Who is a gynecologist and when you should visit them?
A gynecologist deals with female reproductive organs. An obstetrician is a kind of gynecologist who specializes in pregnancy and childbirth.
Women should start visiting a gynecologist from their early teens and continue to attend a well-woman clinic for general health issues too.
A visit to the gynecologist is recommended for annual screening and any time a woman has concerns about symptoms such as pelvic, vulvar, and vaginal pain or abnormal bleeding from the uterus.
You should visit a gynecologist for any of the problems listed below.
Conditions commonly treated by gynecologists include:
- Issues relating to pregnancy, fertility, menstruation, and menopause
- Family planning, including contraception, sterilization, and pregnancy termination
- Problems with tissues that support the pelvic organs, uterine prolapse, including weak ligaments and muscles
- Sexually transmitted infections presenting with burning, pain, vaginal discharge, itching, etc
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOD/PCOS)
- Urinary incontinence
- Benign conditions of the reproductive tract, for example, ovarian cysts, fibroids, breast disorders, vulvar and vaginal ulcers, and other non-cancerous changes
- Premalignant conditions, such as endometrial hyperplasia, and cervical dysplasia
- Cancers of the reproductive tract and the breasts, and pregnancy-related tumors
- Congenital abnormalities of the female reproductive tract
- Emergency care relating to gynecology
- Endometriosis, a chronic condition that affects the reproductive system
- Pelvic inflammatory diseases, including abscesses
- Sexuality, including health issues relating to same-sex and bisexual relationships
- Sexual dysfunction