
Gynaecologists are medical doctors who specialise in women’s health, particularly the reproductive system. Contrary to popular belief, you shouldn’t start seeing a gynaecologist only when you’re pregnant. Gynaecologists can also prevent the development of heart disease and cervical cancer.
Here’s a general guideline on when you should see a gynaecologist.
When Should You See a Gynaecologist, Besides During Pregnancy Stages?
When a Girl Becomes a Teenager
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) suggests that a girl should start their first visit between the ages of 13 to 15. This visit is an excellent opportunity for the patient to clarify any sensitive questions regarding her reproductive organs, menstrual cycle, or any sexual health concerns in a safe space.
The first visit usually involves a lot of talking and consulting. The doctor will be finding out about the patient’s medical history, which may include her family medical history and sexual health history.
After the medical history taking, the patient will change into a paper gown, where the doctor will perform a general physical examination.
Contrary to popular belief, the patient would not need a pelvic exam until the age of 21, unless:
– She’s experiencing pain and discomfort around her cervical and abdominal areas
– She’s experiencing unusual bleeding around her pelvic area
– She’s sexually active
– She’s pregnant
During the visit, the doctor would advise the patient to get a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.
Most sessions are conducted with only the doctor and the teenage patient in the room. However, doctors will still consult with the patient’s parents when it comes to critical decision making.
When a Girl Becomes Sexually Active
This can be awkward, especially when she’s a teenager. Despite the fear of what her parents might think, a woman, regardless of age, needs to visit a gynaecologist when she’s sexually active.
The doctor can do a pelvic examination to help her detect any potential STDs, which can produce cervical cancer and lymphoma.
When it’s Time for a Pap Smear
For healthy women with no sexual history, the ideal age for a pap smear is 21. A pap smear is a medical test that detects any precancerous or cancerous cells around the cervix. Despite being a typical result of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), not all cervical cancer cases are viral. That’s why every woman should do a pap smear by the time they are 21.
Thanks to modern technology, pap smears do not need to be done every year. A woman in her 20s should do a pap smear once every 3 years. When she’s above the age of 30, she can do it once every 5 years. However, when she’s showing signs of menopause, the frequency should be back to once every 3 years. Pap smears should be done until a woman reaches the age of 65.
However, the rate of your pap smears may increase if you regularly change partners or are infected with a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD).
When a Woman Shows Signs of Menopausal Symptoms
Menopause is officially diagnosed when a woman has not experienced a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. This also means that she can no longer reproduce. It usually happens to women during their early 50s. However, there have been rare cases recorded from women who are in their 30s to women who are in their 60s.
Few years before a woman experiences menopause, she will go through a period of hormonal and physical changes. That period is known as perimenopause. Some signs of it include:
- Hot Flashes
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Vaginal Dryness
- Urinary Discomfort
- Mood Swings
- Pain or Bleeding During Sex
- Breast Tenderness
- Irregular Menstruation Periods
- Mental Exhaustion
- Depression and Moodiness
A gynaecologist can help you manage your menopausal symptoms through treatments such as:
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) – To help relieve your hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and prevent any bone loss.
Vaginal Estrogen Creams and Lubricants – To relieve vaginal dryness
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Small Dosages of Antidepressants – To help cope with anxiety, moodiness, and depression
When there’s Irregular Menstrual Periods
Other than menopause, the other 2 likely causes of irregular menstrual periods are signs of pregnancy and medical conditions due to hormonal imbalances. At times, a woman’s lifestyle such as drug use, eating disorders, or stress may also be the cause.
A gynaecologist can help you detect the cause of your irregular menstrual periods and provide you with the appropriate treatment and advice.
When there are Pain and Discomfort around Her Vagina
There are many causes for the above issue, such as signs of STDs, bacterial growth, and yeast infection, amongst many others.
Seek a diagnosis from a gynaecologist to get this treated as soon as possible before the discomfort manifest into something more serious.
When there’s Bleeding, and It has Nothing to Do with Menstruation
This could be a sign that your cervix is either injured or is experiencing symptoms of cervical or uterine disease. Additionally, if the bleeding occurs when you’re pregnant, it’s also a sure sign that you should see a gynaecologist immediately.
Before You or Your Daughter Visits a Gynaecologist
Please do thorough research on the clinic, its doctors, as well as their accreditation. Look through the reviews on various social media platforms to be sure that you’re choosing the right doctor.
Before you commit, check with the clinic if they accept any of the insurance you’ve purchased to help you save costs.
During the doctor’s visit, make sure that you’re comfortable with his/her approach. While it’s normal to feel insecure about your grooming habits, it’s almost certain that your gynaecologist would hardly notice any of it. He/she is more concerned about your reproductive health than anything else.
Additionally, don’t be afraid to share things that may be considered “embarrassing” or “weird”. Sometimes, your sharing can help provide peace of mind to you. Through your sharing, the gynaecologist can also better detect potential health risks that you may be facing. They are trained to handle all sorts of questions and concerns from patients.
Any professional doctor will respect your privacy and makes no judgement against any of your choices. Otherwise, don’t be afraid to change to someone who can make you feel safe and understood.
