Who is an OB-GYN?
An OB-GYN or obstetrician-gynecologist is a certified healthcare professional specializing in female reproductive health. They are doctors with broad and distinctive training in obstetrics and gynecology and provide various preventive care services, including STI testing, pap smears, pelvic exams, blood tests, and ultrasounds. They can effectively answer patient queries on reproductive health, pregnancy, infertility, sex, and other topics related to the female reproductive system.
A doctor specializing in obstetrics is called an obstetrician and works with pregnant women, including the safe delivery of babies. On the other hand, a doctor specializing in gynecology is called a gynecologist and tends to issues related to the female reproductive system. Since both obstetrics and gynecology specialties are interlinked, a doctor undergoes education and training in both medical specialties to become an OB-GYN specialist.
The recommendations of the OB-GYN may vary depending on the patient's reproductive cycle and age. Therefore, seeing them at least once a year is vital to better understanding your reproductive health.
Difference between obstetrics and gynecology
Obstetrics deals with all areas of pregnancy, mainly providing prenatal and postnatal care. They help pregnant patients deliver babies and offer therapies, such as fertility treatment, to help women get pregnant. In premature delivery cases, an obstetrician provides operational guidance at the neonatal intensive care unit, ensuring a patient has a healthy pregnancy and delivers a healthy baby. They can also help patients with postpartum depression.
An obstetrician is well-trained to manage various pregnancy-related complications, such as:
- Delivery via cesarean or C-section
- Placenta issues
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Fetal distress symptoms
- Preeclampsia
Gynecology deals with the female reproductive system, right from her first periods till menopause and even later. They can diagnose, manage and treat all non-pregnancy concerns of the female reproductive system, including areas like the ovaries, uterus, cervix, vagina, and fallopian tube. They also recommend health screenings such as a pelvic exam, breast assessment, and pap smear and can perform tubal ligations and hysterectomies on patients. A gynecologist can also provide patients with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
Gynecologists guide women on sexual health concerns, such as protection from sexually transmitted diseases, safe sexual practices, and contraceptives. A gynecologist near you can help with issues like:
- Vaginal infections: Vaginal candidiasis, or vaginal yeast infection, is a fungal infection. Its symptoms include vaginal pain and soreness, itching and irritation in your vulva and vagina, and a burning sensation during sex and/or peeing.
- Irregular menstruation: While the length and frequency of menstrual cycles differ from person to person, the following instances generally come under irregularity:
- Periods that are fewer than 21 days or over 35 days apart
- Three or more missed periods in a row
- Periods that last longer than a week
- The length of time between cycles differs by more than nine days (for example, one cycle is 29 days, the next is 38 days, and the third one is 28 days.
- Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a common, painful condition caused by the growth of tissue resembling the inner lining of your uterus in other parts of your body, such as your ovaries and fallopian tubes. Its symptoms include pain during sex and excessive menstrual bleeding.
- Prolapse of 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.
- Painful sex symptoms: 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).
- Cancer linked to the reproductive system: These include cancers affecting your cervix, fallopian tube, ovaries, uterus, vagina, and vulva.
- Uterine fibroids: Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tissue and muscle growths in or on the walls of your uterus. These growths are of different types, including intramural, submucosal, subserosal, and pedunculated fibroids. Most small fibroids are asymptomatic, but larger ones can cause symptoms like excessive menstrual bleeding, bleeding between your periods, lower back pain, and frequent urination.
- Ovarian cysts: Ovarian cysts are small sacs that develop on or in one or both of your ovaries. They are filled with fluids or semisolid materials. While small cysts are typically asymptomatic, larger ones can cause symptoms like pelvic pain, irregular periods, and dyspareunia.
- Cervical polyps: Cervical polyps are tiny, irregular growths in your cervical canal or on your cervix. Most polyps are tear-shaped, elongated, and smooth or slightly spongy in texture. They are usually less than half an inch long and might bleed when touched. Cervical polyps can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding after sex, and pus-like or foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
Since many doctors specialize in both obstetrics and gynecology, they can address a wide range of patients' healthcare requirements.
When should you visit an OB-GYN near you?
It is advised that girls should first visit an OB-GYN when they are between 13 and 15 years of age. This early consultation helps to establish a relationship between the teenager and the specialist.
The doctor may not typically perform a pelvic examination if the individual is not sexually active and has no medical problems. One should undergo their first pap smear test and pelvic exam when they first become sexually active or when they attain the age of 21 years. All women should have a well-woman visit to a gynecologist near them annually. The specific tests a patient needs on every visit may vary with the individual's health risk factors, age, and lifestyle.
Some common issues one should consider seeing an OB-GYN for are:
- Painful sex
- Pregnancy complications
- Suspected miscarriage or pregnancy
- STD testing
- Suspected infertility
- Pain and other problems linked with urination
- To ask questions and clear doubts about reproductive or sexual health
What happens during a pelvic exam?
OB-GYNs perform a pelvic exam for visual and physical examination of a woman's reproductive organs. They examine the vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes, vulva, ovaries, and uterus during this exam. The healthcare provider will ask you to change into a robe. You may have to remove your bra if you require a breast exam. They may provide you with something to wear around your waist for further privacy. You will need to lie on the exam table with your legs wide and your feet on stirrup footrests.
