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Gynaecology or gynecology, from the Greek, gynaika (γυναίκα) meaning woman,^[1] is the medical practice dealing with the health of the female reproductive system (uterus, vagina, and ovaries). Literally, outside medicine, it means "the science of women". It is the counterpart to andrology, which deals with medical issues specific to the male reproductive system.

Almost all modern gynaecologists are also obstetricians (see obstetrics and gynaecology). In many areas, the specialties of gynaecology and obstetrics overlap. Gynaecology has been considered to end at 28 weeks gestation, but practically there is no clear cut-off. Since 1st October 1992, this cut-off may be considered to occur at 24 weeks gestation in the United States, since the law and definition of abortion changed to bring it closer to the gestation at which a foetus becomes viable.

Obstetrics and gynaecology (or obstetrics and gynecology; often abbreviated to OB/GYN, OBG, O&G or Obs & Gynae) are the two surgical–medical specialties dealing with the female reproductive organs in their pregnant and non-pregnant state, respectively, and as such are often combined to form a single medical specialty and postgraduate training programme. This combined training prepares the practising OB/GYN to be adept at the surgical management of the entire scope of clinical pathology involving female reproductive organs, and to provide care for both pregnant and non-pregnant patients.

The word "gynecology" comes from the Greek ancient Greek gyne, γυνή, modern Greek gynaika, γυναίκα, meaning woman + logia meaning study, so gynecology literally is the study of women

History

The Kahun Gynaecological Papyrus is the oldest known medical text of any kind. Dated to about 1800 B.C., it deals with women's complaints—gynaecological diseases, fertility, pregnancy, contraception, etc. The text is divided into thirty-four sections, each section dealing with a specific problem and containing diagnosis and treatment, no prognosis is suggested. Treatments are non surgical, comprising applying medicines to the affected body part or swallowing them. The womb is at times seen as the source of complaints manifesting themselves in other body parts.^[2]

According to the Suda, the ancient Greek physician Soranus of Ephesus practised in Alexandria and subsequently Rome. He was the chief representative of the school of physicians known as the "Methodists". His treatise Gynaikeia is extant (together with a 6th-century Latin paraphrase by Muscio, a physician of the same school).

In the United States, J. Marion Sims is considered the father of American gynaecology.

[edit] Examination

Gynaecology is typically considered a consultant specialty. In some countries, women must first see a general practitioner (GP; also known as a family practitioner (FP)) prior to seeing a gynaecologist. If their condition requires training, knowledge, surgical technique, or equipment unavailable to the GP, the patient is then referred to a gynaecologist. In the United States, however, law and many health insurance plans allow/force gynaecologists to provide primary care in addition to aspects of their own specialty. With this option available, some women opt to see a gynaecological surgeon for non-gynaecological problems without another physician's referral.

As in all of medicine, the main tools of diagnosis are clinical history and examination. Gynaecological examination is quite intimate, more so than a routine physical exam. It also 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. Gynaecologists typically do a bimanual examination (one hand on the abdomen and one or two fingers in the vagina) to palpate the cervix, uterus, ovaries and bony pelvis. It is not uncommon to do a rectovaginal examination for complete evaluation of the pelvis, particularly if any suspicious masses are appreciated. Male gynaecologists may have a female chaperone for their examination. An abdominal and/or vaginal ultrasound can be used to confirm any abnormalities appreciated with the bimanual examination or when indicated by the patient's history.

[edit] Diseases

The main conditions dealt with by a gynaecologist are:

1. Cancer and pre-cancerous diseases of the reproductive organs including ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina, and vulva
2. Incontinence of urine.
3. Amenorrhoea (absent menstrual periods)
4. Dysmenorrhoea (painful menstrual periods)
5. Infertility
6. Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual periods). This is a common indication for hysterectomy.
7. Prolapse of pelvic organs
8. Infections of the vagina, cervix and uterus (including fungal, bacterial, viral, and protozoal)

There is some crossover in these areas. For example, a woman with urinary incontinence may be referred to a urologist.

The Fallopian tubes, named after Gabriel Fallopius (Gabriele Falloppio), also known as oviducts, uterine tubes, and salpinges (singular salpinx) are two very fine tubes lined with ciliated epithelia, leading from the ovaries of female mammals into the uterus, via the utero-tubal junction. In non-mammalian vertebrates, the equivalent structures are the oviducts.

Obstetrics is the study of the reproductive process within the female body, including fertilization, pregnancy and childbirth.

See also List of obstetric topics.

Gynecologist: A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the female reproductive organs. The word "gynecologist" comes from the Greek gyno, gynaikos meaning woman + logia meaning study, so a gynecologist is literally a student of women, a women's doctor. However, these days gynecologists do not address all of women's medicine but instead focus mainly on disorders of the female reproductive organs.

ob Success Step One. Examine your motivations to become a gynecologist. Is it because you like the specialty and the work involved? Or is it because you don't know what else to do? Probably no job is easy, but neither is a career in medicine. Ask yourself truthfully and honestly why you would like to become a gynecologist. If it is an answer that you are satisfied with, then do consider it as a viable option. Of course, you may change your mind later, but at least know your current motivations to wanting a career in medicine.

