Who is an OB-GYN?
The word OB-GYN describes a doctor qualified as both an obstetrician and a gynecologist. While obstetricians treat women during pregnancy and immediately following delivery, a gynecologist focuses on women's reproductive health. Obstetricians also perform childbirth.
An OB-GYN can conduct surgery for pelvic organ or urinary tract issues, treat infections, and screen for cancer. They handle menopause, birth control, and childbirth cases, the most crucial health issues in your life.
What kind of training does an OB-GYN undergo?
To become an OB-GYN, a student must first complete four years of medical school after a bachelor's degree. Then, after graduation, they must complete four years of graduate-level training as obstetrics and gynecology residents. Throughout this time, doctors learn about female health issues, including reproductive ones. They learn specifically about diagnosis, treatment, management, and prevention.
They complete their residency under the guidance of an attending physician in a medical setting, such as a hospital. After completing their residency, they must undergo three additional years of training before they can specialize.
What are the subspecialties of OB-GYN?
According to data from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), many obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) hold certification in subspecialties and their generalist credentials. The ABMS recognizes approximately seven subspecialties that are relevant to this field. While most OB-GYNs are generalists, the recent trend of obtaining board certification in a subspecialty is noteworthy. It is important to note that the ABMS recognizes the following subspecialties in this field:
- Critical care medicine focuses on diagnosing, treating, and supporting critically ill and injured patients.
- Complex family planning focuses on complex family planning. They work with women with complex conditions and consult with other professionals to ensure proper reproductive care for their patients.
- Female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery involve OB-GYNs using medical and surgical techniques to treat women with pelvic floor disorders.
- Gynecologic oncologists are OB-GYNs trained in techniques to provide the best possible treatment for patients having gynecologic cancers.
- Hospice and palliative medicine focuses on patients with life-limiting illnesses to optimize their quality of life and minimize suffering.
- Maternal-fetal medicine addresses health concerns for both the mother and baby and helps manage complications that arise during pregnancy.
- Reproductive endocrinology and infertility focuses on evaluating and treatng fertility issues and hormonal dysfunctions.
When and why should you consult an OB-GYN near you?
Girls should visit an OB-GYN between 13 and 15 or as soon as they begin to experience sexual activity, whichever occurs first. A teen's first visit to the doctor may only consist of a conversation with the physician and no physical examination.
Based on your age and medical history, your gynecologist may use this visit to screen for issues such as cervical or breast cancer. This appointment is also an ideal time to discuss reproductive health concerns, including birth control options.
Another reason you must book a visit with a doctor is if you experience pain in the pelvic area (lower abdomen), as it can indicate issues with reproductive organs. Pelvic pain often results from menstrual cramps, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, or, in rare cases, ectopic pregnancy.
If you notice an unusual discharge or odor, consider seeing a gynecologist. They can help detect the cause and suggest appropriate treatment.
Further, if you experience unusual pain or changes in your menstrual cycle, a gynecologist can help there. If you are in your 40s or 50s, they can assess whether you might be approaching menopause. Apart from that, gynecologists provide guidance on pregnancy-related questions, whether you're trying to conceive, avoiding pregnancy, or suspecting you might be pregnant.
What should you expect on the first visit to an OB-GYN?
Avoid having intercourse before going to an OB-GYN, as the sexual activity may aggravate vaginal tissue and tamper with your Pap test results. After a general health examination, the doctor will check your weight and blood pressure and possibly do a urine and blood test. Your ob-gyn will inquire about your general health history and your family.
The physical examination will begin after you remove your clothes and wear a front-opening robe. A nurse may remain with you and the OB-GYN during the pelvic exam. The doctor will check the outside of the vagina, including the vulva area and vaginal opening, for anomalies and perform an inside examination of your reproductive system.
The gynecologist uses a speculum (a device to hold the vagina open) to inspect the interior of your vagina and cervix or the opening to your uterus. It would help if you kept your knees bent and your feet would be in stirrups to keep them apart. This exam won't hurt, so there's no need to get apprehensive. If you are above 21, the doctor frequently performs a Pap test using a little brush to take cell samples from your cervix. Experts will then examine these cells for abnormalities such as cervical cancer, the human papillomavirus (HPV), and other diseases.
