Who are obstetrician-gynecologists?
Obstetricians-gynecologists, sometimes known as OB-GYNs, are medical professionals who focus on the care of female reproductive systems. They may also diagnose and treat various other health issues. These physicians are experts in obstetrics and gynecology.
Gynecology is the field of medicine that studies women's reproductive health, whereas obstetrics deals with medical and surgical treatment during pregnancy.
Obstetrician-gynecologists have the training and credentials to manage complex conditions, including infertility, prenatal care, NICU care, and postpartum care in general.
Why is reproductive health necessary?
Reproductive and sexual health are among the most significant aspects of a woman's health and well-being. As a woman advances through multiple life phases, her body grows and changes. A woman's general health, particularly her reproductive health, affects her overall health.
Moreover, in some circumstances, it may provide the woman the autonomy to decide when and how she wants to become a mother. All these factors make it crucial to care for and protect reproductive organs from infection and injury. A healthy reproductive system also contributes to a healthy and gratifying sexual life.
What education and training do OB-GYNs receive?
Before OB-GYNs begin practicing, they must complete more than ten years of training. After finishing high school and undergraduate college, they enroll in medical school. For the first two years, they concentrate on broad medical disciplines such as anatomy and physiology. In their last two years of medical school, they spend time in hospitals and clinics, learning from other experienced medical professionals.
Doctors can begin their residency after graduating from medical school. During their residency, they practice medicine under the supervision of a more experienced physician. The average length of an OB-GYN residency is four years. After completing their residency, physicians must clear specialized board exams to be certified and practice.
What are the areas of focus of OB-GYNs?
OB-GYNs provide comprehensive medical treatment to women at all periods of life, including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and beyond. They receive training in surgical and non-surgical methods of treating medical conditions. These consist of the following:
- Birth control: Depending on the patient's lifestyle, individual preferences, and state of health, OB-GYNs can assist in advising them on various birth control strategies and methods.
- Infertility treatment: Some women struggle to conceive a child. If you have been trying to get pregnant or are worried about it, OB-GYNs can assist in evaluating the causes and provide hormone therapy, among other treatment options.
- Pelvic health: There are several pelvic disorders. Among the symptoms afflicting women are incontinence, frequent urination, urgent urination, pelvic pressure or heaviness, pelvic pain, and sexual problems. OB-GYNs near you are qualified to handle these problems.
- Prenatal and postnatal care: OB-GYNs assist with pregnancy, labor, and recovery following childbirth while providing family planning advice.
What are some subspecialties in OB-GYN?
According to research, 90% of OB-GYNs are generalists who offer a variety of treatments. The following are some examples of the several subspecialties in which OB-GYNs may choose to specialize:
- Reproductive endocrinology and infertility: These medical professionals can treat issues involving the body's glands and hormones. They may also specialize in infertility.
- Maternal-fetal medicine: These professionals take care of women expecting high-risk babies. They can conduct procedures on the fetus to prevent mortality and morbidity.
- Gynecological oncology: These physicians diagnose and treat tumors affecting the female reproductive system.
- Female pelvic treatment and reconstructive surgery: These doctors handle pelvis and urinary tract cases. They can deal with concerns like hyperactive bladder, bladder discomfort, pelvic organ prolapse, urine or fecal incontinence, and incontinence.
- Complex family planning: These OB-GYNs specialize in complex family planning, including pregnancy termination. Additionally, they can treat prolapsed pelvic organs, hyperactive bladders, urine or fecal incontinence, and discomfort in the bladder.
- Palliative and hospice medicine: These professionals care for individuals with chronic diseases. They strive to improve their patients' quality of life and lessen pain.
What conditions do OB-GYNs treat?
OB-GYNs diagnose, treat, and manage various women’s health concerns. These include:
- Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a common medical concern where tissue resembling the lining of your uterus grows on other parts of your body (like your ovaries, fallopian tubes, rectum, and bladder). It causes painful symptoms, including excruciating menstrual cramps, pain during sex, constipation, and heavy bleeding during your periods. Some people with endometriosis can also struggle with getting pregnant.
