“Gynecology and Obstetrics can be divided into two subtitles, but it is actually a single specialty field.”

What Is Gynecology? What Is the Difference from Obstetrics?

Gynecology is a branch of medicine specialized in protecting women’s reproductive organ health, recognizing and treating diseases. This field offers a wide range of services to meet the health needs of women of all ages.

Gynecologists perform preventive medicine practices to protect women’s reproductive health. These practices include regular examinations, screening tests, and vaccinations. For example, Pap smear tests performed for cervical cancer screening are extremely important for monitoring women’s health status and detecting possible diseases at an early stage.

Gynecology also covers the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases seen in women. These diseases include ovarian cysts, endometriosis, fibroids, sexually transmitted infections, and conditions such as menopause.

Gynecologists use various diagnostic methods to diagnose these diseases; procedures such as ultrasonography, blood tests, and biopsy play an important role in this process. After diagnosis, appropriate treatment methods are determined. These treatment methods can range from drug therapy to surgical interventions.

Obstetrics, as a subdiscipline of gynecology, deals with pregnancy and childbirth-related issues. Pregnancy is an important milestone in expectant mothers’ lives and is very important for women’s physical and psychological health during this period.

Obstetric specialists regularly monitor women during pregnancy and provide prenatal and postnatal care. They also take necessary precautions to prevent and manage complications that may arise during delivery. The birth process can be performed through different methods, from natural birth to cesarean section, and obstetric specialists are trained to determine the most appropriate approach in each situation.

Since 2011, two subspecialties have been added to the Obstetrics and Gynecology specialty field in Turkey: Perinatology and Gynecological Oncology Surgery subspecialties.

Who Is an Obstetrician and Gynecologist?

An obstetrician-gynecologist, after graduating from medical school, undergoes a three-year training process to specialize in women’s health and obstetrics. This training process includes both theoretical and practical courses, enabling them to gain in-depth knowledge and experience in their specialty area. At the end of the training process, they must successfully pass an examination to prove their competence in their specialty area. Physicians who pass this examination receive the title of Perinatology or Gynecological Oncology Surgery subspecialist, becoming specialized professionals in these areas.

Perinatology Specialists

Perinatology specialists are specialized in monitoring and managing high-risk pregnancies. Such pregnancies include situations that may contain potential dangers for the mother or fetus. Perinatologists work to assess these risks, perform necessary tests, and determine appropriate treatment methods.

Additionally, they adopt a multidisciplinary approach to prevent or manage complications that may arise during pregnancy. These specialists play a critical role in pregnancy follow-up, protecting the health of mother and baby before, during, and after pregnancy.

Gynecological Oncology Surgery Specialists

Gynecological Oncology Surgery specialists are specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers occurring in female reproductive organs. These specialists play an important role in the treatment of cancer types seen in female reproductive organs such as the uterus, ovaries, vagina, and cervix. Gynecological oncology surgeons aim to improve patients’ quality of life by applying treatment methods such as surgical intervention, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy depending on the stage and type of cancer. Although some conditions such as breast cancers are treated by general surgery specialists, gynecological oncology specialists have a special area of expertise in the management of cancers related to female reproductive organs.

What Diseases Does Obstetrics and Gynecology Treat?

The obstetrics and gynecology clinic primarily deals with women’s health. It offers preventive health services such as introducing and applying appropriate family planning methods when desired, performing cervical cancer screenings, recommending HPV vaccines to prevent the development of cervical cancers and genital warts, and preventing or reducing bone density loss and other menopausal complaints during menopause.

» Congenital Diseases:
Congenital diseases include various problems affecting women’s reproductive systems. These types of diseases are abnormalities that generally develop in the prenatal period and become apparent in the early stages of the individual’s life. Such diseases can affect women’s reproductive abilities and lead to various health problems in later ages.

» Infectious Diseases:
Infectious diseases are also an important factor threatening women’s reproductive health. Especially sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause inflammation in women’s reproductive organs, pelvic inflammatory diseases, and even infertility. Early diagnosis and treatment of such infections is critical to protecting women’s reproductive health.

