Introduction Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – including syphilis, gonorrhoea, genital herpes, genital warts, chlamydia, trichomoniasis and Mycoplasma genitalium – are transmitted via the moist mucous membranes of the vulva, vagina, cervix, anus, rectum and oropharynx during sexual activity. Untreated STIs…
Introduction Surgery has a central aim of helping people to live a longer or better life. Translated into medical terminology, this means improved survival and enhanced quality of life (QOL). QOL is a subjective measure, reported by the patient, and…
Introduction The vulva consists of the mons pubis, labia majora (singular: labium majus), labia minora (singular: labium minus), clitoris, and the vestibule (see Fig. 2.1 ). It is covered with keratinizing squamous epithelium, unlike the vaginal mucosa, which is covered…
Introduction Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) comprises a group of diagnoses, each characterised by the abnormal proliferation of trophoblast cells with constitutive human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) production. GTD can be divided into premalignant and malignant forms, with the premalignant diagnoses of…
Introduction Approximately 1 in 10 female cancers diagnosed worldwide are cancers of the cervix; in countries without effective screening programmes, little is changing. Cervical cancer remains the most common cancer among women in many countries without accessible effective screening programmes,…
Introduction The uterus consists of both the cervix and the body (or ‘corpus’) of the uterus. For many reasons, including their causative factors and their treatment, tumours arising from the corpus and the cervix are usually regarded as originating from…
Introduction Ovarian neoplasms, or tumours, encompass a wide range of conditions: benign, malignant and indeterminate lesions, known as borderline. Pathologically, these are distinct, as shown in Fig. 12.1 . They pose challenges for both early detection and correct diagnosis. Ovarian…
Introduction Urinary incontinence (UI) is defined as any involuntary loss of urine, which is a social or hygienic problem. UI is common – it is reported by 46% of women attending primary care clinics in the United Kingdom but is…
Introduction Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is described as the descent of one or more of the pelvic organs into the vagina. It can affect any of the compartments of the vagina: anterior (bladder), posterior (bowel) or apical (uterus/cervix or vault…
Introduction ‘Menopause’ is derived from the Greek term for cessation of the last monthly period. The definition is 12 months of absent periods in a woman with a uterus who is not pregnant or not taking hormones that might affect…