Vagina Doctor
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Vagina Doctor
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Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on June 29, 2021
A gynecologist is a doctor who specializes in female reproductive health. They diagnose and treat issues related to the female reproductive tract. This includes the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries and breasts.
Anyone with female organs may see a gynecologist. 80% of those who see one are between 15 to 45 years old.
Gynecologists give reproductive and sexual health services that include pelvic exams, Pap tests, cancer screenings, and testing and treatment for vaginal infections.
They diagnose and treat reproductive system disorders such as endometriosis, infertility, ovarian cysts, and pelvic pain. They may also care for people with ovarian, cervical, and other reproductive cancers.
Some gynecologists also practice as obstetricians , who give care during pregnancy and birth. If a gynecologist has expertise in obstetrics, they’re called an OB-GYN.
Gynecologists are physicians who have completed specialized training in the female reproductive system. Like any medical doctor , a gynecologist must complete medical school followed by a residency. In the United States, residency programs and the certification process cover obstetrics and gynecology in combination.
After becoming board-certified, a gynecologist may have advanced subspecialty training. Areas of training include:
You may want to see a gynecologist if:
It’s important to have regular visits with your gynecologist to maintain your reproductive health. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, these visits should start between the ages of 13 and 15.
Depending on your health history and how old you are, your gynecologist may use this visit to screen for problems like cervical or breast cancer . The well visit is also your chance to ask the gynecologist about reproductive health concerns like birth control.
You Have Discomfort in Your Pelvic Region
Pain in the lower belly, also known as the pelvic region, may be a sign of a problem with the reproductive organs. Common causes of pelvic pain include menstrual cramps, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and ectopic pregnancy.
You Have Concerns about Your Period or Getting Pregnant
You can make an appointment with a gynecologist if you have changes in your monthly period, including unusual pain or bleeding. If you are in your 40s or 50s, your gynecologist can help you to figure out if you might be going through menopause .
Gynecologists can also help you with questions about pregnancy, including how to avoid getting pregnant and what to do if you think you might be pregnant.
You Have a Discharge Your Concerned About
If you’re having an unusual discharge or odor, a gynecologist can diagnose the cause and offer treatment.
Your gynecologists will exam your reproductive system, both internally and externally. They’ll examine your breasts and check for any lumps or cysts.
They’ll then examine your vulva, which is located outside of the vagina.
The next step is usually an internal pelvic exam. The doctor will use a special instrument called a speculum to see inside the vagina and look at the cervix.
To see inside the body, a gynecologist uses a tool known as a speculum, which the doctor inserts into the vagina. It helps to widen the vagina and help the doctor to see the cervix, located between the vagina and the uterus.
During the pelvic exam, the gynecologist may do a procedure known called a Pap smear. It lets the doctor collect a sample of cells from the cervix to check for infection.
Your doctor may also press on your abdomen and pelvis, and may insert a gloved finger into your rectum to check for any problems.
If your gynecologist diagnoses you with a medical condition, they may give you treatment or refer you to a specialist. Depending on the problem, your treatments may involve medication, surgery, or a wait-and-see approach.
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology: “Specialty (OB GYN) Certification Overview.”
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, “About Us,”“Health Care for Transgender Individuals,” “Well-Woman Visit,” “Your First Gynecologic Visit.”
American Medical Association: “Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialty Description.”
Mayo Clinic: “Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery,” “Obstetrics and Gynecology,””Pelvic exam.”
Kids Health: “Your Daughter’s First Gynecology Visit.”
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WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
What Your Gynecologist Thinks When Looking At Your Vagina
Zahra Barnes joined SELF in November 2015, working on the Culture and Health teams before eventually becoming Executive Editor. She has spent her career as a reporter and editor covering people's lives with a focus on wellness.
Zahra specializes in sexual, reproductive, and mental health, all with the goal of destigmatizing... Read more
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If you have a vagina , seeing a gynecologist is a crucial part of maintaining good health. It can also be kind of weird if when you're looking for a new gynecologist, you take a mental step back and are like, "Hm, just shopping for a stranger to show my vagina to." In that mindset, it's easy to get nervous about baring it all in front of someone you don't really know. But good gynecologists truly don't care about the aesthetic things that preoccupy many patients. "I'm not going to judge you because your labia are longer than [someone else's]," Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale Medical School, tells SELF.
Idries Abdur-Rahman , M.D., a board-certified ob/gyn, agrees. "As a doctor, I do this up to 30 times on a busy day," he tells SELF. "People are shy, but if I were to trip over your vagina in the parking lot on the way home, I wouldn’t even recognize it." And even though some men tell Abdur-Rahman he's "lucky" to be a gynecologist— Really? Really, guys? —he explains that there's nothing sexual or judgmental about the process. "Even though you're looking at genitalia, it's all very clinical," he says. Here, he and Minkin explain what ob/gyns really think when they see your vagina.
