What’s the Difference Between an Obstetrician and a Gynecologist?
Gynecologists and obstetricians are both doctors who provide specialized healthcare for the female reproductive system. Gynecology specialists focus on the health of your reproductive organs and provide preventive care and treatment for conditions affecting them. An obstetrician provides care for women during and after pregnancy. Many of the best gynecologists in Midtown Manhattan are both obstetricians and gynecologists, called OB/GYNs.
Midtown Manhattan is a thriving area that’s home to landmarks like the Empire State Building and Times Square. Many top-notch gynecologists are attracted to this area. Use this directory to find one you like. It’s easy to book an appointment with a gynecologist in Midtown Manhattan who takes Medicaid.
Does Medicaid Cover Visits to a Gynecologist in Midtown Manhattan?
Medicaid provides health insurance coverage for eligible low-income New Yorkers. Many healthcare services are covered, including visits to doctors like gynecology specialists.
Other covered healthcare services include:
- Lab tests and x-rays
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Prescriptions
- Hospital stays
- Family planning and reproductive health services
Some services may be subject to a co-payment, but services can’t be denied if you’re unable to pay the co-payment. When you book an appointment with a Midtown Manhattan gynecologist, confirm that they take Medicaid.
What Services Does a Gynecologist in Midtown Manhattan Who Takes Medicaid Provide?
Gynecologists take care of the reproductive health of women and teens from puberty through post-menopause. So use this directory to find a gynecologist who can get to know you and your medical history because you’ll stay with this doctor through every phase of your life.
The most common services your NYC gynecology specialist provides include:
- Wellness and preventive care. A Midtown Manhattan gynecologist who takes Medicaid does routine pelvic exams and screening tests, such as breast exams and Pap smears.
- Birth control options. There are multiple options available for contraception, and your New York City gynecologist helps you determine the best one for you.
- Treatment of gynecological conditions. Gynecologists diagnose and treat conditions related to your reproductive system, such as uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts and endometriosis. They also diagnose and treat cancers of reproductive organs, such as ovarian cancer, cervical cancer and uterine cancer.
- Fertility issues. Gynecologists perform preliminary fertility evaluations.
- Infections. Gynecologists diagnose and treat sexually transmitted infections, as well as urinary tract infections and other infections.
- Menopausal symptoms. Hot flashes, vaginal dryness and mood swings affect you as you age, but your Medicaid gynecologist effectively addresses them when treatment is deemed medically necessary.
You can get treatments for conditions affecting the female reproductive system, including hormonal and non-hormonal treatments. Some conditions are treated with medication while others may require surgery, such as a hysterectomy or a tubal ligation. Minimally invasive techniques are used whenever possible.
When Should a Teen First Visit a Gynecologist?
Your Midtown Manhattan primary care doctor performs basic healthcare duties. But once a girl turns 13 or when she begins to menstruate, she should begin seeing a gynecology specialist.
Certain factors require the advice and diagnosis of a trained adolescent gynecologist, such as:
- Menstruation hasn’t started by age 16 or there have been no changes in breast tissue by age 14.
- Problems with menstruation occur, such as excessively heavy bleeding or severe cramps.
- Your teen has questions about anatomy or contraception.
- There’s a chance that she’s pregnant.
She may have contracted a sexually transmitted infection.
If your teen has been sexually active, book an appointment with a Medicaid gynecologist in Midtown Manhattan. Pap smear screening should start by age 21, whether or not she’s been sexually active.
What Education Does a Gynecologist Need to Complete?
When you book an appointment to see a Manhattan gynecologist, you’re seeing a doctor who has undergone extensive education and training.
Education that a gynecologist must have completed include:
- Bachelor’s degree, which is a four-year degree program, usually in a science-related field, such as biology, at an accredited college or university
- Medical school, another four-year program after attaining a Bachelor’s degree, where students learn in the classroom, laboratory and clinical rotations
- Residency, where prospective doctors spend four years gaining experience focusing on OB/GYN in different settings while under the supervision of experienced physicians
- Board certification, for which doctors have to take an exam to become board certified int heir medical specialty
Some doctors choose to complete additional training in order to specialize in a specific area of gynecology.
Subspecialties that require a board exam include:
- Gynecological oncology
- Female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery
- Complex family planning
- Reproductive endocrinology and infertility
Gynecologists may also complete fellowships in specialized areas that don’t require an additional board certification exam. Fellowship programs can last up to three years. Examples of these areas include geriatric gynecology, adolescent gynecology and minimally invasive surgery.
What Symptoms Require a Visit to a Medicaid Gynecologist in Midtown Manhattan?
While it’s ideal to visit your Midtown Manhattan gynecologist who takes Medicaid for annual exams and screenings, when you have symptoms that are out of the ordinary involving your reproductive system, visit your doctor as soon as you can.
Abnormal symptoms include:
- Pelvic pain
- Irregular periods or periods that have stopped altogether
- Unusually heavy bleeding
- Swelling, sores or growths in your genital area
- Painful periods
- Vaginal dryness and pain during sex
- Low libido
- Vaginal discharge
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- Vaginal itching or irritation
- Lump on a breast
- Signs of early menopause, such as mood changes and hot flashes
- Urinary incontinence or having a strong urge to urinate more often than normal
Not all conditions that affect the reproductive system cause symptoms. That’s why it’s important to book an appointment with a Midtown Manhattan gynecologist who takes Medicaid annually to make sure your reproductive system stays healthy.