A gynaecologist looks after women’s reproductive health at every stage of life. Most women benefit from a routine check even when they feel completely well, and should be seen sooner if they notice symptoms such as unusual bleeding, pelvic pain or a change in discharge. AIM Health Care provides obstetrics and gynaecology services at Drax Hall, St Ann.
What does a gynaecologist actually do?
A gynaecologist cares for the female reproductive system. That covers routine wellness checks, contraception and family planning, menstrual problems, fertility concerns, menopause, and the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the womb, ovaries and cervix.
An obstetrician cares for women through pregnancy and birth, including antenatal checks, monitoring and delivery. Many specialists train in both, which is why the department is usually called obstetrics and gynaecology. You can see the consultants who lead this care on our clinical team page.
When should you book a routine visit?
Routine gynaecological care is not only for when something is wrong. Many women see a gynaecologist periodically through their adult years for a wellness check and for screening appropriate to their age and history.
How often depends on your age, your medical history and your own risk factors. That is a conversation to have with a doctor who knows your history, rather than a fixed rule that applies to everyone.
Which symptoms should not wait?
Some things are worth an appointment sooner rather than at your next routine visit:
- Bleeding between periods, after sex, or after menopause
- Periods that become unusually heavy, painful or irregular
- Pelvic pain, or pain during sex
- Unusual or persistent discharge, itching or odour
- A lump or swelling
- Difficulty becoming pregnant
- Pain or burning when passing urine that does not settle
Most of these have causes that are common and treatable. That is exactly why they are worth checking early rather than waiting.
What changes at different stages of life?
Late teens and twenties. Care at this stage often focuses on contraception and family planning, painful or irregular periods, and questions about sexual health.
Thirties and forties. Fertility, pregnancy and conditions such as fibroids and endometriosis become more common reasons to be seen. Heavy periods are frequently dismissed as normal at this age when they are worth investigating.
Around and after menopause. Changes to your cycle, hot flushes, sleep and mood, vaginal dryness and bone health all fall within gynaecological care. Any bleeding after menopause should always be checked.
Which conditions are commonly treated?
Among the most common reasons women are referred to a gynaecologist are fibroids, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, menstrual disorders, recurrent infections, pelvic pain, menopause symptoms and difficulty conceiving. Many are managed with medication or minor procedures rather than major surgery.
What happens at a first appointment?
A first visit usually begins with a conversation. Your doctor will ask about your medical history, your menstrual cycle, any pregnancies, medications and family history. Depending on what you are being seen for, there may be a physical examination.
You can ask for a female doctor or nurse, you can ask to have someone in the room with you, and you can ask the doctor to explain anything before it happens. Being examined is never something you have to agree to on the spot.
How should you prepare?
- The date your last period started, and how regular your cycle usually is
- The symptoms you have noticed and how long they have been going on
- Any medications, supplements or contraception you use
- Previous results, scans or referral letters
- Your questions, written down, because appointments move quickly
What if you need tests or imaging?
Some questions are answered in the consultation room and others need a scan or a test. Having these on one site means fewer trips and a faster answer. AIM provides diagnostic imaging including ultrasound, and breast concerns can be assessed at our breast centre.
Where can you see a gynaecologist in St Ann?
AIM Health Care provides obstetrics and gynaecology consultations at Lot 12 Business Center, Drax Hall, Saint Ann’s Bay. You can book an appointment online, call (876) 972-6315, or send us a message.
Further reading
- Ministry of Health and Wellness, Jamaica – Cervical Cancer
- National Health Fund Jamaica – Pap Smear benefit
This article is general information and cannot take the place of an examination. For advice about your own health, book an appointment with the team at AIM Health Care and we will talk it through with you.