Find a Portland Gynecologist

A gynecologist is a doctor who specializes in the health of the vulva, vagina, uterus and ovaries in women and transgender, genderqueer and intersex people. They have been to medical school and an additional four years of training (called residency) to become specialists. All the gynecologists at WHA are, at a minimum, board eligible OB/GYN physicians, which means they passed written board exams after completing their residency program. Most are board certified, which means they’ve passed their written board exams, have been in practice for at least two years and have passed their oral board exams.

What does a gynecologist treat?

A gynecologist treats a wide range of issues related to menstruation, contraception, family planning, pregnancy, sexual function and menopause. You may see a gynecologist for:

• Screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections
• Urinary and fecal incontinence
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Endometriosis
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Ovarian cysts and fibroids
• Vulvar and vaginal complaints

In addition to helping with specific issues, they also provide preventative health care, including vaccinations, screening for disease, risk factors and health education. Most gynecologists are also surgeons, which means they can perform tubal ligation, removal of ovarian or uterine cysts and fibroids, hysterectomies and other types of gynecologic surgeries using traditional and minimally invasive approaches, such as laparoscopy and robotic surgery.

The doctor will likely ask you about your medical, sexual and menstrual history. They’ll want to know about any symptoms you’re having related to the reason you’re there. If you’re seeing a gynecologist for a wellness exam, they’ll also probably want to discuss things like nutrition, physical activity, relationships, self-care and other healthy behaviors.

What does a gynecological exam include?

There may be times when a visit to the gynecologist does not include a physical exam; for example, a teen’s first visit, a preconception counseling visit or a consultation to discuss symptoms of menopause. If required for diagnosis, treatment or screening, a physical exam may include:

• An external exam of your vulva (the outside of your vagina)
• A speculum exam to look at your cervix and take a tissue sample, if needed for cervical cancer screening
• A bimanual exam to see if there are abnormalities in your pelvic organs
• A breast exam

WHA’s gynecologists see patients at 10 Portland-area clinics and perform surgery at six regional hospitals.