Women’s health refers to the branch of medicine that focuses on the treatment and diagnosis of diseases and conditions that affect a woman’s physical and emotional well-being.
Information
Women’s health includes a wide range of specialties and focus areas, such as:
Birth control, sexually transmitted infections, and gynecology
Regular prenatal care is an important part of every pregnancy. Pregnancy and childbirth services includes:
Planning and preparing for pregnancy, including information about proper diet and prenatal vitamins
Prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum care
High-risk pregnancy care (maternal-fetal medicine)
Breastfeeding and nursing
INFERTILITY SERVICES
Infertility specialists are an important part of the women’s health services team. Infertility services may include:
Testing to determine the cause of infertility (a cause may not always be found)
Blood and imaging tests to monitor ovulation
Fertility treatments, including:
Medications to stimulate ovulation
Intrauterine insemination
In vitro fertilization (IVF)
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) – injection of a single sperm directly into an egg
Embryo cryopreservation - freezing embryos for use at a later date
Egg donation
Sperm banking
Counseling for couples who are dealing with infertility or loss of a baby
BLADDER CARE SERVICES
The women’s health services team can also help diagnose and treat bladder-related conditions. Bladder-related conditions that may affect women can include:
If you have a bladder condition, your women’s health specialist may recommend that you do Kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles in your pelvic floor.
OTHER WOMEN’S HEALTH SERVICES
Cosmetic surgery and skin care, including skin cancer
Diet and nutrition services
Psychological care and counseling for women dealing with abuse or sexual assault
Sleep disorders services
Smoking cessation
TREATMENTS AND PROCEDURES
Members of the women’s health services team perform a variety of different treatments and procedures. Among the most common are:
Cesarean section (c-section)
Endometrial ablation
Endometrial biopsy
D&C
Hysterectomy
Hysteroscopy
Mastectomy and breast reconstruction
Pelvic laparoscopy
Procedures to treat precancerous changes of the cervix (LEEP, Cone biopsy)
Procedures to treat urinary incontinence
Tubal ligation and reversal of tubal sterilization
Uterine artery embolization
WHO TAKES CARE OF YOU
The women's health services team includes doctors and health care providers from a variety of different specialties. The team may include:
Obstetrician/gynecologist (ob/gyn): A doctor who has received extra training in the treatment of pregnancy, reproductive organ problems, and other women’s health issues
General surgeons specializing in breast care
Perinatologist: An ob/gyn who has received further training and specializes in the care of high-risk pregnancies
Radiologist: Doctors who received extra training and interpretation of different imaging as well as performing different procedures using imaging technology to treat disorders such as uterine fibroids
Schrager SB, Paladine HL, Cadwallader K. Gynecology. In: Rakel RE, ed. Textbook of Family Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 25.
Review Date:
2/26/2012
Reviewed By:
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington. Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Bellevue, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.
