Women's Health  - Gynaecology

 

2 womens health .com provides illustrated answers for those:

•  women who have a gynaecological problem
•  pregnancy related health problem,
•  for those who know someone who has a problem  
•  for those who wish to learn more about women's health. 

2 womens health .com currently features over 1,000  frequently asked questions during consultations over the last few years and there are 3,500 abstracts from the medical literature.

The purpose of 2 womens health .com is to explain the advantages and disadvantages of the various investigation and management options whilst leaving it to each individual to come to their preference according to their particular circumstance. All medical terms in the text have a link to an explanation.

Women's health issues include:

 general health issues such as exercise and nutrition.
 PMS - about 80% of women are troubled to a lesser or greater degree. All will face potentially difficult times during
 adolescence
 menopause when the question of HRT will arise
 investigations and treatments for infertility, including IVF, miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage
 hirsutism
 polycystic ovary syndrome
 vaginal discharge  
 heavy periods  
 painful periods  
 hysterectomy  
 pelvic pain
 fibroids
 endometriosis
 sexual problems
 urinary tract infection
 urinary incontinence
 cancers such as cervical cancer, ovarian cancer and breast cancer.

A modern woman wishes to understand her treatment and to be treated with understanding. She requires sufficient knowledge to assist her in making an informed choice whenever there are treatment options. Successful gynaecological treatment relies on a partnership between the patient and her chosen doctor. In writing 'frequently Asked Questions On Women's Health' the author has attempted to explain:-

•  most aspects of gynaecology in simple terms.
•  essential medical words and expressions.
•  the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the female reproductive organs.
•  the disorders (pathology) that may occur with the structure or function of the female genital organs.
•  the medical and surgical treatment options.
•  the potential advantages and disadvantages of each treatment.

  

Knowledge can be compared to an iceberg. From a distance it appears tiny but as we get closer we see, learn and understand more although we also appreciate how much more is still to be revealed. We must ensure a diligent balance between early utilisation of medical advances and safety. Knowledge, like an iceberg, should be treated with a combination of respect and caution to avoid potential hidden dangers of titanic proportions. Many patients, as well as doctors, are understandably bewildered by this. Examples of these issues are addressed in this book whenever opportunity has arisen.

Case histories, the medical stories, of some of my patients, with their kind consent, have been integrated to illustrate real-life gynaecological problems and how they have been cared for.

 

Frequently Asked Questions On Women's Health

Women's health problems are extremely common. The following are just a few of the more frequent questions that women often ask themselves and their professional advisors.

With increasing attention to lifestyle and health, a woman's life can be managed more effectively and can improve her well-being, self-esteem, and energy.  With improvement in health over the last century, women can expect to live longer (life expectancy).

Promoting women's health physically and mentally should be a top priority internationally.  An increasing awareness in women's health matters means that more women are taking their own health concerns and those of their family and friends ever more seriously.  This website has been developed to help you become more aware of your health and the things you can do to feel and stay healthy.  Here, you will find the latest healthcare news and information as it relates to women's health, from before puberty to after menopause.  As advances and debates relating to women’s health take place, the background information from the medical journals are added. For convenience there is a “What’s New in Women’s Health” page.

This website seeks to raise awareness about the range of factors that affect women's health.  Treatment within women's health is one of the most rapidly advancing areas of medicine.  Today women's health is coming to be viewed as a distinctive area.  This website is devoted to women's health and makes finding information about women's health speedily.

 

You are welcome to visit my shopping mall which supports this website.

Femininity

A woman's body is continually reminding her about her femininity.

First there are the changes in body shape during puberty.

This is followed by the menarche (first period) and

then monthly periods.

The majority of women have some symptoms associated with their menstrual cycles such as

•  breast
•  or pelvic discomfort,
•  premenstrual tension or
•  heavy periods.

Most women have a little discharge from the vagina. Four out of five women will develop menopausal symptoms. These are all very personal and intimate matters that are rarely discussed with others. Frequently the relationship with a partner may be affected sometimes leading to marital disharmony. The media appear to thrive on women's health issues, harping on anxieties, particularly when there is no other newsworthy story. 

Good Health

How can women improve their health almost overnight?

1) Stop doing the bad things
2) Start doing the good things.

We all know the main bad things that affect  women's health. The main three obvious ones are to stop smoking, improve diet and increase exercise.

Good health is about prevention and management rather than curing symptoms. Positive health management can prevent altogether or minimise health issues. Women's Health today is about education and then prevention. It is not about apathy and then corrective action.

With increasing attention to lifestyle and health, a woman's life can be managed more effectively and can improve her well-being, self-esteem, and energy.

Women’s health concerns cover a wide spectrum. While many health conditions affect both men and women, a number of health issues affect only women and some are more prevalent in women. In addition, a number of medical conditions may cause different symptoms in women, affect women differently than men, and may require different treatment or prevention protocols.

