Gynecologists are medical doctors who specialize in women's health issues. They typically deal with the health of the reproductive system but also can treat matters of urinary and rectal health. Gynecologists care for women during three significant stages of life. These include prenatal, natal and postnatal. Typically a gynecologist works out of his or her own office or in a hospital.
Gynecologists support and treat a woman throughout pregnancy
Preventative Care
One of the most important job functions of a gynecologist is preventive care. Most doctors recommend that young women start having a yearly exam once they turn 18 or become sexually active. The doctor performs an exam to assess reproductive and breast health in order to catch any diseases or illnesses in their early stages. She also addresses any health questions or concerns of the patient and tracks the patient's health history.
Illness and Disease
There are many health issues and diseases that can occur involving the reproductive system. It is the gynecologist's responsibility to help diagnose and treat these occurrences. The gynecologist will typically order appropriate lab tests and then will be responsible for explaining the results to the patient and recommending a course of action. He may also administer treatment or perform surgery to correct any abnormalities.
Pregnancy and Birth
Gynecologists provide care and support for childbirth all throughout the pregnancy of a woman. In fact, most doctors recommend talking to your gynecologist before you even try to get pregnant, in order to make sure that you are healthy enough to carry a child and address any health concerns. A gynecologist will schedule frequent appointments with pregnant patients in order to closely monitor the health of the mother and unborn child. Besides addressing any problems in the pregnancy, the doctor provides constant support and information for the woman.
Research and Public Health
Outside of directly caring for patients, a gynecologist also has some responsibilities to educate the public. Sometimes this is done by submitting facts and statistics about certain diseases and procedures, while still keeping the patient identity private. Some doctors conduct research studies of experimental drugs and procedures in order to promote the advancement of medicine. Others may be involved in public health campaigns that educate the public about issues such as prenatal care, sexually transmitted diseases and birth control.
Education
As with all medical doctors, the amount of education required to be a gynecologist is very demanding. Typically, a doctor will spend four or five years in undergraduate studies, another four years in medical school and then will spend the next three to eight years as an intern and resident. A physician must also be licensed by the state (in the U.S.), which usually requires proof of education from an accredited school, a certain number of training hours, passing a national exam and applying for a license.
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