Obstetrics and Gynecology

Obstetrics and Gynecology (Gynecology)

The Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, also called Gynecology, covers the diagnosis and treatment of all disorders related to the female reproductive organs, from pregnancy and childbirth to menopause, as well as preventive medicine.

At Daviva Health Group’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, preventive women’s health services first and foremost, as well as gynecologic oncology treatments such as uterine and ovarian cancer, assisted reproductive techniques, genital aesthetics, urogynecology treatments such as urinary incontinence and uterine prolapse, are carried out by an experienced team of specialists.

What Is Obstetrics and Gynecology?

Throughout their lives, women experience many events related to reproductive development, such as menstruation, pregnancy, motherhood, and menopause. The Obstetrics and Gynecology department, also called Gynecology, is a branch of medicine that deals with issues related to women’s health, including the development, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disorders and diseases specific to the female reproductive system. It also deals with medical care before, during, and after childbirth. Modern gynecology also provides treatments in gynecologic oncology, such as uterine, cervical, and ovarian cancer.

What Is Gynecology?

Another name for the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department is Gynecology. Obstetricians and gynecologists are also called gynecologists or gynecology specialists.

Which Age Group Does the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department Serve?

Routine gynecological examinations are generally recommended after menstruation begins or once sexual activity starts. However, in some cases, gynecological services are also provided at earlier ages.

Which Conditions Does the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department Treat?

Gynecology, that is, the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, follows pregnancy processes before, during, and after childbirth. It also handles the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the female reproductive system.

Pregnancy Follow-Up

Pregnancy follow-up is very important to ensure the health of both the mother and the baby in the womb. To prevent and detect potential complications, obstetrics and gynecology specialists need to conduct regular check-ups throughout the pregnancy. Pregnancy follow-up generally includes;

• Prenatal Care and Fetal Monitoring: Our doctors monitor the mother and developing fetus by providing medical care throughout pregnancy, including prenatal check-ups, to assess their health. Techniques such as electronic fetal monitoring are performed to evaluate the baby’s heart rate and overall condition in the womb.
• Diagnostic Tests and Imaging: These methods assess the health of the fetus, including ultrasound examinations, blood tests, and genetic screenings.
• Management of High-Risk Pregnancies (Perinatology): If a high-risk pregnancy is identified during pregnancy, pre-existing medical conditions, complications, or situations requiring special care are closely monitored and the necessary precautions are taken.

Information about healthy eating and exercise is also an important part of pregnancy follow-up to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

Labor and Delivery

In the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, care is provided meticulously so that expectant mothers can give birth comfortably. By evaluating options such as vaginal delivery, cesarean section, and epidural delivery, the most suitable method for the mother is determined.

Postpartum Care

The biggest dream of parents is to hold their babies in good health after birth. For this reason, postnatal care for both the mother and the baby is important. The goal of postpartum care is to prevent problems that may occur in both the mother and the baby. In this process, counseling and educational services such as breastfeeding and coping with psychological problems are also provided.

In addition to pregnancy-related processes, the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department also deals with the treatment of many diseases related to women’s health. These diseases are listed as follows;

Gynecologic Cancers

The diagnosis and treatment of gynecologic cancers such as uterine cancer, cervical cancer, and ovarian cancer are performed in the gynecology department. Gynecologic oncology is an important part of women’s health.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis, also known as a chocolate cyst in common usage, is the growth of tissue that forms the inner lining of the uterus outside the uterus. It can cause pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, and infertility problems. Treatment for endometriosis includes medication, surgery, or a combination of both.

Ovarian Cysts

An ovarian cyst is a small fluid-filled or semi-solid sac that forms in one or both ovaries. Most ovarian cysts are benign. They may cause symptoms such as pain, a feeling of bloating in the abdomen, and pain during intercourse. They are treated with medication or surgical methods.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

It is a hormonal imbalance caused by the ovaries producing too many hormones. It is one of the most common causes of infertility in women. It may cause symptoms such as irregular menstrual periods, increased body hair, and acne. Medication and surgical methods may be used in its treatment.

Fibroids

These are common tumors in the uterus. Not all fibroids cause symptoms, but when they do, they may lead to complaints such as heavy menstrual bleeding, back pain, frequent urination, and pain during intercourse. Uterine fibroids are not cancerous. Treatment may include medication, surgical methods, and interventional radiology techniques.

Painful Periods (Dysmenorrhea)

Severe pain beginning during the menstrual period or one day before it may be accompanied by other complaints such as nausea, fatigue, and diarrhea. It can be treated with medication or hormone therapy, as well as changes in lifestyle and eating habits.

Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence can occur at any age, but it is more common in women over 50. Urinary incontinence may also result from a temporary condition caused by an underlying disorder. Treatment for urinary incontinence may include behavioral therapies, changes in eating habits, pelvic floor rehabilitation such as Kegel exercises, medication, or surgical methods.

Uterine Prolapse

This is when the uterus slips into the vagina or protrudes outward through the vagina due to weakening of the pelvic floor muscles for various reasons and their inability to provide adequate support to the uterus. Uterine prolapse occurs more often after menopause. Pelvic floor exercises and surgery are the main treatments.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

It is an infection that occurs in the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. It is usually sexually transmitted. It may present with pain in the lower abdomen and vaginal discharge. Antibiotic treatment is usually administered.

Vaginal Discharge

Vaginal discharge is normal and necessary. However, discharge accompanied by color change, odor, pain, or bleeding requires treatment. It is important to consult a doctor in cases where itching or pain during intercourse is present.

Vaginal Yeast Infection

Since it can also be seen in women who are not sexually active, it is not defined as a sexually transmitted disease. However, it can also be transmitted sexually. Symptoms such as itching, redness and swelling, and pain during intercourse are among the signs of a vaginal yeast infection. In recurrent cases, treatment may take longer.

HPV

Although HPV also occurs in men, it can lead to much more serious conditions in women, such as cervical cancer. Pap smears and HPV tests can detect precancerous cell changes at an early stage. HPV can also cause genital warts in women.

Vaginismus

This is when the muscles around the vagina tense or contract uncontrollably when something tries to enter. This can happen during sexual intercourse or a vaginal examination. These muscle spasms can cause discomfort and pain. It can be treated with pelvic floor physiotherapy, a psychologist, or different medical methods.

Sexual Dysfunction

It usually occurs with hormonal changes during menopause and after childbirth. Loss of sexual desire, inability to become aroused during intercourse, orgasm disorders, and pain during intercourse are the most common sexual dysfunctions.

Menopause

Menopause refers to the period when women’s menstrual cycle ends. When it occurs spontaneously, it is defined as natural menopause; however, menopause can also occur after surgical removal of the ovaries. This process can be managed healthily with hormone therapy or different methods such as exercise and dietary changes.

In the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department (gynecology), genital aesthetic procedures are also performed. The genital aesthetic procedures performed in the gynecology department are generally as follows:

Labiaplasty (Inner Lip Aesthetics)

The term labiaplasty refers to a procedure that shortens the length of the labia minora, known as the inner lips. It is the most commonly performed genital aesthetic procedure. Labiaplasty surgery is preferred for various reasons such as pain, itching, irritation, and lack of self-confidence. In labiaplasty surgery, asymmetry in the inner lips is corrected.

Clitoral Aesthetics (Hoodoplasty)

It is a surgery to reduce the folds of excess tissue over the clitoris, known as the clitoral hood.

Vaginal Tightening Surgery (Vaginoplasty)

It is a surgical procedure performed to reconstruct vaginal muscles that have loosened due to different reasons such as childbirth, medical treatments, congenital disorders, or age. Vaginoplasty is also a method that can be applied in urinary incontinence.

Monsplasty

It is the surgical correction of excess skin and fat covering the pubic bone.

Outer Lip Aesthetics (Labia Majoraplasty)

It is a surgery designed to surgically reduce the size of the labia majora, defined as the outer lips of the vagina.

Which Tests Are Performed in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department?

In gynecology, that is, the Obstetrics and Gynecology department, a wide variety of tests, imaging methods, and procedures related to women’s health are performed. The diagnostic tests, imaging methods, and procedures used in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department can be listed as follows.

Pregnancy Test: A pregnancy test may be performed if a woman is trying to conceive or is worried about an unwanted pregnancy. Expectant mothers with symptoms related to pregnancy may also take a pregnancy test to confirm the situation. A pregnancy test is performed only by measuring the hCG hormone produced during pregnancy. A pregnancy test can also be done at home using a urine sample, but in blood-based pregnancy tests, the hCG hormone can be determined more clearly. Therefore, blood pregnancy test results are more definitive.

Contraception: Temporary and permanent contraception methods are used in the obstetrics and gynecology department. Some methods, such as implants, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and sterilization, are highly effective and long-lasting. Other methods, such as pills, injections, patches, and vaginal rings, are used regularly and yield good results when used correctly.

