What is women’s reproductive health?
Women’s reproductive health encompasses the well-being of the female reproductive system throughout all stages of life. This system includes organs such as the ovaries, which produce and release hormones, and hormone-producing glands like the pituitary gland in the brain.
Reproductive health means that individuals can enjoy a fulfilling and safe sex life, can conceive children, and possess the autonomy to decide if, when, and how often to have them.
Who are OB-GYNs?
Obstetricians are healthcare professionals who care for pregnant women, deliver babies and provide postpartum care. They also treat complications during pregnancy and monitor the baby's growth during the first few weeks after delivery. Gynecologists are experts in diagnosing and treating illnesses and conditions of the women's reproductive system.
OB-GYNs specialize in both obstetrics and gynecology. They offer preventive care and treatment for women with health issues involving their breasts, uterus, ovaries, cervix, and other reproductive system parts.
To become OB-GYNs, aspirants must obtain a bachelor's degree and then join a medical school, where they must study and train for four years and acquire a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree. Students learn in classrooms and laboratories during the first two years and spend the next two in hospital or clinic settings diagnosing and treating patients. During this time, they train under the expert guidance of experienced doctors.
They must then complete a four-year residency in obstetrics and gynecology, where they gain experience diagnosing and treating pregnant women and helping them deliver babies. If they choose, OB-GYNs may specialize further in areas or subspecialties such as Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) or gynecologic oncology.
OB-GYNs can begin practice after passing a state licensure assessment. They can become board-certified by clearing a stringent oral and written examination conducted by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG).
When to visit an OB-GYN near you?
Women should begin seeing an OB-GYN once they turn 18 for a yearly gynecological examination or an annual well-woman exam. OB-GYNs generally treat conditions including:
- Pain during sex: Pain during sex (dyspareunia) refers to persistent pain before, during, or after sex. You might feel this pain both internally (pelvic floor muscles, uterus, lower abdomen, etc.) and externally (vulva, labia, and vaginal opening).
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): You can get STIs from any kind of sexual activity that involves your mouth, anus, vagina, or penis. There are various types of STIs. While some of them are asymptomatic, others can cause itching, burning, and/or unusual discharge in your genital area. Common examples of STIs include genital herpes, chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): PCOS occurs due to a hormonal imbalance that results from your ovaries secreting excess androgens. The most common signs of this condition include irregular periods, acne, abnormal hair growth, acanthosis nigricans, and infertility. PCOS can also cause pregnancy complications like pre-term birth, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia.
- Urinary and fecal incontinence: Urinary incontinence causes bladder control issues and is of the following types: stress, urge, overflow, and mixed. Fecal incontinence, on the other hand, causes bowel control issues.
- Problems with tissues supporting pelvic organs: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when your pelvic organs (vagina, bladder, uterus, and rectum) drop from their usual positions. Its symptoms include a bulging feeling in your vagina, pelvic pain, and pain during sex. Incontinence and constipation are some other possible side effects of POP.
- Breast disorders: Benign breast disease refers to non-cancerous breast conditions. These include breast cysts, fibroadenomas, hyperplasia, fibrocystic breast changes, intraductal papilloma, adenosis, and mammary duct ectasia. However, these conditions might increase your risk of developing breast cancer in the future.
- Sexual dysfunction: Sexual dysfunction refers to anything that prevents you from feeling pleasure from sexual activities. It is classified into four categories: desire, arousal, pain, and orgasm disorders. Signs of sexual dysfunction in women include vaginal dryness (which might result from vaginal atrophy), anorgasmia, and vaginismus.
You can also see an OB-GYN for the following reasons:
- Pregnancy and fertility concerns
- Congenital abnormalities of the reproductive tract
- Family planning, including contraception and sterilization
- Benign reproductive tract conditions such as cysts and fibroids
- Sexual health issues, including same-sex and bisexual relationships
- Menstruation and menopause concerns such as heavy or painful periods
While you would see a gynecologist near you for reproductive health issues, you should also do preventive checkups annually. Preventive care includes evaluations, immunizations, and lab tests for specific health conditions. Your OB-GYN would determine which tests to order depending on your age, health, and reproductive goals. OB-GYNs may recommend pap tests or pelvic exams, advise on birth control methods, and provide other services such as mammograms and breast exams.
Along with annual preventive checkups, you should see your OB-GYN when you experience changes in your reproductive cycle, such as your first menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause, or menopause. You may also seek help if you experience unusual or unexpected changes in cramping, volume, and frequency of menstrual bleeding or pain during urination or intercourse. Other menstrual concerns they can help with are mood swings, premenstrual syndrome, cysts and fibroids, and pelvic support problems. If you are going through or have gone through menopause, an OB-GYN may help address low libido, hot flashes, bone loss, incontinence, and other concerns.
If you are sexually active, you may see your OB-GYN for safe sex tips, advice on preventing or treating sexually transmitted infections, birth control, contraception, abnormal vaginal discharge, urinary tract infections, and treatment or prevention of pain during sex. Additionally, if you are or wish to get pregnant, choosing a highly qualified OB-GYN can help plan your pregnancy, prenatal care, infertility treatment, birthing options, and genetic testing. They can also guide you with managing postpartum depression.
