Do Women Use Their OB-GYN as a Primary Care Provider?

It’s common for women to rely on their OB-GYN for more than reproductive health. Annual exams, Pap smears, breast exams, and contraceptive care often make it feel like an OB-GYN covers everything a primary care doctor does. But while OB-GYNs are an essential part of your health team, they aren’t always a substitute for a dedicated primary care provider.

What OB-GYNs Do Well

• • Reproductive and gynecologic health: Pregnancy care, contraception, fertility, menstrual health, and menopause support.
  • Screenings and preventive care: Pap tests, breast exams, HPV testing, and immunizations.
  • Women’s health expertise: They specialize in the unique health needs of women at every life stage.

When You May Need Extra Support

Even with excellent care from your OB-GYN, some areas of health often fall outside their scope:

• • General Health Conditions
    OB-GYNs don’t usually manage conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, or thyroid disorders.
  • Whole-Body Preventive Care
    Primary care doctors look beyond reproductive health to order labs, check cholesterol and blood sugar, monitor heart health, and recommend colon or skin cancer screenings.
  • Chronic Condition Management
    Family and internal medicine physicians are trained to manage long-term conditions and help prevent complications.
  • Care Coordination
    A primary care provider serves as your “home base,” coordinating referrals to specialists and keeping your medical history in one place.
  • Life Stage Transitions
    As women age, reproductive care becomes less central. Conditions like osteoporosis, heart disease, and metabolic concerns often take priority—areas best managed by a primary care doctor.

Why You May Need Both an OB-GYN and a Primary Care Provider

The best approach is often both/and rather than either/or. An OB-GYN supports your reproductive health, while a primary care provider covers your overall health. Together, they:

• • Catch health issues early through routine screenings.
  • Manage chronic conditions over time.
  • Provide specialized care for women’s unique health needs.
  • Offer continuity as your health needs change with age.

Summary: Building Your Care Team

Your OB-GYN is an essential partner in your health, but they shouldn’t replace a primary care provider. Having both ensures you don’t miss essential screenings, chronic condition management, or preventive care.

At Boulder Medical Center, our independent, physician-owned model makes it easy to have both types of providers under one roof, ensuring coordinated, comprehensive, and convenient care.