From menstruation to pregnancy to childbirth to menopause, a woman goes through several reproductive stages that can affect her overall health. Once a woman reaches puberty, she should schedule a gynecologist consultation annually to ensure good reproductive health.
Being aware of how your reproductive hormones work, what’s considered normal, and which symptoms require medical assistance is important. You must approach certified gynecologists and obstetricians to address all concerns related to your reproductive health. You may have already heard of these terms before.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the role of obstetrician-gynecologist doctor in your reproductive care, the difference between the two, and how they can help.
Obstetrician and Gynecologist: What’s the Difference
Obstetrics and gynecology focus on female reproductive health. While obstetrics is the study of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, gynecology is a broader term that covers all kinds of female reproductive issues.
A gynecologist may not necessarily handle pregnancy-related cases. They might not be available during your childbirth, especially if you have opted for a vaginal birth. They will leave it to the midwives.
Likewise, an obstetrician who specializes in pregnancy and childbirth might not handle cases related to fertility issues, menstrual problems, ovarian cysts, hormonal imbalance, and other reproductive health issues.
Obstetrician-gynecologist doctors are specialists who handle pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, and problems in the female reproductive tract. In other words, you can consult an OB-GYN for just about any reproductive-related concern—be it PCOS or uterine fibroids. Obstetrician residency training lasts four years. Further training is provided before you can start practice.
When to Consult an Obstetrician?
An obstetrician is a qualified healthcare provider specializing in pregnancy and birth-related cases. They can handle all pregnancy-related issues and perform emergency C-sections when required. An obstetrician may or may not be a gynecologist, i.e., they might not be qualified to treat female reproductive issues other than those occurring during pregnancy or childbirth.
You will see an obstetrician during pregnancy, usually every month or more often, depending on whether you have a high-risk or normal pregnancy. The main role of an obstetrician during pregnancy involves:
- Monitoring your baby’s well-being
- Conducting pregnancy tests
- Preparing you for the labor
- Dealing with pregnancy-related complications, such as hypertension and gestational diabetes
Most professionals combine obstetrics and gynecology to offer a broader range of services.
The best time to see an obstetrician is when you get a positive pregnancy test result. They will confirm your pregnancy through blood tests, order ultrasounds, and conduct other screenings to monitor the growth of the fetus and the viability of your pregnancy.
The Role of a Gynecologist and When to See One
A gynecologist treats female reproductive health issues, including childbirth, post-partum care, hormone disorders, UTIs, and STIs. From normal pregnancies to complicated cases that require surgical intervention, such as uterine or breast cancer, a gynecologist can treat all.
You must visit the obstetrics and gynecology clinic annually or every six months to know the best ways to monitor and care for your reproductive health.
Here’s what they help you with.
Fertility and Conception:
Around 11% of women of their childbearing age have suffered from infertility. The problem is linked to old age, smoking, genetics, a sedentary lifestyle, and existing medical conditions that can cause difficulty getting pregnant. Consulting a gynecologist can help you identify the cause of infertility and get an appropriate treatment. PCOS, for instance, is one of the common causes of infertility in women. Your gynecologist will help treat this hormonal disorder to increase your chances of conceiving.
Sexual Health:
A woman can discuss her sexual health issues and the common problems they experience during intercourse with a gynecologist.
Breast Examination:
Women should conduct a self-breast examination to detect any lumps, unusual size of the breasts, and other uncommon symptoms. However, it’s equally important to consider gynecologist check-ups to rule out the possibility of breast cancer, especially if you have a family history of breast cancer or if you have BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
Pelvic Test:
Unusual vaginal discharge, bloody discharge on non-menstrual days, infection or inflammation of the reproductive organs are some issues that require medical assistance. You must see a gynecologist if you notice anything unusual with your menstrual cycles, vaginal discharge, and overall reproductive health.
Mental Health:
Some gynecologists and obstetricians specialize in addressing mental health disorders associated with women’s reproductive health. Depression, anxiety, stress, and other mental health issues can occur during menopause and post-partum. Seeking medical help is necessary if you believe you’ve developed a mental issue due to the hormonal changes.
Hormonal Imbalance:
Progesterone and estrogen are women’s primary reproductive hormones that regulate their menstrual cycles, pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation. Hormonal imbalance can disturb your menstrual cycle and lead to hormonal issues like PCOD. Your gynecologist can diagnose hormonal problems and recommend the right treatment to regulate your reproductive hormones.
Pediatric Gynecology:
Gynecologists who test the reproductive health and organs of infants and adolescents are called pediatric gynecologists. You can take your children to these specialists to treat their reproductive health issues.
Qualifications of a Gynecologist and Obstetrician
A gynecologist or an obstetrician must have graduated from medical school and have a license to practice. Qualified gynecologists need to complete at least eight years of education and training from a recognized medical institute. This period covers four years in medical school and the remaining duration in a gynecologist residency program.
Depending on the training of the gynecologist and obstetrician, they might be qualified to perform surgery to treat reproductive health issues in women. This includes a laparoscopic procedure to perform a hysterectomy (uterus removal), a c-section, removal of the benign or malignant tumor from breasts and ovaries, and more. They also take pap smear tests to rule out the possibility of cervical cancer in women.
The part of the obstetrician-gynecologist care program includes fertility treatment. However, not every gynecologist specializes in this field. They might refer you to a reproductive endocrinologist with special training in fertility-related issues.
Conclusion
Gynecologist and obstetrician are often used as interchangeable terms, but both vary and have different areas of specialization. Depending on their qualification and training, their role could be limited to handling pregnancy and childbirth or might cover all female reproductive issues.