Just discovered you’re pregnant via a home pregnancy test and wondering which gynaecologist to go to?
We provide some information on when you should start seeing a gynae and where you can go if you’re expecting a baby.
What is a gynaecologist?
A gynaecologist specializes in female reproductive health, treating issues that are related to the female reproductive tract and organs. This includes the breast, ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes.
Gynaecologists provide sexual and reproductive health servies by diagnosing and treating issues such as infertility, endometriosis, ovarian cycst, as well as reproductive cancers.
Some gynaes are also obstetricians, providing prenatal and postnatal care for pregnancy. They are sometimes referred to as Ob/Gyns.
When to visit a gynaecologist during pregnancy?
It is recommended that you make an appointment with an Ob/Gyn within 8 weeks of your last period for your first prenatal visit. It’s important to start with the best prenatal care, even if you’ve been pregnant before.
Your Ob/Gyn will help you to:
- Calculate your due date
- Discover any potential pregnancy risks
- Schedule the following prenatal care visits
- Advise you on supplements and medications that you might need to take during the pregnancy.
Read other articles on pregnancy here.
Other reasons to see a gynaecologist
Besides pregnancy related visits, women should also see an Ob/Gyn for the following reasons:
- Breast exams, especially if there is a family history of breast cancer
- Irregular menstruation or changes in blood flow during periods
- Pelvic exams
- Pap smear
- Birth control, especially if you’re not ready to have a child
- If there are changes in your vaginal discharge
- If there is blood in your urine
- If you experience painful sex
Female gynaecologist in the Klang Valley, KL and Selangor
Photo by MART PRODUCTION from Pexels
Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (Bangsar)
Pantai Hospital Cheras (Taman Cheras Makmur)
Thomson Hospital (Kota Damansara)
ParkCity Medical Centre (Desa ParkCity)
Prince Court Medical Centre (Bukit Bintang)
Sunway Medical Centre (Bandar Sunway)
Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur (Kampung Berembang)
Columbia Asia Hospital (Kuala Lumpur & Klang Valley)
- Dr Loo Suat Chin (Bukit Rimau)
- Dr Norshida Brahim (Cheras)
- Dr Khairiah Binti Seman (Klang)
- Dr Bheena Vyshali (Petaling Jaya)
- Dr Raja Juhaidah Raja Abdullah (Puchong)
You can browse through the list of gynaecologists at Columbia Asia Hospital in Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley here.
Subang Jaya Medical Centre (Subang Jaya)
Male gynaecologist in the Klang Valley, KL and Selangor
Assunta Hospital (Petaling Jaya)
You can browse through the list of gynaecologists at Assunta Hospital in Petaling Jaya here.
Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (Bangsar)
Pantai Hospital Cheras (Taman Cheras Makmur)
Thompson Hospital (Kota Damansara)
ParkCity Medical Centre (Desa ParkCity)
Prince Court Medical Centre (Bukit Bintang)
Sunway Medical Centre (Bandar Sunway)
Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur (Kampung Berembang)
Columbia Asia Hospital (Kuala Lumpur & Klang Valley)
- Dr Rama Krishna Kumar Krishnamurthy (Bukit Rimau)
- Dr Victor Chin (Cheras)
- Dr Thiagarajan Chidambaram (Klang)
- Dr Yip Khar Weng (Klang)
- Dr Nicholas Lim (Petaling Jaya)
- Dr Ng Soon Pheng (Puchong)
- Dr Silvam Sellapan (Puchong)
- Dr Low Wea Haw (Setapak)
- Dr Mohd Suhaimi Hassan (Setapak)
You can browse through the list of gynaecologists at Columbia Asia Hospital in Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley here.
Subang Jaya Medical Centre (Subang Jaya)
Damai Service Hospital (Jalan Ipoh)
What to expect at the gynaecologist?
Heading to the gynaecologist can be a scary experience, especially if it’s your first time. So here’s what you can expect:
- Examination of the internal and external parts of your reproductive system.
- Breast examination for any lumps or cysts.
- Examination of the vulva located outside of the vagina.
- Internal pelvic examination, usually with a speculum to view the cervix. Pelvic examination can be painful.
- A pap smear may be performed during the pelvic examination.
If there are any issues, your doctor may then do further tests and discuss a treatment plan with you.
How to find a good gynaecologist?
Because you will most probably be discussing intimate details with your gynae, you’ll want a gynae whom you can trust. Here are a few tips to help you find a good fit:
- They’re recommended by friends and family.
- They have good reviews.
- They’re experienced with legit credentials.
- They have a good bedside manner.
- You’re comfortable with them – it’s ok to change doctors if you’re not comfortable with the current one.
- They’re located not too far from you.
- They’re affiliated with hospitals that you trust.
Common gynaecological conditions
The following are several common gynaecological conditions that every woman should be aware of. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital in order to prevent further medical issues.
- Menstrual issues – Irregular periods, heavy and painful bleeding, bleeding in between periods, bleeding after sex, endometirosis and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
- Menopause – Hot flashes, mood changes, sleep disturbances or night sweats, reduced libido, dry vagina, postmenopausal bleeding and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
- Abnormal smears – Colposcopy, and human papilloma virus (HPV).
- Bladder issues – incontinence, problems passing urine and recurrent cystitis.
- Pregnancy issues – Pain and bleeding, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy.
- Fibroids – noncancerous growths around and in the womb
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) – Characterized by polycystic ovaries, irregular or no periods and excess ‘male’ hormones.
- Ovarian cysts
- Pelvic pain and pelvic prolapse
- Issues after childbirth – Pain in the vaginal area, incontinence, labial enlargement
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – HIV, genital herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, etc.
Common gynaecology procedures
While ob/gyns treat treat many conditions and perform numerous procedures, here are some common, minimally invasive ones:
- Pap smears.
- Colposcopy to examine the cervix,
- Endometrial biopsy to take a sample of the uterus lining.
- Hysterectomy to remove the uterus.
- Fibroid removal to remove non-cancerous tumours present in the uterus.
- Ovarian cyst removal via laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy.
- Diagnostic hysteroscopy to evaluate the endometrial cavity.
- Uterine polyps removal via hysteroscopy polypectomy.
- Post-operative care, including the treatment of complications, if any.
Conclusion
It’s important to visit your gynaecologist at least once a year.
Regular screening allows potential medical issues to be diagnosed and treated early, minimizing health risks. Yearly checkups could include a pap smear, mammography and blood pressure monitoring.
If you haven’t visited a gynae before, make an appointment to see one as soon as possible.
For more on pregnancy, labour and delivery, parenting and women tips, check out theAsianparent.