What's the pubic hair pattern like? This isn't code for a doctor sneering at whatever you decide to do with your pubic hair (although lots of gynecologists wish you'd leave your pubic hair alone ). Instead, they're looking to make sure the hair is in the usual inverted triangle shape (or would be, if you didn’t wax or shave it). "If someone's hair pattern is going excessively high up on the stomach or going low down on the legs, there could be a hormonal issue," says Abdur-Rahman.
Are there any unusual genital bumps? Having one doesn't automatically mean you have a sexually transmitted infection—there are plenty of reasons you might have a bump near your vagina . But it's definitely something doctors keep their eyes peeled for, says Abdur-Rahman.
Is there any redness or inflammation? Changes in the color of the tissue down there can hint at irritation , whether it's caused by something like a harsh chemical soap, sexually transmitted infection, or other issue, Minkin explains. So can inflammation. Doctors will also take note of any new dark pigmentation, as "people can occasionally have melanomas on the vulva," says Minkin.
What's the discharge situation like? Frequent discharge is totally normal—but in some cases it can be one of the biggest tip-offs that all is not entirely well in your vagina, the doctors explain. For example, a yeast infection can produce a white cottage cheese-like discharge, while discharge that's gray or white with a fishy odor can signal something like bacterial vaginosis .
Is the cervix inflamed? At some point in the evaluation, your doctor will insert a speculum so they can better see inside the vagina. They're checking for more discharge and to ensure there aren't any "lumps, bumps, or sores" on the vaginal walls, says Abdur-Rahman. They're also taking a peek at your cervix .
"Some people have a cervix that’s uniform in color, and some have more of a two-tone cervix," says Abdur-Rahman. But in both cases, doctors are checking for an "angry-looking" cervix, which could mean it's unusually red or has any lesions or ulcers, he explains. Inflammation or sores can be due to vaginal or cervical infections that doctors can then confirm through testing.
Are there any lumps or bumps they can feel externally? So, there's that part of the exam when your doctor will insert a finger or two into your vagina while feeling around your abdomen with their other hand. "We're looking for lumps and bumps that can be cysts, fibroids , or scarring from a previous infection," says Minkin. If they feel something they'd like to investigate, an ultrasound may be in order.
The bottom line: Your ob/gyn is there to help you out and address any questions you have, not make you feel bad about anything (whether it be physical or emotional). "Tell your doctor your concerns, and don't be shy about it," says Abdur-Rahman. "There is nothing you can say or show me that I haven’t seen a million times before."
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Photo Credit: Illustration by Jocelyn Runice
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DeCherney AH, et al, eds. Benign disorders of the vulva & vagina. In: Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Obstetrics & Gynecology. 12th ed. McGraw Hill; 2019. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Dec. 14, 2021.
Kingsburg S, et al. Female sexual pain: Evaluation. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Dec. 14, 2021.
FAQs: Vaginitis. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Vaginitis. Accessed Feb. 8, 2018.
Shifren JL. Overview of sexual dysfunction in women: Epidemiology, risk factors, and evaluation. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Dec. 14, 2021.
Vaginal cancer treatment (PDQ) – Health Professional version. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/search/results?swKeyword=VAginal+cancer+treatment. Accessed Dec. 14, 2021.
How you can prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/prevention/. Accessed Feb. 8, 2018.
What are pelvic floor exercises? National Health Service. https://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/1063.aspx?categoryid=52. Accessed Feb. 8, 2018.
FAQs: Vulvovaginal health. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Vulvovaginal-Health. Accessed Dec. 14, 2021.
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Vaginal health affects more than just your sex life. Find out about common vaginal problems and ways to promote a healthy vagina.
Vaginal health is an important part of women's overall health. Vaginal problems can affect fertility, desire for sex and ability to reach orgasm. Ongoing vaginal health issues can also cause stress or relationship problems and affect self-confidence. Know the signs and symptoms of vaginal problems and what you can do to protect your vaginal health.
The ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina (vaginal canal) make up the female reproductive system.
The vagina is a muscular canal that extends from the vulva to the neck of the uterus (cervix). The vagina is where the lining of the uterus is shed during menstruation, where penetration can occur during sex and where a baby descends during childbirth.
The vagina is a closed muscular canal that extends from the outside of the female genital area (vulva) to the neck of the uterus (cervix). Various factors can affect the health of the vagina, including:
Conditions that might affect the vagina include:
Consult your health care provider if you notice:
You might not need to see your health care provider every time you have vaginal irritation and discharge, particularly if you've been diagnosed with a vaginal yeast infection in the past and you're having similar signs and symptoms. However, if your symptoms don't go away after you use a medication that you get at your drugstore, consult your provider.
You can take steps to protect your vaginal health and overall health. For example:
While not all vaginal problems can be prevented, regular checkups can help ensure that problems affecting the vagina are diagnosed as soon as possible. Don't let embarrassment prevent you from talking to your health care provider about concerns you have about vaginal health.
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