How to Find the Perfect Gynecologist

Out of all the doctors you see throughout your life, your OB-GYN is someone with whom you’ll likely share some intimate conversations. That’s why it’s particularly important to find someone you like and feel comfortable with—and who has the training and experience to make them a great doc. But where to begin?

“There are a lot of ways to start the process, but just as you’d meet someone for a date, you may get a referral from a friend or someone else who knows you,” says Hoosna Haque, M.D., an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. Or you can a recommendation from another provider you’re seeing, or by checking your insurance, she adds.

Whether you’re looking for an OB-GYN for the first time, after a long hiatus, or just aren’t happy with your current provider, these tips will help you choose the right practitioner for you.

If you have a primary care provider (PCP) you like and trust, let them know that you’d like a referral to an OB-GYN. They can give you recommendations for doctors in their network. Chances are, if you’re already happy with your PCP, you’ll also be happy with other providers they recommend.

Quick note: Some PCPs specialize in women’s health and are trained to do standard screenings, like breast and pelvic exams, as well as counsel you on contraception and sexual health, says Clara Paik, M.D., a professor of gynecology at UC Davis Health in Sacramento, CA. Family medicine physicians and internists are two types of PCPs that are more likely to do so, she adds, but they’re in the minority.

For most of us, the OB-GYN we pick will depend largely on what health insurance we have, says Dr. Paik. If you have a plan that limits you to “in-network” doctors, you’ll have to choose from those physicians who will accept your insurance. In-network means that your insurance company has a contract with the provider, so they routinely accept your insurance. Any appointments or other services you receive will go towards your in-network deductible or copay, depending on the way your plan is set up.

But even if you go out of network, checking with your insurance may be a good place to start, since you’ll be able to find a dedicated list of providers in your area, advises Dr. Haque. First, log onto your insurance company’s website and search for doctors that are in-network. If you’re not sure how to do this, your plan’s customer service department can help you navigate the website or send other helpful resources.

You trust your friends and family for everything from relationship advice to safety tips, so why not also ask about health care providers like finding a good OB-GYN? “A recommendation from a family member or friend is going to be great because that is someone you know who went to see their gynecologist and thought they were a good person,” Dr. Paik says.

If you do follow up on a friend’s OB-GYN recommendation, give the office a call and make sure they accept your insurance. “Usually, if you call a doctor’s office, they will ask what kind of insurance you have,” says Dr. Paik. They can confirm if you’re in-network and look into what your co-payment will be (if anything).

Check Online Review Sites

After you get a recommendation for an OB-GYN, whether from another doctor, a friend, or your insurance company, Dr. Paik recommends checking out their online ratings. By simply searching their name, you can find reviews on websites like Google, Healthgrades, U.S. News Health, and even Yelp. This can give you some insight into the things that other patients loved or didn’t appreciate about the doctor and their experience at the office.

When considering a new doctor, you’ll want to check out the location and determine if it’s convenient for you. “You don’t want it to be in a situation that adds more stress to your life,” says Dr. Haque. “You want your doctor to be easily accessible.” You can also check if your doctor will provide virtual visits, she adds. This may be something you need more if you travel often, or you live in one place half the year and another place the other half.

In fact, virtual visits have changed the nature of health care since the pandemic. “Now with telemedicine, you can possibly see an OB/GYN who is not even in your state,” Dr. Paik adds. However, there may be some limitations depending on where you live. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, state regulations determine what health care services your doctor may be eligible to provide, although many states are revisiting this process. Consult your health insurance provider, telemed provider (if you have one in particular), and the doctor you’d like to see for more details.

The most important qualities in an OB-GYN depend largely on what your priorities are, as well as what life stage you are currently in. For example, if you’re looking to start a family, your needs may be very different from someone who is going through menopause. Still, there are certain factors all good OB-GYNs should have in common.

Open and Clear Communication

“As with any kind of healthy relationship or partnership, communication is probably the most important thing,” says Dr. Haque. Communication means you can speak openly with your provider, and that the doctor or office staff follows up with test results in a timely manner and checks in to see how you’re doing with any treatment plan that was discussed, says Dr. Haque. You also want to receive a timely response when you contact the office about questions, refills, and appointment scheduling, and not feel like you’re unable to get through or always placed on an excruciatingly long hold.

