A gynecologist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the female reproductive system. They diagnose and treat issues with female reproductive organs and deal with all aspects of sexual health like preventive care, cancer screenings, and physical exams. Some of the services and tests provided by a gynecologist are:

• Pelvic exams and external genital exams.
• Pap tests and cancer screenings.
• Testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Diagnosing diseases and disorders of sex organs.
• Family planning birth control.
• Issues with menstruation or menopause.

Gynecologists also diagnose and treat reproductive system disorders such as endometriosis, infertility, ovarian cysts, and pelvic pain. They may also care for people with ovarian, cervical, and other reproductive cancers. Some gynecologists also practice as obstetricians, who give care during pregnancy and birth. If a gynecologist has expertise in obstetrics, they’re called an OB/GYN.

A qualified gynecologist has at least 8 years of training and should be certified by an examining body, such as the American Board of Gynecologists (ABOG) and registered by a professional organization, such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) .

During a visit to a gynecologist, they may perform a pelvic exam, which involves looking at the vulva, vagina, and cervix to check for any signs of problems. They may also check the internal organs with a gloved hand by putting two gloved fingers into the vagina, pushing their fingers up toward the cervix, and pressing on the abdomen from the outside to feel the uterus and ovaries. They may also perform cervical cancer screening, which involves gently scraping cells from the cervix and testing them, and a clinical breast exam, which involves feeling and looking for any concerning changes in the breasts.