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Gynaecologists provide diagnostic, treatment and preventative medical and surgical services related to the care of women, and to disorders of the female genital, urinary, rectal and reproductive organs.

Gynaecologists diagnose and treat disorders of the female reproductive system. They manage problems including gynaecological malignancies, sexually transmitted diseases, infertility, sexual dysfunction and menopause.

Gynaecology is strongly linked with obstetrics - health of mother and fetus before, during and after pregnancy.

The female reproductive system creates hormones and is responsible for:

• Fertility and pregnancy

• Menstruation (periods)

• Sexual activity
  

Specialisations: There can be special types of gynaecologists. They can become board-certified to specialize in:

• Gynaecologic oncology (managing and treating reproductive system cancers)

• Female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (urogynecology). Urogynaecologists focus on pelvic floor disorders and related conditions.

• Complex family planning (providing contraception care for those with complex medical conditions)

Other areas a gynaecologist may have extra experience with include:

• Paediatric and adolescent gynaecology

• Menopausal and geriatric gynaecology

• Minimally invasive gynaecologic surgery
  
  

Alternative names: Gynecologist, Female Doctor,

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Here are the skills gynaecologists use when performing their daily responsibilities:

• Medical acumen: Gynaecologists use their medical knowledge to diagnose and treat patients. Valuable medical skills for diagnosing and treating conditions can include history taking, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology and radiology. This knowledge helps them interpret symptoms, read X-rays and ultrasounds and prescribe medication. Gynaecologists build their medical proficiency through their medical school training and attending seminars and conferences.

• Surgical proficiency: Gynaecologists perform surgical procedures on patients, including myomectomies, hysterectomies, tubal ligations and oophorectomies. They may also perform simple procedures such as implant and intrauterine device insertion, laparoscopic tubal ligation and implant removal. Manual dexterity and attention to detail help them perform these procedures accurately. They acquire these skills by practising on dummies and assisting in surgeries while training.

• Empathy: refers to the ability to understand a patient's emotions. Some patients may become embarrassed or distressed during their clinical visits. Gynaecologists require compassion and empathy to gain the trust of these patients and extract information from them.

• Communication: Gynaecologists use verbal and written communication skills to pass information to patients and hospital support staff. Verbal communication skills include confidence, public speaking and fluency, which they use when taking a patient's history or educating groups of patients. Written communication skills help gynaecologists document the health progress of patients, write prescriptions and update other doctors. Accurate record-keeping helps to simplify patient referrals, prevent negligence claims and reduce errors in patient management that can arise from miscommunication.

• Stamina: Gynaecologists often spend hours standing while performing surgeries in the operating theatre or treating patients in the hospital and clinic. Physical strength and stamina can help them endure long work hours comfortably. Eating healthily and exercising can help maintain and improve physical fitness and stamina.

• Time management and multitasking: Gynaecologists typically manage multiple patients simultaneously, which requires efficient time management and multitasking skills. They schedule appointments and surgical procedures, which they follow strictly to avoid patient dissatisfaction. Gynaecologists may work in multiple areas, such as wards, clinics and operating theatres, requiring them to organise their time correctly.

(Source: Gynaecology Mount Waverley)

Duties and Tasks

Their duties encompass a wide range of activities, including preventative care, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, and management of reproductive health issues. They may also practice as obstetricians, providing care during pregnancy and childbirth.

A gynaecologist deals with all aspects of sexual health, like preventive care and physical exams. They can diagnose and treat issues with female reproductive organs.
  
Some of the services gynaecologists provide include:

• Assessing your risk for gynaecological conditions and cancers

• Guidance on family planning (birth control and pregnancy planning)

• Diagnosing conditions related to your reproductive organs, breasts and sex hormones

• Managing gynaecological conditions with medication and/or surgery

• Physical exams like, breast, pelvic and external genital exams

• Preventive care, like Pap tests, cancer screenings and vaccines

• Testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Gynaecologists perform a variety of duties, including:

• Diagnosing and treating reproductive conditions: Gynaecologists work in clinics, wards and theatres to diagnose and treat reproductive health conditions. They use their medical knowledge of the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes and other organs to identify signs and symptoms that can help them diagnose these conditions. They often order lab tests or images to perform accurate diagnoses. Some diseases they diagnose and treat include abnormal uterine bleeding, fibroids, cervical, uterine and ovarian cancer, sexually transmitted infections and infertility.

