From your first period to planning for a family, to childbirth and menopause, obstetrics and gynecology providers meet you at every stage of your life to offer care and support. At M Health Fairview, our obstetrics and gynecology team delivers leading preventative care, diagnostics, and surgical treatments to keep you healthy, all throughout the state of Minnesota. Your M Health Fairview OBGYN is a trusted resource for all your women’s health needs, regardless of your life stage.
Overview
M Health Fairview OBGYNs
M Health Fairview is committed to providing women with compassionate care by meeting their unique needs with respect and understanding. Our goal is to empower women to achieve their best health outcomes, and our award winning doctors do just that. With five of our Obstetrics and Gynecology doctors recognized in Minnesota Monthly’s “Top Doctors for Women,” we are proud to say our providers are also acknowledged by the community for offering quality, evidence-based patient care.
What is Obstetrics and Gynecology?
While often grouped together, obstetrics and gynecology are distinct medical specialties that both support women’s reproductive health. More specifically, obstetrics focuses on providing care for women during and after pregnancy while gynecology focuses on the reproductive health of women throughout their lifespans.
What is Obstetrics?
Obstetric care typically includes prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care.
What is Gynecology?
Gynecologic care generally includes routine exams, contraceptive care, menopause symptom management, and surgical procedures.
Obstetrics vs Gynecology
Although obstetrics and gynecology are separate medical specialties, both specialties work together to holistically support women’s health. This is best evidenced by the fact that you will typically encounter OBGYNs rather than just a gynecologist or just an obstetrician. Instead, you will most likely receive your care from an OBGYN, who has training in both specialties and consequently can treat most of your medical needs, whether that be ongoing reproductive health or fertility.
Should I see an OB or GYN?
Despite the fact that most physicians practice as OBGYNs, depending on your needs, you may see an obstetrician (OB) or a gynecologist (GYN), or an OBGYN that specializes in one of the two. If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, you will likely see an OB. Conversely, if you are simply pursuing yearly exams and screenings, or exploring a specific menstrual concern or symptom, you will likely meet with a GYN. Regardless of the care you’re looking for, the obstetrics and gynecologist team at M Health Fairview is here to help you find the specialist that will meet your needs.
Our approach
M Health Fairview’s Approach to Obstetrics and Gynecology
At M Health Fairview, we are committed to collaborating with a variety of providers from primary care physicians to specialists in order to support your holistic health. By working together with our patients we seek to empower women to make educated decisions about their health that best supports their goals and lifestyle. We are able to accomplish our mission by utilizing the latest medical and surgical techniques, of which M Health Fairview is constantly advancing.
How an OBGYN Can Support You Throughout Your Life
Effective medical care does not begin when you get sick, but instead serves as a foundation that sustains you throughout your life. The same goes for your reproductive health. M Health Fairview’s obstetrics and gynecologist specialists meet you at each stage of your life, assuring you can live your life to the fullest, no matter your age.
Adolescence and Young Adulthood
During this stage, OBGYNs bear the crucial role of educating young women about their reproductive health, contraception, as well as patient’s menstrual cycles. Additionally, OBGYNs provide important guidance regarding future preventative care steps such as screenings, as well as general wellness tips.
- First gynecologist visit
- Menstrual health support and education
- Sexual health support and education
- HPV vaccination
Family Planning and Pregnancy
Women considering or actively seeking to grow their families receive critical support from OBGYNs who can offer contraceptive options, fertility treatment options, and prenatal care. During pregnancy, OBGYNs continually monitor fetal development and address complications if needed.
- Contraceptive counseling
- Preconception care
- Prenatal care
- Labor and delivery
Postpartum
Postpartum can be a difficult time for new mothers. After childbirth, OBGYNs assist new mothers with breastfeeding support, mental health concerns, and physical recovery. Likewise, they help with pelvic floor health and contraceptive care.
- General postpartum recovery
- Breastfeeding and lactation support
- Pelvic floor therapy referral
Menstrual Health and Hormonal Changes
Should you experience menstrual irregularities such as worsening cramps or hormonal imbalances, OBYNs can help you manage your symptoms. Through treatments and lifestyle advice, OBGYNs can help you manage conditions such as PCOS that involve heavy bleeding or painful periods.
- Menstrual disorders, PCOS, heavy or painful periods, irregular cycle
Perimenopause and Menopause Care
Symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances are common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. OBYNs can help women manage these symptoms as well as long term health concerns such as bone density loss and cardiovascular health.
- Symptom management, hormone therapy, non-hormone medication
Cancer Prevention and Screening
In addition to providing education on self-exams, mammograms, and Pap smears, OBGYNs can help women identify early signs of cancer as well as put preventative measures in place to maintain health in the long-term. Oftentimes, this is executed through cervical, ovarian, and breast cancer screenings.
- Breast exams and imaging, genetic risk assessments, cervical and ovarian cancer screening
When to See an OBGYN
Medical professionals recommend that women begin visiting the gynecologist annually starting anywhere between ages 13-15. The following is a list of some common triggers that may prompt you to schedule an OBGYN appointment beyond your yearly screening:
Missed periods without an explanation
Missed periods can indicate anything from a hormonal imbalance to pregnancy, or other underlying conditions like thyroid disorders or polycystic ovary syndrome. Consulting with an OBGYN can help you assess your symptoms and identify if a treatment plan is needed.
Ongoing pelvic pain
Endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or fibroids can all stem from ongoing pelvic pain. An OBGYN can determine whether your pain constitutes a diagnosis and make a plan to help alleviate your discomfort.
Known STI exposure or new sexual partner
While getting screened if you have a new sexual partner is a good idea, getting screened if you suspect you’ve been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is not just recommended but essential. Testing and treating early can both protect your future reproductive health, as well as prevent further transmission.
Recurrent UTIs or painful urination
If you are experiencing recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) or painful urination, there may be an underlying condition causing your pain. Visiting an OBGYN can help rule out conditions like interstitial cystitis or a urinary tract abnormality and give you relief.
Difficulty conceiving or staying pregnant
An OBGYN can evaluate if your difficulty conceiving or staying pregnant is due to a fertility issue such as ovulation disorders, endometriosis, or male factor infertility. From there, your OBGYN can recommend fertility treatments or specialist referrals to help you achieve your goal of a healthy pregnancy.
Noticeable change in hormones
While you might dismiss symptoms of hormone changes like weight gain, irregular periods, mood swings, or fatigue, these changes could be symptoms of thyroid issues, perimenopause, or hormonal disorders that necessitate further medical attention.
Family history of ovarian, breast, or uterine cancer
Being upfront with your OBGYN about your family history of ovarian, breast, or uterine cancer can better inform your preventative care and long-term health plans.
If you experience or are aware of any of these triggers, you may want to think about scheduling an additional OBGYN appointment in addition to your yearly visit. Even if you think your symptoms are minor, they could point to a deeper underlying health issue. Consider scheduling an appointment today to ensure your symptoms don’t exacerbate.
OBGYN FAQs
An obstetrician and gynecologist, or OBGYN, is a type of doctor that specifically specializes in women’s reproductive health. This includes any condition that might affect the reproductive organs, as well as pregnancy and childbirth. OBGYNs work to provide women with effective preventative care and treatment for women’s health issues.
An OBGYN provides a range of services centered around women’s reproductive health. They conduct check-ups and cancer screenings, provide information on family planning, test for STIs, deliver babies, perform surgeries, and treat reproductive disorders.
OBGYN stands for obstetrics and gynecology. While obstetrics focuses on pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, gynecology primarily concentrates on the female reproductive system and any complications that might arise throughout a woman’s life.
Medical professionals recommend you visit your OBGYN at least once a year for annual exams. This number of recommended visits may increase if you have an ongoing health condition, are pregnant, or are seeking treatment for painful symptoms.
