How to Choose a Gynecologist: Credentials, Insurance and Fit
How to choose a gynecologist: OB-GYN vs gynecologist, checking board certification and licensing, insurance and costs, questions to ask and red flags.
What Does an OB-GYN Do?
What an OB-GYN does, how they are trained and board certified, the subspecialties within obstetrics and gynecology, and how they compare with other clinicians.
Key takeaways
- OB-GYNs specialize in pregnancy and birth (obstetrics) and reproductive health (gynecology).
- After medical school, they complete a four-year residency, and many become board certified through ABOG.
- Family physicians, nurse practitioners and certified nurse-midwives also provide much routine care.
On this page
An OB-GYN is a physician who specializes in obstetrics, care during pregnancy, birth and after delivery, and gynecology, care of the reproductive system at every other stage of life. Many people see an OB-GYN as their main doctor for years at a time.
What OB-GYNs do
- Well-woman care: yearly visits, cervical and breast screening, vaccines
- Contraception: counseling, prescriptions, IUD and implant placement
- Sexual health: STI testing and treatment, pain with sex, low libido
- Period problems: heavy, painful, irregular or absent periods
- Conditions: endometriosis, PCOS, fibroids, ovarian cysts, pelvic floor problems
- Pregnancy: preconception advice, prenatal care, delivery, including cesarean births, and postpartum care
- Menopause: managing symptoms and long-term health
- Surgery: from minor office procedures to laparoscopy and hysterectomy
Some OB-GYNs stop delivering babies later in their careers and practice gynecology only.
Training and board certification
After four years of medical school, OB-GYNs complete a four-year residency in obstetrics and gynecology. They then need a state medical license to practice. Many go on to become board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG), which involves a written exam, an oral exam based on their own cases and ongoing continuing certification. You can check a doctor’s certification and license yourself; our guide to finding and verifying a gynecologist shows how.
Subspecialties
Some OB-GYNs complete extra fellowship training:
| Subspecialty | Focus |
|---|---|
| Maternal-fetal medicine | High-risk pregnancies |
| Reproductive endocrinology and infertility | Fertility, IVF and hormonal disorders |
| Gynecologic oncology | Cancers of the reproductive organs |
| Urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery | Bladder leakage, prolapse and pelvic floor disorders |
| Complex family planning | Complex contraception and pregnancy care |
Other clinicians who provide gynecologic care
| Clinician | What they often do |
|---|---|
| Family physician | Routine screening, contraception, often prenatal care and delivery |
| Certified nurse-midwife | Gynecologic care, prenatal care and birth, usually for lower-risk pregnancies |
| Nurse practitioner | Well-woman care, screening, contraception and common problems |
| Physician assistant | Routine care, working with physicians |
For routine visits, any of these can be a great choice. An OB-GYN is especially helpful for complex symptoms, surgery, higher-risk pregnancies and conditions like endometriosis.
When to see an OB-GYN
ACOG recommends a first reproductive health visit between ages 13 and 15, and a yearly well-woman visit after that. Read about your first gynecologist visit and how often to see a gynecologist. When you’re ready to pick someone, our guide to choosing a gynecologist covers credentials, insurance and fit.
Frequently asked questions
Is a gynecologist the same as an OB-GYN?
Almost always, in the US. All gynecologists train in both specialties; “gynecologist” is often used for doctors who focus on non-pregnancy care.
Can an OB-GYN be my primary care doctor?
Many people use their OB-GYN for most routine care. Check with your insurer, as some plans require a separate primary care physician.
Do I need a referral to see an OB-GYN?
Under the Affordable Care Act, most plans can’t require a referral for in-network OB-GYN care, though some older plans differ. Check your plan.
Sources
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Keep reading
Gynecologist Visits and Insurance: What’s Covered
What insurance covers at gynecologist visits: free preventive care under the ACA, services that may cost you, Medicare and Medicaid rules and billing tips.
How to Find and Verify a Gynecologist
How to find a gynecologist near you and check their credentials: NPI Registry lookups, ABOG board certification, state license checks and insurer directories.