3 OBGYN Services That Can Help Young Women

Some young women feel they do not need the services of an OBGYN since this doctor delivers babies. However, this kind of practitioner does a lot more than just help pregnant women, which is why females are encouraged to start seeing one at least once per year starting around age 18. If you are a young woman wondering what this kind of doctor can do for you, consider the most common services.

You need to start seeing an OBGYN yearly to be checked for any abnormalities. Most of the time, this means you will get a Pap smear, in which your cervix is swabbed to make sure there are no signs of disease. Cancer is the main disease that doctors check for during this type of exam, but they also often check for other issues with your cervix or uterus. This way, you can catch any diseases early and then treat them right away, which means that you can likely be cured if there is anything wrong. You will be expected to start getting an exam annually around the time you turn 18, or at least soon after you become sexually active, so take your lifestyle and age into account when deciding when to schedule an appointment.

If you are planning to become sexually active soon, an OBGYN can help you decide on a type of birth control. You will be given the pros and cons of each kind, and then you and your doctor can make the right choice for your situation. You will likely need a prescription, as well as advice on how to use it properly. Even if you are not sexually active, though, you might need to consider hormonal birth control for irregular or painful periods. While it is normal for periods to be irregular during their first few years, you can make them more regular with birth control, and you may also be able to lessen their severity.

If you have already been sexually active, you should occasionally get tested for STDs. You should see your regular OBGYN for this since he or she already knows your health history, and you should already be comfortable with your practitioner. You can tell him or her whether you are concerned that you have been exposed to a particular STD, or you can simply get several tests done to make sure nothing is amiss. This is especially advised if you have any odd symptoms that have recently shown up, as getting tested can put your mind at ease and get you treated right away.

Many of these common duties of an OBGYN benefit most young women. If you think any of these services could be of use to you, find a doctor near you now. This way, you can stick with the same one for years, and if you really like the one you choose, you will likely be thrilled that he or she can care for your during any pregnancies in the future, even delivering your babies. Get in touch with a doctor of this kind soon to get the care you need.