When to See a Gynecologist

Laila Al-Marayati, MD, a Keck Medicine gynecologist who practices at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, provides an overview of what you need to know about gynecological care.

Many medical specialists see patients for a specific medical problem and may not see them again unless that same problem arises later in life.

But gynecologists, who specialize in the care of the female reproductive system, see patients throughout their lives, helping them through a variety of medical issues as they age and their needs change.

Laila Al-Marayati, MD, a Keck Medicine of USC gynecologist who practices at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, discusses how and when to visit a gynecologist and how these specialists help their patients through many important stages of their lives.

Which are the most common reasons patients see a gynecologist?

• Cervical cancer screenings
• Contraception and family planning
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Menstrual problems
• Well-woman exams

What are some common symptoms that suggest a patient needs to be seen by a gynecologist?

• Pain or pressure in the pelvic area
• Bleeding between periods and after menopause
• Vaginal discharge
• Burning sensation during urination
• Swelling, redness, itching or burning in the vaginal area
• Sores or lumps in the genital area

What are some of the other conditions, including more serious ones, that gynecologists treat?

• Infertility
• Gynecologic cancers
• Problems during pregnancy
• Ovarian torsion
• Fibroids
• Ovarian cysts
• Endometriosis
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome

When should patients begin seeing a gynecologist?

It depends on the individual. Most women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21. Some women will see a gynecologist earlier if they have pain or other problems with their period, or because they are sexually active and need contraception or testing for sexually transmitted diseases.

Women under 21 who are sexually active should be screened every year for sexually transmitted infections, especially chlamydia. Women who are not sexually active by 21 may not need to begin having Pap smears, which screen for cervical cancer, until later.

How do patients’ gynecologic needs change over time?

Younger women tend to need contraception, testing for sexually transmitted infections and cervical cancer screenings. At some point, women may begin planning to get pregnant, and some will need medical help to get pregnant.

We also provide prenatal care and care for mothers in the first few months of pregnancy. As women age, they may need treatment for perimenopause, menopause, gynecologic cancers or incontinence, all of which can be treated by a gynecologist.

At all stages of life, gynecologists provide well-woman care and help patients maintain good overall health.

What is a well-woman visit, and how does it differ from routine gynecologic visits?

During well-woman exams, which we like to do with our patients annually, we take stock of our patients’ overall health, not only the health of the reproductive system. We discuss a range of medical issues that come up for women.

So, we may talk to our patients about their diet and exercise and make sure they are up to date with their cancer screenings, including breast cancer screenings and colon cancer screenings, depending on their age.

We may address other common issues that come up for women, like osteoporosis or concerns about their sexual wellness. It is also a time to talk about other questions and concerns they have about their overall health.

What subspecialties exist in gynecology?

There are issues that come up that gynecologists can sometimes treat, but at other times they refer to a subspecialist. Urogynecologists treat problems with pelvic floor dysfunction, such as incontinence.

Gynecologic oncologists treat patients with gynecologic cancers such as ovarian, uterine and cervical cancer. We also sometimes refer patients dealing with infertility to fertility specialists.

Other subspecialists include gynecologists with expertise in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, family planning, and pediatric and adolescent gynecology.

Why is it important to get consultation and treatment for gynecologic problems?

Gynecologists are experts in gynecologic care and are most specially trained in performing pelvic exams and diagnosing gynecologic problems. Also, there are conditions that are rare and that not all doctors are going to be able to recognize.

For your peace of mind, at the least, it’s always worth getting checked out by a specialist.

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