A gynecologist is an important health care practitioner. Here are some ways to select a good one.
When a woman needs to select a new gynecologist,
she'll want to spend some time researching candidates. This doctor is one of a woman's most intimate and important health care providers. Choosing the right one can mean the difference between disease and well being. Here are some things to consider when making the selection.
Communication style: Not every physician will click with every patient. Human beings are unique and the doctor-patient relationship is not much different than others in terms of compatibility. Some individuals are more formal, serious and business-like while others are chatty and open. If a patient is one way and the MD another, they may not be able to communicate openly. A woman must feel comfortable enough to talk about her private issues and have a doctor she feels open with.
Philosophical preferences: If a patient is interested in alternative practices, she should find an MD who aligns with her beliefs. It's wise to interview a potential doctor about alternative modalities such as acupuncture, herbal remedies and more if these are important beliefs.
Pregnancy and childbearing: A gynecologist may be a GYN or an OB-GYN. The difference is that the OB stands for obstetrician. An obstetrician is a physician who tends to a patient throughout her pregnancy and delivers her baby. If a woman plans to have children, she may want to select a practitioner who does both so that she won't have to switch doctors if she becomes pregnant.
Gender: Some females feel better having a male doctor while others prefer a woman. Some don't care about gender. If this is something that's important, make sure you pick a doctor that meets your specifications.
Typical treatments: A GYN will typically perform examinations such as PAP tests, cancer or STD screenings, and tend to overall wellbeing of the female reproductive system. Birth control devices and prescriptions are commonly dispensed in this MD's practice. Breast exams, blood work, urinalyses and other routine tests are done in this office, too.
Specialties: Some GYNs are specialists who focus on infertility or oncology. Some are primarily surgeons who perform hysterectomies, tubal ligations and an array of other surgical procedures that are related to the female reproductive systems.
Insurance: If you have health insurance, it's important to find out if a potential doctor accepts it and how billing works. If you don't have insurance coverage, you'll need to learn about the office's policies regarding payment.
When to schedule an appointment: Young females who are sexually active should start making annual visits to their GYN provider. An annual exam that consists of routine health screenings including the PAP and pelvic exam are typically carried out through a woman's adult life. The timing between appointments and tests may change as a woman ages, goes through menopause or has any sort of complications. Appointments may become less or more frequent.
A gynecologist is the most intimate healthcare provider of a woman. When it's time to select a new one because the former one retired, relocated or your needs have changed, it's important to ask around to get reference and to schedule an appointment to interview the potential provider before making a decision.
