OBGyne

An obstetrician-gynecologist, or OB-GYN, has expertise in female reproductive health,

pregnancy, and childbirth. Some OB-GYNs offer a wide range of general health services similar
to your primary care doctor. Others focus on the medical care of the female reproductive system.
OB-GYNs also provide routine medical services and preventive screenings. This type of doctor
has studied obstetrics and gynecology.
The term “OB-GYN” can refer to the doctor, an obstetrician-gynecologist, or to the
sciences that the doctor specializes in, which are obstetrics and gynecology.
Obstetrics is the branch of medicine related to medical and surgical care before, during, and
after a woman gives birth. Obstetrics focuses on caring for and maintaining a woman’s overall
health during maternity.
This includes:
 pregnancy
 labor
 childbirth
 the postpartum period
Gynecology is the branch of medicine that focuses on women’s bodies and their reproductive
health. It includes the diagnosis, treatment, and care of women’s reproductive system.
This includes the:
 vagina
 uterus
 ovaries
 fallopian tubes
This branch of medicine also includes screening for and treating issues associated with
women’s breasts.

Terminology

Amenorrhea  This term references a lack of or end to menstrual periods.

Anovulation  a woman's ovaries stop producing or releasing eggs that are
mature
Atrophy, vaginal  This is when the vaginal tissues shrink or are thin due to a
lack of estrogen following menopause, a condition that
results in painful intercourse.
Bartholin's cyst  This is a buildup of mucus or an infection in one of the major
 mucus-producing glands close to the opening of the vagina.
Benign  This term refers to cell growth that medical specialists deem
non-cancerous.
Biopsy When medical professionals do a biopsy, they remove a small
tissue sample using a scalpel or hollow needle.
Cerclage  A cerclage is a round row of stitches set inside the cervix to
stop dilation and ejection of a preterm fetus.
Cancer  This is an abnormal, unconstrained growth of cells capable of
making its way into nearby tissue and distant sites.
Cure  Medical specialists consider a cancer or other illness cured if,
following treatment, it can no longer be detected and remains
undetected for a long time.
Dysplasia  When dysplasia occurs, abnormal cells have been detected
on the cervix or another area of the genitals.
Dyspareunia  This condition is pain in the pelvis or vagina following
intercourse.
Ectopic pregnancy  An ectopic pregnancy is one that is developing outside of the
uterus. In most cases, this type of pregnancy occurs in a
fallopian tube
Endometriosis  This is a condition involving tissue that resembles
endometrium.
Estrogen  A set of hormones emitted by the ovaries.
A common term that refers to “leiomyoma,” which is a uterine
Fibroid tumor that is benign.
Genital herpes  This is a sexually transmitted disease involving bumps and
sores. It is caused by the human papillomavirus.
Human A set of viruses that cause warts. Some of these kinds of
papillomaviruses  viruses are transmitted sexually.
Hysterectomy  A hysterectomy is a surgery that doctors perform to remove
the uterus.
Infertility  When a woman is infertile, she is unable to have children.
Labia  The labia is the skin fold located at the vaginal opening.
Lymph nodes  These are small organs that store bacteria trapping cells.
Menopause The time when menstruation has ended.
Menses  This is the menstrual flow.
Ovaries The ovaries are a woman's reproductive organs. They are in
the pelvis.
Ovulation  This is when a woman's body releases a mature egg from one
of the ovaries
Pap test  A pap test, or pap smear, is a test in which cervical cells are
collected and examined to check for changes that may
 indicate pre-cancer or cancer
Sexually transmitted This is an infection that spreads via sexual intercourse as
infection  well as through another sexual contact.
Speculum  The speculum is a piece of gynecological equipment. It is
used to open the cervix and complete a pap smear.
Transvaginal ultrasound  This is a test in which a transducer, a small gynecological
instrument, is inserted into the vagina to complete a detailed
ultrasound test.
Uterus  The uterus is the organ required to support the growth of a
baby. It is between the rectum and the bladder.
Vagina  This is the canal that permits the passage of fluid. It is
connected to the vulva and the cervix.

