Many women from teens to senior women see their family doctor for their reproductive health annual exams and treatments. While a family doctor has the training, experience, and the knowledge to complete these examinations, women can find that the specialized training and expertise of an OBGYN is a very effective option.
An OBGYN is a doctor specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. Obstetrics is the area of medicine that deals with pregnancy and the time immediately after delivery, known as puerperium. Gynecology is the treatment of the female reproductive system through all stages of life. Doctors may specialize in both areas of medicine or just one, but most physicians have training in both.
Treatments Offered
It is important to realize that anything that falls within female reproductive health can be treated by these specialized medical experts. This includes irregularities with menstruation, fertility treatments, Pap tests and screens, treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and in assisting patients in finding the right method of birth control on an individual basis.
Women that have a history of urinary tract infections, menstrual problems, miscarriages, challenges in conceiving and even with hormonal imbalances related to the reproductive system can benefit from seeing an OBGYN as a specialist. It is also not uncommon for these doctors to be part of a woman’s treatment team if she is going through cancer treatment or has any other type of chronic health condition that impacts the reproductive system.
Some of these doctors will also have subspecializations. Oncologists, fertility experts, material and fetal medicine or Urogynecology are all subspecializations within the general umbrella of services. Often these subspecializations are used based on the specific need of the woman and the health issues she is facing.
Working with a specialist, particularly when there is a known or suspected disease or health condition allows the patient to have the benefit of working with a doctor that is fluent in the latest in research, treatment options, and diagnosis methods.
