Choosing a gynecologist is an important decision for every woman. Whether it is a scheduled annual gynecological checkup, an emergency, or prenatal care, the gynecologist plays a crucial role in a woman's health and life. But what criteria should a woman use to make her choice? How will she know whether a particular obstetrician-gynecologist is the right fit for her needs?
Why the Right Gynecologist Matters
Obstetrician-gynecologists are medical specialists who focus on women's reproductive health. They provide a wide range of services, including prenatal care, gynecological exams, contraceptive counseling and surgical procedures. The relationship between a patient and her gynecologist is often a long-term one, which makes it vital to find a doctor who suits her needs and personality.
Consider Your Needs
Before you start your research, it is important to sort out your needs. Are you looking for a gynecologist who will help you during pregnancy and childbirth? Do you need help managing a specific gynecological condition? Understanding your needs will help you narrow down your options and find a gynecologist who specializes in the areas that matter most to you.
Seek Recommendations
One of the best ways to find a trustworthy gynecologist is to seek recommendations from reliable sources. Ask your doctor, friends, family members or colleagues for their recommendations. Their opinions can provide valuable information.
Check Their Specialization
Experience matters when it comes to your healthcare. Find out how long the gynecologist has been practicing and if they have experience dealing with situations similar to yours. If you are looking for a gynecologist for a specific circumstance or gynecological condition, it is important to go to an obstetrician-gynecologist who specializes and has experience in what you need. You can easily ascertain this both from the doctor's official website and from recommendations from other patients.
Ask About Affiliated Hospitals
If you have a particular gynecologist in mind, it is essential to check which hospital they are affiliated with before you decide to make them your doctor. This is important because it can greatly influence your decision. Check whether the hospital the doctor works with is close to you or covered by your insurance.
Communication and Comfort
A good and effective doctor-patient relationship is based on communication and trust. Proceed initially with an exploratory visit or an introduction to the gynecologist to get to know his or her communication style and to make sure you feel comfortable discussing your health concerns with him or her. A good gynecologist will listen carefully, answer your questions and make you feel comfortable.
Office Location and Hours
Another factor to consider carefully before making your choice is the location and the hours when you can see the gynecologist. Sure, this is a more practical criterion, but it is just as important. Is the office conveniently located for you? Do the office hours fit your schedule? Accessibility can have a significant impact on your ability to get to appointments easily and receive timely care.
Insurance Coverage
Check to see if the gynecologist accepts your health insurance plan. Understanding coverage and costs in advance can help you avoid some unexpected costs. You can verify this information by contacting the gynecologist's office or checking with your insurance provider.
Patient Reviews
Online reviews from other patients can provide valuable information about a gynecologist's reputation and patient satisfaction levels. Although reviews should be taken with a grain of salt, they can give you a general sense of what to expect from a particular doctor. Look for positive comments and any recurring concerns mentioned in the reviews.
Trust Your Instincts
Our instincts play a key role when we choose a gynecologist, so we should not ignore them. Comfort and trust are vital in a gynecologist-patient relationship. If something seems off, or if something about the gynecologist's personality or communication style does not suit you during the first visit, do not hesitate to keep looking.
Formal qualifications: what to check
The title “gynecologist” requires a medical degree, several years of specialty training in Obstetrics and Gynecology and registration with the medical association of the area where the doctor practices. Beyond the basics, it is worth looking at:
- Where the doctor trained and which hospitals they worked in during their residency.
- Postgraduate training or subspecialty in a specific field, such as reproductive medicine, minimally invasive surgery or maternal-fetal medicine.
- A doctorate (PhD) or research work, which shows familiarity with scientific evidence.
- Continuing education: membership in scientific societies and attendance at conferences. Medicine changes quickly and guidelines are revised often.
Most doctors present this information in their CV. If something is unclear, you can simply ask.
Which specialty fits your needs
Every obstetrician-gynecologist covers preventive screening and common problems. For some conditions, however, extra experience makes a difference:
- Difficulty conceiving: a doctor experienced in reproduction, who can organize the workup and, when needed, treatments such as in vitro fertilization.
- Fibroids, cysts or endometriosis that need surgery: a surgeon experienced in laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, so that large incisions are avoided where possible.
- High-risk pregnancy: an obstetrician experienced in pregnancy complications, working with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for detailed ultrasounds.
- Urinary incontinence or prolapse: a doctor experienced in urogynecology.
- Suspected or diagnosed cancer: a gynecologic oncologist, at a center with a tumor board.
- Teenage girls: a doctor who is comfortable with the particular needs of this age. For what a young woman can expect at her first appointment, see the guide to her first visit to the gynecologist.
If you are choosing an obstetrician for your pregnancy
Your obstetrician will be with you for nine months and at the birth. Beyond medical competence, ask early on:
- What is their approach to vaginal birth, and when do they consider a cesarean necessary?
- If you have had a cesarean, do they discuss vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)?
- Who delivers your baby if they are not available at the time of birth?
- How can you reach them after hours and on weekends?
- What is their position on things like epidurals, skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding support?
There are no “right” answers for everyone. But there are answers that do or do not match your own expectations.
Signs that a doctor is not right for you
- They repeatedly downplay your pain or symptoms with phrases like “it's normal” without looking into them.
