Overview
An Obstetrics and Gynecologist is a healthcare professional who is a specialist in women's health. They help answer a person's queries about pregnancy, sex, infertility, reproductive health, and numerous other topics. They provide routine scanning, diagnoses, preventive care, and a line of treatment for disorders related to women's health.
A women's body experiences different biologic functions such as menstruation, pregnancy, hormonal secretion, and menopause. Here is a brief about what they do and when should you consider seeing one.
● Obstetricians are those who help deliver babies.
● A Gynecologist deals with different issues relating to female bodily conditions such as hormonal imbalances, PCOD, irregular menstrual cycles, sexually transmitted diseases, chronic pain, and more.
Specialty areas of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Most Ob-Gyns are generalists, meaning they are responsible for treating diseases and delivering babies. Some prefer to master the sub-specialties such as:
1. Abnormal bleeding
Abnormally excessive or less bleeding during or in-between your menstrual cycle can be a cause of worry. Such conditions signal Ob-Gyn consultation to understand the cause and get the correct treatment at the earliest.
2. Vaginal or urinary tract infections
Females are 70% more likely to suffer urinary tract infections. Infection usually involves the bladder and urethra. Early diagnosis can help prevent its spread to the kidneys, which can be serious.
3. PCOD
PCOD or Polycystic Ovarian Disease is a medical condition in which a woman produces immature or partially mature eggs in unusual quantities that lead to the formation of cysts in the ovaries. It may interfere with day-to-day life and cause difficulty in losing weight, irregular menses, and mood swings.
4. Endometriosis
Endometriosis is the outgrowth of tissue or layer that lines the uterus. It commonly involves the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the pelvic lining.
5. Infertility
Infertility is failure to conceive despite having unprotected intercourse for over a year. Some factors contributing to infertility may be smoking, drinking, certain medications, depression.
6. Reproductive endocrinology and infertility
A reproductive endocrinologist is a specialist who deals with the hormonal system of the body. They study the varied and complex system of glands that secret reproductive hormones that help with reproduction. They diagnose and treat endocrine disorders that deal with infertility when you are unable to get pregnant despite having unprotected sex.
7. Maternal-fetal medicine
Also known as perinatology, this branch deals with high-risk and complicated pregnancies.
8. Conditions that Ob-Gyns treat
Ob-Gyns diagnose and provide care for a plethora of conditions relating to women's health not limited to but inclusive of:
● Counseling during Pregnancy
Undergoing pregnancy for the first time can be overwhelming. Talking to a gynaecologist may help ease symptoms and provide mental comfort.
● Parturition/ Delivering babies
Obstetricians assist in delivering babies by performing a C-section (Cesarian) surgery and even natural birth. It can be a complex procedure and requires experience and expertise.
9. Female Pelvic Medicine and Reproductive Surgery
These surgeons treat women with urinary tract disorders. Muscle and connective tissue located in the pelvic floor may become weak due to pregnancy, age-related factors, etc. These specialist’s addresses:
● Vaginal or urinary tract infections
● Pelvic organ prolapses
● Hyperactive bladder
● Bladder pain
● Urinary or fecal incontinence
10. Variety of cancers such as breast cancer, uterine cancer
Gynecology oncologists deal with the diagnosis and treatment of various cancers of the female reproductive system. Regular check-ups may help prevent the development of serious forms of cancer.
What procedures do Ob-Gyns perform?
Ob-Gyns are skilled in major and minor surgeries for procedures such as:
● Dilation and curettage
● Tubal ligation for female sterilization
● Removal of the uterus (Hysterectomy)
● Removal of fibroids (Myomectomy)
● LASER procedures
● Procedures related to pregnancy:
● In-Vitro Fertilization
● Natural Delivery
● C-section Delivery
● Determination of sex and any fetal defects
● Forceps Deliveries
● Vacuum Deliveries
Certain diagnostic tests that they perform are:
● Pelvic examination
● Pap smears
● Mammography
● Clinical breast exams
● Biopsy
● STI tests
● Cancer screenings
Risk Factors and Prevention of Gynecological Issues:
Women are affected by various bodily cycles based on the phases of life such as menstruation, hormonal imbalances, sexual activity, childbirth, pre, and post-menopause. Though gynecologic ailments can affect any woman, some women may be at a higher risk. Recognizing the risk factors early can help women avail health screenings that can detect health issues before they become serious. More significantly, numerous risk factors signal a need to change one's lifestyle – by taking control and eliminating behaviors or conditions that can lead to cancer or other disorders. You may be at a higher risk when you:
Taking good care of oneself and following a specialist's recommendations for regular care and timely health screenings can go a long way toward avoiding cancer and other diseases.
When should you visit an Obs & Gyne expert?
When deciding to visit your Gynecologist, consider your age and reproductive goals. For example,