Some women also visit their OB-GYN in place of a primary care physician. You can discuss with your doctor if they feel comfortable serving your general health needs. At any visit with the OB-GYN, remember that being honest about your health concerns and lifestyle gives them a better idea of your situation and enables them to help you in the best possible way.
What are some subspecialties that OB-GYNs can take up?
OB-GYNs who wish to specialize can pursue a fellowship where they spend additional time studying and training under experts. Completing a fellowship is like the gold standard in medicine; those who do one are the best in their specialization. OB-GYNs may choose one of the following areas to streamline their practice:
- Reproductive endocrinology and infertility: They deal with care for women who have difficulties getting pregnant. These OB-GYNs perform assisted reproduction procedures, such as in vitro fertilization, gamete intrafallopian transfer, and embryo transfer.
- Maternal and fetal medicine: It involves medical care for high-risk pregnant women. Specialists in this field handle complicated pregnancies or care for women delivering more than one baby. You can visit a maternal and fetal medicine specialist if you are pregnant and have chronic or gestational high blood pressure, diabetes, or blood clotting disorders.
- Gynecologic oncology: It deals with treating cancer of the female reproductive tract. Specialists in this field can perform surgery on gynecological tumors and oversee chemotherapy medications. They work with other specialists, such as radiation doctors, to manage gynecological cancer.
- Female pelvic medicine and reproductive surgery: These specialists treat women with urinary tract and pelvic disorders. Common conditions treated include urinary or fecal incontinence, vaginal or urinary tract infections, and pelvic organ prolapse.
What is a C-section surgery?
A Cesarean section, also called a C-section, is one of the most frequent surgeries performed by an OB-GYN. It is necessary if the position of the baby is not optimal for a vaginal delivery, in mothers having a multiple pregnancy, improper position of the placenta, or presence of blood vessels on the opening of the cervix. It may also be necessary for fetal distress, high fetal weight, infections such as herpes or HIV, congenital fetal disabilities, or prolonged labor.
What are the types of incisions in cesarean sections?
Cesarean sections involve different types of incisions made on the uterus. Understanding which incisions were made can help you make informed decisions about future births. Ask your obstetrician about the specific types of cuts used during your cesarean.
The two main types of incisions that an OB-GYN near you can use in cesarean sections are:
- Lower segment incision: This is the preferred method whenever possible. It involves a horizontal cut across the abdomen along with a horizontal cut through the lower part of the uterus, often referred to as a "bikini line" incision. These incisions typically heal better, are less noticeable, and are less likely to cause complications in future pregnancies.
- Classical incision: This involves a vertical cut on the uterus, with the abdominal incision either horizontal or vertical. This type of incision happens only during emergencies or specific situations, such as when the placenta is positioned very low, the baby is lying sideways, or the baby is tiny. Classical incisions can increase the risk of complications in subsequent pregnancies and births.
What are the other kinds of surgeries performed by OB-GYNs?
Besides C-sections, OB-GYNs also perform several other surgeries, such as:
- Endometrial ablation: Removal of the endometrial cavity lining to correct heavy periods
- Oophorectomy: Removal of ovaries
- Myomectomy: Removal of fibroids or benign leiomyoma tumors
- Salpingectomy: Removal of the fallopian tubes
- Pelvic support surgery: Corrects pelvic organ prolapse
- Hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus
How to find a good OB-GYN near you in Downers Grove, IL?
Menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, and parenthood are all complicated phenomena. One may experience health issues or quickly become overwhelmed while adjusting to the new changes in life during these stages. If you have questions about the women's reproductive system or need assistance with medical procedures and treatments, visit a gynecologist near you. You can learn about the finest preventive care and treatment options by talking with your OB-GYN about your medical needs.
Visit the Zocdoc website to find some of the best OB-GYNs in Downers Grove, IL. You can create a free account and look for an OB-GYN based on location or symptoms to receive a list of providers matching your criteria. Each listed doctor has a unique profile with information about their education and training, experience, specialization, location, types of insurance they accept, languages they speak, gender, etc.
When using Zocdoc to find healthcare providers, you can enter your insurance details to see in-network providers. During the search process, select your insurance carrier and specific plan. On the Zocdoc app or mobile site, you can upload a photo of your medical insurance card (not available for dental or vision plans) to identify your plan automatically. This process ensures your search results indicate which providers are in-network or out-of-network. You can check out the Zocdoc patient help center if you have any other questions.
If you want further information about the OB-GYN’s practice, you can read verified reviews and ratings from previous patients on Zocdoc. Once you have picked the best-suited OB-GYN near you for your requirements, you may instantly book an in-person or virtual appointment with them as per their availability.
All bookings on Zocdoc are easy, free, and safe!
Gynecological statistics for Illinois
According to the United Health Foundation, as of September 2022, Illinois had approximately 49.3 obstetricians, gynecologists, and midwives for every 100,000 females (ages 15 and older), higher than the national average of 46.0.
Another report by the same organization stated that about 93.2% of women in the state who had recently delivered reported going for a postpartum checkup in 2021, which is higher than the national average of 90.90%. Further, in 2020-21, 75.2% of women aged 18 to 44 had a preventive medical visit or well-woman visit in the past year. In 2021, about 25.3% of singleton, head-first, full-term births were cesarean deliveries in the state.
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