Info about Gynecology
Gynecology Go-To Guide
Gynecology is the study of the female reproduction system, involving the ovaries, uterus, and vagina. Literally translated into Latin, it means "the study of women". Gynecology can be a tricky subject for some people and most women don't like to talk about the subject, but it's necessary for a happy, healthy life as woman.
Gynecology and its studies go so far back that modern humans cannot imagine it in its entirety. The first know medical text of any sort is known as the Kahun Gynecological Papyrus. It is thought that it was written around eighteen hundred B.C. In the book, it describes female issues and problems such as pregnancy, diseases involving gynecology and things of that nature.
Gynecology deals with many diseases that can cause discomfort or even death. Some of these include: cancer or pre-cancer cells in the uterus and other female organs, incontinence of the urine, lack of a menstrual period, painful menstrual periods, infertility, heavy menstrual periods, infections of the female organs. All of the above listed diseases and conditions are seen by a gynecologist and there are definitely more to be spoken of.
It is recommended that you speak to a gynecologist if you are within three years of your first sexual experience or you turn twenty one, whichever comes first. In some cases, children between the ages of thirteen and fourteen might want to get in to speak with a member of the gynecology department before they have to go in for an actual appointment. It will make things easier and less complicated when they have to go in for something real. For example, a pap smear. A pap smear is basically a collection of cells from your cervix, an organ that sits just about the vagina. The process of obtaining the cells is uncomfortable but it should never be painful. If the process hurts, tell the doctor and the procedure will be stopped.
Don't be afraid to ask your gynecologist questions about female parts and sex, in general! How will you ever know for sure if you don't ask? Gynecologists are more than willing to answer any questions that you may have, in fact, they welcome anything that you have to ask because it means that you are more informed on the whole. Something that you may want to ask your gynecologist includes: when should I come in for a follow up appointment? Why does having sex with my significant other hurt so badly? Is a pap smear really necessary?
Your gynecologist may recommend different things for you at each appointment. For example, he or she may want you to get the new HPV virus protection shot. This shot, better known as Guardasil, protects you from the negative effects of cervical cancer and the pre-cancerous cells that show up before the official diagnosis. Getting the preventative shot series can help you prevent cervical cancer and it's likely that your gynecology department (as a whole) will be promoting it.