First, your OB-GYN will examine your vagina and vulva visually. They will look for irritation, redness, discharge, cysts, or any other symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease.
The OB-GYN will then put a device called a speculum into the vagina. The speculum is a duckbill-shaped instrument made of stainless steel or plastic. During insertion, women should take deep breaths and try to relax their vaginal, rectal, and abdominal muscles. Doctors will sometimes warm up the speculum beforehand.
Before removing the speculum, the doctor may swipe the cervix with something resembling a little spatula. The spatula collects cells for inspection later, referred to as a Pap smear. Your OB-GYN can analyze the cells to diagnose conditions like cancer and sexually transmitted diseases.
Your OB-GYN will also manually examine your reproductive and sexual organs. They will wear lubricated gloves and push two fingers into your vagina while feeling your abdomen with the other hand. This manual exam searches for uterine or ovarian abnormalities. During this procedure, your doctor can assess the size of your uterus. They may be able to detect pregnancy as well as fallopian tube anomalies. Finally, your OB-GYN may perform a rectal exam. The doctor does this exam by simultaneously inserting their fingers into the rectum and vagina to look for irregularities in the tissue between the two organs.
How to prepare for your visit to an OB-GYN near you?
It is completely normal to feel a bit anxious or shy before your initial appointment, but there is no need to worry. Here is a detailed checklist to ensure that you are thoroughly prepared for your first OB-GYN visit:
- Know your medical history: Having all the information about your medical history is crucial when preparing for your OB-GYN appointment. It includes details about past illnesses, surgeries, allergies, and family medical history. Sharing your health background with your doctor allows them to offer care that is specifically tailored to your requirements, ensuring a more effective and personalized approach to your healthcare.
- Note down your doubts and concerns: Write down any concerns you have beforehand to ensure your OB-GYN answers all your questions during your appointment. This will help you remember important points during the visit. When discussing your problems, give specific details and provide any relevant background information if necessary.
- Provide your medication details: If you take regular medication, it is important to inform your OB-GYN about why you take each drug, the dosage, and any side effects you experience. This helps ensure they have a comprehensive understanding of your health and can provide the right care during your appointment.
- Abstain from sexual intercourse: It is advisable to refrain from sexual activity in the 24 hours before your appointment to facilitate a thorough examination. This precautionary measure enhances the accuracy of identifying infections or conditions.
- Reach early for appointment: Arriving early for your appointment ensures you have enough time to address all your concerns and fill out any forms or submit documents. Aim to arrive at least fifteen minutes early to allow yourself a moment to relax and gather your thoughts before your consultation begins.
How to find the right OB-GYN near you in Mount Vernon, NY?
Are you searching for a qualified OB-GYN to advise and guide you on your pregnancy or reproductive health issues? Do you have doubts about your reproductive health and want to consult an expert? With Zocdoc, you can easily find the best and most experienced OB-GYNs in Mount Vernon, New York, within minutes.
Create a free account on Zocdoc and enter your condition, location, and insurance plan to receive a comprehensive list of OB-GYNs based on the criteria you have entered. If you need help with your insurance plan, use the Zocdoc insurance detector.
If you do not have insurance coverage, select the "I'm paying for myself" option when booking your appointment. Zocdoc will provide a list of OB-GYNS who offer consultations without requiring your health plan details. For any additional information regarding insurance and other inquiries, refer to the Zocdoc patient help center page.
Each listed specialist has a personalized profile that includes a brief introduction, education qualification, practice location, visit reasons, and accreditations. You can also refer to the user-verified patient reviews to learn more about the best provider's services, work ethics, and professionalism.
You can filter your results by gender, language proficiency, and hospital affiliations. Once you select the best-fit OB-GYN, you can immediately book an in-person or video appointment based on availability. Look for a purple video icon on a specialist's profile, or filter the video appointment selection to find out if they provide virtual appointments. All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free!
Statistics on breast and HPV-related cancers in New York, U.S.
As per the data published by the New York State Department of Health, the incidence of breast cancer cases in women has increased from about 14,216 reported cases in 2000 to nearly 15,606 reported cases in 2020. It further states that in 2019, almost 124.7 women per 100,000 females in New York had breast cancer. An updated statistic published by the Cancer Statistics Center estimates around 19,170 new cases of breast cancer in women, with nearly 1,920 deaths in New York in 2025.
As per a New York State Department of Health report, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is America’s most common sexually transmitted infection. It is the leading cause of almost all cervical cancers, nearly 70% of vulvar cancers, and almost 75% of vaginal cancers in the country. Between 2015 and 2019, in New York, approximately 59% of women's cancer cases were HPV-related, with cervical cancer being the most common.
Sources
MedicalNewsToday
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Wooster Community Hospital
Cancer Statistics Center
New York State Department of Health
Healthline
Levin’s Women’s Health & Wellness Center
Mayo Clinic[1]
Mayo Clinic[2]
UC Davis Health
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Cleveland Clinic[3]
Cleveland Clinic[4]
Cleveland Clinic[5]
Cleveland Clinic[6]
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