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
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Breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and other female cancers
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Mammography
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Menopause and hormone replacement therapy
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Osteoporosis
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Sexual health
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Women and heart disease
- Benign conditions affecting the function of the female reproductive organs
PREVENTATIVE CARE AND SCREENINGS
Preventative care for women includes the following services:
- Regular gynecological checkups, including a pelvic exam and breast exam
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Pap smear
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Bone density testing
- Breast cancer screening
- Discussions about colon cancer screening
- Age-appropriate immunizations
- Healthy lifestyle risk assessment
- Hormonal testing for menopause
See also: Breast self exam
BREAST CARE SERVICES
Breast care services include the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, which may involve:
- Breast biopsy
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Breast MRI scan
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Breast ultrasound
- Genetic testing and counseling for women with a family or personal history of breast cancer
- Hormonal therapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy
- Mammography
- Mastectomy and breast reconstruction
The breast care services team may also diagnose and treat noncancerous conditions of the breast, including:
- Benign breast lumps
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Lymphedema, a condition in which excess fluid collects in tissue and causes swelling
SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES
Your sexual health is an important part of your overall well-being. Women’s sexual health services may include:
- Birth control (contraceptives)
- Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sexually transmitted illnesses
- Therapies to help with problems with sexual function
GYNECOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES
Gynecology and reproductive health services may include the diagnosis and treatment of various conditions and diseases, including:
- Abnormal Pap smears
- Bacterial vaginosis
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Endometriosis
- Heavy menstrual cycles
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Ovarian cysts
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Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Pelvic pain
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
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Uterine fibroids
- Vaginal yeast infection
- Various conditions affecting the vulva and vagina
PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH SERVICES
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
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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:
- Bladder emptying disorders
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Urinary incontinence and overactive bladder
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Interstitial cystitis
- Prolapse
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 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)
- 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 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
- 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
- Primary care doctor
- Nurse practitioner (NP)
- Nurse midwives
This list may not be all-inclusive.
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