Besides conditions such as menopause, ovarian and cervical cancer, and pregnancy, which are unique to women, other medical conditions play a large role in women’s health. Breast cancer and osteoporosis are thought of as women’s health concerns, although they can occur in men. Heart disease in a serious concern to both men and women, but risk factors and preventive strategies may differ in women.

Health professionals,   including nurses,   medical students,   and doctors studying for postgraduate qualifications,   including the DRCOG and MRCOG, may find the presentation, with links to clinically relevant medical abstracts, to be of assistance.

An Introduction To Gynaecology

Gynaecology is the clinical speciality caring for problems associated with the female genital tract (Figure 2.1). Gynaecology is a hospital based specialty. In some countries, including the UK,  women must first see a general practitioner (GP; also known as a family practitioner) who refers them to the gynaecologist as required.

Treatments For Women's Health Conditions

It is impossible to include a detailed discussion of all the drugs (medicines) that could be used in gynaecological practice. A brief synopsis of those more frequently used has been included (medication). As with all surgical specialties, gynaecologists  employ medical or surgical therapies, depending on the exact nature of the symptoms and condition. They often employ  standard drug therapies, such as antibiotics,  and antiemetics. Additionally, gynaecologists make frequent use of "specialized" hormone-modulating therapies such as Clomiphene citrate and hormonal contraception) to treat disorders of the female genital tract that are responsive to pituitary or ovarian hormones.

Information for Patients

It is apparent to all doctors that patients are seeking ever more detailed explanations for their symptoms and information to assist them with treatment options. There is a particular interest in women's health. Many will have found a book or article in a magazine. Although few patients would wish to reach into the very depths of current research, some go as far as a computer search on the internet. These sites can provide a useful source of information although caution is required (internet information). At the end of most chapters of this book, a few selected Web sites have been included, which may set you on the road to some fascinating surfing. Details of support groups have also been provided.

In gynaecology, and particularly in reproductive medicine, there are quite complex issues to be addressed.

It is relatively simple for a patient to understand that a 'joint is wearing out' or that a 'heart-valve is leaking' but hormones are an enigma to the majority. The interplay of the various hormones that are involved in the menstrual cycle, fertility, general health and the psyche are not yet fully understood even by specialists.

Historically in medicine, there was a paternalistic approach to deciding what should be done for a patient: the physician knew best and the patient accepted the recommendation without question. This era is ending, being replaced with consumerism and the movement toward shared decision-making.

•   Patient-doctor communication.(2003-01)
•   The provision of information leaflets before colposcopy beneficial? A prospective randomised study. (1999-01)
•   Patient-based evaluation of a colposcopy information leaflet (1997-01)
•   Informed choice for users of health services: Views on ultrasonography leaflets of women in early pregnancy, midwives, and ultrasonographers (1996-01)
•   Recall, retention, utilisation and acceptability of written health education materials (1995-01)
•   The write stuff. Simple guidelines can help you write and design effective patient education materials (1995-02)
•   Strategies for teaching patients: a meta-analysis (1995-03)
•   Exploring information-exchange in consultation: The patients' view of performance and outcomes (1995-04)
•   Patient education: An example of one-to-one communication (1995-05)
•   The effect of educational brochures on follow-up compliance in women with abnormal Papanicolaou smears (1994-01)
•  Approaches to the measurement of explanation and information-giving in medical consultations: a review of empirical studies (1984-01)
•   A method for better physician-patient communication (1977)
•   Physicians in health care management: 7. The patient-physician partnership: Changing roles and the desire for information.

 

 

You are welcome to visit my shopping mall which supports this website.

 

