The shamefulness associated with the examination of female genitalia has long inhibited the science of gynaecology. A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, as narrowly defined is any of the anatomical parts of the body which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute This 1822 drawing by Jacques-Pierre Maygnier shows a "compromise" procedure, in which the physician is kneeling before the woman but cannot see her genitalia. A physician, medical practitioner or medical doctor who practices Medicine, and is concerned with maintaining or restoring human Health Modern gynaecology has shed these inhibitions.

Gynaecology or gynecology (see spelling differences) refers to the surgical specialty dealing with health of the female reproductive system (uterus, vagina and ovaries). American and British English spelling differences are one aspect of American and British English differences. A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, as narrowly defined is any of the anatomical parts of the body which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute The uterus (from the Latin word for womb) is the major Female reproductive organ of most Mammals including Humans One end the The vagina (from Latin, literally " Sheath " or " Scabbard " is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the Uterus "Ovaria" redirects here This is also a proposed section and a Synonym of Solanum. Literally, outside medicine, it means "the science of women". Almost all modern gynaecologists are also obstetricians; see Obstetrics and gynaecology. Obstetrics (from the Latin obstare, "to stand by" is the surgical speciality dealing with the care of a woman and her offspring during Pregnancy As per the discussion in the Talk page there has been no consensus as to using the American (gynecology or British (gynaecology spelling for this article BUT

History

According to the Suda, the ancient Greek physician Soranus practiced in Alexandria and subsequently Rome. The Suda or Souda ( also, Suidas) is a massive 10th century Byzantine Greek historical encyclopedia of the ancient Mediterranean Soranus, Greek Physician, born at Ephesus, lived during the reigns of Trajan and Hadrian (AD 98-138 He was the chief representative of the school of physicians known as "Methodists. " His treatise Gynaikeia is extant (first published in 1838, later by V. Rose as Gynaecology, in 1882, with a 6th-century Latin translation by Moschio, a physician of the same school).

In the United States, J. Marion Sims is considered the father of American gynaecology. J Marion Sims, born James Marion Sims ( January 25, 1813 – November 13, 1883) was a surgical pioneer considered the father Practitioners included Dr. Benjamin B. Weinstein (1913-1974) of Tulane University in New Orleans, who specialized in fertility studies. Benjamin Bernard Weinstein ( August 25, 1913 - May 10, 1974) was a New Orleans Physician who specialized in Gynecology Year 1913 ( MCMXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. Tulane University is a private, Nonsectarian, Coeducational Research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana Fertility is the natural capability of giving life As a measure "Fertility Rate" is the number of children born per couple person or population

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. A general practitioner, or GP is a medical practitioner who provides Primary care and specializes in Family medicine. 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. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The term health insurance is generally used to describe a form of Insurance that pays for medical expenses Primary care is a term used for the activity of a Health care provider who acts as a first point of consultation for all patients With this option available, some women opt to see a gynaecological surgeon 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, moreso than a routine physical exam. It also requires unique instrumentation such as the speculum. speculum is a medical tool for investigating body cavities with a form dependent on the body cavity for which it is designed 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. The cervix (from Latin "neck" is the lower narrow portion of the Uterus where it joins with the top end 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. The pelvis (pl pelvises or pelves) or pelvic girdle is the irregular bony structure located at the base of the spine (properly known It is not uncommon to do a rectovaginal exam for complete evaluation of the pelvis, particularly if any suspicious masses are appreciated. Male gynaecologists often have a female chaperone (nurse or medical student) for their examination. For other uses see Chaperone, a disambiguation page In clinical medicine a chaperone is a person whose has a role to witness both a Patient A nurse is responsible—along with other Health care Professionals —for the treatment safety and recovery of acutely or chronically 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. Obstetric sonography (ultrasonography is the application of Medical ultrasonography to Obstetrics, in which ultrasound is used to visualize the Embryo

