Too many women put off routine screenings or checkups with their physician. Women’s health is important, and an OB-GYN often serves as a primary care provider for their patients’ overall health. As a patient, however, it can be confusing to know when you should seek care from an OB-GYN as opposed to an internist or family doctor. Continue reading to learn more about the importance of women’s health and which type of doctor you should see.
Why Some Women Choose a Primary Care Provider Over an OB-GYN
Many women choose a primary care provider, such as an internist or family doctor, because they see this as a more convenient option. For example, their current primary care provider may be more conveniently located for their needs or might already be treating an underlying medical condition. Patients might also feel more comfortable or more familiar with a doctor who they have seen for several years, and these are valid reasons for choosing a primary care provider who might be more familiar.
When To See a Women’s Health Specialist
A women’s health specialist, such as an OB-GYN, can address women’s health concerns at any stage of life. It is a common misconception that women should see a women’s health specialist only when they are pregnant or during their reproductive years. However, OB-GYNs are trained to address women’s health concerns from puberty through menopause and beyond.
In particular, women should see an OB-GYN for routine annual screening as well as whenever they have advanced gynecologic concerns. An OB-GYN is can also work alongside your other care providers, including a family doctor or internist, to maintain your best possible health.
At Carnegie Women’s Health, our OB-GYNs treat patients with a range of concerns, including gynecology services, family planning, women’s wellness, cancer genetics, and even aesthetics or bioidentical hormone therapy. Some reasons why a patient may schedule an appointment with our OB-GYNs include:
- Well women’s visits
- Behavioral and emotional health concerns
- Nutrition or digestive health
- Adolescent gynecology
- Abnormal bleeding
- Abnormal Pap results
- Colposcopy
- Cancer screenings
- Endometriosis care
- GYN ultrasounds
- Menopause care
- Preconception counseling
- STI testing and treatment
- Birth control
- Infertility treatment
- Pregnancy testing
Choosing a Women’s Health Specialist
Choosing the right women’s health specialist for you is important to maintaining your overall health. If you already see a primary care provider who you trust, you may ask them for a reference. You may also ask family and friends for recommendations; at Carnegie Women’s Health, we see many patients who are the daughters, sisters, or cousins of previous patients. You may also consider reading online reviews of a women’s health specialist in your area, and check on the credentials of a doctor you are interested in seeing. Their bio should be easily available so you can read more about their training, board certifications, and any areas of interest or sub-specialties.
Schedule an Appointment
If you are interested in scheduling an appointment at Carnegie Women’s Health in New York City, call our office at (315) 628-7063. You may also contact us online with any questions.
