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OB-GYNs and their role in healthcare

Obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) are primary care physicians (PCPs) who care for female reproductive health. They help women make informed decisions about their reproductive health and counsel them before, after, and during pregnancy. Women must visit their OB-GYNs regularly for annual health checkups from their teenage years. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests that you should begin seeing one between the ages of 13 and 15. 

Further, OB-GYNs also treat conditions and diseases that affect the reproductive organs of a woman's body. They also act as consultants to other physicians when a case requires the same.

OB-GYN subspecialties

Some OB-GYNs choose to take additional training to obtain a subspecialty in obstetrics and gynecology, such as:

• Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists: They give prenatal care for patients with high-risk pregnancies, help to manage the mother's existing health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure, perform tests like ultrasound to observe the growth and development of the fetus, check for genetic disorders using tests like chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or umbilical cord sampling, diagnose and manage congenital disabilities in developing babies and perform surgery if needed, and manage the mother's health complications after pregnancy, such as excessive bleeding or infections.
• Reproductive endocrinologists (RE): They manage complex problems related to reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Infertility is common both in men and women. If you cannot have a baby even after a year of unprotected sex, it is a good time to seek an OB-GYN's help. Reproductive endocrinologists conduct diagnostic tests to search for the problem, such as an X-ray of the uterus or fallopian tubes, semen tests, or an ovarian reserve fertility test. Based on the test results, they may recommend procedures like laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, or abdominal myomectomy. They also help with assisted reproduction, such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI).
• Gynecologic oncologists manage and treat reproductive system cancers through chemotherapy, surgery, and palliative care.
• Complex family planning specialists provide abortion and contraception care to patients with severe medical conditions. Further, they also help patients plan their families by educating and counseling them.
• Female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgeons: They treat disorders of the genitourinary system, including pelvic organ prolapse, sexual dysfunction, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, defecatory disorders, and chronic pelvic pain. They conduct physical examinations and tests like urodynamic testing, endoanal sonography evaluation, and office cystoscopy to diagnose conditions. They may perform some surgeries, including abdominal sacrocolpopexy, uterosacral ligament suspension, sacrospinous fixation, and mid-urethral sling.
• Critical care medicine specialists diagnose, treat, and support critically ill and injured patients.
• Hospice and palliative medicine specialists relieve the suffering of patients with life-limiting illnesses or need end-of-life care. People in the last stages of their lives might experience depression and loneliness and are more sensitive to drugs. Palliative care physicians help manage the pain and symptoms of the illness as well as treatment side effects. They treat people holistically and try to improve their quality of life. They work in teams, which may include nurses, pharmacists, and social workers.

After the training period, all subspecialties must be certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG).

When should you see an OB-GYN?

Visiting an OB-GYN from age 13 or when you get your first period would be best. Building a relationship with the doctor can make you feel more comfortable asking questions and provide a point of contact if you have any symptoms in the future. The OB-GYN also gets to know your overall health for the long term. Generally, you would visit an OB-GYN for annual screenings or when symptoms concern your reproductive health. OB-GYNs can help with:

• concerns relating to pregnancy, fertility, menstruation, and menopause
• family planning, including contraception or sterilization
• issues with pelvic organ tissues
• urinary and fecal incontinence
• sexually transmitted infections
• polycystic ovary syndrome
• ovarian cysts, fibroids, vaginal and vulvar cancers
• breast disorders
• congenital abnormalities of the reproductive tract
• endometriosis 
• sexual dysfunction.

Some OB-GYNs in the United States also offer general health care, such as treatment for headaches, acne, asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and sexual assault. You can always look for female gynecologists near you with whom you feel comfortable sharing your general health needs.

How to prepare for your OB-GYN visit?

What happens at the appointment would depend on the reason for the visit and your health. Generally, a first visit involves a chat with the doctor, who would take your personal and family medical history and try to understand your reproductive health goals. An honest account of your concerns and lifestyle would give the OB-GYN a good idea of your situation, and they can tell you what to expect in the future. 

An annual gynecological checkup includes a physical exam, pelvic and breast exam, as well as immunizations based on your age and risk factors. You may also have to give blood or urine samples for screening tests. Regular visits can help you minimize health risks and maintain your health.

Whether you have an upcoming annual checkup or wish to see an OB-GYN for medical issues, keep the following points in mind for a smooth experience:

• Avoid scheduling an appointment during your period, especially if your visit involves a pelvic exam. Blood can interfere with the test results. Please confirm with your doctor before you visit.
• Hold off your bikini wax or other hair removal appointments until after your OB-GYN visit, as it can cause swelling and inflammation.
• If you feel embarrassed about vaginal discharge or odors, remember that it helps your OB-GYN understand the hormonal balance. Avoid douching. 
• Avoid intercourse within two days before the appointment, especially if you have a pap test scheduled.
• Track your menstrual cycle using your phone, physical planner, or a tracking app. 
• Bring your medical records so your doctor can get all the necessary information within one visit.

