Gynaecology

Gynaecology (British) or gynecology (North American) literally means 'the science of women', but in medicine this is the specialty of diseases of the female reproductive system (uterus, vagina and ovaries). Almost all modern gynaecologists are also obstetricians; see Obstetrics and gynaecology.

Therapies

Occasionally gynaecologists will use drugs, such as clomiphene (which stimulates ovulation), and, most famously, oral contraceptives (which are also used for dysmenorrhoea).

Related Topics:
Clomiphene - Oral contraceptive

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However, surgery is the main area of therapy. For historical reasons, gynaecologists are not actually surgeons (this is the source of some tension).

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Operations that gynaecologists do include:

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• termination of pregnancy
• dilation and curettage (removal of the uterine contents, for various reasons, including miscarriage and menorrhagia; procedurally very similar to the above);
• hysterectomy (removal of the uterus);
• colposuspension ('tightening' of the ligaments around the vagina, a common therapy for incontinence and discomfort in older women);
• Large Loop Excision of the Transition Zone (LLETZ), where the surface of the cervix, containing pre-cancerous cells identified on Pap smear are removed).