- Uterine fibroids: Uterine fibroids (also known as leiomyomas) are muscle and tissue growths that develop in or on the wall of your uterus. They are usually non-cancerous. Symptoms of this condition include excessive and painful menstrual bleeding, a feeling of fullness in your abdomen, lower back pain, and constipation. In rare cases, uterine fibroids can also cause complications like anemia, unmanageable pain, swelling in your pelvic or abdominal area, and infertility.
- Ovarian cysts are tiny fluid-filled sacs that grow on or within one or both of your ovaries. While ovarian cysts (especially if they are small in size) can be asymptomatic, larger cysts might cause symptoms like pelvic pain, painful and/or irregular periods, pain during sex, and frequent urination.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): PID is a bacterial infection in your uterus, ovaries, and/or fallopian tubes. Its symptoms include pelvic and lower abdominal pain, unusual vaginal discharge, pain during sex, irregular periods, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Severe PID can permanently damage your reproductive organs, causing infertility.
What are some non-surgical and surgical procedures performed by OB-GYNs?
OB-GYNs may recommend specific procedures to diagnose or treat your condition. It may cause some anxiety and stress, but you can tackle that by learning about the process from your provider. Ask them about the benefits, risks, preparation tips, post-procedure recovery, and any concerns you might have.
Here are some common procedures performed by OB-GYNs:
- Colposcopy: If your Pap test results are unusual, your OB-GYN may perform a colposcopy for further inspection. They will use a colposcope, a lighted, magnifying instrument, to get a more precise look at your cervix, vagina, and vulva. They will take a sample for further lab testing if they notice anything suspicious.
- Dilation and Curettage (D&C): The OB-GYN will dilate (expand) your cervix and use a curette (a unique scraping instrument) to remove abnormal uterine tissues. They may use this procedure after a miscarriage or childbirth to prevent heavy bleeding. D&C also helps detect uterine cancer and treat heavy menstrual flow, postmenopausal bleeding, and benign cervical and uterine polyps.
- Hysteroscopy: Your OB-GYN may perform a hysteroscopy to view and inspect the inside of your uterus. They will do this to understand the cause behind heavy periods, postmenopausal bleeding, pelvic pain, and recurrent miscarriages. This procedure also allows them to diagnose and treat fibroids and abnormal growths.
- Hysterectomy: It is a surgical procedure involving partial or complete removal of the uterus. It helps treat conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), uterine prolapse, and certain gynecological cancers. If you undergo a hysterectomy, you won't get periods, even if you have not reached menopause.
- Myomectomy: Your provider may suggest myomectomy surgery if you are suffering from uterine fibroids, a condition that causes pelvic pain, irregular bleeding, heavy periods, and difficulty urinating. This procedure is an excellent alternative to hysterectomy, especially if you wish to get pregnant.
- Endometrial ablation: If you regularly experience heavy menstrual flow or bleeding between periods, you can benefit from this minimally invasive procedure that destroys the endometrium (uterine lining). However, your doctor will not recommend it if you plan to have a baby later.
- Oophorectomy: The surgery involves the removal of one or both ovaries to treat issues such as ovarian cancer, endometriosis, cysts, and tubo-ovarian abscesses.
- Contraceptive implant: This is a long-term birth control method. A contraceptive implant is a small and flexible plastic rod that a doctor places under the skin of your upper arm. It prevents pregnancy by releasing a low, steady dose of progestin, which is a hormone that pauses ovulation.
- Tubal ligation: Tubal ligation (commonly known as sterilization or tying your tubes) is a surgical procedure during which your doctor cuts and ties your fallopian tubes to prevent pregnancy for the rest of your life. Typically, tubal ligations are irreversible.
What can you expect during your visit to an OB-GYN?
