Medicine in general has become very specialized. What once was handled by the family doctor now takes a team of specialists. The same goes for what once was handled by the general Obstetrician Gynecologist (Ob/Gyn). In the beginning of our specialty the general Ob/Gyn did it all because there was no sub specialty. As time passed and medical knowledge gained, it was clear that the general OB/Gyn could not do it all. As a result areas of sub specialization developed and over time these areas became a focus of additional training. With more time this additional training was formalized and then recognized by our governing Board for Certification.

Currently the American Board of Medical Examiners recognizes Gynecologic Oncology (the treatment of gynecologic cancers), Maternal Fetal Medicine (the treatment of high risk pregnancies), Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (the treatment of infertility) as Boarded sub-specialties in obstetrics and gynecology. Soon (approximately 2013) the American Board of Medical Examiners will also recognize Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (the treatment of pelvic disorders) as a sub-specialty. This subspecialty is commonly called Urogynecology. My fellowship training in Female Urology and Voiding Dysfunction at Scott Department of Urology, my training and practice at Vanguard Urologic Institute and my current practice as aUrogynecologist will allow me to take the Board Certification exam when it is offered for the first time in the near future.

In addition to medicine becoming more specialized, surgery is becoming less invasive. This means that as surgeons we are trying to manage surgical cases with smaller and smaller incisions. For the patient this means less morbidity (pain and suffering) related to the surgery. From a Urogynecologic point of view if the surgery can be done through the vagina, this usually results in the least morbidity for the woman, as even a small incision on the abdomen adds to the woman’s pain and suffering after surgery. It is the vaginal approach without any abdominal incisions that I perform over 90% of surgeries. As reported by many of my patients when they compare their recoveries with those of their friends after surgeries for similar problems but involving abdominal incisions, they have an easier return to normal living.