Clinic/Consultant | Ann Tan |
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Address | 3 Mount Elizabeth, Medical Centre #11-12, Singapore 228510 |
Telephone | (65) 6734 8188 |
Operating Hours | Mon-Fri: 9am – 6pm |
As Seen On | Inside Magazine |
Clinic/Consultant | Gynae MD Women’s Clinic |
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Telephone | (65) 6873 3383 |
Operating Hours | Mon-Fri: 9am – 1pm, 2pm – 7pm |
Clinic/Consultant | Lien Clinic |
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Address | 3 Mount Elizabeth, Medical Centre #05-03, Singapore 228510 |
Telephone | (65) 6736 3331 |
Operating Hours | Mon-Fri: 9am – 1pm, 2pm – 5pm Sat: 9am – 12pm Sun: Closed |
As Seen On | 新明日报 |
Clinic/Consultant | Astra Women’s Specialist |
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Telephone | (65) 6258 5530 |
Operating Hours | Click here to view |
Clinic/Consultant | Singapore Women’s Clinic |
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Address | 821 Tampines Street 81, Shop @ West #01-216, Singapore 520821 |
Telephone | (65) 6786 3188 |
Operating Hours | Mon: 9am–1pm, 2.30pm–5.30pm, 7–9pm |
Clinic/Consultant | Motoko Clinic |
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Website | |
Address | 290 Orchard Road, Paragon Medical Centre #11-13/14, Singapore 238859 |
Telephone | (65) 6838 5366 |
Operating Hours | Mon-Fri: 9am – 4pm Sat: 9am – 12pm Sun: Closed |
Clinic/Consultant | OBGYN Centre |
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Website | https://obgyncentre.sg/ |
Address | 290 Orchard Rd,Paragon Medical Suites #11-07, Singapore 238859 |
Telephone | (65) 6235 4188 |
Operating Hours | Mon – Fri: 9am – 5pm |
Clinic/Consultant | Health & Fertility |
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Address | 3 Mount Elizabeth, Medical Centre #15-16, Singapore 228510 |
Telephone | (65) 6235 5066 |
Operating Hours | Mon-Fri: 9am – 6pm |
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Clinic/Consultant | W Gynae Women’s Clinic |
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Address | Block 721 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8, #01-2807, Singapore 560721 |
Telephone | (65) 6455 0050 |
Operating Hours | Mon,Wed, Thurs: 9.30am – 1pm, 2.30pm – 5.30pm Tues, Fri: 9.30am – 1pm, 2.30pm – 5.30pm, 6pm – 8pm Sat: 1.30pm – 5.30pm Sun: Closed |
Clinic/Consultant | SOG |
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Website | https://www.sog.com.sg |
Address | 229 Mountbatten Road, Mountbatten Square #02-02, Singapore 398007 |
Telephone | (65) 6440 4123 |
Operating Hours | Mon-Thurs: 9.30am – 5.30pm |
Clinic/Consultant | Raffles Women Centre |
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Website | https://www.rafflesmedicalgroup.com/specialist-centres/services-by-centre/women |
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Telephone | (65) 6311 1230 |
Operating Hours | Click here to view |
Clinic/Consultant | Lisa Wong Women & Gynae Oncology Centre |
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Pricing | Click here to enquire |
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Address | 3 Mount Elizabeth, Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre #12-17, Singapore 228510 |
Telephone | (65) 6836 2004 |
Operating Hours | Mon-Fri: 9am – 5pm |
Clinic/Consultant | WS Law Women’s Clinic & Laparoscopic Surgery Centre |
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Website | https://www.drlawweiseng.com.sg |
Address | 38 Irrawaddy Road, Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre #08-53, Singapore 329563 |
Telephone | (65) 6339 6659 |
Operating Hours | Mon-Fri: 9am – 5pm Sat: 9am – 12pm Sun & PH: Closed |
Clinic/Consultant | Thomson Women’s Clinic |
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Address | 254 Serangoon Central Dr, #01-219, Singapore 550254 |
Telephone | (65) 6479 3233 |
Operating Hours | Mon-Fri: 9am – 5pm Sat: 9am – 12.30pm Sun: Closed |
Clinic/Consultant | SW Jen |
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Address | Blk 721 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, #01-2813, Singapore 560721 |
Telephone | (65) 6459 2833 |
Operating Hours | Mon & Fri: 9.30am – 5.30pm Tues & Thurs: 9.30am – 5.30pm, 7pm – 9pm Sat: 9.30am – 1pm Sun: Closed |
Clinic/Consultant | Funan Clinic |
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Address | 5 Coleman St, Excelsior Shopping Centre #03-20/21, Singapore 17980 |
Telephone | (65) 6338 8793 |
Operating Hours | Mon: 2.15pm – 6pm Tues-Fri: 10am – 6pm Sat: 10am – 2pm Sun: Closed |
Clinic/Consultant | Seed of Life, Fertility & Women’s Care Medical Centre |
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Address | 38 Irrawaddy Road, Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre #06-41, Singapore 329563 |
Telephone | (65) 6887 4264 |
Operating Hours | Mon-Fri: 8.45am – 5.15pm Sat: 8.45am – 1.15pm Sun: Closed |
Clinic/Consultant | Dr J J Chee Obstetrics & Female Gynaecology |
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Website | https://www.drjjcheegynae.com |
Address | 3 Mount Elizabeth, Medical Centre #12-02 , Singapore 228510 |
Telephone | (65) 6732 9882 |
Operating Hours | Mon-Fri: 8.30am – 5pm Sat: 8.30am – 12pm Sun: Closed |
Clinic/Consultant | The Tow Yung Clinic |
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Website | |
Address | 19 Tanglin Rd, Tanglin Shopping Centre #05-01, Singapore 247909 |
Telephone | (65) 67374433 |
Operating Hours | Mon-Fri: 8.30am -5pm Sat: 8.30am – 1pm Sun: Closed |
Clinic/Consultant | PK Women’s Specialist Clinic |
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Website | https://www.pkwomensclinic.com |
Address | 2 Tai Thong Crescent, The Venue Shoppes #01-12, Singapore 347836 |
Telephone | (65) 6636 9909 |
Operating Hours | Mon – Fri: 9am – 1pm, 2pm – 5.30pm Mon, Wed, Fri: 6.30pm – 9pm |
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