Who is an OB-GYN?
Obstetricians-gynecologists, or OB-GYNs, specialize in female reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbirth. Some offer general health services similar to those of a primary care physician, while others focus primarily on the female reproductive system. They also provide routine medical check-ups and preventive screenings for gynecologic cancers.
OB-GYN specialists can evaluate and treat various conditions—abnormal bleeding, breast-related disorders, endometriosis, genital itching, hormonal disorders, infertility, pelvic pain, and urinary tract or vaginal infections.
According to the AMA, surgeries and other diagnostic procedures are fundamental to an OB-GYN's job. Some standard procedures include sonograms, cesarean sections, and pelvic laparoscopy.
What are the subspecialties in OB-GYN?
Data from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) shows that while most OB-GYNs are generalists, some recently obtained board certification in a subspecialty. There are around seven recognized subspecialties outlined by the ABMS:
- Critical care medicine: This subspecialty focuses on diagnosing, treating, and assisting critically ill and injured patients.
- Complex family planning: Involves OB-GYNs working with women having challenging conditions and consulting with other professionals to provide proper reproductive care for their patients.
- Female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery: OB-GYNs who practice this specialty provide medical and surgical treatment for women suffering from pelvic floor disorders.
- Gynecologic oncology: Involves OB-GYNs trained to give the best possible treatment for gynecologic cancers.
- Hospice and palliative medicine: OB-GYNs work with patients with life-limiting illnesses to optimize their quality of life and minimize suffering.
- Maternal-fetal medicine: OB-GYNs trained in this specialty focus on addressing health concerns for both the mother and baby and help address complications that arise during pregnancy.
- Reproductive endocrinology and infertility: OB-GYNs practicing this specialty assess and treat fertility issues and hormonal dysfunctions.
What is the difference between an OB-GYN and a gynecologist?
There is a common misconception that OB-GYNs and gynecologists are the same. An OB-GYN specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, whereas a gynecologist only specializes in gynecology. An obstetrician focuses on all aspects of pregnancy, while a gynecologist deals with female reproductive health, from 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 getting advice on sexual intimacy, such as sexual hygiene, contraceptives, and protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
In short, a gynecologist can care for non-pregnancy issues 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 patients' healthcare needs.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in women
Generally, STIs or STDs are transmitted in women via oral, vaginal, or anal sexual contact with an infected person. Most women might not even know that they have a sexually transmitted infection because it does not usually show any symptoms. However, if left untreated, STIs can increase the risk of cervical cancer and even cause fertility issues. The most common sexually transmitted infections in women include:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Genital herpes
- Syphilis
According to the Healthline website, almost 1 in 6 Americans may have genital herpes, but since it doesn't display any symptoms, most are unaware of it. One of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in women and a leading cause of cervical cancer is HPV. In the advanced stages, STIs do show various physical symptoms, such as:
- Vaginal itching
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Unusual vaginal discharge with a foul smell
- Vaginal or pelvic pain
- Rashes or sores
- Pain or burning sensation during urination
- The presence of blood in the urine
- Pain during sexual intercourse
Pregnancy and STIs
Sexually transmitted infections can infect the developing baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or post-childbirth. They can even be life-threatening for the mother and the baby. Sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis can easily pass on to the fetus and cause fatal infections. Untreated syphilis can lead to premature delivery and cause problems in multiple organs of the baby, like the heart, eyes, ears, bones, and skin. Gonorrhea infection, if left untreated, can cause blood infections, joint infections, blindness, or eye infections in the baby.
For this reason, OB-GYNs generally conduct a comprehensive STI panel screening at the beginning of pregnancy to detect and treat any STIs early. If the woman comes into sexual contact with an infected person post initial STI screenings, then they need to get tested again for STIs to ensure a healthy pregnancy and childbirth. Most OB-GYNs advocate the need for women to practice safe sex for their overall health and well-being.
How to protect yourself from STIs?
If you are sexually active or are engaged in unprotected sex, get checked for STIs regularly to avoid passing the infection on to the developing baby.
See the doctor immediately if you experience STI or STD symptoms and begin the recommended treatment. Avoid any sexual activity until you are thoroughly treated. Follow the doctor's instructions on resuming sexual activity after treatment.
An OB-GYN visit will help you understand your sexual health and learn about various sexually transmitted infections and diseases. It ensures early diagnosis and treatment, preventing STIs from transforming into life-threatening complications.
Tips to have a healthy pregnancy
Each pregnancy is unique to the person, and it is essential to consult the best OB-GYN near you for pregnancy and receive personalized guidance from them. Understanding what works for your body and what doesn't is crucial. Here are some general tips for maintaining a healthy pregnancy:
- Prenatal care - Scheduling regular appointments with your doctor ensures your and your baby's health. It will help in screening for any medical issues that might lead to further complications in the pregnancy. Prenatal care also includes monitoring your and your baby's health with routine tests, examinations, and checkups. The doctor might also recommend supplements for your nutrient intake. Consuming healthy amounts of calcium, folate, protein, iron, etc, is crucial. An OB-GYN will prescribe any such vitamin supplements for a healthy pregnancy.
