Gynecologists are doctors who have specialized training concerning the health of the female reproductive system, and their skills include the ability to diagnose and treat related disorders and diseases.
Your family doctor or healthcare provider might refer you to a gynecologist for any health concerns beyond the scope of family medicine. For instance, if a woman has an abnormal Pap result, her caregiver may refer her on for a colposcopy, a procedure to identify abnormalities, and then from there to a gynecologist for the treatment required to remove abnormal tissue.
"A GP might also refer to a gynecologist following an initial work-up for issues like pelvic pain not diagnosable from an ultrasound, an unusual mass, fibroids, an ovarian cyst which does not resolve [and] possible endometriosis," says Spring. "Long story short: a GP or a nurse practitioner can do a lot of the well woman examination necessary for a woman to maintain good sexual health. A gynecologist is a specialist with their own scope of practice."
How can I find a doctor?
To find either a family physician or gynecologist, the first step is to narrow your focus. Make a list of the things you are looking for in your doctor: are you more comfortable with a man or a woman? Do you want to go to a small practice or a large clinic?
This is a good time to ask around and see if your friends visit a physician or gynecologist they like and would recommend. You can also ask for a recommendation from your current healthcare provider.
Also, by visiting the web page for the College of Physicians and Surgeons in your province, you can find a list of doctors accepting new patients in your area.
Once you have chosen a few potential doctors, you can schedule an introductory visit. Here you can see what their practice style is like, find out their availability and assess your own comfort level.
For more information check out:
www.sogc.org
www.sexualityandu.ca
www.cwhn.ca
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