Support Groups

womens-health-concern.org/	Provides an independent service to advise, reassure and educate women about their health concerns, to enable them to work in partnership with their own medical practitioners and health advisers.	Women's Health Concern Ltd, Whitehall House, 41 Whitehall, London SW1A 2BY
wellbeingofwomen.org.uk/	Provides women with information about their health and ensure the public are better informed about women’s health issues.	Wellbeing of Women 27 Sussex Place Regent's Park London NW1 4SP
bpas.org	British Pregnancy Advisory ServiceInformation, counselling and advice on abortion,sterilisation, contraception and sexual health.	Head Office bpas 4th Floor Amec House Timothy's bridge Road Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 9BF
brook.org.uk	Brook. Free and confidential birth control advice and supplies via centres throughout the country.	165 Grays Inn Road London WC1X 8UD Tel: 020 7708 1234
infertilitynetworkuk.com	Infertility Network UK's aim is to ease the feelings of isolation on both an emotional and practical level, through a national network of support, More To Life network for those facing a life without children, and by providing access to the latest infertility information and developments.	Charter House 43 St Leonards Road Bexhill on Sea East Sussex TN40 1JA
miscarriageassociation.org.uk	Support and information upon pregnancy loss.	c/o Clayton Hospital Northgate Wakefield West Yorkshire WF1 3JS Tel: 01924 200 799
fpa.org.uk	Family Planning Association is the UK's leading sexual health charity. Our purpose is to enable people in the UK to make informed choices about sex and to enjoy sexual health.	fpa 50 Featherstone Street London EC1V 8QU
bpas.org	Information, counselling and advice on abortion,sterilisation, contraception and sexual health.	Head Office British Pregnancy Advisory Service 4th Floor Amec House Timothy's bridge Road Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 9BF
endometriosis-uk.org	Provides information, support and researches endometriosis.	The National Endometriosis Society 50 Westminster Palace Gardens Artillery Row London SW1P 1RL Tel: 0808 808 2227
verity-pcos.org.uk	Verity is the UK self help organisation offering vital support for women affected by Polycystic Ovaries and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).	Verity 52-54 Featherstone Street London EC1Y 8RT
womens-health-concern.org	HRT/ Menopause/ Incontinence - Provides a number of fact sheets covering many different gynaecology	National Osteoporosis Society Camerton Bath BA2 OBJ Tel: 01761 471 771
nos.org.uk	Information and advice on osteoporosis.	National Osteoporosis Society Camerton BathBA2 OBJ
breastcancercare.co.uk	Provides information and educates on benign breast disorders.	Breast Care Campaign Blythe Hall 100 Blythe Road London W14 OHD
ace.org.uk	Provides information and advice on coping with old age.	Age Concern Astral House 1268 London Road London SW16 4ER Tel: 020 8679 8000
counselling.co.uk	Charity to promote understanding and awareness of counselling.	British Association for Counselling 1 Regent Place Rugby Warwickshire CV21 2PJ Tel: 01788 550 899
pms.org.uk	Provides help, information and support to PMS sufferers and their families.	National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome (NAPS) 41 Old Road East Peckham Kent TN12 5AP Tel: 0870 777 2187
womenshealthlondon.org.uk	Provides information and advice on a wide range of women's health issues..	Women's Health Information Centre 52-54 Featherstone Street London EC1Y 8RT Tel: 020 7251 6333
.nih.gov/	The National Institutes of Health (NIH), is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research. Helping to lead the way toward important medical discoveries that improve people's health and save lives, NIH scientists investigate ways to prevent disease as well as the causes, treatments, and even cures for common and rare diseases.	National Institutes of Health (NIH) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland 20892 USA
amwa-doc.org	The American Medical Women's Association An organization of women physicians, medical students and other persons dedicated to serving as the unique voice for women's health and the advancement of women in medicine.	100 North 20th Street, 4th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103
healthfinder.gov	Reliable Health Information, sponsored by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion	National Health Information Center P.O. Box 1133, Washington, DC 20013-1133
ourbodiesourselves.org	Our Women's Health Information & Resource Center includes excerpts from our books, web-exclusive content, links, resources, and health news.	Our Bodies Ourselves 34 Plympton Street Boston, MA  02118 Phone: 617-451-3666
aarp.org/	The American Association of Retired Persons guide to issues facing midlife and older women.	601 E Street NW Washington, DC 20049
fwhc.org/	Feminist Women's Health Center. Encourages women to make their own decisions regarding their bodies, reproduction and sexuality.	14220 Interurban Ave S #140 - Seattle, WA 98168 USA
plannedparenthood.org	Many women's health topics including birth control, sex education..	Planned Parenthood Federation of America 434 West 33rd Street New York, NY 10001 212-541-7800
cdc.gov/	Information on many women's health issues.	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, U.S.A.
natlbcc.org/	Information on grass roots advocacy for breast cancer research and prevention.	National Breast Cancer Coalition/Fund 1101 17th Street, NW, Suite 1300 Washington, DC   20036 USA
simonfoundation.org	The Simon Foundation for Continence Promoting Continence...Changing Lives	Post Office Box 815 Wilmette, Illinois 60091 USA
ovarian.org	Information on ovarian cancerr
wcn.org	The mission of the Women's Cancer Network is to keep women informed and to enable them to be their own health advocates.	Gynecologic Cancer Foundation 230 W. Monroe, Suite 2528 Chicago, IL 60606 312.578.1439
sown.org	Helps women (age 60+) cope with their specialized aging concerns. Support groups, leadership training, consultation, telephone support, outreach and networking. Newsletter.	S.O.W.N. 2805 North 47th St.Philadelphia, PA 19131
fertilehope.org	Fertile Hope is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing reproductive information, support and hope to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility.	Fertile Hope 65 Broadway, Suite 603 New York, NY 10006
fsa.au.com	The Fertility Society of Australia is the peak body representing scientists, doctors, researchers, nurses, consumers and counsellors in reproductive medicine in Australia and New Zealand..	61 Danks Street, Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

 

 

 

Women's Health Issues

FAQs

Femininity

Good Health

Women's Health Treatment

Support Groups