Gynecology: What is It?

Gynecology or gynaecology refers to the surgical department that deals with the health of the female reproductive system, which consists of the uterus, vagina, and ovaries. Outside medicine, gynecology plainly means "the science of women." Nearly all modern gynecologists are also obstetricians. Obstetrics is the surgical field that deals with the care of a woman and her offspring during pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium. Puerperium is the period shortly after birth.

In the United States, James Marion Sims is considered the father of American gynecology. However, some experts do not like this title that was given to him due to the fact that he conducted most of his studies and experiments on slaves.

As in all of medicine, the chief tools of diagnosis are clinical history and examination. However, gynecology has much more personal examinations than the normal physical exam. Gynecology also requires doctors to make use of special equipment such as the speculum. The speculum consists of two hinged blades of curved in metal or plastic which are used to draw back the tissues of the vagina and allow examination of the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus, which is located within the upper portion of the vagina. Gynecology exams usually consist of a bimanual examination which is when the doctor places one hand on the abdomen and one or two fingers in the vagina. This is done to palpate the uterus, ovaries, cervix, and bony pelvis. If any suspicious masses are felt during the bimanual examination, it is ordinary to do a rectovaginal exam for complete assessment of the pelvis. If there are still more questions about abnormalities or when indicated by a patient's history, an abdominal and/or vaginal ultrasound can be used.

The main conditions dealt with in the study of gynecology are cancer and pre-cancerous diseases of the female reproductive organs, incontinence of urine, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, infertility, menorrhagia, prolapsed of pelvic organs, and scabies.

There are many common operations performed by a surgeon specializing in gynecology. These can include oophorectomy (surgical removal of the ovaries), hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus), tubal ligation, and dilation and curettage (removal of the uterine contents for various reasons).

For someone to be certified as a gynecologist they must graduate from an approved medical school and then finish an OB/GYN residency program (minimum of 4 years in duration that is accredited by the American Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Rotations are divided between obstetrics, gynecology, gynecologic oncology, reproductive endocrinology, and ultrasonography. The subspecialties of gynecology are gynecologic oncology, maternal/fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and urogynecology/reconstructive pelvic surgery.