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, vagina, and vulva
2. Incontinence of urine. Cancer (medical term Malignant Neoplasm) is a class of Diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled The Fallopian tubes, also known as oviducts, uterine tubes, and salpinges ( singular salpinx) are two very fine tubes lined with ciliated Urinary incontinence ( UI) is any involuntary leakage of Urine.
3. Amenorrhea (absent menstrual periods)
4. Dysmenorrhoea (painful menstrual periods)
5. Infertility
6. Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual periods). Amenorrhoea ( BE) amenorrhea ( AmE) or amenorrhœa, is the absence of a Menstrual period in a woman of reproductive age The menstrual cycle is a recurring cycle of physiologic changes that occurs in reproductive-age Females Overt menstruation (where there is blood flow from the Dysmenorrhea (or dysmenorrhoea) is a medical condition characterized by severe Uterine Pain during Menstruation. Female infertility|Male infertility Infertility primarily refers to the biological inability of a Man or a Woman to contribute to conception. Menorrhagia is an abnormally heavy and prolonged menstrual period at regular intervals This is a common indication for hysterectomy. A hysterectomy (from Greek hystera "womb" is the surgical removal of the Uterus, usually performed by a gynecologist.
7. Prolapse of pelvic organs
8. Scabies

There is some crossover in these areas. Prolapse literally means "To fall out of place" In Medicine, prolapse is a condition where organs such as the Uterus, fall down or slip out of place Scabies is a transmissible ectoparasite Skin Infection characterized by superficial Burrows intense pruritus (itching and Secondary For example a woman with incontinence may be referred to a urologist. Urology is the branch of Surgery that focuses on the Urinary tracts of males and females and on the reproductive system of males

Therapies

As with all surgical specialties, gynaecologists may employ medical or surgical therapies (or many times, both), depending on the exact nature of the problem that they are treating. Pre- and post-operative medical management will often employ many "standard" drug therapies, such as antibiotics, diuretics, antihypertensives, and antiemetics. In modern usage an antibiotic is a Chemotherapeutic agent with activity against Microorganisms such as Bacteria, fungi or Protozoa A diuretic is any Drug that elevates the rate of urination ( Diuresis) Antihypertensives are a class of drugs that are used in Medicine and Pharmacology to treat Hypertension (high blood pressure An anti-emetic is a drug that is effective against Vomiting and Nausea. Additionally, gynaecologists make frequent use of "specialized" hormone-modulating therapies (such as Clomifene citrate and hormonal contraception) to treat disorders of the female genital tract that are responsive to pituitary and/or gonadal signals. Hormones (from Greek ὁρμή - "impetus" are chemicals released by cells that affect cells in other parts of the body Clomifene ( INN) or clomiphene ( USAN and former BAN) or Clomid or Clomifert is a Selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM Hormonal contraception refers to Birth control methods that act on the hormonal system The pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is an Endocrine gland about the size of a Pea. The gonad is the organ that makes Gametes The gonads in males are the Testes and the gonads in Females are the Ovaries.

Surgery, however, is the mainstay of gynaecological therapy. For historical and political reasons, gynaecologists were previously not considered "surgeons", although this point has always been the source of some controversy. Modern advancements in both general surgery and gynaecology, however, have blurred many of the once rigid lines of distinction. The rise of sub-specialties within gynaecology which are primarily surgical in nature (for example urogynaecology and gynaecological oncology) have strengthened the reputations of gynaecologists as surgical practitioners, and many surgeons and surgical societies have come to view gynaecologists as comrades of sorts. As proof of this changing attitude, gynaecologists are now eligible for fellowship in both the American and Royal Colleges of Surgeons, and many newer surgical textbooks include chapters on (at least basic) gynaecological surgery.

Some of the more common operations that gynaecologists perform include:

