Safeguarding Your Health With Your Gynecologist

By Catherine Reynolds


A gynecologist is usually asked to look after the reproductive systems of females. In spite of this, there are occasions when this particular professional may be tasked to deal with conditions that he is familiar with that may occur in children. In many cases, pediatricians are equipped and well educated in the gynecological aspects of childhood but there are some conditions and diseases that can only be addressed by a qualified and certified gynecologist Roanoke.

Do you need to see a gynecologist or can your family doctor help you? A family doctor or nurse practitioner can help most women with all of the general questions and concerns that they have about their reproductive health. Whether it is birth control, premenstrual syndrome, questions about pregnancy or menopause, the doctor you see for your general medical needs can assist and treat you as required.

If you need a specialist for an annual exam, you are probably looking for a local gynecologist. Clearly, you will want a good one since many women dread going to this type of doctor, whether regularly or for a particular reason. Either way, it is important to find a reputable doctor near you rather than just any practitioner, so find out some ways to do that.

A family doctor is equipped to deal with most everyday concerns regarding your sexual health and well-being. Your primary care physician can perform your internal examination and can offer screenings for sexually transmitted diseases as well as breast exams. A visit with your gynecologist is a confidential matter; however, many young ladies prefer to have their mothers present during the interview and/or exam. The choice is yours. I think it's always best to have a little time with the doctor alone so that any particular issues may be addressed confidentially.

The best way to prepare for the appointment is to relax. Wear socks on your feet so they will not get cold when they are in the stir-ups. The specialist will do his part to help you to feel at ease. Before you know it the examination will be over with.

Your primary care doctor may decide after seeing you that you should be referred to a gynecologist. For example, if a patient has received an abnormal result on a Pap test she may be referred for a colposcopy, which identifies abnormalities. From there, she will be sent to a woman's specialist for the treatment that is needed to remove the abnormal tissue.

Whenever you think of something, jot it down right away. It could be something about your premenstrual symptoms, or perhaps you're wondering about a new form of birth control you heard of. It's better to ask when you have the doctor right there with you then to think of it later and try to reach him or her by phone.

You should see your doctor for regular Pap tests once a year. Start having them within three years of becoming sexually active or by the time you reach 18 years of age. The Pap test is generally part of a routine pelvic examination performed by the doctor. It is done to look for any changes in the cells found in the cervix.




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