Obstetrics and gynecology are two medical specialties focusing on the comprehensive health care of women. Although distinct, they are commonly combined into a single practice, leading to frequent confusion for patients. A physician practicing in this combined capacity is known as an obstetrician-gynecologist, or OB/GYN. While the terms are often used interchangeably, they represent separate scopes of practice addressing different phases of a woman’s reproductive life. Most practitioners are trained to manage both areas of care.
Focus and Scope of Gynecology
Gynecology (GYN) is the medical specialty dedicated to the health of the female reproductive system outside of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. A gynecologist diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, vagina, and vulva. These services span from adolescence through menopause and beyond.
Routine preventive care is a primary part of a gynecologist’s practice, including annual wellness visits, breast examinations, and cervical cancer screenings (Pap smears). They provide counseling for contraception, family planning, and sexual health, including testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Gynecologists also treat common issues like irregular menstruation, pelvic pain, and vaginal infections.
Gynecologists manage chronic conditions such as uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and endometriosis. They are also surgeons, performing procedures from minimally invasive laparoscopies to complex operations like hysterectomies. They manage the transition through menopause, providing options for symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
Focus and Scope of Obstetrics
Obstetrics (OB) is the medical specialty focusing exclusively on the entire continuum of care surrounding childbirth. This includes managing the mother’s and fetus’s health during pre-conception, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the immediate recovery period after birth.
The obstetrician provides prenatal care through regular office visits to monitor pregnancy progression and fetal development. Monitoring includes routine assessments like fundal height measurement, fetal heart rate checks, and interpreting lab results for conditions such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia. They also manage high-risk pregnancies involving pre-existing maternal conditions or complications arising during gestation.
When birth occurs, the obstetrician manages labor and delivery, overseeing vaginal deliveries or performing C-sections. They handle obstetric emergencies, such as placental abruption or postpartum hemorrhage. Following delivery, the obstetrician provides immediate postpartum care, monitoring the mother’s physical recovery during the initial weeks.
The OB/GYN Certification and Practical Distinction
The terms are frequently conflated because the vast majority of physicians specializing in women’s reproductive health are trained and board-certified as obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs). This combined certification requires a four-year residency program after medical school, providing in-depth training in both specialties. This dual training allows the physician to provide comprehensive care across the entire lifespan, from routine annual exams to managing pregnancy and performing complex surgery.
The practical distinction lies in the individual physician’s choice of practice focus. While all OB/GYNs are trained in both fields, some choose to stop practicing obstetrics later in their careers to eliminate the unpredictable demands of being on call for labor and delivery. These practitioners become “GYN-only” physicians, focusing solely on non-pregnancy-related issues. A patient seeking a physician who delivers babies must see an OB/GYN who actively practices obstetrics. Conversely, a patient seeking gynecological care may see a full OB/GYN or a GYN-only provider. The core difference rests on the physician’s training, but their day-to-day practice choice determines their function.