Understanding the role of OB-GYNs
The term OB-GYN is an abbreviation for two closely related disciplines. An obstetrician is a medical professional who treats pregnant mothers and their unborn children. GYN is an abbreviation for gynecology or gynecologist, a doctor specializing in treating female reproductive issues. An obstetrician-gynecologist, an OB-GYN, specializes in female reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbirth.
Some OB-GYNs, like your primary care doctor, provide a wide range of general health services. Others focus on the medical treatment of the female reproductive system. OB-GYNs also provide routine medical services and preventive screenings.
What procedures do OB-GYNs perform?
Your OB-GYN may have received minor or major surgery training for inpatient and outpatient procedures. These are some examples of the functions they typically perform:
- Biopsy
- Dilation and curettage
- Laser surgery
- Tubal ligation for female sterilization
- Myomectomy, or the removal of fibroids
- Hysterectomy, or the removal of the uterus
An OB-GYN can care for you during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. During this time, procedures may include:
- Vaginal delivery
- In vitro fertilization
- Cesarean delivery
- Amniocentesis to determine sex and detect any abnormalities
- Forceps and vacuum deliveries
OB-GYNs also perform preventive exams and screenings regularly, such as the following:
- Pap smears
- Pelvic exams
- Cancer screenings
- Clinical breast exams
- Mammographies
Areas of specialization
OB-GYNs can specialize in various fields. Some focus only on obstetrics and providing care to pregnant women. Others only provide gynecological care and do not offer childbirth services. Some OB-GYNs choose to specialize in a specific area of the field. For example, an obstetrician may specialize in vaginal births following cesarean delivery (VBAC).
Some practitioners also treat women from a holistic or osteopathic perspective. Natural or traditional remedies are given priority in this care. Osteopathic OB-GYNs receive certification from the American Osteopathic Association. OB-GYNs may also specialize in a field that necessitates additional training, expertise, and certification, such as the following:
- Specialists in maternal-fetal medicine treat high-risk pregnancies. They specialize in the mother's and baby's health and may also supervise complicated or high-risk deliveries, such as the vaginal delivery of a breech baby.
- Reproductive endocrinologists are infertility specialists who devise treatment plans and often perform in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures.
- Female pelvic surgeons: Female pelvic medicine specialists and reconstructive surgeons specialize in pelvic floor injuries and disorders. They may treat incontinence, perform pelvic floor physical therapy, or repair prolapsed pelvic organs through surgery.
- Gynecologic oncologists: An oncologist is a practitioner who specializes in cancer treatment. Gynecological oncologists provide cancer treatment for the reproductive organs, such as ovarian and cervical cancer.
How to discuss things with your OB-GYN?
You should make the most of your annual OB-GYN appointment and ask critical questions. Even if your questions appear personal or embarrassing, your doctor has heard them before. It's okay to inquire about your periods, sex, or anything else concerning your reproductive health.
Additionally, your OB-GYN may question you extensively. These questions can become too personal, but your doctor needs to know the answers to provide the best possible care for you. Questions may be related to the following:
- Your period and any issues it may cause, such as missed or heavy periods
- Vaginal discharge
- Whether or not you are sexually active, as well as how sexually active you are
- The number of sexual partners you currently have and have had in the past
- Sexual issues
- Any sexually transmitted infections (STIs) you have
- Methods of birth control
- Vaccination history
When and how often should a teen see an OB-GYN near you?
Your age and health are two of the most critical factors in determining how frequently you should see an OB-GYN for checkups. Most teenage girls should see an OB-GYN for the first time between the ages of 13 and 15. This visit is significant because it acknowledges that girls have a doctor to whom they can express their reproductive concerns and needs. Most girls will not undergo a pelvic exam during their first visit.
After this initial inspection, a young girl may not need to return for years. It would help if you discussed this with your daughter's gynecologist to determine when she should return for another preventive checkup. Patients may also need to come in for an evaluation if they have irregular menstrual cycles, severe period pains, or want to discuss birth control options.
How frequently should women see a gynecologist?
In most cases, women do not visit their OB-GYN as regularly as they should unless they are experiencing a problem or trying to get pregnant. However, these routine doctor visits are just as crucial as visiting your regular doctor for an annual medical checkup or seeing your dentist twice yearly for cleanings. If you are over 21, you should see an OB-GYN near you once a year for a pelvic and breast examination. Depending on your family history, you will need Pap tests every 3-5 years. Women who have HPV will need to come in for pap tests more frequently.
What happens during a routine pelvic exam?
Pelvic exams are the best way to keep your sexual and reproductive health in check. The OB-GYN will visually and physically assess the status of your uterus, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder, and rectum. The exam can detect any abnormalities such as ovarian cysts, sexually transmitted infections, yeast infections, and early-stage cancer. Pelvic exams are also a part of prenatal care and diagnosis of symptoms such as painful sex or abnormal vaginal bleeding.
