Medical sciences have always been the most sought after subject for study of the human beings. Having an array of disciplines, it offers vast career options as well. Yet, choosing medicine as a career option has always remained limited due to sheer lack of knowledge pertaining to an array of options confusing an aspirant. Moreover, once enrolled, most of the students lament their choice. About 50% of the medical school entrants are women for the career choices in this branch of study is viewed as unlimited.

Gynecology is one branch of medical study that has served as a lucrative career option for women since ages. Dealing with female reproductive system, the science is generally referred to as 'women's science' as well that attracts girl students more. But that does not mean that boys do not or cannot choose gynecology as a career. Off late, gynecologists have started taking dual specializations. Most of the gynecologists also serve as obstetricians as well.

HISTORY
The evolution of gynecology as a professional medicinal form dates back to the Romans and Greeks. In that era, men traditionally dominated the profession.

In Western Europe, the practice went backwards post the fall of Roman Empire whereas in the eastern Roman Empire these practices continued up till 15th century. It was during the renaissance that the Greek medicine was reinvented from Arabic texts. This further resulted in the re-emergence of medical treatments. It took place on a wider scale and got associated with university education too.

OLDEST TEXT AVAILABLE
The oldest text available on this field of study till date is the Kahun Gynaecological Papyrus that dates back to about 1800 BCE. The book deals with all sorts of medical complaints a woman can ever make like diseases or infections of the reproductive tract, fertility issues, pregnancy, contraception, and so on.

Divided into 34 sections, this book deals with almost every possible gynecological disorder, ways to diagnose it, and the non-surgical treatments.

EVOLUTION
In the late 18th century, gynecology and midwifery were the most poorly addressed issues available. This was further coupled with an utter lack of knowledge about issues related to pregnancy and childbirth. The infant mortality rate needless to mention, were quite high. The mortality figure dipped down with the improvement in gynecological knowledge base yet the only medical service available for poor women still remained to be the unskilled help from their family and friends. Furthermore, the gynecologists could also not ensure survival of the mother and the baby.

However French Revolution brought home certain medical developments that even contributed in changing gender roles thereby allowing better career options in gynecology and midwifery both to women. Irrespective of this, convoluted gynecological procedures could not come to be performed routinely till the advent of 19th century.

A woman's womb can be referred to as a basis of several complaints manifesting themselves to other parts of her body. Its study, needless to say, would be quite complex in nature.

EXAMINATION
Like every other branch of medical science, gynecology also has physical examination and clinical history as its diagnostic tools. But the former in this arena is quite intimate in nature than a routine physical checkup. More so, it requires inimitable instrumentation like speculum consisting of two hinged blades made up of plastic or concave metal. These blades are used to pull in the vaginal tissues thereby permitting cervical examination. A gynecologist typically does a bimanual check to palpate the uterus, cervix, bony pelvis, and ovaries. Recto-vaginal examinations are also done nowadays to evaluate the pelvis, particularly in case of any suspicious masses. Depending upon the medical history of the patient, abdominal and/or vaginal ultrasounds can also be carried out in order to corroborate any abnormality appreciated during bimanual examination.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To become a gynecologist one needs to opt for medical science in their higher secondary school examination. After that an entrance exam needs to be cleared. Once this exam is cracked, one gets enrolled in a four and a half-year degree program known as Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Science, abbreviated as MBBS. Successful completion of an MBBS enables one to become a general practitioner. After this, a one-year internship needs to be taken up in a good hospital.

It is only after a generalized MBBS that a specialization can be taken up which is 2-year program. Counted as postgraduate qualification in medicine, an MD or MS can be taken in a variety of subjects like - Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Microbiology, Psychiatry, Radiology, Pediatrics, Pathology, Otolaryngology, Anatomy, Biochemistry and so on. Some of the individuals even opt for super-specialization in their related fields to become a Neurosurgeon, Genito-urinary surgeon, Cardiologist, Gastroenterologist, and Reconstructive surgeon etc.

Now, the extent of specilization solely rests upon an individual but if one feels feminist from within, nothing can be a better career choice than being a gynecologist.