The gatekeeper of women’s health is the OB-GYN. At Riverwalk OB/GYN, our women’s health specialists are a knowledgeable source for all things related to women’s health issues. We see patients throughout prenatal care and childbirth. Guide them through contraception and infertility. And continue seeing them once they are beyond their reproductive years.

Given these points, there is some overlap in what a women’s health specialist does and what a primary care doctor can do. Occasionally, deciding which doctor to see is not always clear. For this reason, in this article we will highlight the differences between women’s health specialist and a primary care doctor. Hopefully, it will help you more easily decide where to schedule your next appointment.

Convenience + Comfort Are Key

It can make sense to see your primary care doctor if you have no specific gynecologic complaints o pressing health concerns. It could also be matter of just knowing them well and they are located close to your home.

Some family medicine providers and interests can do general gynecology. For example, STD screening, pap smears, and breast exams. However, if the issue becomes more complicated, like an abnormal pap smear, then that patient will be referred to an OB-GYN.

Comprehensive Care With a Women’s Health Specialist

Developing a trusting and long-term relationship with your primary care doctor is obviously beneficial to you. But the same is true of your OB-GYN. Providers that specializes in women’s health manage their patients through their reproductive years and beyond. Consequently, your relationship with your OB-GYN could easily last most of your life.

When a specialist knows a patient for just about all of their life, they can tailor care based on the patient’s specific needs. Not only that, but a specialist can also be an excellent resource and advocate for the patient within the health system.

Riverwalk OB-GYN’s many experienced specialists develop lasting relationships with their patients. And they run the gamut when it comes to comprehensive women’s healthcare. Among the many conditions and procedures addressed by our specialists are:

• Pelvic exams
• Breast exams
• Mammography referrals
• Sexual health counseling
• Preconception counseling
• Removal of uterus entirely
• Age-appropriate screening tests
• Issues related to premature menopause
• Gynecological care following cancer
• Issues related to infertility
• Sexual dysfunction
• Contraception counseling
• Removal of masses from uterus or ovaries

Learn more about Riverwalk OB-GYN’s comprehensive gynecology and general obstetrical care.

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