Monitoring one’s health is important — and for a woman, it’s crucial to have the right team in place to cover every aspect of her needs.
According to Dr. Beth Rutherford, who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, gynecologists are just one member of a woman’s primary health team, and they do a lot more than Pap smears.
Gynecology deals with everything related to the health of the female reproductive system and obstetrics focuses on pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. As a woman, it’s extremely important to have not only a gynecologist, but one with whom you’re comfortable.
Comfort zone
Rutherford practices at Obstetrical & Gynecological Associates Inc. in Valparaiso with three other doctors — Jennifer Murphy, Cheryl Short and Crystal Strickland. They encourage women to find the best practice that works for them.
“One of the best resources is word of mouth,” Rutherford says. “Ask other women where they go and why they like their doctor.”
During your first appointment in a new practice, take note of everything around you, making sure that the culture of the office meets your needs.
Another great resource when looking for the right doctor is the Web, according to Dr. Keith M. Ramsey of NorthShore Health Centers in Northwest Indiana.
“Check the doctor’s Healthgrades score and their reputation in the community,” he says.
Healthgrades.com can give you information about patient satisfaction and you can even compare doctors. Ramsey also suggested the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, whose website, acog.org, includes fact sheets on various topics and tips.
Age appropriate
By around age 21, women should begin visiting a gynecologist annually, or earlier if experiencing pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, abnormal bleeding — or are looking for information on sexual activity, such as contraception or how to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A woman should also talk to her doctor if she’s unsure whether what she’s experiencing is out of the ordinary; there may be a solution.
“It’s important to ask a gynecologist because they are specialists,” says Ramsey. “They can detect female diseases and other complications that other doctors are only trained in briefly.”
Gynecologists review a variety of age-appropriate health maintenance matters with patients annually, ranging from Pap tests to STI screenings, mammograms, colonoscopies, screenings for osteoporosis, and general wellness checks such as blood tests and breast exams.
Pregnant women have a more structured schedule with more frequent visits so that the doctor can watch for developments in mother and baby.
Family planning, as well as bladder, structural and hormonal issues are among many other topics that your doctor can address with you, according to Ramsey.
Rutherford states that there is really no age at which a woman should stop regular visits. “It’s our training and our passion to take care of women throughout the spectrum of life,” she says.
New technologies
Board-certified doctors, through annual recertification and testing, keep up to date with the latest technology and recommendations relative to women’s health.
Laparoscopic surgery is one of the areas of more recent advancement. The da Vinci Surgical System, for example, uses a robotic device and differs from traditional laparoscopic surgeries.
“Physicians are now aided by a robotic console that gives them access to better surgical techniques, enabling them to do more difficult surgeries, and patients are able to leave the hospital and recover sooner and with less pain and fewer complications,” says Rutherford.
Another development is in the area of uterine ablation, or treatment for abnormal heavy menstrual cycles. Obstetrical & Gynecological Associates Inc. uses the
NovaSure procedure, an outpatient technique that is fairly quick, offering the patient a rapid recovery time.
Ramsey agrees that technology in these areas has come a long way, and also says that medicine has made great strides in fertility and aging.
For more information, call NorthShore Health Centers at 219-763-8112 or Obstetrical & Gynecological Associates Inc. at 219-462-6144.