If you have scheduled your first pelvic exam appointment with an OB-GYN near you, here's what you can expect:
- You will have to empty your bladder before the pelvic exam to make it more comfortable. Sometimes, the OB-GYN may request a urine sample from you, too.
- You will then change into a hospital gown provided by the doctor's staff.
- The OB-GYN will begin by asking you specific questions about your gynecological health. They will explain the pelvic exam process and give you time to address your concerns.
- They will then ask you to lie on the exam table with your knees bent and feet in the stirrups.
- The provider will first visually examine your vulva for abnormal signs such as sores or swellings.
- They will then insert two lubricated, gloved fingers in the vagina and press down your lower belly to feel your internal organs, including your ovaries and uterus. They will note the size, shape, and unusual growths.
- They may also insert a lubricated finger in your rectum to feel for any growths or other abnormal signs.
- Next, they will insert a lubricated speculum in your vagina that will help in widening the vaginal walls. The OB-GYN will get a more precise look at your vagina and cervix.
- At this point, they will also do a Pap test, wherein they will collect a sample of cells from the cervix and assess them later for cervical cancer.
- After the pelvic exam, you can change back into your clothes. The OB-GYN will discuss the pelvic exam results with you. You will have to wait for a few days for Pap test results. You can also ask any questions you may have about your sexual and reproductive health.
What is Asherman’s syndrome, and how can an OB-GYN near you diagnose it?
Asherman’s syndrome is a rare condition where scar tissue, also known as adhesions, forms inside the uterus, reducing the available space. This condition can cause symptoms like pelvic pain, abnormal uterine bleeding, and fertility issues. Fortunately, it can be treated, and treatment often alleviates symptoms.
Asherman’s syndrome is acquired, meaning it develops due to specific events, such as surgeries, infections, or cancer treatments. Your risk of developing it increases if you’ve had uterine surgery (like a hysteroscopy, complicated D&C, or C-section), a history of pelvic infections, or cancer treatments.
If you have Asherman’s syndrome, your symptoms may include:
- Light periods (hypomenorrhea)
- No periods (amenorrhea) or abnormal uterine bleeding
- Severe pelvic cramping or pain
- Difficulty conceiving or maintaining a pregnancy
Sometimes, you may not experience any symptoms and may have regular periods. Seeing your healthcare provider is important if you notice any pelvic discomfort or unusual periods.
An OB-GYN usually diagnoses Asherman's syndrome if you experience symptoms such as pelvic pain, lack of menstruation, abnormal bleeding, or trouble getting or staying pregnant. Your medical history plays a vital role in diagnosis, especially if you've had procedures like D&C, C-section, radiation therapy, or pelvic infections.
Your OB-GYN will review your medical history and conduct a physical exam during your appointment. Your provider may also perform a sonohysterogram to check for scar tissue in the uterus.
How can you find the best OB-GYN near you in Pembroke Pines, Florida?
If you are looking for top OB-GYNs in Pembroke Pines, visit the Zocdoc website. Sign up for free on the Zocdoc website to schedule a consultation with your OB-GYN. Then, using the search bar, enter the condition, a particular treatment method, or the specialist you want to see. Zocdoc lists thousands of medical practitioners near you on its platform to help you find the right one. You can also find in-network doctors on our platform to save money on clinical procedures or consultation charges.
You can narrow your list based on various criteria such as language, gender, typical wait time, location, whether they treat children or adults, availability, whether they accept your insurance, etc. If your insurance plan isn't listed on Zocdoc, you can try uploading a picture of your medical insurance card (this option is not available for vision or dental insurance). We'll scan the image and show you the most likely plan. If you have trouble uploading the card, contact our service team for assistance. You can check Zocdoc's insurance page if you have more insurance-related queries. You can also visit each doctor's profile to learn about their medical background, clinical experience, certifications, awards, licensures earned, etc.
You can also read the verified reviews and ratings about these practitioners shared by patients who previously visited them, which will help you make a better choice. After deciding on the OB-GYN best suited for your requirements, you can schedule an in-person or online appointment based on their availability.
All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, safe, and completely free!
OB-GYN statistics in Florida
OB-GYNs can help pregnant women and infants during various stages of pregnancy. According to data published by March of Dimes, in 2022, about 10.6% of live births were born preterm (live birth before 37 completed weeks gestation) in Florida. About 9.1% of live births were low weight. About 64.4% of babies were born to females receiving adequate prenatal care during the same year. About 35.9% of live births were cesarean deliveries.
According to the 2022-2023 Florida Department of Health report, Florida had about 1,958 OB/GYN physicians, and Broward County, where Pembroke Pines is a city, had about 220. The rate of physicians per 100,000 people in Broward County was around 11.1, compared to Florida's 8.6.
Sources
Medical News Today[1]
Medical News Today[2]
WebMD
March of Dimes
St. George’s University
Florida Department of Health
Mayo Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
