Gynecologist

Women's health at all stages of life

As a gynecologist, you're a doctor who specializes in women's reproductive and sexual health. Day to day, you give checkups, screen for and treat conditions, provide birth control and family planning advice, and care for patients through different stages of life. Some gynecologists also deliver babies and perform surgeries. You talk with patients about sensitive topics, so building trust is a big part of the job. You work in clinics, hospitals, or private practices, seeing many patients each day and often working with nurses and other specialists. Becoming a gynecologist takes many years of training. You start with a bachelor's degree with strong science courses, take the MCAT, and complete four years of medical school. Then you finish a residency in obstetrics and gynecology, which usually takes about four years, where you train in exams, surgeries, and deliveries under supervision. After passing your licensing and board exams, you can practice, and some doctors complete extra fellowship training to specialize further. Each step prepares you for the responsibility of caring for patients. Gynecologists are needed everywhere, in hospitals, women's health clinics, community health centers, and private practices, in both cities and smaller towns. Because women's health care is always in demand, opportunities are steady. Many doctors join a hospital or group practice after training, building experience and a base of patients, and some move into leadership, teaching, research, or highly specialized areas of women's health over their careers. This career fits you if you care about people and want to build lasting, trusting relationships with your patients. You'll do well if you're a good listener, sensitive and respectful with private matters, and calm under pressure, especially if you deliver babies or perform surgery. You'll need to be a dedicated student, since the training is long and demanding. If you're drawn to medicine and passionate about women's health and wellbeing, becoming a gynecologist is a meaningful and respected career.