Unfortunately, many women live busy lives and ignore healthcare until something goes wrong. The family physician handles basic care for all members, but what an OBGYN can do for you is much more extensive. The main focus of this specialty is on the reproductive organs of a woman.
First Examination / Pap Test
The initial pap test is a baseline that provides information about a woman’s body and gives doctors something to measure against should any usual and unusual changes occur. Ideally, this should start at age eighteen or as soon as one becomes sexually active. During a pap test is an exam where a woman lies on a table and the medical professional scrapes cells from within the cervical walls. Cell samples are sent to a lab for analysis to make sure there are no abnormalities, such as cancer, tumors, or other afflictions.
Birth control
Speaking with an obstetrician/gynecologist in reference to contraception assists one in selecting birth control among the various methods. From control through charting the ovulation cycle to use of condoms, IUCs, and numerous contraceptive pills, there is a good deal of information available. Asking questions gives a woman something with which to make an informed decision and power over her decision.
Prenatal Care
Even before the idea of pregnancy appears, talking it over with a trained professional prepares one in knowing what to expect. One can also discuss how to increase the fertility odds. It is an excellent avenue for learning what nutrients are necessary in safeguarding the health of mom and baby. After conception, the OB/GYN sets up a series of appointments through which they chart fetal progress and tend to any concerns. Doctors also send patients put for lab work-ups that scan for birth defects and monitor how the mother is faring. The frequency of appointments increase as the baby grows. Each visit is a chance to observe crucial markers. After delivery, they check the mother to make sure there have been no complications.
Menopause
As a woman transitions from her childbearing years, she enters menopause. For some women, menopause is barely noticeable. In other women, those changes are so severe that functioning normally seems impossible. During this time, hormonal changes cause various disturbances within the body. With the help of an OB/GYN, women learn what alternatives exist to make the transition easier. Information on how diet, exercise, medication and give women options on how to manage this period in life.
Mammograms
Mammograms are diagnostic tests that check for cancer within breast tissue. Beginning at the age of 40, a baseline mammogram is performed providing something to compare against later. Subsequent screenings allow physicians to look for changes such as lumps and other deposits. In families with a history of breast cancer, these tests may occur earlier and more often. Regular screenings can mean the difference between life and death.
These are just a few things that an OBGYN can do for you.
Peter Wendt is a writer and researcher living in Austin, Texas. Over the years he has become an authority on Round Rock OBGYN. If you would like to learn more about this subject, then the author recommends a visit to AustinABCSouth.com.