1. Dilation and curettage (removal of the uterine contents for various reasons, including partial miscarriage and dysfunctional uterine bleeding refractive to medical therapy)
2. Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
3. Oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries)
4. Tubal ligation
5. Hysteroscopy
6. Diagnostic laparoscopy - used to diagnose and treat sources of pelvic and abdominal pain; perhaps most famously used to provide definitive diagnosis of endometriosis. Dilation (dilatation and curettage literally refers to the dilation (opening of the Cervix and surgical removal of the contents of the Uterus. A hysterectomy (from Greek hystera "womb" is the surgical removal of the Uterus, usually performed by a gynecologist. Oophorectomy (or ovariectomy) is the surgical removal of an Ovary or ovaries Tubal ligation (informally known as getting one's "tubes tied" is a permanent form of female sterilization, in which the Fallopian tubes are severed Hysteroscopy is the inspection of the uterine cavity by Endoscopy. Laparoscopic surgery, also called Minimally invasive surgery (MIS, bandaid surgery, Keyhole surgery, or pinhole surgery Endometriosis (from endo, "inside" and metra, " Womb " is a common medical condition characterized by growth beyond or outside the uterus
7. Exploratory laparotomy - may be used to investigate the level of progression of benign or malignant disease, or to assess and repair damage to the pelvic organs. A laparotomy is a surgical procedure involving an incision through the Abdominal wall to gain access into the Abdominal cavity.
8. Various surgical treatments for urinary incontinence, including cystoscopy and sub-urethral slings. Urinary incontinence ( UI) is any involuntary leakage of Urine. Endoscopy of the Urinary bladder via the Urethra is called cystoscopy In Anatomy, the urethra (from Greek ουρήθρα - ourethra) is a tube which connects the Urinary bladder to the outside of
9. Surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse, including correction of cystocele and rectocele. Prolapse literally means "To fall out of place" In Medicine, prolapse is a condition where organs such as the Uterus, fall down or slip out of place A cystocele (SIS-tuh-seal is a medical condition that occurs when the tough fibrous wall between a woman's bladder and her Vagina (the pubocervical fascia is torn A rectocele results from a tear in the Rectovaginal septum (which is normally a tough fibrous sheet like divider between the Rectum and Vagina)
10. Appendectomy - often performed to remove site of painful endometriosis implantation and/or prophylactically (against future acute appendicitis) at the time of hysterectomy or Cesarean section. An appendicectomy (or appendectomy) is the surgical removal of the Vermiform appendix. Endometriosis (from endo, "inside" and metra, " Womb " is a common medical condition characterized by growth beyond or outside the uterus Appendicitis (or epityphlitis) is a condition characterized by Inflammation of the appendix. A hysterectomy (from Greek hystera "womb" is the surgical removal of the Uterus, usually performed by a gynecologist. A Caesarean section (or Cesarean section in American English) also known as C-section, is a form of Childbirth in which a surgical May also be performed as part of a staging operation for ovarian cancer. The stage of a cancer is a descriptor (usually numbers I to IV of how much the Cancer has spread Ovarian cancer is a cancerous growth arising from an Ovary. The cancer most commonly forms in the lining of the ovary (resulting in epithelial
11. Cervical Excision Procedures (including cryosurgery, LLETZ, LEEP) - removal of the surface of the cervix containing pre-cancerous cells which have been previously identified on Pap smear. The cervix (from Latin "neck" is the lower narrow portion of the Uterus where it joins with the top end of the Vagina. The Papanicolaou test (also called Pap smear, Pap test, cervical smear, or smear test) is a screening test used in Gynecology

See also

• Andrology, the study of the male reproductive system. See also Reproductive health Andrology (from Greek grc ἀνήρ anēr, Genitive grc ἀνδρός andros, "man"
• Cervical cancer
• Dalkon Shield
• HPV vaccine
• Hydatiform mole
• Infant
• Obstetrics
• Pediatrics
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Reproduction medicine
• Sexually transmitted disease
• Vulvovaginal health

External links

• Ingenious: archive of historical images related to obstetrics, gynaecology, and contraception. Cervical cancer is Malignant Cancer of the Cervix uteri or cervical area Dalkon Shield was the name of a contraceptive Intrauterine device (IUD introduced by the Dalkon Corporation. Human papillomavirus (HPV vaccine is a Vaccine that targets certain strains of Human papillomavirus associated with the development of Cervical Molar pregnancy is an abnormal form of Pregnancy, characterized by the presence of a hydatidiform mole (or hydatid mole, mola hytadidosa Obstetrics (from the Latin obstare, "to stand by" is the surgical speciality dealing with the care of a woman and her offspring during Pregnancy Pediatrics (also spelled paediatrics) is the branch of Medicine that deals with the medical care of Infants Children and Adolescents Pelvic inflammatory disease (or disorder) ( PID) is a generic term for Inflammation of the female Uterus, Fallopian tubes, and/or A sexually transmitted disease ( STD) or venereal disease ( VD) is an illness that has a significant probability of transmission between Humans Vulvovaginal health is the health and sanitation of the Human Female Vulva and Vagina.
• Articles and News on Obstetrics and Gynecology
• U.S Federal Government Website for Women´s Health Information.