Gynecology (women's medicine) deals with the prevention, detection and treatment of:
- Diseases of the female sexual and reproductive tract
- Gender-specific hormonal disorders and changes
- Urological diseases
Gynecology and obstetrics are closely linked. Therefore, the care of pregnant women and infertility treatment are part of the range of services offered by gynecology specialists and gynecology clinics.
Gynecology specialists are usually called specialists in gynecology and obstetrics (gynecologists or gynecologists). To do this, prospective gynecologists must complete at least 5 years of further training.
Through prescribed examinations and therapies, gynecology specialists gain experience in the following areas
- Female diseases
- Family planning and
- Care during pregnancy
The range of services offered by gynecologists includes
- Conservative and surgical treatment of diseases of the female reproductive organs and breasts
-
Early detection of gynaecological tumors (e.g. breast cancer), indication for radiation treatment and aftercare for women with gynaecological tumors
-
Diagnosis of pregnancy, maternity care, detection and treatment of diseases associated with pregnancy, high-risk pregnancies, obstetric care and postnatal care
-
Detection and treatment of urinary incontinence after childbirth, guidance on pelvic floor exercises
-
Indications for plastic surgery and reconstructive procedures in the genital area and women's breasts
- Recognition and treatment of premenstrual syndrome
-
Disorders of the female cycle and ovaries, including basic treatment of female sterility
-
Family planning and contraception as well as sexual counseling for women and couples
-
Advice on pregnancy conflicts and indications for termination of pregnancy
- Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis
In addition, gynaecologists can specialize further to become specialists in gynaecology and obstetrics.
The following specializations are possible:
- Focus on gynecological endocrinology and reproductive medicine: detection and treatment of hormonal (endocrine and neuroendocrine) and fertility-related disorders. As well as malformations of the internal genitals in the various stages of female development
- Focus on gynecological oncology: detection and treatment of malignant diseases of the female genitals and breast
- Focus on special obstetrics and perinatal medicine: detection and treatment of maternal and fetal diseases, invasive and surgical measures as well as initial care of endangered newborns
The treatment of gender-specific diseases in women belongs in the hands of experienced gynecologists. Depending on the severity and cause of the disease, treatment in specialized gynaecological clinics may be advisable.
Important diseases that gynecologists treat are
- Breast diseases: mastitis, breast cancer, breast inflammation
- Uterine diseases: Uterine inflammation, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, uterine prolapse, fibroids and endometriosis
- Ovarian diseases and diseases of the fallopian tubes: ovarian cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), ovarian cysts
- Hormonal and menstrual cycle disorders: premenstrual syndrome, menstrual pain, sterility, sexual disorders in women, menopausal symptoms (menopause)
- Diseases of the vagina: vaginitis , vaginal fungus, vaginal prolapse, vaginal carcinoma
- Diseases caused by pregnancy: pregnancy poisoning
- Urinary tract diseases
Every gynecological examination usually begins with a medical history and a clinical examination of the abdomen.
The patient lies on a gynecological chair with her legs raised and spread apart. The doctor examines the internal and external genitalia for changes and abnormalities (palpation, visual examination).
He uses a speculum to spread the vagina so that he can examine the vagina and cervix. A smear is taken from the surface of the mucous membrane (smear test) to check for fungi and tumor cells. He also palpates the breasts and lymph nodes.
If necessary, other modern diagnostic procedures are used, such as
- Ultrasound examination of the breast or organs
- Mammography (X-ray examination of the breast) for the early detection of breast cancer (breast carcinoma)
- Uteroscopy (hysteroscopy) to examine the inside of the uterus with an endoscope through the vagina
Mammography examination @ LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS /AdobeStock
The treatment options in gynecology can be divided into conservative treatments and surgical treatments (surgery).
Conservative treatment methods primarily include the administration of medication.
Examples are
- Hormones for hormonal disorders, complaints caused by the menopause or prevention of pregnancy (hormone therapy),
- antibiotics for bacterial diseases or
- Chemotherapeutics for tumor diseases
Gynecological clinics or centers use radiation therapy for tumor diseases. Physiotherapy and exercises are used for uterine prolapse, among other things.
However, surgery plays a particularly important role in gynecology.
Typical operations at gynecological clinics and centers are
- Scraping of the uterine cavity (curettage, abrasion)
- Removal of the uterus (hysterectomy)
- Fallopian tube ligation for sterilization (tubal ligation)
- Removal of ovarian cysts using minimally invasive surgery (keyhole surgery, laparoscopic-ovarian cystectomy)
- Myoma enucleation and resection of endometriosis
- Tumor surgery
- Breast surgery
It is not possible to designate a clinic as the "best clinic" or "top clinic" for gynecology. There are doctors and clinics that specialize in the treatment of gender-specific diseases in women.
They therefore have a great deal of experience. You can find these experts in gynecology in the Leading Medicine Guide.
Only selected, highly qualified medical experts and specialists are presented in the Leading Medicine Guide. All doctors have a high level of specialist expertise and excellent experience in the field of gynecology. They all fulfill the strict admission criteria of the Leading Medicine Guide.
