Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)

Baptist Medical Network is a trusted destination for comprehensive women’s healthcare in San Antonio, TX. Whether you are considering motherhood, need a routine check-up or have other concerns about your reproductive health, our OB/GYNs can provide compassionate care for your peace of mind. 

What Is Obstetrics and Gynecology?

Gynecology is a branch of medicine that focuses on treating a wide range of conditions affecting the female reproductive system, including sexually transmitted diseases and chronic pain. Gynecology also deals with diagnosing and treating conditions that affect women’s breasts. A gynecologist or gyno is a doctor specializing in gynecology.

On the other hand, obstetrics involves caring for a woman’s overall health before, during and after pregnancy. It includes providing the appropriate medical, surgical and emotional support to these women. Obstetricians are sometimes referred to as O.B.

Although one can be a gynecologist and not an obstetrician, one cannot be an obstetrician without being a gynecologist.

What Is an OB/GYN?

An OB/GYN is a doctor that specializes in both obstetrics and gynecology. They focus on serving female patients from puberty through adulthood, pregnancy, menopause and beyond. OB/GYNs are highly trained to diagnose and treat various women’s health issues and associated disorders and provide appropriate support to expectant, pregnant or postpartum mothers.

OB/GYNs can answer patients’ questions about reproductive health, sex, infertility, pregnancy and more. Some OB/GYNs may offer a range of general health services like a primary care doctor.

What Do OB/GYNs Do?

Although OB/GYNs can work across a wide range of women’s health services, some may choose to focus on a specific aspect of the field by going through further training and accreditation, such as:

• Female pelvic specialist – focuses on injuries and disorders affecting the pelvic floor and related structures, which include prolapse pelvic organs and incontinence.
• Gynecologic oncologist – specializes in treating cancer of the reproductive organs, such as ovarian and cervical cancer.
• Maternal-fetal medicine specialist – cares for and consults on patients with high-risk pregnancies.
• Reproductive endocrinologist – capable of managing complex problems related to infertility and reproductive endocrinology, including aspects of assisted reproduction, such as in vitro fertilization.

When To See an OB/GYN?

A woman goes through many biological changes and functions throughout her lifetime. When and what you see OB/GYNs for may depend on your age, health and reproductive goals. Most OB/GYNs can perform a whole spectrum of services similar to a primary care doctor, including:

• Administering the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
• Conducting pregnancy testing, diagnosis and service referrals
• Counseling patients on adolescent sexual health
• Educating patients about sexuality and reproductive health
• Performing gynecology surgical services
• Placing or removing an intrauterine device (IUD)
• Providing birth control counseling and care
• Testing patients for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Some of the conditions that may require an OB/GYN visit include the following:

• Early puberty or delayed puberty
• Eating disorders
• Gender and sexuality concerns
• Menstrual problems (irregular, absent, painful or heavy periods)
• Ovarian cysts and pelvic masses
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Pregnancy
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Vaginal or uterine abnormalities
• Yeast infections

OB/GYN Services Offered

Make better decisions about your health by consulting with our compassionate and dedicated OB/GYNs. They are highly experienced in providing maternity and overall wellness care. We have the expertise and equipment to meet the needs of every woman in every stage of her life. Here is a guide to the examinations and services a woman needs at each stage:

Teens:

• First OB/GYN visits
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines
• Sexually transmitted infection (STI) screenings
• Contraceptive consultations

20s-30s:

• Pap tests and pelvic exams
• Clinical breast exams
• Sexually transmitted infection (STI) screenings
• Family planning and infertility
• Midwifery
• Contraceptive management
• Irregular menstrual cycles

40s-50s:

• Routine blood tests and lipid screenings
• Pap tests and pelvic exams
• Mammograms
• Colonoscopies
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Over 60:

• Pap tests and pelvic exams
• Routine blood tests and lipid screenings
• Mammograms
• Bone Density Tests
• Menopause

Compassionate Women’s Services

We strive to help improve the quality of life of women in San Antonio, TX women and surrounding communities. Speak with one of our experienced OB/GYNs to learn how we can keep your body strong with preventive care through every phase of life. If you’re experiencing an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. We encourage you to have your well-woman check-up and mammogram annually. Call 833-349-6636 to schedule an appointment. We're here for you, always.

Painful Periods

What Causes Painful Periods?

Painful periods, known as dysmenorrhea, may be caused by a number of disorders that include:

• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) - PMS, a common condition caused by hormonal changes in the body, occurs 1-2 weeks prior to menstruation. After bleeding begins, symptoms typically subside.
• Endometriosis - Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological disorders, yet women often suffer with it for years before being diagnosed. The symptoms overlap other disorders and may be misdiagnosed as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ovarian cysts, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the wall of the uterus, sometimes spreading to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, pelvic cavity, bowel and bladder. During normal menstruation the uterine tissue is shed, however with endometriosis the tissue grows outside the uterus and cannot exit the body, causing scar tissue and adhesions, which may lead to infertility.
• Fibroids - Fibroids are noncancerous tumors in the uterus that can cause pain and abnormal menstruation.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) - PID is often caused by sexually transmitted bacteria. It is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries that causes pain and inflammation of the reproductive organs.
• Adenomyosis - Adenomyosis is a rare condition where the uterine lining grows into the wall of the uterus, causing inflammation, pressure, and pain. It may also cause periods to be heavier or longer.
• Cervical stenosis - Cervical stenosis is a rare condition where there is an increase of pressure inside the uterus which causes pain and a slowed menstrual flow due to the cervix being small and narrow.

To determine the underlying cause of painful periods, our physicians perform a pelvic exam to identify any abnormalities or infection in your reproductive system.

Imaging tests may also be performed which include:

• Ultrasound
• CT scan
• MRI

Treatment Options

Once the underlying cause of pain is identified, a treatment plan will be developed. Treatment options consist of:

• Antibiotics - If PID or a sexually transmitted infection is causing the pain, antibiotics will be prescribed to clear the infection.
• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) - Depending upon the severity of the pain, over the counter or prescription strength NSAIDs may be prescribed as a first line treatment for the pain.
• Other Pain Relievers - Stronger prescription pain medications or other over the counter options may also be prescribed to treat the pain.
• Antidepressants - To lessen some of the mood swings associated with PMS, antidepressants are sometimes prescribed.
• Hormonal Birth Control - Birth control may be prescribed to prevent ovulation, and may help control menstrual cramps.
• Surgery - For patients diagnosed with endometriosis or uterine fibroids, surgery may be an option to remove any endometriosis tissue, fibroids or cysts.
• Hysterectomy - Hysterectomy, a surgery to remove the uterus, can sometimes be used to treat painful, heavy menstrual bleeding due to uterine cramping in those who don't want to become pregnant. At BHS Physician Network, we offer both traditional and robotic-assisted hysterectomy procedures. Robotic-assisted procedures are minimally invasive, reducing bleeding, scarring, and recovery time.

To schedule an appointment, find a doctor here.

Still have questions about painful periods? Watch these videos to learn more.