When to Visit and What to Expect

Gynecologists: When to visit and what to expect
What is a gynecologist?
When to see one

What to expect
Screening
Common procedures
Qualifications
Gynecologists are doctors who specialize in women’s health, with a focus on the female reproductive system.

They deal with a wide range of issues, including obstetrics, or pregnancy and childbirth, menstruation and fertility issues, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), hormone disorders, and others.

In Singapore, some women prefer to visit a well-woman clinic rather than a family doctor for general health issues. The gynecologist may then refer the patient to another specialist.

A qualified gynecologist has at least 8 years of training and should be certified by an examining body, such as the American Board of Gynecologists (ABOG) and registered by a professional organization, such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

Fast facts about gynecologists:
Here are some key points about gynecologists. More detail is in the main article.
A gynecologist is a doctor who specializes in the health of the female organs.

Many women start visiting a gynecologist from their early teens and continue to attend a well-woman clinic for general health issues too.
Women are advised to visit a gynecologist annually for a checkup, and any time they have symptoms that concern them.

A gynecologist should be certified and registered with a professional body, such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

What is a gynecologist?
Gynecologists specialize in women’s health issues.
A gynecologist treats patients with female reproductive organs, whether or not they identify as women. An obstetrician is a kind of gynecologist who specializes in pregnancy and childbirth.
To become a gynecologist, a person must train first as a doctor for 4 years, then specialize for another 4 years in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Passing a further examination will enable them to be certified and registered.

When to see one
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.
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, including ligaments and muscles
STIs
polycystic ovary syndrome
urinary and fecal 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
Gynecologists in the U.S. frequently offer both gynecological and general health care, including preventive medicine for women and diagnosis and treatment of issues such as headache, low back pain, mood changes, and acne.
They may also treat:
asthma
psychiatric conditions such as depression and personality disorders
cardiovascular disease
diabetes
thyroid disorders and other hormonal issues
domestic violence and sexual assault
osteoporosis
Preventive medicine may include lifestyle advice about issues such as smoking cessation and weight loss.
At what age can I see a gynecologist?
A gynecologist can treat a girl or a woman at any age. ACOG recommend starting to visit a gynecologist from the age of 13 to 15 years.

Building up a relationship with the doctor enables a girl or woman to be more comfortable asking questions about menstruation, sexuality and so on, and provides a point of contact if symptoms occur in future.
It also gives the doctor a chance to guide a woman’s overall welfare in the long term, through counseling on important health and lifestyle issues.

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What to expect
What happens at the gynecologist’s depends on the reason for the visit and the individual’s situation.
If it is a young woman’s first visit, she may just have a chat with the doctor, get some general health information, and find out what to expect in the peterchewgynae.com