About the Journal

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 focuses areas, such as:

Birth control, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and gynecology
Breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and other female cancers
Mammography
Menopause and hormone therapy
Osteoporosis
Pregnancy and childbirth
Sexual health
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
Pap smear and HPV testing
Bone density testing
Breast cancer screening
Discussions about colon cancer screening
Age-appropriate immunizations
Healthy lifestyle risk assessment
Hormonal testing for menopause
Immunizations
Screening for STIs
Breast self-exam instruction may also be included.

BREAST CARE SERVICES

Breast care services include the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, which may involve:

Breast biopsy
Breast MRI scan
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
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 infections
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
Presence of high-risk HPV
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Bacterial vaginosis
Endometriosis
Heavy menstrual cycles
Irregular menstrual cycles
Other vaginal infections
Ovarian cysts
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Pelvic pain
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
Uterine fibroids
Uterine and vaginal prolapse
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 include:

Planning and preparing for pregnancy, including information about proper diet, prenatal vitamins, and review of pre-existing medical conditions and medicines used
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
Infertility treatments
Counseling for couples who are dealing with infertility or loss of a baby
Types of infertility treatments that may be offered include:

Medicines 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
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
Urinary incontinence and overactive bladder
Interstitial cystitis
Prolapse of the bladder
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 skincare, 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 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.
Physician Assistant (PA).
Primary care doctor.
Nurse practitioner (NP).
Nurse-midwives.
This list may not be all-inclusive.