Who is an OB-GYN?
Obstetrician-gynecologists or OB-GYNs are medical doctors with specialized skills and knowledge in providing medical and surgical care for female reproductive system-related disorders. OB-GYNs can also serve as primary care physicians for women.
OB-GYNs help women make wise decisions about their reproductive health, including inducing or preventing pregnancy, making healthy choices during and post pregnancy, maintaining general reproductive health, and treating diseases and conditions of the reproductive organs.
OB-GYN contains two disciplines: obstetrics and gynecology. OB-GYNs possess expertise in both these disciplines and can handle all matters concerning female reproductive health.
What is obstetrics?
Obstetrics constitutes the medical branch dedicated to providing medical and surgical care for women before, during, and after childbirth. Obstetrics focuses on maintaining a woman's overall health throughout maternity, covering various aspects such as pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum.
OB-GYNs actively conduct office visits, perform surgical procedures, and assist in labor and delivery. Some practitioners operate independently or within a private practice; others are part of larger medical groups or hospitals.
What is gynecology?
Gynecology is the medical discipline that studies women's bodies and their reproductive health. It involves the diagnosis, treatment, and care of the female reproductive system, comprising the vagina, uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Additionally, this medical field encompasses screening and treatment for issues related to women's breasts.
Gynecology serves as the overarching domain for women's health from puberty through adulthood, representing the majority of reproductive care one receives throughout their lifetime. In instances of pregnancy, seeking the expertise of an obstetrician is advisable.
Education and training requirements for OB-GYNs
The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology certifies OB-GYNs in the United States.
To become an OB-GYN after graduating from high school and college, individuals follow these steps:
- Medical school: The initial two years of medical school focus on general medical education, covering human anatomy and physiology. In the last two years, medical students spent a significant portion of their time in clinics or hospitals, serving as apprentices to doctors.
- Residency: Following medical school, individuals practice medicine under the supervision of a more experienced doctor. This is known as a residency. During this period, doctors choose their specialty. An OB-GYN residency typically spans four years, allowing doctors to observe and perform various procedures.
- Specialty examination: Upon residency completion, doctors can take specialty board examinations. OB-GYNs are required to undergo and pass a day-long oral test. After an additional two years, they must also undergo an oral exam in which six doctors ask them questions.
- Board certifications: OB-GYNs seeking additional board certifications may be required to take further board examinations.
- Ongoing development: Doctors must fulfill state licensure requirements, typically completing a specified number of continuing education credits each year.
What are the subspecialty areas of OB-GYN?
A vast majority of OB-GYNs are generalists, but they can choose to obtain certification in a particular subspecialty area. Following are the seven subspecialties as recognized by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology:
- Gynecologic oncology: These doctors specialize in treating patients with gynecologic cancers.
- Reproductive endocrinology and infertility: These OB-GYNs treat and evaluate hormonal dysfunctions and infertility issues.
- Female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery: These OB-GYNs provide medical and surgical treatment to females with pelvic floor disorders.
- Complex family planning: These OB-GYNs offer abortion and contraception care to women with difficult conditions and ensure proper reproductive care for their patients.
- Critical care medicine: This specialty involves supporting, diagnosing, and treating critically injured and ill patients.
- Hospice and palliative medicine: These OB-GYNs work with patients with life-limiting illnesses to optimize quality of life and minimize suffering.
- Maternal-fetal medicine: These doctors are experts in addressing the health concerns of both mother and baby. They also manage complications that may arise during pregnancy.
Conditions treated by OB-GYNs
OB-GYNs are skilled in diagnosing and treating various obstetric and gynecological conditions. Here are a few conditions that are manageable by an OB-GYN near you:
- Cervical cancer: Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cell growth begins in the cervix, the lower portion of the uterus that links to the vagina. It is often caused due to the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is an infection contracted due to sexual activities. Although most people’s immune systems can fight against it, the virus can survive in a small percentage of people. As a result, it can infect some cervical cells to become cancerous. It does not cause symptoms when it starts but causes issues later. Some of its symptoms include pelvic pain or painful intercourse, watery or bloody vaginal discharge with a foul odor, heavier and longer menstrual bleeding, and vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between menstrual cycles, or after menopause.
- Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue resembling the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterine cavity. It can impact the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the surrounding pelvic tissues, often causing pain. Moreover, endometriosis growth can also occur near the pelvic organs. Some of its symptoms include painful intercourse, infertility, excessive bleeding, and pain during bowel movements, urination, or menstrual cycles. Other symptoms may include nausea, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and fatigue.
- Infertility: Infertility is a medical term for parents or couples who are unable to conceive after trying for at least 12 months. It can stem from various health concerns affecting the male or female partner. Some causes of infertility in women include ovulation disorders, fallopian damage or blockage, endometriosis, primary ovarian insufficiency, pelvic adhesions, cancer treatments, and conditions of the uterus like fibroids.
