More About Obgyn and Overall Womans Health

Obgyn is an all too common phrase for women.  The ob portion stands for obstetrics and the gyn is short for gynecology and together they describe an area of medicine that manages and treats the female reproductive organs before, during and after pregnancy. Many people associate this specialist with pregnancy and while caring for a woman during pregnancy is an aspect of this specialty, the annual check ups can be critical in detecting cancer, too.

While some of the obgyn tools are used in an obgyn exam that usually occurs on a yearly basis, there are others like an ultrasound while pregnant or even some surgical procedures such as a for a biopsy that are more specific. One tool is not a physical one, though and that is the information that is provided to the doctor by the patient.  Changes in menstruation, bowel habits and weight gain or loss coupled with the general overall health are important because even sometimes subtle bodily changes can be helpful in creating a picture of health that can highlight anything that might be a potential problem in the future.  Telling your doctor about even a pesky symptom may give that one piece of critical information, or it could be something normal that the doctor can explain more about and alleviate worry, but either way it is a good idea to mention things. After all, you know yourself the best and you should assist in your medical treatment.

As with any medical specialty, there are terms that describe the processes and functions or the malfunctions of the body and obgyn terminology can be straightforward or can need some translation. Some of the obgyn terminology has become more familiar in recent years simply due to the focus on womens preventive health care and the growing number of women diagnosed with reproductive cancers, such as: ovarian and cervical and uterine.

Obgyn visits allow a woman to have screening tests done to detect any sign of cancer or other reproductive problem.  During the obgyn exam, there are tests done to check for cervical cancer and this doctor can even order annual mammograms.  Again as with any doctor, the more information provided about overall health can help the doctor with making an early diagnosis of some cancers.  Symptoms that seem benign and almost normal like bloating and constipation can be early issues associated with problems.  While most of the time these are just what they seem to be and are not symptoms of other issues, taking note of bodily changes can present a full picture of ones health.  Of course tests like a pap smear and a test for HPV, human papillomavirus, a cause of some cervical cancers, are great obgyn tools, but having a patient that is aware of changes that can point to a potential problem is also invaluable in early detection of cancers.  The earlier the detection, the better the chances are for survival.

Obgyn appointments made annually can keep a woman healthy by providing her with the information that she needs as she enters into different times of her life, from her teens to the childbearing years to menopause.  With the yearly visits and screenings, cancer can often be detected at an early stage which gives the patient a much better prognosis.  Typically thought of as doctor who cares for a pregnant woman and who delivers babies, this specialist can do so much more to keep a woman healthy throughout her life.  As medicine evolves, new information and tools are available to provide even better care.  It is certainly one appointment that should be kept.