Infertility specialist
Infertility is a disease in which the ability to get pregnant and give birth to a child is impaired or limited in some way. For heterosexual couples (men and women), this is usually diagnosed after one year of trying to get pregnant (but may be diagnosed sooner depending on other factors).
For heterosexual couples, one-third of causes of infertility are due to a male problem, one-third are due to female problems, and one-third are due to a combination of unknown reasons.
a doctor who specializes in managing infertility. Reproductive endocrinologists may also be able to help women with recurrent pregnancy loss, defined as having two or more spontaneous miscarriages.
Pregnancy is the result of a process that has many steps. To get pregnant:
- A woman’s body must release an egg from one of her ovariesexternal icon.
- A man’s sperm must join with the egg along the way (fertilize).
- The fertilized egg must go through a fallopianexternal icon toward the uterusexternal icon (womb).
- The embryo must attach to the inside of the uterus (implantation).
What Causes Female Infertility?
Gynecologists diagnose and treat conditions that affect your reproductive system.
Some of these conditions include:
- Endometriosis.
- Ovarian cysts.
- Uterine fibroids.
- Vaginal infections.
- Cancer of your uterus, ovaries or cervix.
- Pelvic pain.
- Irregular bleeding.
- Menopause.
- Issues related to menstruation or your menstrual cycle.
What does a gynecologist do?
Gynecologists diagnose and treat conditions specific to women. They can offer medical, hormonal, and surgical treatments. Gynecologists see their patients in a clinic or surgery and many operate in both public and private hospitals.
Women might see gynecologists about:
- period problems, such as irregular or heavy periods
- pain in the lower abdomen
- unusual vaginal bleeding or pain
- infertility, contraception or family planning
- miscarriage
- concerns about their pelvic floor
- cancer of the ovaries, cervix or uterus
- menopause or hormone replacement therapy
Functions of a gynaecologist
Gynaecologists use a range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Some of the procedures that are widely used in gynaecology include:-
- Hysterectomy or removal of the uterus
- Ovary removal
- Removal of fallopian tubes during surgery
- Taking cone biopsies from the inner walls of the uterus if cancer of the womb is suspected
- Colposcopy and hysteroscopy, where the insides of the uterus are viewed using endoscope-like instruments
- Taking biopsy or tissue samples from the cervix, if cancer is suspected
- Taking routine Pap smears from the cervix in order to diagnose and detect cervix cancer
- Ultrasound examination of the reproductive organs
- Laparoscopy or visualizing the inner abdominal organs of the female reproductive system and diagnosis and removal of cysts and infections from the ovaries and fallopian tubes
- Removal of uterus fibroids
- Diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections
- Diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence