How to Make the Search for an Ob-gyn Easier and Less Stressful
Recently, the story of a fake gynecologist made headlines in Africa. The man would sedate his patients and assault them sexually. This story is one of so many across the world. It is just that some of these cases do not make it into the news. It is the reason why many women do not visit their gynecologists at all. This is also dangerous because with cases of fibroids and cervical cancers continuing to increase, there is the need to make sure that you are completely healthy. You cannot afford to skimp on those important ob-gyn visits that are done once per year.
What does an ob-gyn do?
A gynecologist is a doctor whose specialty is in women’s reproductive health while obstetricians take care of women during the pregnancy period and for a while after the baby has been delivered. As a matter of fact, the obstetricians are the ones who deliver babies. An obstetric gynecologist does all of these. If you are able to find the best ob gyn specialists in your area of residence then you should not fail to visit them.
The problem is that there are so many doctors nowadays who claim to be gynecologists. Some of them are simply general practitioners but since they are unable to get patients, they decide that they are going to try out being obstetricians. Finding one that you can trust is not going to be such a simple task. However when you get the right one, you will be good to go. An ob-gyn deals with important issues such as birth control, menopause, childbirth and other medical conditions such as cancer. It is also possible for them to treat infections and perform surgical procedures to treat urinary tract or pelvic organ infections.
Due to the personal-nature and sensitivity of the health issues that are handled by these professionals, it is a bit scary to go visiting one especially if it is the first time. It may be extremely troubling to some women. There is the nervousness and embarrassment of having a doctor take a look at the most private parts of the female body. It does not help much that most of these professionals are usually men.
Get the best of them all
To take the dread out of this annual appointment, here are some tips that you can employ to find the best gynecologist NYC has to offer. Find out about the working hours. This is one of the first things that you should always confirm concerning the ob-gyn that you want to work with. There are some people who work at odd hours and for gynecological tests you would not want to go in at midnight. This is going to be even more awkward.
Secondly, you can get a referral from a friend or a family member. Referrals always tend to be the best in such cases. Your primary care provider will also be of great help in finding the right gynecologist. He/she can carry out most of the screening procedures and will always have a great referral resource in the event that you need a specialist.
It is also important to decide on whether you want a female or male gynecologist. At first, it makes a lot of sense to go to a female doctor but then even men are good with their work. Most women are more comfortable going to a woman because they have to undress before the practitioner. Gynecologists are under oath to uphold the dignity of their patients and their profession. Therefore, while cases of gynecologists taking advantage of their patients are there, it is always good to have faith in your doctor. If they have medical experience and are certified, then you should not mind much about whether it is a man or a woman who is treating you as long as they deliver excellent healthcare services.