An obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) specializes in female reproductive health and pregnancy. Obstetrics is a branch of medicine that concentrates on care during and after pregnancy, including pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and postpartum. Meanwhile, gynecology focuses on women's reproductive health. Gynecologists also screen for and treat conditions associated with breasts.
To become an OB-GYN in the US, candidates have to:
- Graduate from a four-year medical school program
- Undergo OB-GYN residency training that typically lasts four years
- Become board certified
All OB-GYNs in the US are certified by The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Additionally, all doctors must complete the requirements for a license to practice.
With years of education and training, an OB-GYN is qualified to perform many procedures, including:
- Cesarean sections
- Instrumental deliveries during childbirth
- Hysterectomy to surgically remove the uterus
- Myomectomy to surgically remove fibroids
They also perform routine procedures such as:
- Pap smears to test for cervical cancer
- Tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Fertility treatments, including IVF
- Pelvic ultrasounds for a checkup or to monitor pregnancy
- Breast exams, including mammograms
An OB-GYN may also address your general health needs. Some people prefer to see an OB-GYN in the capacity of a primary care physician. However, not all OB-GYNs serve in this capacity.
When can you visit an OB-GYN?
Start visiting an OB-GYN near you at ages 13-15 or upon becoming sexually active. In addition to your annual checkup, visit your OB-GYN when you notice changes in your reproductive cycle. This could be your first menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause. You may also visit the doctor for unusual symptoms like:
- Severe cramping
- Changes in volume or frequency of menstrual bleeding
- Pain during urination
- Pain during intercourse
If you are sexually active, you may visit your OB-GYN for:
- Safe sex tips
- Birth control or contraception
- Advice for preventing and treating sexually transmitted infections
- Treatment and prevention of pain during sex
- Urinary tract infections
If you are pregnant or trying, your OB-GYN can help you with the following:
- Planning your pregnancy
- Infertility treatment
- Diet and lifestyle advice
- Genetic testing and screenings
- Prenatal care
- Advice on birthing options and breastfeeding
- Postpartum depression
What conditions do OB-GYNs treat?
Besides performing routine checkups, OB-GYNs help manage and treat medical conditions like:
- Endometriosis: This is a condition where tissue resembling the uterine lining grows in other body parts, such as the fallopian tubes, vagina, ovaries, intestines, rectum, etc. These growths can cause excruciating cramps, abdominal pain, painful intercourse and bowel movements, heavy bleeding during periods, and spotting (light bleeding) in between periods. OB-GYNs can help manage endometriosis by prescribing medications, hormonal birth control, or performing surgical procedures like hysterectomy and laparoscopy.
- Uterine fibroids: Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) are muscle and tissue growths on the uterine walls. Typically, these growths are not cancerous. Uterine fibroids cause abdominal pain, heavy vaginal bleeding, constipation, frequent urination, etc. Its treatment options consist of birth control, iron supplements, and medications.
- Dyspareunia: Dyspareunia refers to recurring, persistent pain in the genital region before, during, or after sex. The pain can occur externally (in the labia, vulva, or vaginal opening) or internally (in the cervix, uterus, or lower abdomen). Dyspareunia has various causes, including vaginismus, vaginal atrophy, infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, childbirth, and sexually transmitted infections (STI). The condition can have adverse psychological effects. Depending on the situation, its treatment can involve rest, using lubricants during penetrative sex, therapy, and medications.
- Bacterial vaginosis (BV): Bacterial vaginosis occurs due to an imbalance in the body's natural bacterial levels. While some people with BV have no symptoms, others might experience vaginal pain, itchiness, discomfort, and foul-smelling vaginal odor. Treatments for this condition include medication and maintaining proper vaginal hygiene.
- Pelvic organ prolapse (POP): Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition where the pelvic floor (the muscles, tissues, and ligaments supporting the pelvic organs) becomes too weak to hold the organs in place. Old age, being overweight, and vaginal childbirth are its leading causes. Based on the severity of the condition, OB-GYNs can perform nonsurgical and surgical procedures to treat POP.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): It is a condition that entails hormonal disbalance that often happens during reproductive years. The outer edge of the ovary develops tiny fluid-filled sacs leading to period disturbances, like missed or extremely long periods or too much androgen in the body. Although the actual cause is unknown, early diagnosis and management can prevent long-term complications, such as infertility, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, etc.
- High blood pressure (hypertension): It is a prevalent condition in which the blood force pushing against the artery walls is continuously too high. This makes it harder for the heart to pump blood efficiently, with a 130/80 mm Hg or higher reading. If left untreated, it can result in heart disease and other related concerns. Nevertheless, following a healthy lifestyle can eliminate the risk of the condition.
