Gynaecologists specialize in women’s reproductive health. This means they provide regular exams such as pelvic smears and breast cancer screenings as well as diagnosing conditions unique to female bodies like endometriosis or uterine fibroids.
Some ob/gyns undergo additional training to become specialists in specific sub-areas of gynaecology, such as gynecologic oncology (management of gynaecological cancers), urogynaecology (treatment for urinary incontinence and prolapse), or fetal and maternal medicine (managing high risk pregnancies).
Pregnancy
If you are planning a pregnancy, make an appointment with a gynaecologist as soon as you discover this fact. They can offer valuable advice and assist with the delivery process – ask your GP or hospital where you intend to give birth for their recommendation.
Gynaecologists specialize in female reproductive healthcare, which includes the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and vagina. They can diagnose problems associated with any of these organs as well as treat them using medicine or surgery if necessary. Gynaecologists may also perform pap smears – a procedure in which cells from the cervix are collected via swabbing – in order to detect early cancerous changes that might require further medical intervention.
Some gynaecologists are also obstetricians, so they can assist with pregnancy and childbirth as well as provide advice regarding contraception. Furthermore, these specialists can detect sexually transmitted diseases while performing surgical procedures like hysterectomies and tubal ligations.
Antenatal Care
Around 830 women die worldwide every day due to complications arising during pregnancy and childbirth, many of which could have been avoided with adequate health care during gestation and childbirth.
Gynecologists specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions relating to female reproductive systems such as menstrual disorders, sexually transmitted infections, uterine fibroids, and ovarian cysts. They conduct regular pelvic exams and pap smears.
Obstetricians specialize in pregnancy and childbirth and should be your first point of call when expecting a baby; they’ll monitor your gestation and care for any complications that arise, provide family planning advice, as well as perform surgical procedures like hysterectomies and tubal ligations. A Vascular Medicine Specialist specialises in diagnosing and nonsurgically treating blood vessel conditions including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), peripheral arterial disease and varicose veins.
Post-natal Care
For women with gynecological conditions, regular check-ups are vitally important – this is especially crucial after giving birth and it is wise to visit a doctor if any symptoms or issues arise.
Gynecologists provide routine gynecological exams, such as pap smears with slim samplers to detect precancerous cells on the cervix, as well as diagnose and treat reproductive health conditions such as fibroids and endometriosis.
Some gynecologists are certified as obstetricians and will monitor both mother and fetus during gestation. Others specialize in particular areas of women’s health such as gynecologic oncology – which treats cancer of reproductive organs – or pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, which treats disorders related to urinary tract, bladder or bowel.
Menopause
Women will experience menopause at some point during their lives and it is an inevitable part of growing older. When this occurs, their ovaries cease producing hormones like oestrogen which produces symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, irregular periods and vaginal dryness – these symptoms often accompany each other and affect quality of life significantly.
If you are experiencing the early stages of menopause (perimenopause), which typically lasts several months or years before menopause actually occurs, then consulting a gynaecologist could help manage symptoms more effectively. As well as symptoms management, Jessie McPherson Private Gynaecologist Dr Haider Najjar recommends visiting their annual for checks for osteoporosis, heart disease and screening tests such as Pap smears as well as discussing lifestyle changes that could help ease transition.
Sexual Health
Women experiencing sexual dysfunction due to hormone imbalances may benefit from consulting a gynecologist for assistance. They will assess and address their situation with personal, tailored care that’s focused on each individual patient’s wellbeing.
Gynaecologists provide many tests, from Pap tests and pelvic exams, to treatments such as fibroids, cysts, polyps, counseling services for sexually transmitted infections as well as referrals to specialists such as urologists for complex situations. Most private health funds cover these visits – please ask your provider for details. Additionally, some gynecologists specialize in both obstetrics and gynaecology (known as OB-GYNs) while other solely work in one specialty area; this distinction is key as these specialists focus on female reproductive systems in particular.