An OB/GYN is the only doctor many women see regularly.

Here’s why it’s so important to find the right OB/GYN.

Women are busy, and they’re also smart. Which means women often streamline their life and personal needs in order to make more time for their loved ones, their work, their hobbies and fun. For many women, this means consolidating their healthcare needs in a one-stop shop, and that one stop is their OB/GYN.

If you are one of those women, it’s particularly crucial to choose an OB/GYN who you trust and can discuss a wide variety of questions or concerns, not just those related to reproductive health. Here are guidelines for determining if you’ve found the right women’s health provider for you.

• Is she or he someone you are comfortable discussing details and questions about your sex life? Your doctor, especially your OB/GYN, should be a confidant, who can reassure you that many of the questions or worries you may have are normal. Or help figure out what’s going on if in fact your concerns indicate something that is not normal but needs medical attention.
• Does your OB/GYN make sure your screenings are up to date? That includes your mammogram, and also other preventative screenings/procedures that may be pertinent depending on your age and family health history.
• Does your OB/GYN act as your health champion and ally? It’s crucial that your OB/GYN, especially if she or he is your primary doctor, does more than do a pap smear. She or he should be asking about your diet and exercise habits, your sleep and mood, and offering helpful suggestions for improving or enhancing lifestyle factors that lead to overall wellness. She or he should NOT make you feel guilty or ashamed, but instead encourage and support you, offering resources to assist with making difficult changes if needed.
• Does your OB/GYN make it easy and convenient to make an appointment and be seen in a timely manner? Your time is as valuable and precious as your health, and your provider should honor that as much as possible.

A trusted OB/GYN will offer information and education about any and all concerns or questions related to sex, sexuality, your changing body, menstruation, hormones and more. But he or she should also attend to your overall health and well-being, especially if you do not also get regular primary care checkups.

If you need an OB/GYN in Mount Pleasant, Roper St. Francis Physician Partners OB/GYN is proud to provide personal, thoughtful care for Lowcountry women. Find one now.