You should have the first appointment with an OB-GYN near you between 13 and 17 years old. The healthcare provider will talk with you and review your medical history. The medical assistant will then gather your medical and surgical history, including allergies and current medications, and take your vital signs. After this, the clinician will ask you open-ended questions, especially about any concerns you want to discuss. They may also ask something specific about your family, health, and experiences.
A physical examination may be recommended depending on your personal history and concerns. Its typical components are:
- Breast exam: During the exam, your clinician will manually touch your breasts with pressure to check for any lumps, thickening, or discharge.
- Pelvic exam: In this, you will lie on your back on the exam table with your knees bent. Your feet will be at the corners of the table or in leg rests called stirrups. Your clinician will then visually examine the clitoris, labia, vaginal opening, and anus. They will also use a speculum to look at your vagina and cervix and perform a Pap test by taking a sample from the cervix using a special tiny brush. Your provider may further do a bimanual exam to check your internal female organs and, sometimes, a rectal exam.
- Ultrasound: The ultrasound exam will consist of two parts: a transabdominal ultrasound, performed over the skin of your lower belly, and a transvaginal ultrasound. The latter helps the OB-GYN check the pelvic cavity and organs inside your pelvis.
How to find the right OB-GYN near you in Lafayette, Indiana?
Receiving professional treatment and guidance is the best approach to guarantee a healthy reproductive system and pregnancy. Gynecologists can look after the health of female patients and their changing requirements from puberty to adulthood. They can undertake medical therapies to treat particular disorders connected to reproductive health and create treatment regimens depending on their patients' preferences and comfort.
Do you need an experienced OB-GYN in Lafayette, Indiana, to treat your reproductive health issues? Zocdoc can make the process of finding a qualified OB-GYN easier and smoother. The platform provides access to a thorough database of healthcare professionals, assisting you in locating the ideal physician in your area.
To begin your search, in the Zocdoc search box, enter the specialist you wish to see or enter your symptoms or medical condition. You will receive a long list of experts based on your criteria, each with a comprehensive profile. The profile includes a brief biography, educational background, areas of specialization, practice location, and, most importantly, verified client testimonials.
Zocdoc simplifies the insurance application process by allowing you to search directly for doctors who accept your plan. If you need clarification about your insurance coverage, Zocdoc's insurance detector can assist. In the search box, type the name of your insurance provider to use this feature. Use the website's insurance card capture tool to enter your health insurance information before your appointment.
You can include medical, dental, and vision insurance plans in your Zocdoc account. However, you can only search for and schedule appointments with one insurance plan at a time. If you have multiple insurance plans, you can specify your secondary carrier and plan in the notes for the provider in the last step of the booking process. If your provider uses Zocdoc's intake forms, you can add secondary insurance while completing the forms online. If you have more insurance-related queries, you can visit Zocdoc's patient help center page.
You can schedule an in-person or a video visit with your chosen provider. With Zocdoc, booking real-time appointments with an OB-GYN near you is simple and quick. The best part? All appointment bookings with Zocdoc are safe and 100% free of charge!
OB-GYN and maternal health statistics in Lafayette, Indiana
Indiana has one of the worst maternal death rates in the US. According to a 2022 survey by Indiana University’s Center for Research on Inclusion & Social Policy, Indiana has the third highest maternal mortality rate (44 deaths per 100,000 live births) among all reporting states.
According to the Indiana Maternal Mortality Review Committee's 2022 annual report, there were 92 pregnancy-associated deaths among Indiana women in 2020. Out of these, 18 deaths were pregnancy-related, and 66 deaths were pregnancy-associated but not related. Overall, the pregnancy-associated mortality rate in 2020 was 117.1 per 100,000 live births, and the pregnancy-related mortality rate during the same year was 22.9 per 100,000 live births.
According to a quantitative report from the Bowen Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy, in 2018, Indiana had nearly 425 OB-GYNs actively practicing medicine. For the same period, 15 OB-GYNs were active in Tippecanoe County, where Lafayette lies, with a population-provider ratio of around 15,129.
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