An OB/GYN (obstetrician/gynecologist) is a physician who specializes in women’s healthcare, particularly the reproductive system and related organs and processes. These doctors provide comprehensive medical care for women throughout all of the different stages of life, focusing on areas including reproductive health, preventive care screenings, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause.
Regular OB/GYN visits are an important way to maintain your sexual and reproductive health and to treat and prevent any problems. Let’s talk about what you can expect at a gynecology appointment, and where you can go in Dekalb County for outstanding gynecological care.
When Should I First Visit an OB/GYN?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that girls start having regular OB/GYN appointments at around the age of 13-15, carrying on through adulthood. An annual well-woman exam is an important way to assess and monitor a woman’s overall health and wellness, particularly their reproductive health, pelvic organs, and breasts.
Preventive care, such as regular screenings, can help to identify potential abnormalities such as STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), cervical cancer, and breast lumps in their early stages. The frequency of a well-woman exam can vary depending on the needs of the patient, so some women will be recommended to have their OB/GYN checkups more than once a year.
The First Time You See a Gynecologist
OB/GYN providers are highly trained medical specialists who are able to address the full spectrum of women’s healthcare and provide a range of services, including:
- Well-woman visits
- STD screenings and treatments
- Preventive care screenings (Pap smear, manual breast exam, etc.)
- Medical treatment for gynecological conditions, including abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, urinary tract infection (UTI), yeast infection, endometriosis, menstrual issues, hormone imbalance, and menopause
- Birth control counseling and prescription
- Fertility evaluations
- Weight management
- Pregnancy care, including prenatal support, screenings, education, birth planning, and high-risk pregnancy care
- Labor and delivery
- Postpartum care, including breastfeeding support and advice
What Should I Expect at My Visit?
Attending an OB/GYN appointment for the first time will be easier than you may think. The doctor will go above and beyond to make sure you feel comfortable at your visit.
The OB/GYN will first spend time talking to you about areas such as your personal medical history, family medical history, your menstrual health, gynecological history, and sexual history. This information will be used to help create a more personalized treatment plan that is specific to your individual needs and health risks.
The OB/GYN will check for any health problems, and the doctor will likely perform a manual breast exam to check for lumps and signs of breast cancer. The gynecologist will also perform a Pap smear to check for any signs of reproductive cancers.
Why Is a Well-Woman Visit Important?
A well-woman visit is an opportunity for your gynecologist to identify and prevent many different gynecological diseases and complications. A routine OB/GYN visit also offers the chance to raise any questions, address a variety of health concerns, and find out ways to maintain optimum health and wellness – including fertility.
OB/GYN in Decatur, Stonecrest, and Stone Mountain, GA
At Dekalb Women’s Specialists, our skilled, knowledgeable, and compassionate providers are experts in the field of women’s health. We take a patient-centered approach to women’s healthcare and provide an extensive range of services, including comprehensive well-woman exams, preventive screenings, infertility evaluations, full-service pregnancy care, menopause symptom relief, and medical or surgical treatment for the full range of gynecological conditions.
We offer medical care and support for every stage of a woman’s life.
To learn more about Dekalb Women’s Specialists or to schedule an appointment, call us today at (404) 508-2000 or you can request an appointment online now. We have three convenient offices in Decatur, Stonecrest, and Stone Mountain, and we look forward to serving you!
