Women often have many questions about their health and that's why we've created this site. We aren't medical professionals but since we have the same concerns as other women, we decided to do some research on our own. In this blog, you'll find many informative articles about obstetrics and gynecology. These include the subjects of pregnancy, childbirth and the reproductive system.
The articles on our site aren't meant to take the place of advice from your own doctor, but instead to offer you knowledge on these subjects. We hope these posts will give you insight on the different aspects of female health so you can discuss any concerns you may have with a medical professional.
Gynecologists are specialists who diagnose and treat a variety of conditions that affect women exclusively. These doctors often act as the first line of defense against female health problems that can affect women of different ages. Here are some key reasons why seeing a gynecologist is important for women's health.
Reproductive Health Checks
Women who want to ensure the best reproductive health possible will benefit from seeing their gynecologists regularly. A gynecologist can check the condition of the vaginal region as well as the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries to see if there are any problems that affect these parts of the body. Breast examinations can also be performed to gauge the health of each breast.
Cancer Screenings
Gynecology plays an important role in the detection of women's cancers. Cervical cancer screenings are routine during many appointments and involve taking Pap smears to look for cellular changes that indicate the presence of disease. Vaginal, vulvar, uterine, and ovarian cancer are among the other gynecological cancers that a gynecologist can check for during an appointment. If cancer is detected, the gynecologist will likely refer a woman to a gynecologic oncologist for treatment.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Other Women's Health Conditions
In addition to cancer, gynecologists can check for other conditions that can impact a woman's health and offer treatment to alleviate the pain and other unpleasant symptoms that some of these conditions cause. Treating these conditions may even help prevent infertility for women who are still in their childbearing years. Certain conditions that gynecologists often treat include:
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Ovarian cysts
- Sexual dysfunctions
- Pelvic inflammatory diseases
- Congenital abnormalities of the reproductive organs
Family Planning
Women who wish to become pregnant or prevent pregnancy often turn to their gynecologists for guidance. Specific infertility issues that relate to women's sexual organs can often be addressed and resolved by gynecologists to try to increase women's chances for conception. Contraceptives, such as pills, inserts, or injections, can also be prescribed to women who do not want to get pregnant.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Imbalances of estrogen and other hormones can have several negative impacts on women, and a gynecologist may recommend hormone replacement therapy to help achieve hormonal balance. This therapy can also be effective in treating infertility that is sometimes caused by hormone imbalances. Older women who are going through menopause and often experience drops in certain hormones can also benefit from hormone replacement therapy that is prescribed by a gynecologist.
Along with seeing a primary care physician for regular checkups, women should visit their gynecologists to have certain health issues that affect the female body addressed. Seeing a gynecologist who focuses specifically on women's health can be a better way to receive the proper care.
If you have additional questions about your health, contact a local gynecologist.