Good Bedside Manner

Your OB-GYN should help you set expectations for the visit, demonstrate good listening skills if you are talking about your personal medical history or health habits and goals for your health, and encourage you to ask questions, adds Dr. Haque. This means your doctor is empathetic and kind, and makes you feel heard, comfortable, and secure under their care. They don’t cut you off or leave you with more questions than answers at the end of the appointment.

Partner in Care

A good OB-GYN involves you in your health decisions instead of just handing down commands. When you’re offered a treatment plan, they offer options and alternatives, and make sure that you’re comfortable before moving forward, Dr. Haque says. “There’s not always one way to do something,” she adds. “They may have something they think is the best option, but there usually is more than one option, so they should discuss that with you so that you know you have choices.”

Adequate Training and Experience

Most practices and hospitals today have a website where providers’ bios are posted. Reading that bio will tell you details about your doctor’s training and experience, including where they went to school, how long they’ve been practicing, and their clinical area of expertise, Dr. Paik says. Of these perhaps the most important consideration is how long they’ve been in practice, she adds. That doesn’t mean a doctor right out of med school is a bad choice, but having a couple of years practicing under their belt may distinguish them a bit and increase your level of comfort.

Proper Credentials

You want to make sure your OB-GYN is board-certified by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Dr. Haque notes. “This assures that they have an appropriate level of education and carry insurance.” Someone who is active in professional organizations and keeping up with continuing education in the field will also be a doctor that’s engaged and cares about staying on top of the best information in the field, she adds.

Niche Expertise

Depending on your stage of life, you may be looking for an OB-GYN with one expertise or another. If you’re planning to get pregnant, make sure that the doctor does obstetrics, or that another provider in the group does and that you can seamlessly transfer care to them, Dr. Haque says. If you’re soon entering menopause, look for someone who has a special certification in menopause—Dr. Haque recommends searching the directory of The Menopause Society. “If you have any other particular health concern, look for someone who has expertise in that area.” (Don’t worry if something new comes up down the line—most OB-GYNs can help you manage many conditions initially and then refer you to a subspecialist if needed.)

Hospital Affiliations

If you’re searching for an OB-GYN to see you through pregnancy and childbirth, or someone who can perform an upcoming surgery, you may want to consider what hospitals they are affiliated with, Dr. Paik suggests. This will determine where you can give birth or have surgeries done. If this is important to you, check if that specific doctor (and other providers in their practice) has affiliations or “privileges” at the hospital in question.

Once you’ve found someone who seems like a good fit, it can help to take some time to ask a few important questions, either before scheduling your first appointment or at the initial one:

• If you are unavailable, who will be seeing me?

• Do you have emergency coverage? (Meaning, is there an emergency line I can call in the middle of the night?)

• Can lab work and testing be done in the office or will I need to go to a separate lab?

• Is there a clear chaperone policy for sensitive exams?

• Can I bring a support person to my appointments?

At different points in your life, you may need to see a doctor with a specific subspeciality in women’s health. Your OB-GYN should be able to refer you to the right doctor if you are in need of more specific care that they cannot give. Some of the more common specialized women’s health doctors include the following:

Urogynecologist

A urogynecologist is a surgeon who specializes in treating pelvic floor disorders in women, according to Northwestern Medicine. They can either be trained in obstetrics and gynecology or urology, and then receive additional surgical training to enter the subspecialty. You may need to see a urogynecologist if you have pelvic floor disorder, injury from childbirth, complications from a gynecologic surgery, or a congenital disorder in the urinary or genital organs.

Menopause Specialist

If you’re about to or currently going through this big transition, you may want a doctor who specializes in working with women in the same life stage as you. Most OB-GYNs should be capable of helping you through menopause, but a menopause specialist is trained on the latest research and clinical recommendations and can give you even more personalized, targeted care.

Reproductive Endocrinologist

A reproductive endocrinologist is trained to diagnose and treat infertility, according to the National Institutes of Health. This may involve everything from medications and surgery to procedures like IVF, sperm banking, and egg freezing. They can also treat other conditions that involve hormonal changes and affect reproduction, including amenorrhea (lack of menstruation), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and thyroid disorders, according to Penn Medicine.

Ultimately, the most important consideration in choosing your OB-GYN is your own comfort. “Especially in gynecology, where we’re discussing so many sensitive topics and personal issues, you just want to feel comfortable and safe both physically and emotionally in the space,” notes Dr. Haque. With a little time and research, you should be able to find someone you can count on to deliver your health needs.