The pelvic exam can detect signs of sexually transmitted infections, ovarian cysts, uterine growths, and early-stage cancers.
- Pap smear: Using a speculum, the OB-GYN will widen your vaginal walls to get a more precise look at the cervix. Then, they will insert a small brush to collect cells from your cervix. They will send this sample to the laboratory to test for the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and signs of cervical cancer.
How can you find top-rated OB-GYNs near you in Acworth, GA?
OB-GYNs deal with personal and sensitive health issues, and seeing one may be troubling, especially if it's your first time. You might be reluctant to discuss your problems openly and would not prefer to consult any random OB-GYN. You may also instead choose a female gynecologist near you.
To find the best OB-GYNs in Acworth, GA, you can create a free account on Zocdoc. Zocdoc is a free and secure online platform that helps patients find high-quality doctors in their locality. Set the search filter by condition, specialty, location, and insurance plan. A comprehensive list of OB-GYNs will appear based on the search criteria.
Each OB-GYN on Zocdoc has a detailed profile with a brief introduction, education qualifications, practice location, visit reasons, and, most importantly, patient reviews. Patients are welcome to review their experience when they complete an appointment. These patient reviews are an effective way to choose the best OB-GYNs or female gynecologists near you in Acworth.
If you are searching for OB-GYNs covered by your insurance or want to know which insurance you have, Zocdoc's online patient help center is ready to assist you. You can connect various medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your Zocdoc account. Remember, you can link only one insurance plan for each appointment.
If you have multiple insurance plans, you can add details about your secondary insurance in the appointment notes. Moreover, if your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can input your secondary insurance information for quick access.
Further, Zocdoc provides an option for video appointments, which can help you get to know your doctor before the in-person visit. To schedule a video appointment, look for a purple video icon on the optometrists' profiles or filter the video appointment selection. Schedule your appointment by selecting the convenient slot displayed.
Booking appointments with OB-GYNs near you on Zocdoc is simple, secure, and free.
Statistics related to OB-GYNs in Georgia and the U.S
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 19,820 actively employed OB-GYNs in the U.S. as of May 2023. Georgia is among the top five states in the U.S. for employing OB-GYNs, with nearly 980 OB-GYNs practicing in the state.
The 2016 Health of Women and Children Report published by the America's Health Rankings stated that Georgia scores poorly in women's and infants' policy and outcomes measures, ranking in the bottom five in uninsured women, maternal mortality, unintended pregnancy, home health visits, low birthweight, and neonatal mortality.
The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, published in March 2021, states that the need for OB-GYNs might increase by 1,810 FTEs (full-time equivalent) between 2018 and 2030. The total increase in demand (around 4% over 2018 demand) and the reduced supply (around 7% under 2018 supply) will result in a projected overall deficit of 5,170 FTEs nationwide by 2030.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
WebMD[3]
WebMD[4]
Healthline
University of Illinois College of Medicine
Mayo Clinic
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
National Center for Health Workforce Analysis
America's Health Rankings
Walnut Hill Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates
Cleveland Clinic
St. George's University
MedicalNewsToday
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