- Ovarian cysts: Ovarian cysts are when fluid-filled sacs grow in an ovary or on its surface. Generally, they are common occurrences that go away in a few months without treatment. However, some ovarian cysts can rupture or become twisted, causing severe symptoms. It can also grow bigger, which can cause symptoms like pelvic pain that comes and goes, bloating, and fullness or heaviness in the belly. You must seek immediate medical attention if you feel sudden severe abdominal or pelvic pain or experience signs of shock like rapid breathing, lightheadedness, cold, clammy skin, or pain with fever or vomiting.
What are some procedures performed by OB-GYNs?
OB-GYNs near you can perform minor and major surgeries for both outpatient and inpatient procedures. Examples of such techniques are:
- Biopsy
- Dilation and curettage
- Hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus
- Laser surgery
- Myomectomy, or removal of fibroids
- Tubal ligation for female sterilization
An OB-GYN can also manage your health during childbirth, pregnancy, and postpartum. Some procedures during this time can include:
- Amniocentesis to determine sex and detect any abnormalities
- In vitro fertilization
- Vaginal delivery
- Forceps and vacuum delivery
- Cesarean delivery
OB-GYNs also perform screenings and preventive tests, such as
- Cancer screenings
- Mammograms
- Pelvis exams
- Clinical breast exams
- Pap smears
When should you visit an OB-GYN?
Preventive care is the best way to treat health and medical issues. Women who are healthy and are not experiencing any major health issues should also get preventive health checkups at least once a year.
The doctor might perform immunizations or order lab tests for specific conditions. Physicians order tests based on their patient's age group. They can also perform pelvic exams and, depending on your health, might request additional tests and screenings.
In addition to regular checkups, consider consulting an OB-GYN near you when changes in your reproductive cycle occur. These can include the following:
- First menstrual cycle
- Menopause
- Pregnancy
- Premenopause
- Changes in frequency or volume of menstrual bleeding
- Pain during intercourse
- Pain during urination
- Unusual cramping
Your reason for visiting an OB-GYN can depend on your age and reproductive goals. For example, if you are sexually active, you might want to consult an OB-GYN for the following reasons:
- Contraception, birth control, or sterilization
- To get advice on treating or preventing STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infection)
- Vaccination for HPV (human papillomavirus)
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Treatment or prevention of pain during sex
- Urinary tract infections
Similarly, if you are trying to conceive, you may visit an OB-GYN for:
- Help planning for pregnancy
- Advice on diet
- Prenatal care
- Infertility treatment
- Advice on breast-feeding
- Postpartum depression
- Genetic testing and screening
How to find the best OB-GYN near you?
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Create a free account on Zocdoc. Choose the specialty, condition or symptom, date, location, and insurance type. A comprehensive list based on your search criteria will appear. Need help finding providers within your insurance plan? Use Zocdoc's insurance finder. You can choose your insurance plan from the search filters or update your Zocdoc account's insurance information to get filtered results. You can also upload a picture of your health plan card on the Zocdoc app. Check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more insurance-related FAQs.
All OB-GYNs listed on Zocdoc have a unique profile. Through these profiles, you can know more about your provider, such as their qualifications, visit reasons, practice locations, certifications, experience, and most importantly, patient reviews and user ratings. After shortlisting the best OB-GYNs near you, you can narrow your list using filters based on the provider's gender, language, affiliated hospital, and much more.
Zocdoc helps you compare many providers and choose the best for you. The best part is that all appointments made through Zocdoc are simple, secure, and 100% free!
Stats on OB-GYNs and ovarian cancer in Pennsylvania, United States
According to the 2021 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics report published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are around 21,570 OB-GYN physicians in the United States. The corresponding figures for Pennsylvania are about 640 OB-GYNs.
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2023, approximately 19,710 women in the United States could receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The same report also estimates that about 13,270 women will die from ovarian cancer. According to the cancer stats and figures by the American Cancer Society, in 2021, about 21,410 new cases of ovarian cancer and around 13,770 deaths due to ovarian cancer were observed.
According to Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, ovarian cancer accounts for around 2.5% of cancers in women and is the fifth leading cause of death in women. It is among the deadliest gynecologic cancers. Women aged between 55 and 64 years experience the highest rate of ovarian cancer, with the median age of death from ovarian cancer being 70.
Sources
Healthline
Medical News Today
American College of Surgeons
WebMD
St. George's University
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance
American Cancer Society[1]
American Cancer Society[2]
Mayo Clinic[1]
Mayo Clinic[2]
Mayo Clinic[3]
Mayo Clinic[4]
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