An obstetrician-gynecologist, more commonly known as an OB-GYN, is a medical professional specializing in women’s health. These doctors treat conditions of the uterus and all associated anatomy while providing a range of sexual and reproductive health services. There are more than 23,000 OB-GYNs in the United States, according to job statistics and services provider Zippia, over 85 percent of whom are women.
OB-GYNs typically begin meeting with patients between the ages of 13 and 15, in line with guidelines established by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Patients usually do not require pelvic examinations at this age, and the first OB-GYN visit generally amounts to a basic physical and the patient getting to know their health provider.
ACOG suggests patients return to their OB-GYN for annual wellness checkups, which include a complete pelvic exam. A pap smear, a test for cervical cancer, is often but not always performed during these appointments. Women may need to see their OB-GYN more often for various reasons, from health conditions to pregnancies. OB-GYNs can also assist women and families dealing with issues of infertility. The Women’s Health Alliance reports that women over the age of 66 do not need regular Pap exams.
There are a few common reasons that may prompt a person to see an OB-GYN outside of a routine checkup. Any issue of sexual dysfunction should lead to an OB-GYN appointment, including pain during intercourse. Women can experience pain during intercourse for many reasons, including dyspareunia, a condition characterized by genital pain during or after intercourse. The pain may be internal or external.
Abnormal uterine bleeding, including any uterine bleeding unrelated to a healthy menstrual cycle, is another reason to contact an OB-GYN. A person should discuss uterine bleeding with their OB-GYN if they have unusually heavy or painful periods or no periods. It should be known that missing a period is not always a sign of pregnancy or a health issue, and women may miss one or two periods at a time without cause for alarm, though it is always worth checking with a doctor. Similarly, women should reach out to their OB-GYN provider if they experience abdominal pain apart from monthly menstrual cramps.
OB-GYNs commonly treat patients for vaginal infections and similar issues, such as discharge. There are many common vaginal infections, including yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. Yeast infections are especially prominent in the US, with three out of four women developing at least one yeast infection during their lifetime. About 9 million Americans, and 138 million women around the world, live with recurrent yeast infections.
Individuals who have engaged in unprotected sex or regularly have intercourse with multiple partners can speak to OB-GYN professionals about confidential sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study suggests that more than one out of four women aged 14 through 19 live with at least one of the nation’s most common STDs, which include human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, and herpes simplex virus.
Sexually active women should discuss STD prevention with their OB-GYN, especially when it comes to HPV. Studies suggest over nine out of 10 sexually active men and approximately 80 percent of women will develop HPV in their lifetime. For some individuals, the symptoms of HPV are minor and infrequent, but women with HPV are more likely to develop several types of cancer.
