In the world of medicine, gynecology is one of the most demanding specialties. A gynecologist focuses on female reproductive health and deals with research pertaining to women’s health. It primarily addresses the condition of the breasts and the female reproductive organs (vagina, uterus, and ovaries). They are medical professionals who diagnose and treat gynecological problems and provide patients with guidance on contraception and reproductive issues. Gynecology (female health), obstetrics (pregnancy & delivery), and reproductive medicine are the specialties in which a gynecologist must be proficient. Gynecology refers to diagnosing, treating, and preventing infections and disorders of women’s reproductive organs, whereas obstetrics refers to a specialty in maternity care.

Steps for becoming a Gynecologist

1. You must have completed your senior secondary school from an accredited board and earned a minimum of 50% in each of the four major subjects—Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English in order to become eligible for the NEET-UG entrance examination.
2. To pursue a career goal in the medical field, you must work hard and prepare for the NEET-UG entrance examination. National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test for Undergraduates (NEET-UG) is a single window entrance exam for admission to MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BUMS, BHMS, and other undergraduate medical programmes at approved/recognized Medical/Dental/AYUSH and other Colleges/Deemed Universities/Institutes (AIIMS & JIPMER) in India. After cracking the NEET-UG exam with the required score, attend the counselling process to get admitted to a medical college for an MBBS programme, which is a prime requirement for becoming a gynecologist.
3. After getting admission into a medical college, complete your MBBS degree with one year rotational internship. You should pay special attention to the practical sessions, ward postings, seminars, conferences, etc. during your graduation since they establish a strong foundation for your medical career path. During your MBBS, you will be able to identify the area of interest in which you desire to pursue a postgraduate degree. You can enroll in the obstetrics and gynecology online course to get conceptual clarity over the subject and prepare for the PG entrance examinations.
4. To get admission in the medical PG courses, you are required to crack the NEET PG or INI-CET entrance examination. NEET-PG is a national-level entrance examination for admission to MS/MD/PG Diploma programmes at various government and private universities and INI-CET is a national-level entrance examination for admission to MS/MD/DM (6 years)/MCh (6 years) and MDS courses at the INI Institutes, which includes AIIMS, JIPMER, etc.
5. After cracking the NEET-PG exam with the required score, choose MD/MS in Obstetrics and Gynecology specialization at the time of counselling. During your three-year master’s programme, you must complete your PG dissertation and junior residency. A PG curriculum also includes conferences, symposiums, seminars, audits, clinical postings, clinical meetings, etc.
6. After finishing your residency programme, get your medical certification and obtain your license to practice as an OBGYN specialist.
7. You can also pursue a DM, DrNB, MCh, or DNB course. The admission to a range of DM/MCh and DrNB Super Specialty programmes is done on the basis of the marks and rank secured in the NEET-SS entrance examination. Medical professionals can also enroll in the online advanced gynecology courses on ‘Ultrasound in OBGYN made easy’ and ‘Basics of Infertility and IUI made easy’ to upskill their knowledge and practical skills in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.

Courses to pursue a Career in Gynecology 

OBGYN in MBBS

To pursue a career in OBGYN, firstly you will have to complete the MBBS degree. The OBGYN subject is included in the MBBS curriculum and the syllabus includes

• Demographic and Vital Statistics
• Anatomy of the female reproductive tract
• Physiology of conception
• Development of the fetus and the placenta
• Preconception counselling
• Diagnosis of pregnancy
• Maternal Changes in pregnancy
• Antenatal Care
• Complications in early pregnancy
• Antepartum haemorrhage
• Multiple pregnancies
• Medical Disorders in Pregnancy
• Labour
• Maternal Pelvis
• Operative obstetrics
• Complications of the third stage
• Lactation
• Care of the newborn
• Normal and abnormal puerperium
• Medical termination of pregnancy
• Contraception
• Vaginal discharge
• Menopause
• Uterine prolapse
• Benign and malignant diseases of the uterus
• Cervix and the ovaries, Normal and abnormal puberty
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Amenorrhea
• Genital injuries and fistulae
• Genital infections, Infertility
• Uterine fibroids
• PCOS and hirsutism
• Obstetrics & Gynecological skills

The curriculum also involves clinical ward postings, seminars, conferences, etc.

PG Courses in OBGYN specialty

After completing graduation, you must pursue a three-year postgraduate (MD/MS) degree in OBGYN. The syllabus of the PG in OBGYN includes topics on Basic Sciences, Markers in Obstetrics & Gynecology, Medical Genetics, Antenatal Care, Intrapartum care, Post-Partum, Operative Obstetrics, Newborn, Clinical Gynecology and Fertility Regulation, Operative Gynecology, Family Welfare, and Demography, and Male and Female Infertility.

The PG curriculum also includes training and postings in OBGYN wards as well as in allied fields such as Neonatology, Anaesthesia, Radiology/Radiotherapy, Surgery, and Oncology.

Besides training and patient care in OPDs and wards, a PG resident also carry out minor operations under supervision and assists in major operations as a part of the second and third term. Then, in the fourth, fifth, and sixth term, you are required to perform independent duties in managing patients and major operations under the supervision of the teaching faculty.

A PG student can enroll in postgraduate courses in obstetrics and gynecology to cater to all their learning requirements. OBGYN MD is an online course crafted by the renowned practitioner and author, Dr. Aswath Kumar along with the 98 eminent faculties. Besides video lectures, notes, and self-assessment questions, there is a focus on getting the right clinical findings and taking the case history. The display of minimally invasive surgeries like hysteroscopy and diagnostic/operative laparoscopy has its own area in the course module. The in-video display of the numerous procedures being carried out will take the learnings of a medical professional to a completely new dimension.

DM Courses in OBGYN

You can pursue DM in Medical Genetics. The goal of the DM in Medical Genetics course is to create a qualified Medical Geneticist who can evaluate a patient with a potential genetic disorder, determine the likelihood of a genetic disorder, make a clinical diagnosis, be able to choose the best test to confirm the diagnosis and offer the most advanced form of treatment.

The Competency-based training for DM in Medical Genetics includes clinical evaluation, research, genetic workup requiring pre-and post-test counselling, updated knowledge and interpersonal skills to apply innovative therapies, knowledge, and abilities to develop and execute population-based preventative programmes. Also, the Geneticist must be prepared to conduct customized medicine in clinical settings in the molecular medicine era of the twenty-first century.

Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology

You have an option to pursue a 2-year Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology course. There are three papers in this course:

Paper I: Basic sciences related to Obstetrics and Gynaecology and recent advances

Paper II: Obstetrics including social obstetrics and diseases of newborn

Paper III: Gynaecology including fertility regulation

A medical student pursuing a Diploma in OBGYN undergoes training sessions, which include Out-patient Departments and special clinics, Inpatients, Operation Theatre, Labor Room, Writing clinical notes regularly, and maintaining records. The curriculum includes patient care in OPD, wards, casualty, and labor room, carrying minor procedures under supervision and assisting in major operations in the first and second term, and independent duties in patient management in the third and fourth term.

MCh courses in OBGYN specialty

1. MCh in Gynecological Oncology

A subspecialist in gynecological oncology is someone who has completed formal training in the field and has developed specialized knowledge in gynecological oncology as well as broad-based knowledge in related fields like medical oncology, radiation oncology, gynaecological pathology, and palliative care for patients with gynecological cancers. The MCh in Gynecological Oncology course is of 3-year duration.

The course content includes:

• Diagnostic techniques and staging of gynecological cancers
• Surgery for gynaecological cancers
• Principles of radiation therapy for gynaecological malignancies
• Chemotherapy targeted therapy and Immuno-therapy for gynaecological cancers
• Palliative care for advanced and recurrent cancers
• Pathology of common gynaecological cancers
• Research methodology for clinical trials and statistics
• Writing original papers in reputed national & International scientific journals
• Knowledge related to epidemiology and preventive oncology as applied to Gynaecological Oncology

2. MCh in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery

The course’s goal is to provide the medical professional with specialized knowledge in all facets of reproductive medicine and surgery as well as training in the clinical, technical, diagnostic, medical, surgical, and technological management of infertility, all of which can help people get pregnant when they’re ready. This training is designed to support gynecologists who want to provide daily care to the nation’s growing infertile population.

The course content includes:

• Basic Sciences Relating to Reproductive Medicine and Surgery
• Principles of Reproductive Medicine and Laboratory Techniques
• Fertility associated Medical and Surgical Diseases, Genetics, Counselling, Ethical and Legal issues related to ART
• Recent Advances in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery

DNB broad specialty

1. To pursue a career in OBGYN, you can pursue a 3-year DNB broad specialty course in the Maternal and Child Health discipline. Admission to this 3-year Post Diploma DNB course is done through the NEET-PG entrance examination.
2. You also have an option of pursuing a 2-year Post MBBS DNB course in OBGYN. Admission to a list of broad specialties in which NBEMS offers a 2-year Post Diploma DNB course is done through DNB-PDCET. The objective of a DNB programme in Obstetrics and gynecology is to make the students gain complete knowledge in Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Pathophysiology connected to the reproductive system. Graduates will be capable of managing all normal and pathological stages and performing productively members of a team involved in teaching, research, and healthcare. The course curriculum includes the theoretical part, practical training, case presentations, seminars, Journal club, clinical audits, poster and oral presentations, and more. A medical professional gains expertise in diagnostic techniques including anesthetic procedures, and preoperative and post-operative care, and emergency situations.

The complete course syllabus of the above-mentioned courses is available on the NMC official website.

Top Medical Colleges in India:

1. AIIMS, Delhi, and other AIIMS
2. PGIMER, Chandigarh
3. Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi
4. Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry
5. Christian Medical College, Vellore
6. Institute of Medical Sciences, Varanasi
7. Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvananthapuram
8. Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
9. Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai
10. DY Patil Medical College Pune
11. Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore
12. SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Kancheepuram
13. King George’s Medical University, Lucknow
14. Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi
15. Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi

Skills required for becoming a Gynecologist

OB-GYNs require a blend of interpersonal and technical abilities. they must be subject-matter specialists as well as effective, sympathetic communicators. The gynecologist has a strong hand in Biopsy, Mammograms, STD Testing, Ultrasounds, Pap smears, Colposcopies, cancer screening, and more. Other essential knowledge and credentials for OB-GYNs include:

• Active listener
• capacity to design individualized treatment strategies
• skilled in using all the required medical equipment
• capacity to deliver precise and efficient treatment even under stress
• strict hand-eye coordination
• excellent vision and visuospatial awareness
• outstanding diagnostic and decision-making skills
• emotional fortitude, a placid demeanor, and the capacity to function successfully under pressure
• physical endurance and manual dexterity to meet the requirements of surgery and emergency situations
• Social Perceptiveness

Responsibilities of a Gynecologist

The prime task of gynecologists on a regular basis includes examining the patients, and prescribing medications and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury. Further, explaining the treatment procedures to the patient and family members, monitoring patients’ condition and progress, and re-evaluating the treatment as necessary also comes under the responsibility of a skilled gynecologist.

The responsibilities of a highly skilled OBGYN specialist:

• Provide the community with high-quality treatment for the diagnosis and treatment of the prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal phases of healthy and unhealthy pregnancies and labour.
• Offer efficient and sufficient care to pregnant women and newborns.
• Able to perform obstetrical ultrasonography and other diagnostic techniques, including Doppler.
• Able to handle and quickly respond to all obstetrical and gynecological crises and make the proper recommendations.
• Carry out a thorough assessment of the infertile pair and have a wide-ranging understanding of assisted reproductive technologies, such as ovulation induction, gamete donation, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, and the ethical and legal ramifications of these procedures.
• Offer guidance and administration of reproductive control techniques, including reversible as well as irreversible contraception, permanent contraception, etc.
• Offer women who are experiencing spontaneous abortions or who are requesting medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) and high-quality treatment and handle any difficulties that may arise.
• Control and organize the work of medical professionals such as nurses, students, assistants, specialists, therapists, and others.
• For preventing injuries and treating illnesses, hospitals, corporations, or communities plan, execute or oversee health programmes.

Career Prospects and Scope of Gynecology

The programme is undoubtedly well-regarded, career-focused, and rewarding. Obstetrics and gynecology is a profession that is always in demand in the medical sciences. This course is the best choice if you wish to work in the medical profession that deals with reproductive life. GYN/OBG provides you with a variety of employment options, rewarding compensation, additional benefits, and respectable professions both inside and outside of India. This opens up opportunities for a wide range of careers including,

• General Practitioners
• Gynecologist
• Lecturer
• Senior Medicine Consultant
• Clinical Associate
• Family Planning Consultant
• Gynecologic-oncology specialist
• Reproductive endocrinology
• Critical care specialist
• Clinical trial expert
• Reproductive Medicine Specialist
• Reproductive endocrinologists
• Senior Residents
• Researchers

Gynecologists have the option to work as private practitioners, government doctors, and private clinicians. They can also work as a gynecologist/OBGYN specialist in Nursing Homes, Private Clinics, Defense Hospitals, IVF fertility centres, and Community Health Centres. The OBGYN might also pursue research and further education in universities and research institutes.

Salary of a Gynecologist

Gynecology is a highly lucrative and demanding career in the medical field. The median salary of a gynecologist depends on a variety of factors, such as geographical area, government or private sector, experience, and specialty. A gynecologist/OBGYN specialist can earn about 10-12 lakhs per annum at the start of their career. However, the pay scale keeps on increasing with the increasing qualification and experience. However, doctors performing surgeries earn comparatively more than consultants and physicians. An academic profile also leads to a lucrative career.

Click here to read about the MRCOG membership examination.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q1. How many years does it take to become a Gynaecologist?

Ans. It takes approximately 8-9 years to become a gynecologist. The MBBS is of 5.5 years, then PG(MD/MS in OBGYN) is of 3 years and further, it depends on the OBGYN specialty and course you want to pursue.

Q2. Where do gynecologists get paid the most?

Ans. The salary of a gynecologist depends on a variety of factors, such as geographical area, government or private sector, experience, and specialty. Although skilled and experienced gynecologists are paid the most in the private sector. However, doctors performing surgeries earn comparatively more than consultants and physicians.

Q3. What are the career prospects for a gynecologist?

Ans. Gynecologists have an option of working in Government and Private sectors, Nursing Homes, Private Clinics, Defense Hospitals, IVF fertility centres, and Community Health Centres. There are a variety of job profiles, such as General Practitioners, gynecologists, lecturers, Gynecologist-oncology specialists, Reproductive Medicine specialists, Senior Residents, and Researchers.

Q4. Is gynecology a good career?

Ans. Yes, Gynecology is a highly lucrative and demanding career in the medical field. A career in OBGYN provides a medical aspirant with a variety of employment options, rewarding compensation, additional benefits, and respectable professions both inside and outside of India.

Click here to get conceptual clarity in the MBBS subjects.