The Ultimate Guide to Obstetrician-Gynecologists in Hong Kong

What is an Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB-GYN)?

An OB-GYN or obstetrician-gynecologist, refers to doctors who specialize in women’s reproductive health, be it menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. They provide routine preventive checkups and medical screenings. OB-GYNs focus both on obstetrics and gynecology.

• Obstetrics is the study of maternity, working mainly before, during and after pregnancy, which include delivering babies.
• Gynecology is the study of female reproductive systems including the vagina, uterus, ovary, and breasts. It mainly deals with issues regarding menstruation, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and hormone disorders.

Obstetricians and gynecologists trainings are usually combined together due to the overlapping studies and highly related medical cases (maternity issues are a result of female reproductive system issues), therefore most obstetricians and gynecologists are able to deal with both specialties and that is how the abbreviation OB-GYN is formed.

Gynecologists and gynecological cancers

There are 4 main types of gynecological cancers that OB-GYNs may discuss with their patients:

• Endometrial cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Vulvar cancer

What to know about Obstetrician-Gynecologists in Hong Kong

There are over 460 registered OB-GYNs in Hong Kong, working both in the private and public sectors. You can find the official list of registered obstetricians and gynecologists in Hong Kong from the Medical Council here.

There are 10 Hospital Authority (public) hospitals in Hong Kong that provide obstetric care.

According to The Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, it takes 6 years to become an obstetrician and gynecologist. The training involves 4 years of basic training and 2 years of higher specialist training. It could be 6 years of training in obstetrics and gynecology or there may be a 6-month or 12-month elective training in another clinical specialty.

Hong Kong Characteristic — While a private sector OBGYN in Hong Kong can decide to only provide gynecological care, our research has found that an overwhelming majority also provide obstetric care.

When should you see an OB-GYN?

Many women commonly go and see OB-GYNs once a year or more often because they consider their OB-GYN as their primary care doctor. OB-GYNs often discuss other issues such as heart diseases, mental health and other common health topics with their patients and address their general needs. You should also see an obstetrician-gynecologist if there are any changes in your reproductive cycle such as late menstrual schedule or perimenopause symptoms.

Healthy women who haven’t had an OB-GYN checkup should go at least once and seek preventive advice because recognizing symptoms early increases the likelihood of any treatment succeeding.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend that a person should first visit an OB-GYN between the ages of 13 and 15 to conduct pre check-ups and encourage issues to be identified from an early stage.

Common reasons to see an OB-GYN

It is recommended to see an obstetrician-gynecologist if you are experiencing:

• infertility
• urinary incontinence
• breast disorders
• abnormal bleeding
• endometriosis
• vaginal infection
• pelvic pain

People who are sexually active can consult an OBGYN for:

• birth control, contraception, or sterilization
• abnormal vaginal discharge
• HPV vaccination (against the human papilloma virus)
• preventing or treating HIV or STDs (sexually transmitted infections)
• treatment and prevention of pain during sex

Pregnant women or women preparing for pregnancy should see an OB-GYNs for:

• genetic testing and screenings
• postpartum depression
• prenatal care
• infertility treatment
• help planning for pregnancy

Young women experiencing menstruation for the first time or suffering from menstruation may visit an OB-GYN for:

• easing cramps
• cysts and fibroids
• irregular or abnormal bleeding
• advice about premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• pelvic support problems

Middle-aged women experiencing menopause or perimenopause can see an OB-GYN for:

• vaginal dryness
• hot flushes
• bone loss
• incontinence
• hormone replacement therapy

If you don’t experience any of these symptoms or none of these cases apply to you, seeing your obstetrician and gynecologist for preventive care services could be beneficial for your reproductive health. Some preventive care services that OB-GYNs commonly conduct include pap smears, pelvic exams, STI testing, ultrasounds, and blood tests – all depending on your general health condition and age.

How much does it cost to see an OB-GYN in Hong Kong?

In Hong Kong the cost of having consultations with an obstetrician-gynecologist varies greatly depending on clinics’ locations and services. Private doctor fees are not subject to regulation or any caps in Hong Kong.

PRIVATE SECTOR

Our research shows that consultations in the private sector range from $420 to $2,000.

PUBLIC SECTOR

Public sector in Hong Kong has implemented a comprehensive prevention program for all women at or below 64 years of age: breast awareness, Cervical screening, Family planning, Antenatal and postnatal care, Menstrual problems and more.

The costs of such services vary between no charge to HK$310. For eligible patients (that is patients with a valid HKID), it is important to note that prenatal and postnatal care in your Cluster’s Maternal and Child Health Centre (MCHC) is free of charge.

Beware of waiting times which can be very long in the public sector.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (FPAHK) plays a major role in providing Hong Kong people with primary sexual and reproductive health care. As it receives government funding, their service fees are affordable in comparison with private alternatives. You can learn more about the FPAHK and the services it provides to women here.

Please enquire at your clinic of choice for the specific costs.

*All amounts are in HKD and were last updated in May 2020. No responsibility is accepted for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. It is always best to call ahead to make sure the information is still up-to-date.

Where do I find an Obstetrician-Gynecologist in Hong Kong?

To make it easy for you, we have prepared a guide to some of Hong Kong’s obstetricians and gynecologists, and specialized clinics:

OB-GYNs in the Public Sector:

Here is the list of public centers providing OB-GYN services throughout Hong Kong.

OB-GYNs in the Private Sector:

You can search for OB-GYNs according to their locations and languages here.

Does insurance cover consultations & treatments with OBGYNs in Hong Kong?

According to Alea, gynecological care is reimbursed under doctor specialist fees. Generally, high-end medical plans will reimburse gynecologist fees in full without any sub-limit whereas local plans will have a doctor specialist limit. As for obstetric care, you are covered if your insurance plan includes pregnancy coverage and you must check in advance your maternity limit and if any waiting time period applies. You can learn more about pregnancy insurance here. In regards to women medical preventive care such as regular pap smears and mammography for non-symptomatic reasons, it is reimbursed under your check-up or well-being coverage if any. Beware of any sub-limits and waiting periods.

If you have any health insurance questions, contact an expert at Alea at [email protected].