- HPV infection: HPV, also called human papillomavirus, is a viral infection with over 100 varieties. Mainly, they cause warts, but some types of genital HPV also lead to cancer. These infections are transmitted through sexual intercourse or other skin-to-skin contact. Major risk factors include more numbers of sexual partners and a weakened immune system.
- Miscarriage: Miscarriage denotes the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. It usually happens due to chromosomal or gene-related abnormalities in the developing fetus. Symptoms can be bleeding from the vagina, lower back cramps, passing of vaginal fluid or tissue, and fast heartbeat. Hence, taking good care, making the right lifestyle choices, and frequent checkups during pregnancy are crucial.
What to expect at your OB-GYN appointment?
Your OB-GYN will start with a general health check and note your vitals at your first visit. Your OB-GYN will ask general questions about your personal and family health history.
You must change into a gown that opens to the front for the physical exam. A nurse or other health professional usually stays in the room during the pelvic exam. The doctor begins by examining the outside of your vagina for abnormalities. Next, they will examine your reproductive organs from the inside. You may have to position yourself with your knees bent so the doctor can use a speculum to hold the vagina open. This allows the doctor to view the inside of your vagina and cervix. You may feel pressure, but you should let your doctor know if you are in pain.
Depending on your age, health, and reproductive goals, your OB-GYN will order some tests. For women over 21, the doctor would conduct a pap test to check for conditions such as cervical cancer or human papillomavirus (HPV). If you have been sexually active, your OB-GYN may test you for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV. You may also have your breasts checked for any lumps or abnormalities through a clinical exam. Other exams, such as the internal bimanual or rectovaginal exams, may be conducted, too.
When you visit an OB-GYN near you, remember to keep these things in mind:
- Don't schedule your appointment during your period, as blood may interfere with your test results.
- Avoid intercourse within 24 hours before your appointment, as it could affect your pap test results.
- Avoid douching, as your vaginal discharge and odors would help the OB-GYN understand your concerns.
- Please track your menstrual cycle to make it easy when your doctor asks questions. A calendar or mobile app may help you be better prepared.
- Bring your medical records.
- Come prepared with your list of questions. This will help you cover all your concerns during the appointment.
Finding an OB-GYN near you in Saint Petersburg, Florida
While looking for an OB-GYN, you want to find someone you trust. Consider whether you prefer a female or a male gynecologist. You may also want to consider asking questions such as:
- What are their experience and certification?
- Do they accept your health insurance?
- What are their office hours?
You want to ensure you are comfortable with your chosen doctor. You can find the right OB-GYN online through Zocdoc to simplify this process.
Visit the Zocdoc website and enter the specialty you wish to consult, e.g.., "OB-GYN," and your location to find specialists near you. Enter your insurance details to find in-network OB-GYNs that meet all your requirements. Can't see your insurance plan listed on Zocdoc? Try uploading an image of your card. We'll scan it and display your likely insurance plan. However, this feature is only available for medical insurance cards, not dental or vision cards. If you have trouble uploading the photo, our service team will always help you. Visit Zocdoc's patient help center for added assistance.
Moreover, you can filter your search by gender, hospital affiliations, and the languages spoken by the doctors. Each OB-GYN near you listed on Zocdoc has a unique profile. Every profile includes the health professional's education history, board certifications, expertise, experience, and hospital affiliations. Furthermore, you can also read the verified patient reviews before selecting a practitioner. You can also find practitioners who take video consultations along with in-person visits.
All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free!
Women's health and birth statistics in Florida
Data from 2018-2021 from the Florida Department of Health shows that 75.3% of births were with prenatal care during the first trimester. In addition, there were about 7.7% of births with late or no prenatal care. Around 85.5% of mothers in Florida initiated breastfeeding. On the other hand, there were about 3.6% of births to mothers who were smoking during pregnancy. Further, about 9.8% of cases of hepatitis B were reported in pregnant women.
Nearly 34.3% of births were to mothers who were recommended weight gain during pregnancy. Around 5.1% of births were to underweight mothers, and 41.7% were to overweight mothers during pregnancy. Roughly 1.6% of births had very low birth weight (less than 1500 grams), and 8.8% had low birth weight (less than 2500 grams). Moreover, there were roughly 10.6% of pre-term births in the state. Approximately 36% of births were through C-sections.
In 2019, 128 per 100,000 females were reported to have breast cancer in Florida. An estimated 763.6 females per 100,000 were said to have bacterial sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in 2021. In Florida, roughly 9.1 actively licensed OB-GYNS per 100,000 population, as reported in 2020-21.
Sources
MedicalNewsToday
WebMD
HealthCentral
Healthline
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