how to become a gynecologist

Gynecology is a branch of medicine that deals with diseases associated with women. It comprises both medicine and surgical fields.

Doctors who specialize in Gynecology are called Gynecologists who must complete extensive education and training.

To assist everyone interested in a promising career in Gynecology, this article will discuss how to become a gynecologist in India along with other information related to what gynecologist study, what gynecologists treat, gynecologist qualifications, gynecologist course duration, salary, and many more. 

Who Is a Gynecologist?

A Gynecologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders related to women’s reproductive system.

They deal with a wide range of issues related to women’s reproductive organs such as menstruation, fertility issues, pregnancy, childbirth, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), hormonal disorders, etc.

Depending upon sub-specialization, Gynecologists can treat cancers, pregnancy issues, etc. 

What Does a Gynecologist Do?

Gynecologists provide reproductive and sexual health services to women, including pap tests, cancer screenings, pelvic exams, and diagnosing and treating vaginal infections.

They treat disorders in women’s reproductive systems such as infertility, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and pelvic pain. They also treat people with cervical, ovarian, breast, and other cancers in the reproductive organs of women. 

Gynecologists sub-specialize as obstetricians who provide care during pregnancy and birth and they are called OB-GYN or Obstetrician-Gynecologists. 

Types of Gynecologist 

1. Obstetrician Gynecologist

An OB-GYN or Obstetrician-Gynecologist is the most common gynecology sub-field that specializes in pregnancy and delivery. They prescribe supplements before conceiving, assist and prescribe medicines during pregnancy and also assist in labor and delivery.

They address medical concerns during and after pregnancy. 

2. Urogynaecologists

They specialize in diagnosing and treating medical issues related to the urinary tract and pelvic floor. Further, other female organs in the system include the uterus, vagina, rectum, and bladder.

They also perform surgery to rectify underlying medical conditions and some of the common ailments are Urinary incontinence, Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), pain in the pelvic region, and lower abdominal pain. 

3. Gynaecologic Oncologists

They specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in female reproductive organs. Some common cancers diagnosed and treated by Gynecologic Oncologists are ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, breast cancer, and uterine cancer. 

4. IVF Specialist

The process by which an embryo is fertilized in a laboratory and transferred into a woman’s womb is called In-vitro Fertilization (IVF). There are a lot of natural and social reasons why parents or couples cannot conceive through the natural process.

This is where IVF plays a vital role to help couples conceive through assisted and external means. IVF Specialists are to be consulted in case of failure to conceive.   

Skills Required to Become a Gynecologist

    • Good Communication and Interpersonal skills

    • Gender sensitivity

    • Strong work ethic

    • Compassion and empathy

    • Patience and emotional resilience

    • Diagnostic and problem-solving skills

    • Ability to work under pressure for long hours

    • Physical Stamina

    • Time and resource management

Eligibility to Become a Gynecologist 

To be eligible to become a Gynecologist in India, the following qualifications are required: 

    • Completed Biology as the main subject in +2 or 12th standard.

    • Clear NEET and secure admission to an Indian medical school for MBBS

    • Complete the 5.5-year MBBS program 

    • MD (Doctor of Medicine) in Gynecology and Obstetrics – 3 years

    • MS (Master of Surgery) in Gynecology and Obstetrics – 3 years

    • Additional certifications can be completed if necessary.

How To Become a Gynecologist  In India- Step-by-Step Guide

Here are the steps to become a Gynecologist in India and also the qualifications for becoming a gynecologist:

    1. Complete +2 or 12th standard with biology as the main subject.
    2. Clear NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Examination) Exam and secure admission to a medical college in India for MBBS.
    3. Complete the MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) course.
    4. Apply and clear the NEET PG competitive examination and secure admission to an MD (Doctor of Medicine) course with Gynecology as a specialization. 
    5. Complete the 3-year MD course and enroll for 3 years of MS (Master of Surgery) in General Surgery. 
    6. Secure a residency program in a prominent hospital for 2-3 years and get certified as a Gynecologist.

Career Opportunities for a Gynecologist 

Gynecology is one of the highest-paying medical specializations. A Gynecologist can find employment opportunities in various healthcare premises such as clinics, hospitals, private practices, private and public research institutions, IVF centers, etc.

Being an OB-GYN is one of the most respected careers. There are plenty of opportunities in various universities and research centers. The opportunities are not just in India but have demand worldwide. 

Salary of a Gynecologist 

If you are wondering what the salary of a gynecologist in India is,  Gynecologists are highly demanded medical professionals. The average pay package of an Indian Gynecologist is Rs.32L/annum.

Popular and specialized OB-GYNs get paid up to Rs.50L/annum. An entry-level gynecologist in India with at least 1 year of experience gets an average salary of Rs.22L/annum.

Apart from being employed in a hospital, gynecologists can also start private practices where they earn depending upon the cases they handle.

Top Medical School for Gynecology in India 

There are many top medical schools for gynecologists in India. The top colleges for pursuing a Gynecology education in India are

    • All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi

    • Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore

    • Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai

    • Armed Forces Medical College, Pune

    • Kasturba Medical College, Manipal

    • Kempegowda Institute of Medical Science, Bengaluru

    • Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla

    • King George’s Medical University, Lucknow

    • All India Institute of Medical Science, Bhubaneshwar

    • Rajendra Institute of Medical Science, Ranchi

Pros and Cons of Being a Gynecologist

Pros of Becoming a Gynecologist

    • Highly paying medical specialization

    • Less academic requirements

    • Plenty of opportunities

    • Work satisfaction

Cons of Becoming a Gynecologist

    • Highly stressful job

    • Irregular work hours

    • Hesitant toward male gynecologists

    • High competition

    • Long time to be certified as a gynecologist

Summary

    • Gynecology is among the most demanded medical specializations which deal with diseases and disorders related to women’s reproductive system. 

    • There are different sub-specialization in Gynecology such as oncology, urology, obstetrician, and In-vitro Fertilization (IVF). 

    • A Gynecology aspirant in India must complete the MBBS program and pursue an MD specialization in Gynecology along with MS in general surgery.  

    • The work profile of Gynecologists is stressful, have irregular work hours, and must be on standby for emergencies.  

    • Although highly respected and paid for medical specialization, to become a gynecologist, one must have completed close to 12 years of the academic and resident program to become a certified gynecologist. 

Frequently Asked Questions

After completing 12th standard with biology as the main subject, a candidate must clear the NEET examination and secure admission for MBBS in an Indian medical college.

Including training, internship, and academics, it takes more than 12 years to become a Gynecologist.

It is not possible to become a Gynecologist without an MBBS graduation.

Depending upon the public or private institutions, the specialization program in Gynecology ranges from Rs.1.5L to Rs.40L for the course period.

Gynecology is a highly demanded and prominent specialization in the medical field and is a good career specialization to pursue.

MD (Doctor of Medicine) and MS (Master of Surgery) in Obstetrics and Gynecology is best to become a Gynecologist.

28-30 years is the ideal age to become a Gynecologist in India.

Becoming a Gynecologist is hard provided more than 11 years of academic programs and 2-3 years of resident program. 

In general, Gynecologists work close to 60 hours a week.

Being a Gynecologist is a highly stressful job and one should be on standby for emergencies.

One can be a Gynecologist without being an Obstetrician with other specializations such as Oncology and Urology.

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