Gynecology specialists provide care for women’s health issues from puberty through menopause. In addition, they conduct exams, diagnose conditions, prescribe medication and offer counseling services.
GYNecologists provide routine exams, including Pap smears and breast exams as recommended by screening guidelines, can also assist with infertility issues as well as assist with infertility concerns; more complex issues, such as recurrent UTIs should be referred to urologists for treatment.
What is a gynaecologist?
Gynecologists are medical professionals specializing in women’s reproductive health. Gynecologists can treat women of all ages, providing services such as regular pap tests or diagnosing and managing the effects of menopause.
These providers specialize in treating all conditions related to the uterus, vagina, fallopian tubes and ovary as well as providing screenings for gynecological cancer and sexually transmitted diseases.
Gynecologists undergo extensive training to become specialists in their field. Some also have subspecialties, such as urogynaecology (management of incontinence and prolapse), gynecologic oncology (management of gynecological cancers), or maternal-fetal medicine (management of high-risk pregnancies). Furthermore, some conduct research that advances the field.
Obstetrics
Women visit gynecologists for regular exams of their uterus, cervix and breasts as well as treatment of diseases like sexually transmitted infections or ovarian cancer. Gynecologists also offer help for infertility issues and menopause symptoms.
Gynecologists perform many procedures such as pap smears, laparoscopies and biopsies. Additionally, they are trained to manage any complications that arise during gestation, childbirth and postpartum care.
Most gynaecologists also act as obstetricians, offering comprehensive care from puberty through menopause and beyond. Together these physicians are known as Obstetrician-Gynaecologists or OB-GYNs; it’s best for women to choose their provider when puberty first starts and stay with that same physician throughout their lives for consistency in care.
Gynecologic oncology
Gynecologic oncologists provide more than surgical removal; in addition, chemotherapy and radiation therapies may be recommended, along with hormone therapy or immunotherapy, either alone or combined with other therapies.
At our gynecologic oncology practice, many types of cancer such as uterine, fallopian tube, ovarian, cervical and vulvar cancers and gestational trophoblastic disease can be treated using minimally invasive surgery techniques and robotic-assisted surgery procedures. Our experienced surgeons are skilled in these methods.
Prophylactic surgeries such as hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for women who carry hereditary forms of gynecologic cancer that can be prevented through early detection are also provided by these specialists. They collaborate closely with experts from other fields including hematology/oncology, radiation oncology and surgery to form multidisciplinary teams which meet regularly to discuss each patient’s case and develop personalized treatment plans that suit her specific situation.
Maternal-fetal medicine
Gynecologists who specialize in maternal-fetal medicine can offer tailored care for high risk pregnancies. A specialist will monitor both mother and baby for complications like hypertension or preeclampsia; perform ultrasound scans; as well as perform chorionic villi sampling – where a small piece of placenta is taken for screening purposes -.
Some gynecologists also specialize in surgical procedures such as hysterectomy or tubal ligation, while also diagnosing and treating reproductive health conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis and infertility.
Some gynaecologists specialize in subspecialties of gynecology, such as urogynecology (managing pelvic organ prolapse), gynecologic oncology (treating cancers of the uterus and other female reproductive organs), maternal-fetal medicine (treating high-risk pregnancies) or maternal-fetal medicine. Furthermore, some provide fertility services through artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization.
Pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery
A gynaecologist can assist women with many aspects of reproductive health. They are equipped to diagnose and treat problems like menstruation difficulties, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and menopause as well as advise if a lump or change in breasts might be cancerous.
Pelvic Floor Disorders (PFD) are conditions affecting the muscles, ligaments and connective tissues of the lower pelvic region that support bladder, uterus, vagina and rectum. PFD may result from childbirth, trauma, chronic diseases or prior surgery and should not be ignored.
Urogynecologists are trained physicians who specialize in managing conditions that affect female pelvis health. In collaboration with physicians from other specialties such as urology or pain medicine, they may provide comprehensive care for patients suffering chronic pelvic pain. Treatment typically involves both medications and physical therapy to manage symptoms.