Gynecology

Pelvis | Gynecology (Medicine Field)


Description

Gynecology is the medical practice dealing with the health of the female reproductive system which means: uterus, vagina, and ovaries.

Specialization

A gynecologist is the physician who specializes in the care, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the female reproductive system. There are cases when women must first see a general practitioner prior to seeing a gynecologist. If their condition requires training, knowledge, surgical technique, or equipment unavailable to the GP, the patient is then referred to a gynecologist.

Symptoms and Diseases

The main conditions dealt with by a gynaecologist are: cancer and pre-cancerous diseases of the reproductive organs including ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina, and vulva; incontinence of urine; amenorrhoea (absent menstrual periods); dysmenorrhoea; infertility; menorrhagia (heavy menstrual periods); prolapsed of pelvic organs and infections of the vagina, cervix and uterus (including fungal, bacterial, viral, and protozoal).

Diagnosis, Treatment and Benefits

The main tools of diagnosis are clinical history and examination. Gynecological exam requires unique instrumentation such as the speculum. The speculum consists of two hinged blades of concave metal or plastic which are used to retract the tissues of the vagina and permit examination of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus located within the upper portion of the vagina.

The exam consists in looking at a woman’s: external genital organs, uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder, and rectum. Pelvic exams are performed when a woman is pregnant, when a woman is having pain in her pelvic area or low back, when a doctor is checking for an infection or during a yearly physical exam.

An abdominal and/or vaginal ultrasound can be used to confirm any abnormalities appreciated with the bimanual examination or when indicated by the patients history. ...