The study of the pathologies and physiology of the female reproductive system are the object of study of a specific branch of Medicine: Gynecology and Obstetrics.

The gynecologist is the Specialist Physician to whom one should turn for gynecological checkups or during the period of pregnancy. An important difference with Doctors specializing in other branches of Medicine lies in the fact that consultation with a gynecologist can be made and recommended at all times, not only in the presence of overt pathology or disease.
Given the potential breadth of pathologies that can affect a woman’s reproductive system, the gynecologist has a tendency to collaborate with different specialists.

A gynecological examination is recommended to: assess the health status of the woman’s genital apparatus, choose the most suitable contraceptive method (birth control pill, hormonal and non-hormonal IUD, vaginal ring, patch, subcutaneous implant), investigate suspected infertility in the woman and subsequent difficulty in conception, detect any pelvic floor problems (urinary incontinence, genital prolapse, chronic pelvic pain), choose the transition mode during the woman’s perimenopausal phase (period before menopause), follow the woman during and after pregnancy.

During the gynecologic examination, the gynecologist to thoroughly view the health status of the female reproductive system uses theultrasound machine, as well as laboratory tests (blood test, vaginal swab, cervical swab, pap smear, HPV test with different typings), second-level screening instrumental examinations such as colposcopy (performed in case of doubtful or suspicious pap smear results) or interventional diagnostic examinations (such as endometrial biopsy).

In inpatient and outpatient settings, the gynecologist can perform minimally invasive procedures of various types (insertion and removal of IUDs, removal of cervical polyps, etc.).

The gynecological examination can also be useful for a field that combines gynecology with andrology and psychology (for that field, in fact, the choice of the Specialist to whom to turn is up to the patient): sexology. This is a specialty that enables the appropriate physician or specialist to help patients, whether individuals or couples, deal with problems related to their sexuality and that of the couple (vulvodynia, pain during intercourse-dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain).