It’s not everyone’s favorite activity, but it’s something that we all have to do: Go to the doctor to keep the vajayjay healthy.
While there has been some debate in recent years, the recommendation still stands: Any woman over age 21 should see have a pelvic exam at least once a year, reports the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
During a pelvic exam, your physician will check your vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, and rectum for signs of disease. This exam is extremely important. It doesn’t just screen for sexually transmitted infections—it can point to signs of several types of cancer (e.g., cervical, ovarian, anal).
Your physician may also perform a Papanicolaou Test (Pap smear). The Pap smear tests cells from your cervix for signs of cervical cancer or precancerous changes.
The current recommendation is that women ages 21 to 29 have a Pap smear every 3 years.
But if you’ve had an abnormal Pap smear before or have risk factors for cervical disease (e.g., a suppressed immune system), then you may need one more often. You won’t need a separate HPV test, unless it’s a follow-up for an abnormal pap smear.
Once you’ve hit the big 3-0, you will probably only need to be screened every 5 years. During these tests, your physician will most likely add on an HPV test.
Who’s The Right Health Care Provider For Your Lady Parts?
Gynecologist (the vagina specialist)
Training? This medical doctor is a specialist in reproductive health. They can perform surgery on fibroids and cysts. They can prescribe medicine, order or conduct tests to diagnose health conditions, and refer you to specialists.
Offer prenatal care? Yes, since gynecologists deal with all things vagina. Most gynecologists are also obstetricians, who are specially trained pregnancy doctors.
Prescribe birth control? Yes
Monitor, diagnose, and treat fibroids, ovarian cysts, or endometriosis? Yes
Deliver a baby (vaginal or C-section)? Technically, yes—any licensed medical doctor can deliver a baby.
Treat the entire family? No, they don’t typically deal with guy stuff.
Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN—the pregnancy specialist)
Training? This doctor is a surgeon who went to medical school and residency but had additional training to care for pregnant women and deliver babies via C-section.
Offer prenatal care? Yes. This doctor specializes in prenatal care (as well as labor, delivery, and postpartum). She can help you stay healthy, and guide you through any bumps in the road.
Prescribe birth control? Yes
Monitor, diagnose, and treat fibroids, ovarian cysts, or endometriosis? Yes
Deliver a baby (vaginal or C-section)? Yes. Obstetricians are like Beyonce—sure, other people can deliver babies. But no one else delivers just like them.
Treat the entire family? No, they don’t typically deal with guy stuff.
Family Medicine Physician (the primary care doctor for adults and kids)
Training? This is a medical doctor for both adults and children. They do not perform surgery but can prescribe medicine, and order or conduct tests to diagnose health conditions. They see a variety of health conditions and do not typically have a specific specialty.
Offer prenatal care? Yes—and they can also take care of your newborn after delivery.
Prescribe birth control? Yes
Monitor, diagnose, and treat fibroids, ovarian cysts, or endometriosis? Yes
Deliver a baby (vaginal or C-section)? Yes, but most women choose an OB/GYN.
Treat the entire family? Yes, from infants to the elderly.
Internal Medicine Physician (the primary care doctor for adults)
Training? This is a medical doctor for adults. They do not perform surgery but can prescribe medicine, and order or conduct tests to diagnose health conditions. They see a variety of health conditions. Many are general practitioners, while others choose a subspecialty.
Offer prenatal care? Sort of. Some internists are trained to give prenatal care, but it’s not always a general part of the job description. Internists can choose a subspecialty if they want to, and gynecology and obstetrics are not among the available specialties.
Prescribe birth control? Yes
Monitor, diagnose, and treat fibroids, ovarian cysts, or endometriosis? Yes
Deliver a baby (vaginal or C-section)? Technically, yes—any licensed medical doctor can deliver a baby.
Treat the entire family? No, they only care for adults.
Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant (general medical care provider for adults and kids)
Training? This is a medical care provider who is not a doctor, but who has had medical training in a nursing or a physician assistant program. State regulations vary, but these providers can diagnose health conditions and prescribe medications.
Offer prenatal care? Yes. Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are trained to treat all members of the family. Women’s health nurse practitioners (WHNPs) focus specifically on women of all ages, including pregnant women. Physician assistants can also provide prenatal care. Many PAs have an OB/GYN specialty.
Prescribe birth control? Yes
Monitor, diagnose, and treat fibroids, ovarian cysts, or endometriosis? Yes
Deliver a baby (vaginal or C-section)? Yes and no. Nurse practitioners can deliver babies if they are also certified nurse-midwives. Physician assistants are allowed to deliver babies. Both types of providers can assist with C-sections, but they can’t perform them themselves.
Treat the entire family? Yes, they typically can take care of everyone.
Your Reproductive Health Is Top Priority
You might be sighing and rolling your eyes already, but remember—your annual visit to check on your reproductive health has to be on your calendar. At these visits, you can:
- Be tested for sexually transmitted infections
- Learn about screening for several types of cancer
- Discuss methods of birth control
- Get help with relationship problems, like low sex drive
It’s Quiz Time
All right. You know you have to get your vagina examined. But who needs to do it? Do you need to see a gynecologist, or can you see a family physician?
Take this quiz to find out which type of health care provider should be your new best friend.
Woohoo, you figured out who you need to see! It’s time to start finding a physician or provider, and get your vagina, ovaries, and all of your reproductive parts in tip-top shape. Remember to have your friends take this quiz, too. Who knows? Maybe you can have a group outing to the obstetrician. (Recommended event name: Babies & Brunch).