When to See a Gynecologist: Symptoms, Exams & Women's Health

Women visit gynecologists for a number of reasons, including routine physical checkups, illness, reproduction, and development. Gynecologists diagnose symptoms through exams and subsequently provide treatment.

Significance

• A gynecologist is a doctor who studies and specializes in women's reproductive health. A gynecologist can diagnose a patient after conducting exams and is able to provide treatment accordingly.

Benefits

• Women visit an obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) for annual checkups and to ensure health or identify problems; diagnosis may include Pap test screenings and breast exams.

Function

• An OB/GYN prescribes birth control for individuals interested in preventing pregnancy, provides prenatal care for pregnant women, and treats reproductive disorders such as infertility.

Features

• Women may need to see a gynecologist to test for and treat sexually-transmitted diseases (STD) or to diagnose and treat infections such as urinary tract and yeast infections.

Considerations

• Women and adolescent-aged girls visit a gynecologist concerning menstruation inconsistencies, vaginal or abdominal pain, signs of infection, and questions or anxieties about developing.