Thread: What type of doctor should female choose for their primary care physician?

I just purchased health insurance, I haven't seen a doctor for a check up in over 10 years. I want to go to get a full check up from cholesterol check to everything else. Am I supposed to select an OB/Gyn or do general docs do pap smears too? And if I select an ob do they also do lab tests for hormone/cholesterol etc tests?

not an obgyn

you need a general physician
look for a family practice type doctor

ask some friends about their doctors. see what they think. my doctor is great, she is a physician and a gynoceoligist (sp)

You need a good family doctor to monitor you for day to day issues that crop up. If they are concerned about certain things, they will refer you to the appropriate specialist.

I've been complaining about this stupid issue for years. Why do women need to see a specialist just because we're women? Most women I know see one doctor a year, and that is their gynecologist. As a result, they miss out on all the routine screening like cholesterol levels and blood sugar that they would get if they went to a family practitioner

Though doctors seem to be realizing this problem. Many family doctors will do a "well woman" exam that includes a pap smear. And many obgyns will run blood tests if you ask. The benefit of going to a gyn is that if you have a gyn issue, you already have a specialist. But honestly, it doesn't really matter. Just make sure either doctor does the tests you want.