Job Success Step Two. Try to do well in school and get good marks. Try to make use of the time you have in high school to enjoy classes, and try to find something interesting about the subjects that you learn. It's really probably your last opportunity to be exposed to such a wide spectrum of knowledge. Take advantage of it while you can. Don't rush through school. Sure, it may be boring and dry sometimes, but just try to make it as interesting for yourself as you can. You may even learn something useful down the road someday!

Job Success Step Three. You will need a degree in medicine and obtain a license. In addition, you will likely need to undergo residency training in gynecology and a license to practice gynecology. Depending on where you live, you may first need to complete a Bachelor's degree before going into medical school to obtain the degree in medicine. Students in certain countries may enter medical school directly from high school. Try to find all the medical schools that you think you might have an interest in and thoroughly read through their admission policies including what prerequisite courses or standardized tests are required, curriculum, and the success rates of their graduates obtaining good positions. Prepare as early as possible for admission. You do not want to miss deadlines, or not do something that could easily have been done. After completing medical school, admission into a residency program and residency training in gynecology is usually required to specialize in gynecology.

Job Success Step Four. Obtain some relevant job experience or do some job shadowing with gynecologists. This will allow you to find out what being a gynecologist is like, and may also help you get into the type of residency program that you desire. Maybe you really hate it. Maybe you love it. It's a great opportunity to broaden your horizons even if you decide not to become a gynecologist in the future. Getting job or volunteer experience will also look very favorable to future employers, as they will know that you were capable enough that someone trusted you with their work. It will also allow you to get reference letters if you need any. Last, but not least, you will gain practical experience and contacts as a gynecologist that may help you in your future job.

Home >> Admission Advice >> How to Become a Gynecologist - A Career in Gynecology How to Become a Gynecologist - A Career in Gynecology Job Success Step One. Examine your motivations to become a gynecologist. Is it because you like the specialty and the work involved? Or is it because you don't know what else to do? Probably no job is easy, but neither is a career in medicine. Ask yourself truthfully and honestly why you would like to become a gynecologist. If it is an answer that you are satisfied with, then do consider it as a viable option. Of course, you may change your mind later, but at least know your current motivations to wanting a career in medicine. Job Success Step Two. Try to do well in school and get good marks. Try to make use of the time you have in high school to enjoy classes, and try to find something interesting about the subjects that you learn. It's really probably your last opportunity to be exposed to such a wide spectrum of knowledge. Take advantage of it while you can. Don't rush through school. Sure, it may be boring and dry sometimes, but just try to make it as interesting for yourself as you can. You may even learn something useful down the road someday! Job Success Step Three. You will need a degree in medicine and obtain a license. In addition, you will likely need to undergo residency training in gynecology and a license to practice gynecology. Depending on where you live, you may first need to complete a Bachelor's degree before going into medical school to obtain the degree in medicine. Students in certain countries may enter medical school directly from high school. Try to find all the medical schools that you think you might have an interest in and thoroughly read through their admission policies including what prerequisite courses or standardized tests are required, curriculum, and the success rates of their graduates obtaining good positions. Prepare as early as possible for admission. You do not want to miss deadlines, or not do something that could easily have been done. After completing medical school, admission into a residency program and residency training in gynecology is usually required to specialize in gynecology. Job Success Step Four. Obtain some relevant job experience or do some job shadowing with gynecologists. This will allow you to find out what being a gynecologist is like, and may also help you get into the type of residency program that you desire. Maybe you really hate it. Maybe you love it. It's a great opportunity to broaden your horizons even if you decide not to become a gynecologist in the future. Getting job or volunteer experience will also look very favorable to future employers, as they will know that you were capable enough that someone trusted you with their work. It will also allow you to get reference letters if you need any. Last, but not least, you will gain practical experience and contacts as a gynecologist that may help you in your future job. Job Success Step Five. Decide if you want to further specialize in a sub-specialty in the future. Be careful about specializing too early, though, or even specializing at all, as that specialty may become obsolete or not in as much demand when you are ready to go into the workforce. However, specializing definitely has its advantages, as you will be one of the recognized experts in your sub-specialty. Job Success Step Six. Decide if you would like to open your own practice, to work for someone else's practice, or to work at a clinic or hospital. If working for someone, choose your employer carefully. If you do not think that you would fit in a particular workplace environment, you probably should not even apply there. Of course, you should try not to be picky, but do try to make an effort to think a little about what type of work environment you desire. You don't want to be finding another job in two months. Job Success Step Seven. Once you have a career as a gynecologist, try to distinguish yourself a little every day. The objective is not to get a promotion or a pay raise, although that would be a nice bonus, but just as a duty to yourself. A pledge to yourself to try to make your job a little bit better for other people. The extra effort will make yourself feel pleased, as well as really do a service to others. Also consider upgrading your skills once in a while by taking courses or learning by yourself, and try to be generous in sharing your knowledge with others. Try not to over-exert yourself, though, when working or when spending extra time to learn skills. But do put in a good day's work. Work in a relaxed manner. Work at a comfortable pace, but just do not slack at your duty. After all, it's your profession! Wish you every success with your job as a gynecologist!