Gynecologic

Gynecologic is a term that refers to the branch of medicine that deals with the health of the female reproductive systems (vagina, uterus, and ovaries) and the breasts. It is also known as obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) when combined with obstetrics, which deals with pregnancy and childbirth.

Overview

Gynecology is a medical specialty that focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions that affect a woman's reproductive organs. This includes the vagina, uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Gynecologists also provide preventative care, such as Pap smears and HPV vaccinations, and treat conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and gynecologic cancers.

History

The field of gynecology has a long history, with evidence of gynecological treatments dating back to ancient Egypt. The term "gynecology" comes from the Greek words "gyne" (woman) and "logia" (study), and it was first used in the 19th century.

Gynecologic Procedures

Gynecologists perform a variety of procedures, including but not limited to:

• Hysterectomy: This is a surgical procedure to remove the uterus.
• Oophorectomy: This is a surgical procedure to remove one or both ovaries.
• Laparoscopy: This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to examine the organs inside the abdomen.
• Colposcopy: This is a procedure to closely examine the cervix, vagina, and vulva for signs of disease.

Gynecologic Conditions

Gynecologists diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including:

• Endometriosis: This is a condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside of the uterus.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): This is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age.
• Uterine fibroids: These are noncancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during childbearing years.
• Gynecologic cancers: These include cancers of the ovary, uterus, cervix, vagina, and vulva.

See Also

• Obstetrics
• Women's health
• Reproductive medicine

Gynecologic Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.

Translate to: East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski