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Gynecology is one of the fields of medicine whose main focus is ailments related to the female reproductive organs. As is well known, gynecology includes treatment and prevention that can counteract the development of certain diseases, e.g. breast cancer or cervical cancer. The fields of medicine related to gynecology are obstetrics and aesthetic gynecology.
History of gynecology
The beginnings of gynecology date back to the 20th century BC. Some of the first manuscripts in the XNUMX-meter scroll of the Ebers papyrus date from that period. This work, apart from the notes concerning mainly internal medicine and surgery, also contains the first mentions of gynecology. Some of the first scholars to deal with this field of medicine were ancient physicians, including Hippocrates, Celsus, Herophilus and Galen. However, Soranus of Ephesus is considered to be the most outstanding specialist in gynecology and obstetrics at that time. He was one of the first specialists in using a birthing chair or using a vaginal speculum. His interests also included the care of babies and their nutrition. In the twentieth century, many facilities began to be used in order to properly diagnose patients and perform gynecological operations. Effective methods of surgical removal of fallopian tubes have also been developed. Gradually, methods were also introduced to anesthetize the operated patients and to prevent the development of infections during the procedures.
History of gynecology in Poland
The first Polish specialists in the field of gynecology gained their knowledge in Krakow. At the end of the XNUMXth century, the first gynecology clinic was established at the Krakow Academy. It was led by professor Rafał Czerwiakowski, an outstanding surgeon and obstetrician who became the pioneer of the field in Poland. The scientist brought the childbirth phantom from Vienna to the Krakow Academy, which was supposed to be an excellent teaching tool. Associated with the development of gynecology in Poland is also professor Maurycy Madurowicz, who developed the so-called obstetric forceps (called Madurowicz forceps) used to perform the forceps delivery procedure. The tool developed in the first half of the XNUMXth century is still used by doctors today.
Gynecology – what does the field of study cover?
Gynecology is a fairly broad concept that covers both prophylaxis and treatment of various ailments within the breast and female reproductive organs. Gynecological prophylaxis focuses primarily on performing periodic diagnostic tests. During the visit to the gynecologist, the woman also undergoes a medical interview, during which the specialist asks about the date of the first menstruation (so-called menarche), the date of the beginning of the last menstruation, the average length of the cycle and whether it is regular. The patient should inform the gynecologist about the possible occurrence of discharge, bleeding, itching or pain in the genital area. The first gynecological examination should be performed around the age of 16-17, especially when the woman has already started intercourse or is accompanied by unpleasant ailments, e.g. very painful menstruation or lower abdominal pain unrelated to monthly bleeding. It is then necessary to conduct a number of diagnostic tests.
Gynecology – diagnostic tests
Control gynecological examinations should be performed at least once a year. In addition to the medical history, they include:
cytology, i.e. a smear taken from the cervical mucosa (the first around 25 years of age or after the onset of intercourse). The test should be performed once a year;
Vaginal ultrasound – at least once a year, the best time for the examination is a few days after the end of menstruation;
Abdominal ultrasound – performed when the patient has not yet started sexual intercourse. This type of examination is also used to determine the normal development of the fetus – it should be performed at least 3 times during pregnancy;
3D / 4D ultrasound – the examination enables spatial imaging of the fetus. It should be performed above the 18th week of pregnancy;
Breast ultrasound – the optimal time for this gynecological examination is the first phase of the cycle. The test should be performed once a year.
Aesthetic gynecology and obstetrics
Aesthetic gynecology is a dynamically developing field. This branch of medicine is a combination of aesthetic surgery and gynecology, which allows the appearance of the female external genitalia to be corrected. It is intended mainly for those women who struggle with labia deformities after childbirth. Aesthetic gynecology allows you to correct the overgrowth of these structures, which sometimes hinder normal functioning, e.g. walking. Aesthetic gynecology clinics offer labiaplasty including the correction of the labia minora, but also other procedures, such as hymenoplasty, vaginal lifting or liporeduction.
The field closely related to gynecology is obstetrics, dealing with the proper course of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium period.