SSM Health Medical Minute: What age should I start seeing an OB/GYN?

Gynecology, which often overlaps with obstetrics, is the medical specialty that cares for the health of the female reproductive system.

Dr. Kristen Wheeler, a practicing OB/GYN practicing at SSM Health DePaul Hospital – St. Louis, recommends seeing a GYN at least by age 21.

“Guidelines recommend that at 21 years old, women get their first pap test (or pap smear), which is a screening test for cancer of the cervix,” she said. “It involves your doctor doing an exam of the pelvic area and collecting cells from the cervix for a microscopic exam in a lab.”

Wheeler explains what to expect at your initial visit to the OB/GYN.

“We do exams to screen for female cancers, we screen for and treat pelvic infections, help with planning your family, and we manage problematic periods,” she said. “Some providers also care for pregnancies, deliver babies, and perform a variety of surgeries and procedures. Think of us like your primary care doctor, specific to female health.”

While the guidelines recommend a visit to the OB/GYN by age 21, Wheeler says, “girls and women are welcome at any age, and should come see us depending on what they need. You don’t have to have started your period or be sexually active to benefit. There is no such thing really as being too young to see a GYN.”

Wheeler also outlines how often to make an appointment with your OB/GYN.

“Experts recommend seeing your women’s health provider at least once a year, and more often if you have specific concerns. Most, if not all, health insurances cover the cost of an annual check-up for women’s health,” she said. “The annual visit is important even if you are not due for a pap smear or don’t need or want a pelvic exam because it gives you a chance to talk about your female concerns as well.”

To learn more or find out how to make an appointment with an OB/GYN, click here.

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