- They do not explain findings or treatment options, or they pressure you to decide without time to think.
- They do not ask for your consent before an examination, or do not stop when you ask them to.
- They get annoyed when you ask for a second opinion or copies of your test results.
- They are hard to reach at critical moments, with no clear backup coverage.
One of these, once, may be a misunderstanding. When they keep happening, the relationship is not serving you.
Second opinion: when it makes sense
A second opinion is a recognized right and good practice, not an insult to your doctor. It is especially valuable:
- before major surgery, such as a hysterectomy, when conservative options are also available,
- after a cancer diagnosis, before treatment begins,
- after unsuccessful fertility treatment attempts,
- when symptoms persist and no explanation has been found.
Bring your full medical record: results, ultrasound images, pathology reports, discharge summaries. Without them, a second opinion is based on half the picture.
How to make the most of your first appointment
The first appointment is also a chance for you to assess the doctor. Notice whether the doctor lets you finish what you are saying, explains each step of the examination before doing it, answers in plain language and asks what you prefer. Also note practical details: how easy it was to book, how long you waited, whether you received written instructions. If the appointment is your routine checkup, find out beforehand what is included in the annual gynecological check-up, so you know what to expect and what to ask for.
Misconceptions that lead to the wrong choice
- “The most expensive doctor is the best.” Fees are not a measure of quality. Look at training, experience with your problem and communication style.
- “The more tests they order, the more thorough they are.” A good doctor orders the tests that are needed, not every test that exists. Unnecessary tests often lead to falsely worrying findings.
- “They have followed me for years, so I don't need to ask.” A long-standing relationship is valuable, but your needs change. Talk openly whenever something new concerns you.
Digital communication with the practice
Sending results by email or a short phone update saves time, especially if you live far away. Ask from the start how communication works at the practice you choose. But remember that a message does not replace an examination: pain, bleeding or a new symptom needs a clinical assessment, not a diagnosis from a distance.
Changing doctors without losing continuity of care
If you decide to change gynecologists, you do not have to start from scratch. Tell your new doctor about anything that was being monitored, such as a fibroid, a cyst or an abnormal Pap test, and when your last checkup was. Do not let the change become a reason for a finding to go without follow-up. If you are in the middle of treatment, finish the current cycle or agree on the handover with your previous doctor, so there is no gap.
Close to home or a specialist in another city?
For routine checkups, proximity matters, because it makes you less likely to skip appointments. For a complex problem, such as a difficult operation or infertility treatment, it is often worth traveling farther. A combination is often the best solution: a doctor who sees patients in more than one city, or cooperation between your local gynecologist and a specialized center.
Conclusions
Choosing the right obstetrician-gynecologist is an important decision that can greatly affect our health. By considering your specific needs, seeking recommendations, checking and evaluating factors such as experience, communication and insurance compatibility, you can make the right choice.
Remember that the relationship with your gynecologist is a long-term one, so it is worth taking the time to find the right one for you. Trust your instincts and prioritize your health by choosing a qualified gynecologist who will give you the care you deserve.
If you are looking for a gynecologist in Athens, Dr. Panagiotis Polyzos sees patients at his office in Kolonaki and in Volos. See his CV and offices.
For a personalized assessment of your case, book an appointment with Dr. Panagiotis Polyzos at his office in Athens or Volos.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I see a gynecologist?
Once a year for a preventive checkup, even if you have no symptoms. See what the annual gynecological check-up includes at each age.
What should I ask at the first visit?
Their specialty, which maternity hospitals they work with, how to reach them after hours and who covers for them when they are away. If you are planning a pregnancy, also ask about their approach to childbirth.
What is the difference between an obstetrician and a gynecologist?
In Greece it is a single specialty. Obstetrics covers pregnancy and childbirth, while gynecology covers conditions of the female reproductive system. Many doctors have additional subspecialty training, for example in assisted reproduction or laparoscopic surgery.
Can I change doctors during pregnancy?
Yes. If you do not feel trust or comfort, you have every right to change. Ask for copies of your test results so that your care can continue smoothly.
When do I need a doctor who specializes in fertility?
When you have been trying to conceive for more than a year, or six months if you are over 35, and when there is a known problem such as endometriosis or polycystic ovaries. See Dr. Polyzos's CV.
Is it better to choose a female gynecologist?
A doctor's gender has nothing to do with their medical competence. But it is completely legitimate to have a preference, and if you feel more comfortable with a woman or a man, that is a reason to take it into account. In any case, you can ask for a chaperone to be present during the examination.
Do I need a different doctor for pregnancy and for fertility?
Not necessarily. Some obstetrician-gynecologists also specialize in reproduction and can follow you from treatment to delivery. In other cases, treatment takes place at a specialized center and the pregnancy continues with your obstetrician.
How do I transfer my medical history to a new doctor?
Ask for copies of your results, ultrasound reports, pathology reports and discharge summaries from previous procedures. You have the right to access your medical record. Organize them in chronological order and bring them to your first appointment.
What do I do if my doctor is not available in an emergency?
Ask from the start who covers for them and which number to call. In case of severe pain, heavy bleeding or, during pregnancy, leaking fluid or reduced baby movements, do not wait: go to the nearest hospital emergency department on duty.