Vaginitis Test: Infection caused by bacteria and microorganisms in the vagina is defined as a vaginal infection or vaginitis. Different methods may be used in the gynecology department for vaginitis testing. Vaginal pH, saline wet mount, potassium hydroxide wet mount, and nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) are among the main methods used to identify vaginal infection.

HPV Genetic Test: HPV infection is the most common cause of cervical cancer in women. With the HPV genetic test, also known as a cervical cancer screening test, the presence of HPV infection is investigated. It is recommended that the HPV genetic test be performed together with the Pap smear test.

Pap Smear Test: Like the HPV genetic test, the Pap smear test is among the cervical cancer screening tests. It is performed by taking a swab sample from the area defined as the cervix in a matter of seconds using an instrument. It is considered appropriate to perform it every 5 years. Performing Pap smear and HPV tests together increases the reliability of screening.

If abnormal results are obtained after gynecological examinations and tests, different diagnostic and therapeutic procedures may also be applied. These procedures include the following.

Colposcopy: This is the examination of the vagina and cervix with the help of a magnifying lens. Colposcopy may also be performed to determine the area requiring biopsy more clearly.

Cervical Biopsy: This is the procedure of taking a tissue sample from the cervix to identify precancerous conditions or gynecologic cancers. The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus. It forms a canal that opens into the vagina. Cervical biopsy can be performed using various methods. It is usually done by taking a 1 to 2 mm sample.

Endocervical Curettage: It involves taking tissue samples from the cervix for diagnostic purposes.

LEEP Conization: The LEEP procedure may be performed when cervical or vaginal problems are detected during a pelvic examination or after a Pap smear test. The LEEP conization procedure is carried out with a wire loop heated by an electric current. LEEP conization, which can be used in the diagnosis of cervical cancer and uterine cancer, may also be applied in the treatment of polyps and genital warts.

Cold Knife Conization: Also known as cone biopsy or cone conization, cold knife conization is the procedure in which a cone-shaped piece of abnormal tissue is removed from the cervix.

Laser Conization: Like LEEP conization and cold knife conization, laser conization is performed when suspicious findings are seen in the cervix. Since the procedure is carried out using a laser, it is called laser conization.

Endometrial Ablation: It is a surgical procedure that destroys the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium). It is a method that can be used in cases of heavy menstrual bleeding.

Vulvar Biopsy: Also known as vaginal biopsy, vulvar biopsy is performed to diagnose lesions in the vulvar epithelium. For small lesions, the entire lesion can be removed and treated with vulvar biopsy. It is performed to determine the cause of itching, redness, swelling, or color changes in the vaginal area.

Endometrial Biopsy: A small piece of tissue from the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) is taken and examined under a microscope. When this tissue is analyzed under the microscope, abnormal cells and potentially cancerous cells can be seen.

In the obstetrics and gynecology department (gynecology), radiological imaging is also frequently used to diagnose diseases. The radiological imaging methods commonly used in the gynecology department can be listed as follows.

Pelvic Ultrasonography: Pelvic ultrasound provides rapid imaging of the female pelvic organs and structures, including the uterus, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT): If evaluation with ultrasonography is not sufficient, MRI and CT may be preferred for pelvic organ pathology.

Sonohysterography: Also known as saline infusion sonogram or saline infusion ultrasonography, this method involves injecting isotonic fluid into the uterus through the cervix. The fluid expands the uterine cavity, making it easier to detect masses.

Uterine Imaging (Hysterosalpingography): This is an imaging method that diagnoses some causes of female infertility. Contrast material is injected into the uterus and fallopian tubes. Then, a series of X-rays are used to obtain images of the uterine cavity and the structure of the fallopian tubes.

Dilation and Curettage: This is the procedure of removing tissue from the uterus. It may be performed to diagnose and treat certain uterine conditions such as heavy bleeding. Sometimes dilation and curettage may be applied to clean the inner lining of the uterus after miscarriage or abortion.

Hysteroscopy: This is the examination of the cervix and the inside of the uterus. A thin, lighted, flexible tube is used. This tube is called a hysteroscope. After the cervix is dilated, the hysteroscope is inserted through the cervix into the uterine cavity. The cavity is examined for abnormalities. Then, focal biopsies or myomectomy may be performed by passing instruments through a channel in the hysteroscope.

Laparoscopy: This is a procedure performed through small incisions in the abdominal cavity. A laparoscope is inserted to examine the abdominal cavity or for surgical procedures. Diagnostic laparoscopy is performed when abnormalities cannot be adequately detected or evaluated with imaging methods.