1.1. Introduction to gynecology
Gynecology is the science of a woman, a term has Greek origin and is composed of two words: gyne - woman and logos - study.
Gynecology is a diverse and extensive field of medicine that includes reproductive medicine (reproduction of the progeny, assistance in childbirth - obstetrics), physiology and pathology of the genital organs, interaction with all the regulatory functional systems of the body (nervous, humoral, endocrine, immune, cardiovascular, hemostasis, etc.). Many female (gynecological) diseases precede disorders of reproductive function (infertility, pregnancy loss, complications of childbirth and postpartum period), perinatal complications and losses, as well as the occurrence of neuroendocrine, autoimmune and malignant diseases.
Historically, the study of this complex, multidimensional discipline begins with obstetrics (the beginning of life - conception, implantation, placenta-tion, pregnancy development, childbirth, and postpartum period). Therefore, the first volume of this textbook is devoted to physiological obstetrics.
However, pregnancy is associated with overcoming the immunological tolerance of the semi-foreign "graft" (fetus), complications due to maternal somatic diseases, fetal developmental disorders, complex interactions in the maternal-placenta-fetus system. Therefore, the second volume - "Pathological obstetrics" - reveals the possibilities of prevention, treatment, and correction of gestational complications (with the help of surgical interventions described in volume III "Operative obstetrics").
The present, fourth volume - "Gynecology" - combines disorders, pathological conditions, female diseases that are not directly associated with the obstetric practice.