• Performing surgeries: Gynaecologists perform surgeries to treat fibroids, tubal blockages and cancers. Some of these surgeries – like tubal ligations – may be short, while others – like hysterectomies – may last longer depending on the patient and condition. In the workup to the surgery they may educate the patient on the pros and cons of the procedure, receive consent and order tests such as blood grouping, kidney function and haemoglobin levels. These tests help them determine whether the patient is ready for the procedure.

• Interpreting ultrasounds and other images: Gynaecologists often order images of a patient's reproductive organs to identify pathologies. These include X-rays, computerised tomography or CT scans, MRI or magnetic resonance images and ultrasounds. They then interpret the findings to diagnose cancers, determine the spread of disease, diagnose the cause of infertility or identify the source of bleeding.

• Documenting patient progress: Gynaecologists document a patient's progress at every consultation. Some information they record in a patient's file includes management, progression of symptoms, body vitals, such as pulse and blood pressure, findings of their investigations and follow-up appointments. These details help them track the patient's progress and can save time when re-interviewing patients about their history.

• Advising the patient about contraception: Gynaecologists advise patients on family planning methods. Patients visit the clinic to learn about the available contraceptive methods and their advantages and limitations. Gynaecologists use their medical knowledge to help patients choose the method of contraception that best suits the patient. Examples of contraception methods they may prescribe include oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices, condoms or implants. Besides prescribing these methods, gynaecologists also insert implants or IUDs and educate patients on using condoms and other contraceptives.

• Educating patients: Gynaecologists are responsible for educating patients about gynaecological health conditions. They teach their patients about risk factors that may predispose them to cervical cancer and infertility. They also offer advice on how to avoid these risk factors and educate patients on their conditions and how to improve their outcomes. Gynaecologists provide health advice to patients to prevent and control patient morbidity and mortality.

(Source: Women's Health)

What conditions does a gynecologist treat?

Gynaecologists diagnose and treat conditions that affect your reproductive system. Some of these include:

• Cancer of your uterus, ovaries or cervix

• Endometriosis

• Issues related to your menstrual cycle or menopause

• Ovarian cysts

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

• Uterine fibroids

• STIs
  

They treat any lumps, pimples or boils in your vagina or on your vulva (external genitalia) as well.

A gynecologist may also treat certain conditions affecting your rectum, bladder and urethra. But they may refer you to a urologist or colorectal surgeon depending on your symptoms.

Gynaecologists are referred patients from general practitioners. Their work may occur in a number of different settings including outpatient clinics, inpatient wards and operating theatres.

Gynaecologists tend to have their own practice leading to fairly predictable work hours.

The main tools gynaecologists use in diagnosis are clinical history and examination. Gynaecological examination uses instrumentation such as the speculum. Ultrasound can be used to confirm abnormalities.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a gynaecologist, you must first become a qualified medical practitioner and then specialise in gynaecology.

To become a medical practitioner, you need to study a degree in medicine. Alternatively, you can study a degree in any discipline followed by a postgraduate degree in medicine. Registration with the Medical Board of Australia is required.

To specialise in gynaecology, doctors must apply to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to complete the Specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecology Training Program and ultimately receive fellowship.

To be eligible for this specialist training, on completion of your medical degree, you must work in the public hospital system for two years (internship and residency).

Employment Opportunities

Around 84.2% of people employed as Obstetrician and Gynaecologist work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is higher than the all jobs average (64.1%).

Full-time workers work an average of 52 hours per week in their main job. This is higher than the all jobs average (44 hours per week). Median weekly earnings are $3,180.00 per week [2025 - YourCareer].

Did You Know?                                    Dr Catherine Hamlin AC (1924 - 2020) was a remarkable Australian and Gynaecologist. Read her story here (Source: Daily Mail)

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Material sourced from 
Cleveland Clinic [Gynecologist; ]
Jobs & Skills WA [Gynaecologist; ]
Indeed UK [Gynaecologist; ]
Indeed [Types of Gynecologists; ]
Your Career [Obstetrician & Gynaecologist; ]