An obstetrician-gynecologist or OB/GYN specializes in women’s reproductive health. An obstetrician focuses on caring for women and infants during pregnancy and childbirth, while gynecologists maintain reproductive health throughout a woman’s life. An estimated 40 percent of women in the United States visit an obstetrician or gynecologist annually.
OB/GYNs perform a wide range of services and procedures outside of pregnancy, including breast health screenings, laparoscopic procedures, bladder repair, and various vaginal and abdominal surgeries. OB/GYNs also work with women struggling with fertility problems and menopause.
To start, OB/GYNs provide numerous preventive health services, including breast screenings, which check for potentially cancerous growths. Breast cancer has become the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer worldwide, even though it almost entirely affects women. About 30 percent of newly diagnosed cancers in women and 12.5 percent of all new cancers are breast cancer.
An OB/GYN can perform a clinical breast exam while a patient is lying down or sitting up. In addition to any lumps or growths, doctors check for unusual changes in size or shape, redness of the skin, or any marks such as puckers and dimples. Women benefit from regular breast exams; women who detect breast cancer at an early stage have a five-year survival rate of more than 93 percent.
Women dealing with bladder issues, including prolapsed bladder, can benefit from OB/GYN bladder repair services. The anterior vaginal repair surgery, or the anterior colporrhaphy, is the most common operation. It involves making an incision in the vagina, folding a layer of tissue, and sewing the tissue in place so that it functions as supportive tissue between the vagina and bladder. OB/GYNs perform many additional vaginal and abdominal procedures, including laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic procedures allow doctors to explore the stomach and pelvis using a minimally invasive piece of equipment called a laparoscope.
OB/GYNs can assist families with certain fertility issues. Infertility refers to the inability to conceive following more than 12 months of effort. While OB/GYNs can provide insight into ovulatory disorders and endometriosis, infertility may be the result of male reproductive issues, such as a low sperm count or low testosterone.
In addition, OB/GYNs assist women with health services from adolescence through old age, including supporting individuals going through menopause. Menopause begins when a person has reached the end of their menstrual cycle, meaning they can no longer become pregnant. It does not start until a person has gone at least 12 months without a menstrual period. The average American woman begins menopause at 51 years old, though it can happen several years before or after.
Although menopause is a normal part of a woman’s reproductive health cycle, it can cause numerous symptoms that impact a person’s daily life. A few of these symptoms include hot flashes, unpredictable moods, changes to sleep patterns, and fluctuating energy levels. OB/GYNs can help manage these symptoms. Women should immediately contact their OB/GYN if they notice vaginal bleeding after menopause.
Lastly, OB/GYNs can also help with adolescent health, infectious disease treatment, and support with pelvic disorders like endometriosis.