- Diet - To maintain your health during pregnancy, you must eat a balanced diet. This should include grains, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and proteins. It is recommended not to skip meals and try to eat healthier.
- Sleep - It is important to be adequately rested and have a good night's sleep. A good sleep schedule is known to reduce the chances of complications arising during one's pregnancy.
- Exercise - Regular exercise and keeping your body active are crucial for the health of the mother and the child. According to experts, engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic workout per week is advised. Exercising also helps reduce the discomforts faced during pregnancy, and serotonin helps maintain a healthy mental state.
- Harmful substances - Substances like alcohol, recreational drugs, and certain medicines can harm the embryo. Additionally, you should avoid caffeine, rare meat, and sushi, as they can also be bad for you. Some sunscreens, too, are not safe to use during pregnancy. It is vital to consult the best ob-gyn near you for pregnancy for guidance on certain things to avoid.
- Stress - High stress levels can affect the baby's health, so avoiding stressful situations is essential. To destress, try meditating or getting prenatal massages.
How does the overturning of Roe vs. Wade affect OB-GYNs?
According to a fact sheet from the Association of American Medical Colleges, abortion is essential to the birth-giver's healthcare. Hence, the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe vs. Wade will affect not only birth givers but also OB-GYN residents and other medical trainees in all affected states. The Roe v. Wade overturning decision allows states to ban abortions before 12 weeks.
This criminalization of a facet of healthcare and its effect on medical education is unprecedented. It will have dramatic implications for OB-GYN residents by possibly limiting their access to abortion training and other related reproductive procedures for managing miscarriages, excessive uterine bleeding, or endometrial biopsies. The lack of necessary training provided to residents will significantly affect the care they provide as, in many cases, these procedures are life-saving options for patients.
Health concerns in jurisdictions with abortion restrictions will not just affect people seeking reproductive care. It may also prohibit pregnant people from accessing specific cancer therapies or prompt treatment for ectopic pregnancies, potentially increasing maternal morbidity and death rates significantly.
How do you find the best OB-GYN near you in Hammond, Indiana?
Whether you are starting your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or planning to have a family in the future, an OB-GYN can evaluate and clarify all concerns about the changes in your body. They can also provide you with a care plan tailored to your needs. Furthermore, they can prescribe medication, offer contraception plans, and advise on diet and lifestyle. Zocdoc can help you find the best OB-GYN in Hammond that accepts your insurance plan.
Perform a search mentioning your location (Hammond, Indiana), doctor specialty (OB-GYN), insurance plan, and desired appointment date. A comprehensive list of medical and healthcare professionals will appear based on your search criteria. If you need help with your insurance plan, use the Zocdoc insurance detector. If you can't find your medical insurance plan on Zocdoc, upload a photo of your insurance card. Zocdoc will automatically scan the image and display the plan that is most likely for you. This feature isn't available for dental or vision insurance cards. If you face any issues while uploading the image, don't hesitate to contact Zocdoc's service team for assistance. Additionally, you can check out Zocdoc's patient help center for answers to any further insurance-related queries.
At Zocdoc, transparency is of utmost value. Hence, the profile of each OB-GYN near you will include a brief introduction, educational qualifications, practice location, visit reasons, and, most importantly, patient reviews and ratings.
Furthermore, you can filter out your results by gender, language, hospital affiliations, etc. Video appointments are also an option to go for before an in-person visit. You can book one by looking for a purple video icon on their profiles or filtering the video appointment selection.
Zocdoc makes booking an appointment 100% easy, free, and safe!
Statistics on women's health in Hammond, Indiana
OB-GYNs are valuable medical practitioners who work toward identifying, preventing, and treating gynecologic cancers and sexually transmitted diseases. The American Cancer Society reported an estimated 5,810 new breast cancer cases, 1,340 uterine corpus tumor cases, 360 ovarian cancer cases, and 280 cervical cancer cases in Indiana in 2023. The National Cancer Institute estimated that the incidence rate of breast cancer in Indiana was around 124.3 cases per 100,000 women, and in Lake County (Hammond), it was approximately 122.9 cases between 2015 and 2019. Lake County showed an approximate 0.5 increase in the incidence rate during the same period.
Additionally, the Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Surveillance Report released in 2020 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Indiana, recorded 33,372 cases or 495.7 per 100,000 population for chlamydia, ranking 20 in the country. For other STDs, the numbers were as follows: Rank 21 for gonorrhea with 14,111 cases; 35 for primary and secondary syphilis with 527 cases; and 43 for congenital syphilis with 6 cases.
Sources
American Cancer Society
Association of American Medical Colleges
National Cancer Institute
St. George's University
UMass Chan Medical School
Wooster Community Hospital
Healthline[1]
Healthline[2]
Cleveland Clinic
Medline Plus
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
MyHealthfinder
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
