Navigating women’s Health: Understanding the Roles of Gynecologists and Primary Care Doctors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As teens begin taking more ownership of their healthcare, understandingโข who to see for what can feel overwhelming. A common question arises: is a gynecologist the same as the doctor you visit forโ annual checkups? The answer is nuanced, and knowing the difference is key to receiving โappropriate and complete โcare.
Many โteens are โฃnow actively involved in โscheduling their own appointments and researchingโค health concerns. This increased autonomyโฃ highlights the importance ofโข understanding the distinct roles of gynecologists and primary care physicians. While both contribute to overall health, their areas of expertise differ, andโ knowing when to seeโค each one ensures teens โฃrecieve the most targeted and effective medical attention.
Primary care doctors – including family medicine doctors, internists, and โฃpediatricians – are the first point of contact for general healthโ needs.They handle routine checkups, vaccinations, and treatment for common illnesses like colds or the flu.Gynecologists, onโ the other hand,โข specialize specifically in women’s reproductiveโข health.
This specialization meansโฃ gynecologists are trained to address issues related to the female reproductive system, including menstruation, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections. Some primary care doctorsโฃ do offer basic gynecological services, โฃsuch as pelvic and breast exams, but this varies depending on the individual doctor’sโฃ training and practice. โ
If your primary care doctor doesn’t provide โฃthese services, or if you have specific concernsโ about your reproductive health, they can refer โyou to a gynecologist. Don’t hesitate to ask your โฃprimary care doctor directly if they perform routine gynecological exams, and if not, for a advice to a qualified gynecologist.
Medically reviewed by: Amy W. Anzilotti, MD
Date โฃreviewed: September โ2020