» Menstrual Irregularities:
Menstrual irregularities are a condition that women frequently encounter due to hormonal imbalances or other health problems. Irregularities in the menstrual cycle can negatively affect women’s quality of life both physically and psychologically. This condition may be caused by hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as well as stress, eating habits, or other health problems.

» Uterine Diseases:
Uterine diseases include various conditions that can lead to bleeding and uterine enlargement. Diseases such as endometriosis, fibroids, and uterine cancer are important conditions threatening women’s reproductive health. Such diseases can often progress without symptoms, and therefore regular check-ups and screenings are vital for early diagnosis.

» Infertility:
Diagnosis and treatment of couples who cannot have children is related to infertility problems. This condition can be caused by both female and male factors and can also affect couples’ psychological and emotional states.

» Ovarian Cysts:
Fluid-filled sacs that develop on the ovaries.

» Endometriosis:
Tissue similar to the uterine lining growing outside the uterus.

» Fibroids (Myomas):
Benign tumors of the uterus causing bleeding and enlargement.

» Menopause:
Management of symptoms and health changes during the menopausal transition.

» Sexually Transmitted Infections:
Diagnosis and treatment of various STIs affecting reproductive health.

Diagnostic Methods in Obstetrics and Gynecology

First, a physical examination called gynecological examination is performed. Subsequently, examination findings are supported by ultrasonography.

» Smear Test:
Culture taken from vaginal discharge.

» Cervical Sampling:
Taking cell samples from the cervix or swabs for HPV DNA testing.

» Biopsy:
Taking tissue samples from the cervix or inside the uterus.

» Laboratory Tests:
Various blood tests.

» Hysterosalpingography:
Uterine film taken to evaluate the patency of the uterus and tubes in infertility investigation.

» Diagnostic Laparoscopy:
Minimally invasive surgical procedure for diagnosis.

» MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging):
Detailed soft tissue imaging.

» CT (Computed Tomography):
Cross-sectional imaging for complex evaluations.

» PET-CT:
Combined imaging for cancer staging and evaluation.

Pregnancy Monitoring Methods

» Physical examination
» Ultrasonography
» First and second trimester screening tests
» NIPT/Fetal DNA test
» Non-stress test
» Blood tests

Treatment Methods in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Medical and surgical approaches are two main methods used in the treatment of diseases, and each can be divided into different subcategories.

Medical Treatment

Medical treatment generally covers drug therapies. This treatment method is performed by using various drugs to relieve symptoms of diseases, change the course of the disease, or completely cure it.

» Antibiotics:
For bacterial infections.

» Analgesics:
For pain management.

» Hormonal Therapies:
For menstrual irregularities, endometriosis, and menopausal symptoms.

» Antidepressants:
For mood disorders related to hormonal changes.

» Fertility Medications:
For ovulation induction and assisted reproduction.

Surgical Treatment

Surgical treatments are a method preferred for situations requiring physical intervention in the treatment of diseases. Surgical approaches include various types of operations.

» Open Surgery:
Traditional surgical approach with larger incisions.

» Laparoscopic Surgery:
Minimally invasive surgery through small incisions.

» Robotic Surgery:
Advanced laparoscopic techniques with enhanced precision.

» Hysterectomy:
Removal of the uterus for various conditions.

» Myomectomy:
Removal of uterine fibroids.

» Oophorectomy:
Removal of ovaries.

» Cesarean Section:
Surgical delivery of the baby.

» Tumor Removal:
Surgical excision of benign or malignant tumors.

Both treatment methods are used to improve patients’ health status and quality of life. Medical and surgical approaches are generally complementary in nature, and in some cases, both methods may need to be used together in the treatment of patients. For example, when cancer is diagnosed in a patient, surgical intervention may be required to remove the tumor, while medical treatment methods such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy may also be applied during the patient’s recovery process. Therefore, medical and surgical approaches form an important part of modern medicine, playing a critical role in patients’ treatment processes.