Conference Sessions
Gynecology Focuses on the health of the female reproductive system, including the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, and vagina.
Covers a wide range of issues including:
Menstrual disorders, Contraception and family planning, Menopause and hormone therapy, Fertility problems, STIs (sexually transmitted infections), Cancers of the reproductive tract, Pelvic pain or endometriosis
Obstetrics
- Deals with pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
- Includes: Prenatal care, Labor and delivery, Postnatal care, High-risk pregnancies, Fetal monitoring, C-section and vaginal deliveries.
3D/4D fetal ultrasound provides real-time, volumetric imaging for better detection of anomalies and enhanced patient engagement during prenatal care Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is transforming gynecologic exams by enabling real-time imaging during consultations—speeding up diagnosis, optimizing treatment, and empowering patients.
Blood / saliva biomarkers:
Yale (miRNA panel) and Australian proteomics labs have patented and are validating blood-based assays to diagnose endometriosis non-invasively. France's Ziwig received fast-track approval for a saliva-based Endotest for clinical use
AI-enhanced imaging:
- MRI diagnosis boosted by Human AI Collaborative Multi modal methods—more accurate detection of endometriotic lesions
- Oxford team developed a novel imaging agent (⁹⁹ᵐTc maraciclatide) to visualize early-stage disease.
Robotic-Assisted Surgery (e.g., da Vinci system): Improved precision, smaller incisions, faster recovery. Single-Port Laparoscopy & NOTES: Surgeries done via the navel or natural openings. AI-assisted Planning: Helps identify optimal surgical routes using imaging data.
Common Gynecological Surgeries:
Hysterectomy, Myomectomy, Oophorectomy / Salpingo-oophorectomy Tubal Ligation, Endometrial Ablation, Dilation and Curettage (D&C), Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repairs, Laparoscopy (Diagnostic or Therapeutic), Cervical Procedures.
Key Hormones in Gynecological Endocrinology
Estrogen & Progesterone – regulate menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and secondary sex characteristics. LH (Luteinizing Hormone) & FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) – control ovulation and ovarian function. GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone) – from the hypothalamus; regulates FSH/LH release. Androgens (e.g., testosterone) – play roles in libido, hair growth, and PCOS. Prolactin, TSH, and Insulin – also influence reproductive hormones and cycles.
Urogynecology, also known as Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS), is a subspecialty of gynecology and urology that focuses on disorders of the pelvic floor in women. It addresses conditions where the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue that support the uterus, bladder, and rectum become weakened or damaged.
Gynecologic Oncology is a subspecialty of gynecology focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancers affecting the female reproductive system. It combines surgical expertise, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and palliative care to treat complex malignancies in women. Modern treatement for Gynecologic Oncology: Minimally invasive approaches (laparoscopic, robotic) Cytoreductive/debulking surgery in ovarian cancer and Sentinel lymph node mapping to reduce unnecessary lymphadenectomy.
Adolescent Gynecology focuses on the reproductive health care of girls and teenagers from puberty through late adolescence. This field requires a careful, age-appropriate, and often multidisciplinary approach due to the physical, emotional, and psychosocial changes occurring during adolescence.
Recent Innovations in Adolescent Gynecology
- Digital health apps for menstrual tracking and education
- Telehealth access for confidential reproductive care
- Updated guidelines for LARC use in adolescents from ACOG and WHO
- Non-invasive diagnostics for PCOS and endocrine disorders
- High-Risk Pregnancies: Diagnosis and Care Strategies
- A high-risk pregnancy refers to a pregnancy where the health of the mother, fetus, or both is at greater risk than usual. These pregnancies require special monitoring, early diagnosis, and multidisciplinary care to prevent complications and improve outcomes.
Minimally invasive surgery in gynecology uses small incisions, cameras, and specialized instruments to diagnose and treat various conditions with less trauma, faster recovery, and fewer complications compared to traditional open surgery.
Laparoscopic Surgery
Surgery performed through small abdominal incisions (5-10 mm) using a laparoscope (a thin tube with a camera) and specialized instruments.
- Endometriosis excision
- Ovarian cystectomy or oophorectomy
- Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
- Tubal sterilization or reversal
- Myomectomy (removal of fibroids)
- Ectopic pregnancy management
- Pelvic adhesiolysis
Endometriosis is a chronic medical condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. This tissue behaves like endometrial tissue it thickens, breaks down, and bleeds with each menstrual cycle, but unlike normal endometrial tissue, it has no way to exit the body. This leads to inflammation, pain, and often the formation of scar tissue or adhesions.
Assisted Reproductive Technology encompasses medical techniques used to help individuals or couples conceive when natural conception is challenging or impossible. It primarily involves the handling of eggs and sperm outside the body.
Common Types of ART
In Vitro Fertilization
- Eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory.
- Embryos are cultured and then transferred into the uterus.
- Most common and widely used ART method.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
- A single sperm is injected directly into an egg.
- Used mainly for severe male infertility
- Often combined with IVF.
Precision medicine refers to tailoring medical care based on an individual’s genetic makeup, environment, and lifestyle, aiming for more effective and personalized treatment. In gynecology, genomic advances are transforming diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment across benign and malignant conditions.
- Whole exome/genome sequencing for undiagnosed fetal syndromes
- Artificial intelligence in ultrasound image analysis
- Improved NIPT panels detecting microdeletions and rare aneuploidies
- Fetal gene therapy (experimental) for conditions like thalassemia
- Telemedicine in fetal monitoring and genetic counseling
- Decline in ovarian function → Decreased estrogen and progesterone
- Elevated FSH and LH due to reduced negative feedback
- Loss of ovulation → End of fertility
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Perimenopause | Transition period with irregular periods and symptoms (starts ~40s) |
| Menopause | Defined retrospectively after 12 months of amenorrhea |
| Postmenopause | Years after menopause; hormonal levels stabilize at low levels |
Contraception is the deliberate use of methods or techniques to prevent pregnancy. Family planning encompasses a broader scope, allowing individuals or couples to anticipate, attain, and space pregnancies according to their personal, health, and socio-economic circumstances.
Goals of Family Planning
- Prevent unintended pregnancies
- Promote healthy timing and spacing of births
- Reduce maternal and infant mortality
- Empower individuals with reproductive autonomy
- Address infertility and reproductive health needs
Prenatal nutrition refers to the dietary needs and nutritional support provided to a woman before and during pregnancy. Perinatal health includes maternal and neonatal health outcomes during pregnancy, childbirth, and the first few weeks postpartum.
Optimal nutrition during pregnancy is essential for:
- Fetal development and growth
- Preventing maternal complications
- Reducing risk of birth defects and low birth weight
- Promoting long-term child health
Gynecological research spans a wide array of topics, including reproductive health, cancers, minimally invasive surgery, endocrine disorders, and innovations in fertility and diagnostics. Case studies, on the other hand, offer in-depth insight into individual patient care, often highlighting rare or complex scenarios that advance clinical understanding.
Case Study 1: Ovarian Cancer in a BRCA-Positive Patient
- 45-year-old with family history of breast cancer
- Genetic testing confirms BRCA1 mutation
- Undergoes risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy
- Adjuvant PARP inhibitor therapy initiated post-surgery
- Outcome: Disease-free at 3-year follow-up