Prepare a list of questions you want to address during the appointment. Remember that it is okay to feel nervous or embarrassed to ask specific questions or show certain areas of your body. Your OB-GYN is a trained healthcare professional who wants to help you clinically and non-judgmentally. If it makes you more comfortable, choose a female gynecologist near you and bring a relative or friend to the clinic.

Understanding the different OB-GYN Specialties

Many OB-GYNs pursue additional fellowship training, allowing them to specialize in specific areas for more advanced care. Below are some key OB-GYN subspecialties:

• Breast disease: These OB-GYNs specialize in breast health and focus on diagnosing and treating both benign and cancerous breast conditions. Their expertise includes surgical procedures and comprehensive breast care management.
• Complex family planning: This specialty involves providing advanced contraception counseling and skilled abortion care. These specialists support patients with complex reproductive health needs while ensuring safe and effective options.
• Female reproductive pelvic surgery: Also known as urogynecologists, these doctors treat conditions affecting the female urogenital tract. They manage disorders like pelvic organ prolapse, where organs shift from their normal position, and incontinence issues that impact daily life.
• Gynecologic oncology: This field focuses on diagnosing and treating cancers arising in the female reproductive system, such as ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancer. Gynecologic oncologists perform surgeries, oversee chemotherapy treatments, and work with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive cancer care.
• Reproductive endocrinology and infertility: Such an OB-GYN near you would diagnose and treat infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, and hormonal disorders affecting reproduction. They offer advanced treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), preimplantation genetic testing, and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
• Maternal-fetal medicine: These OB-GYNs specialize in high-risk pregnancies, assisting patients with pre-existing health conditions, severe pregnancy complications, or fetal anomalies. Their training includes advanced ultrasound techniques that help with diagnosis and pregnancy management.
• Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery: Specialists in this field use innovative techniques to treat complex gynecologic conditions like severe endometriosis and uterine fibroids. They also perform fertility-sparing surgeries to remove cancerous ovaries while preserving fertility.
• Pediatric and adolescent gynecology: This specialty focuses on young patients and addresses routine gynecologic care, puberty-related concerns, and developmental abnormalities. Pediatric gynecologists ensure that adolescents receive age-appropriate reproductive health care.

Finding the best OB-GYNs near you in Arlington, Virginia

Regularly visiting an OB-GYN is essential to maintain one's reproductive health. Since a long-term relationship with your doctor is beneficial, you should find someone with whom you feel comfortable and who can ensure you get the best care.

Zocdoc can help you find excellent healthcare professionals in your area, say, Arlington, Virginia. You can start looking by first creating a free account on Zocdoc. Then, enter your location or zip code to get a list of healthcare professionals near you.

You can filter your search based on other requirements, like the symptoms of your condition or your healthcare insurance provider or plan. Consulting a doctor who is in-network and accepts your healthcare plan can help you avoid a considerable surprise bill later, which you'll have to pay out of pocket.

At Zocdoc, the patient-doctor relationship is taken seriously, which is why all doctors listed with us have their profiles, which give you details like their qualifications, years of practice in the field, hospital affiliations, whether or not they treat kids, languages spoken, and their gender. You can filter the results by gender if you wish to see a female gynecologist near you. All profiles contain reviews from other patients, which further help you make the right decision. You can sort these reviews by their relevance to you or their recency.

Once you've picked the right OB-GYN, you can make an online booking. Zocdoc provides you with the schedules of all the doctors, letting you see their free slots. You can book an appointment at a convenient date and time. An appointment ensures you can immediately visit the doctor. You also have the option of scheduling a video consultation. If you need help finding dentists that accept your insurance, our online patient support center is here for you. On Zocdoc, you can connect your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account. Keep in mind that each appointment can only be covered by one insurance plan.

Booking appointments with healthcare providers using Zocdoc is simple, secure, and 100% free!

OB-GYN statistics in Arlington, Virginia

Here are some statistics about women's health issues from the United Health Foundation:

 Annual health exams help minimize health risks by detecting problems in time. It is also the time when OB-GYNs provide patient counseling and education. Women between the ages of 35 and 44 go for a well-woman visit more frequently than women between 24 and 34. 

Data shows that insured women go for a checkup more often than uninsured women. Between 2019 and 2020, around 72% of women in the US visited an OB-GYN, and in Virginia, 74.5% of women did the same. This number is higher than the national average. 

Postpartum depression occurs after pregnancy, affecting the mother and the child. The baby could have behavioral issues, poor sleep quality, and impaired cognitive and language development. Mothers less than 24 years old are more at risk than older mothers. In 2020, around 13.6% of the women in the US had postpartum depression. 

Further, approximately 11.8% of women in Virginia suffered from postpartum depression, which is less than the national average. Teen births (in females aged between 15–19) decreased by 35% from 20.1 to 13.1 births per 1,000 females.

Sources

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists[1]

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists[2]

WebMD[1]

WebMD[2]   

WebMD[3] 

UTSouthwestern Medical Center. 

American College of Surgeons[1]

America's Health Rankings[1] 

America's Health Rankings[2] 

Medical News Today

HealthCentral

American College of Surgeons[2]

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.