Sample Chart Notes

Disorders/Diseases and Treatment
Irregular bleeding. 
Menstrual periods last about five days, on average, and blood loss is generally about 4
ounces or 8 tablespoons. Many women experience one “heavy” day during their period, preceded
and followed by lighter-flow days. It may be normal for some women to experience heavier
bleeding—up to twice the average amount—and still be within the normal range. But some
women may have even heavier bleeding for more days in a row, in addition to clots and
cramping. If at any time you’re experiencing consistently heavy bleeding, clots or cramping,
contact your physician.
Treatment for irregular bleeding during periods can involve prescription drugs or surgery
if the bleeding is severe.
Yeast infections. 
Vaginal yeast infections are a common cause of vaginal irritation. About three out of four
women will experience at least one yeast infection during her lifetime. Yeast infections are
caused by an overgrowth of the yeast cells that normally live in the vagina. Factors commonly
associated with yeast infections include pregnancy, uncontrolled diabetes and the use of oral
contraceptives or antibiotics. Other factors include perfumed feminine hygiene sprays, topical
antimicrobial agents and tight, poorly ventilated clothing and underwear.
Luckily, most yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription
medications.
Uterine fibroids. 
Uterine fibroids are nodules of smooth muscle and tissue that form within the wall of the
uterus. Uterine fibroids aren’t cancerous, but they can cause excessive or painful bleeding during
menstruation, frequent urination or infertility. Until recently, hysterectomy was the only
treatment.
Now, however, doctors have found that fibroids may not require any intervention beyond
over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, or prescription drugs for more bothersome cases.
Endometriosis. 
At the end of every menstrual cycle, women have their period, which is the discharge of
endometrium, or menstrual fluid, from inside the uterus. This endometrial tissue can also grow
on the outside of the uterus, and it can break apart and bleed during your period. The problem?
Blood from the displaced tissue on the outside of the uterus may have no place to go, causing the
surrounding tissues to become inflamed or swollen. The inflammation may produce scar tissue,
which may, in turn, develop into lesions or growths.
While the treatment for endometriosis has varied over the years, doctors now agree that if
the symptoms are mild, no treatment other than medication for pain may be needed.

Medications/Procedures
 Adhesiolysis
This is also called lysis of adhesions. Cutting of adhesions (scar tissue).

Colporrhaphy
Surgical repair of the vaginal wall. Used to repair enteroceles (hernias).

Endometrial ablation
This procedure is used to treat abnormal bleeding in women who do not plan to
become pregnant but may not need a hysterectomy. A hysteroscope is passed through the
cervix into the uterus and one of a number of types of energy—electrical, laser or thermal
—is used to destroy the endometrial layer of the uterus.

Hysterectomy
This procedure is removal of the uterus. It can be:
 A partial hysterectomy—removal of the upper portion of the uterus, leaving the cervix)
 A total hysterectomy—removal of the entire uterus and cervix.
 A radical hysterectomy—removal of the uterus, the tissue on both sides of the cervix, and
the upper part of the vagina.
Myomectomy
This procedure is done to remove uterine fibroids without hysterectomy for women who
wish to become pregnant or do not want to lose their uterus. Myomectomies may be performed
through a conventional open abdominal surgery, with laparoscopic techniques or
hysteroscopically, depending on the location of the fibroids.

Oophorectomy
Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of one ovary, both ovaries or a part of an ovary. It
is performed to treat ovarian cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease and endometriosis or remove
cysts or abscess. It may also be done to remove the main source of estrogens that stimulate the
growth of some breast cancers. If one ovary is removed, a woman may continue to menstruate
and have children. If both ovaries are removed, menstruation stops and a woman loses the ability
to bear children.

Trachelectomy
Surgical removal of the cervix (but not the rest of the uterus). A radical trachelectomy is
when the cervix and surrounding tissue is removed, along with some pelvic lymph nodes.

Suspensions
 Uterine
 Vaginal Vault

Tubal Surgeries
 Removal of Fallopian tubes
 Tubal ligation
 Correction of tubal pregnancy
 Reanastomosis - reconnection of the Fallopian tubes
 Wire guide cannulation to open a blocked tube
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE)
This procedure blocks the arteries carrying blood to the fibroids.

Vulvectomy
Simple or radical