The OB-GYN may also test you for STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV if you have engaged in sexual activity. The OB-GYN will sample tissue and check blood tests to look for STDs during the pelvic exam. To feel your uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries from the outside of your body, the OB-GYN will perform an internal bimanual exam by inserting one or two gloved fingers in the vagina the other hand on top of the lower part of your belly. The doctor may also conduct a rectovaginal exam (inserting a gloved finger into your rectum).
Your OB-GYN will also examine your breasts to look for lumps or other abnormalities.
Utilizing your OB-GYN appointment
Your annual OB-GYN appointment is a valuable opportunity to ask anything, no matter how intimate or personal they may feel. Whether you're curious about your periods, sexual health, or other aspects of reproductive health, it's perfectly fine to ask, as your doctor has likely heard it all before.
During the appointment, your OB-GYN will also ask detailed questions. Topics may cover your menstrual cycle, including any missed or heavy periods, vaginal discharge, sexual activity, number of sexual partners (current and past), any sexual health concerns, and any history or concerns about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). They may also discuss birth control options and your vaccine history.
Remember, your OB-GYN is your partner in reproductive health. Maintain this partnership by keeping up with annual appointments and contacting them between visits if any new issue arises.
What makes gynecology different from OB-GYN?
OB-GYN and gynecology are not interchangeable terms. Obstetrics and gynecology are specialties covered by an OB-GYN. On the other hand, gynecologists solely practice gynecology. Although a doctor can practice in both fields of medicine, there are distinctions between the two.
An OB-GYN specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, whereas a gynecologist only specializes in gynecology. A gynecologist is a healthcare professional who deals with female reproductive health from her menarche to post-menopause.
A gynecologist can diagnose and treat any reproductive-related conditions, such as those related to the cervix, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, or vagina. They also recommend and perform screenings such as breast exams, pap smears, and pelvic exams. Furthermore, they can perform hysterectomies and tubal ligations. They are also ideal for advice on sexual intimacy, such as sexual hygiene, contraceptives, and protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
In short, a gynecologist can take care of it if it's a non-pregnancy issue related to female reproductive health. Hence, to provide comprehensive care to their patients, many physicians choose OB-GYN to address the full spectrum of their patient's healthcare needs.
How to find the best OB-GYNs near you in Greenbelt, MD?
Preventive treatment is the best strategy for handling health and medical problems. Women who are in good health and have no issues with their reproductive systems should have a preventive exam once a year. Using the Zocdoc platform, finding the top OB-GYN nearby is easy.
When you enter your health concern (symptoms/specialty) and where you live, Zocdoc brings you to a list of the best OB-GYNs in your vicinity in Greenbelt, Maryland. Each OB-GYN has a unique profile with all the required details, including qualifications, areas of expertise, licensure, certificates, accreditation, affiliations, honors, languages spoken, and painstakingly verified patient testimonials. The details will also mention their experience, gender, and whether they treat kids.
Zocdoc also lists insurance companies that an OB-GYN accepts for consultations and treatment. By choosing your insurance carrier from a straightforward drop-down menu, you can check if the OB-GYN of your choice is in that network.
Our online patient help center can assist you in finding OB-GYNs who accept your insurance. On Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account, although you can use only one plan per appointment.
For those with multiple insurance plans, you can add your secondary insurance information in the appointment notes. Additionally, if your healthcare provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can enter your secondary insurance details directly in the form.
You can choose appointment slots based on the OB-GYN's availability and book a virtual appointment if required. On Zocdoc, all appointments with the best OB-GYNs near you are quick, cost-free, and secure.
Statistics on STDs in Maryland
In many regions of the nation, the congenital transmission of syphilis still occurs from infected mothers to their unborn offspring. In Maryland, primary and secondary syphilis rates were 7.8 per 100,000 in 2011 and 8.5 per 100,000 in 2015. Among the 50 states, Maryland is now ranked 10th for P&S syphilis rates.
Between 2011 and 2015, there were 84 instances of congenital syphilis. Untreated STDs frequently lead to infertility, chronic pelvic pain, gonorrhea and chlamydia, and pelvic inflammatory disease. They may also increase HIV transmission and result in cancer. Newborns and pregnant mothers are particularly at risk.
Regarding chlamydial infections, Maryland was placed 23rd out of 50 states in 2015 (459.3 per 100,000 people) and 24th out of 50 for gonorrheal diseases (114.8 per 100,000 persons). There were 604.3 cases per 100,000 reported cases of chlamydia in women, which is a 2x higher rate than in men (303.1 cases per 100,000).
Sources
St. George's University
Wooster Community Hospital
Healthline
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
