What is a Gynecologist?
If you’ve ever wondered “what is a gynecologist” or “what’s a gynecologist”, they are doctors who specialise in women’s healthcare and reproductive health.They focus on treating the conditions of women’s reproductive system like vagina, breast, uterus, fallopian tube, ovaries and cervix. A Gynecologist guides a woman for her menstrual cycle and family planning.This is another example of what a gynecologist does for women’s reproductive care, including the use of birth control pills, IUDs, and other forms of contraception.
A gynecologist diagnoses and treats reproductive system disorders such as preeclampsia, PCOS, infertility, ovarian cysts, PID and pelvic pain. They may also care for people with ovarian, cervical and other reproductive cancers. Most healthcare providers recommend visiting a gynecologist for the first time between 13-15 years of age.This early visit helps young women understand what is a gynaecologist and how they can support long-term reproductive health. A gynaecologist cares for your reproductive health from puberty through menopause.
What are Obstetricians?
While many people search for what is a gynecologist, it is equally important to know how gynecologists differ from obstetricians.
An Obstetrician is a medical doctor who is specialized in giving birth to the baby, delivery, pregnancy and postpartum period. A gynecologist looks after overall wellbeing of the woman’s reproductive health, an obstetrician is trained for child birth and prenatal and postnatal wellbeing of the baby and the mother. Obstetrics involves working with pregnant women, including delivering babies.
The role of an obstetrician is to ensure that both the mother and child remain safe throughout the delivery. Obstetricians are trained to handle high-risk pregnancies and deliveries, and they also have the ability to intervene and perform cesarean sections (C-sections) when necessary. Their role starts from pre-natal care and lasts till post-natal care of the mother. This complements what gynecologists do, as both roles often overlap.
What does a Gynecologist do?
A gynecologist plays a vital role in women’s health by offering preventive care, routine screenings such as Pap smears and mammograms, personalised family planning solutions, and holistic reproductive care that spans every stage of life, from prenatal check-ups and safe childbirth to guiding women through menopause management.
- Guidance on family planning: Part of what gynecologists do is guiding women about family planning.They educate the woman about birth control, pregnancy planning, contraceptive options and prevention from sexually transmitted diseases.
- Helps to identify diseases and treat reproductive health conditions: A gynaecologist’s major role is to detect any disease and treat any conditions related to reproductive health like menstrual disorders, uterine fibroids, infertility, ovarian cysts, breast cancer and endometriosis.
- Conducting routine gynecological screening: A gynecologist performs pap test, feritility test, breast examination, pelvic and genital examination diagnoses any condition related to reproductive organ and sex hormones. It helps the gynaecologist to provide proper treatment and medication to the patient after screening the risks.
- Perform surgeries: surgeries such as C-sections and fibroid removal are often included. A gynecologist also performs surgeries to treat uterine fibroids, breast cancer, ovarian cysts and endometriosis. They may also perform sterilization procedures such as tubal ligation.
Now that you know what is a gynaecologist and what do gynecologists do, don’t delay your routine screenings—book your Pap smear at Nisha Nursing Home today.
Signs that you need to visit a Gynecologist
Understanding what is a gynecologist also means knowing when to visit one. Regular check-ups are recommended to begin between the ages of 12 and 14, as this is when menstruation usually starts. Depending on your health history and age, your gynecologist may also use these visits to screen for potential issues such as breast or cervical cancer.
- Unusual discharge: Discharge is when a clear or whitish fluid that comes off the vagina. Although unusual discharge is common but unwanted odour and difference in consistency may have any infection requiring immediate attention of your gynecologist. Conditions like bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, or cervicitis can cause abnormal discharge.
- Irregular vaginal bleeding: Vaginal bleeding can be a symptom of menstruation, if not, it may be the cause of some other medical condition like pregnancy or hormonal changes.
- Pelvic pain: Pelvic pain can happen in all sexes and might stem from infections, abnormalities in internal organs or pain from your pelvic bones. In women, typical reasons for pelvic pain include menstrual cramps, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and gestation.
- Lumps in breast: Sometimes, women feel lumps near their breast. Breast lumps are often misunderstood as breast cancer, which may not always be the case. Not all lumps are harmful, some of them may not even require any treatment but it is very important to get it examined from your gynecologist. This highlights another aspect of what gynecologists do, ensuring breast health is not ignored.
- Nipple discharge: Nipple discharge is considered normal in women, however, it is very abnormal in men and must be diagnosed. Hormones, lactation and sexual arousal can be normal causes of the nipple discharge. However, it can be very harmful in the case of tumors, infections or breast cancer.
- Infertility: Infertility in women is a condition when a woman can’t get pregnant. It is diagnosed after a person or couple has had unprotected sex for 12 months without a pregnancy. Modern treatments like IVF and hormonal therapy are part of what a gynecologist does to support women on their motherhood journey
If you’re experiencing any symptoms mentioned above, and still wondering “what does a gynecologist do”, the best way to find out is to schedule a consultation with an experienced doctor.
Regular check-ups with a gynaecologist are essential for maintaining reproductive health, especially as you age. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above or have concerns about your reproductive health, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a gynaecologist.
Stay ahead of potential risks, Book your regular check-up with the best gynecologists in Dehradun at Nisha Nursing Home.
