Did you know that it’s recommended that women start getting Pap smears every 3 years once they turn 21? In addition to this, you might need to see a gynecologist even earlier to ensure your reproductive health is in order.
If it’s time for you to start seeing a professional, or you’ve realized you need to catch up with your reproductive health, then you might be wondering how to choose someone you’re comfortable with and who will take good care of you.
Here are 8 tips you should use when you’re trying to choose the best gynecologist for your needs.
1. Consider Your Existing Health Issues
A good gynecologist should be able to help you navigate and treat symptoms from health issues like endometriosis or PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). But if you’re especially concerned about your conditions, you might want to go with a specialist.
When you’re under the care of a medical professional who has treated many women in your situation, you’ll have better peace of mind. They’ll be able to hone in on your specific health issues and treat them efficiently.
2. Ask Family and Friends for Recommendations
It’s pretty much guaranteed that you have other women in your life. So a great way to find the best gynecologist is to ask around!
Your family and friends will want you to be in the best health possible, so they won’t hesitate to recommend top-quality professionals. And on the other hand, they can also tell you who to avoid if they’ve had bad experiences.
Another benefit of turning to your social network is you can ask questions and get detailed and honest answers. So take advantage of that!
3. Check Online Reviews
Once you have some recommendations, you can then go online and check online reviews from previous patients. Gynecology deals with some sensitive matters, so you want to choose a professional you’ll be comfortable with.
You should go with doctors who have a proven track record of not only making their patients feel comfortable, but also listening to their concerns. There’s nothing worse than feeling brushed off, especially when it comes to your health and very personal details. So it’s imperative that you see a doctor who takes you seriously and makes you feel heard.
4. Factor in Any Pregnancies
Are you and your partner planning on having children in the future? Or are you already pregnant and need prenatal and postnatal care?
Either way, you might want to consider going with an obstetrician-gynecologist (ob-gyn) instead of just a gynecologist. That way, you can be under the care of one doctor instead of several when you get pregnant.
You’ll have consistent and convenient guidance as you go through the stages of pregnancy and eventually, birth. The ob-gyn can also help with any health issues you might have after you give birth.
5. Look for Board Certifications
You want to make sure you’re in the best hands possible, so look for a medical professional who’s board certified. What this means is they’ve gone through additional training and exams to become a specialist, which puts them at the top of their fields.
There are some professionals who are actually double-board certified as well. For example, infertility specialists need to be, so if you need help conceiving, then double-board certifications are a must.
You should also check how long they’ve been practicing and which medical schools they attended.
6. Check That They’re in Your Network
Healthcare can be expensive, so no matter which doctors you’re seeing, you want to check that they’re in your network before you start seeing them.
If you’re not currently familiar with what your insurance policy covers, we recommend calling your provider to go over what the benefits are. You can also ask if certain gynecologists are in your network as well.
7. Don’t Forget About Location
Location might seem unimportant in comparison to other factors on this list. After all, a longer drive can be worth seeing an excellent gynecologist.
However, it’s still worth it to consider how far you’re driving to your appointments, whether you’re leaving from your office or house.
If you’re planning on getting pregnant, location should definitely be at the top of your mind. You might not mind a long drive from the ob-gyn to the hospital now, but what about when you’re about to give birth? You’ll also have to visit the ob-gyn often for prenatal checkups, so those drives can get tedious as well.
8. Schedule an Initial Consultation to Get a Feel for Things
Everything might look good on paper, but you’ll never know if a doctor is compatible with you until you meet in person.
If you’re able to, visit the office before you even make the initial appointment. Make note of how the receptionist treats you and how the waiting room is like.
If you get a good feeling from this first visit, then go ahead and schedule an initial consultation. Then, while you’re at this appointment, see if your experience in the waiting room is the same as when you first visited.
When you get to speak with the gynecologist, treat it like an interview. See if the interaction is comfortable and informative.
Should it not be a good fit for you, don’t feel guilty about looking elsewhere. Your health comes first and you should feel 100% comfortable with the professional you choose.
Use Our Tips to Choose the Best Gynecologist
Finding the best gynecologist can make a world of difference when it comes to your reproductive health.
We at 67th Street OB/GYN understand this, which is why our friendly team of medical professionals is here to help you out. We’re committed to providing you the best of care while accommodating your busy schedule. Plus, we use state-of-the-art technology that’ll efficiently help with treatment.
If you’re looking for “best gynecologist near me” in New York, then schedule an appointment with us now. We have slots from Monday through Friday.