why are they called gynecologists as opposed to vaginacologists?
Probably because they deal with more than the vagina. Namely, the uterus, the ovaries, the breasts, and all types of other associated hardware.
Also, the root for vagina is Latin. The gyne- and -ology roots are Greek (meaning study of women, roughly).
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Probably because they deal with more than the vagina. Namely, the uterus, the ovaries, the breasts, and all types of other associated hardware.
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OT, but you made me think of the time my GF at the time and her mother and I were in a car. GF asked why medical stuff (exams and they type of thing) where so much more expensive for females then males. My reply: Cuz girls have more holes. 
Hijack: Why isn’t there an analagous specialty field dealing with conditions peculiar to males? Urologists, proctologists and internists treat both sexes. How come no “andrologists” out there?
Because it would be as accurate as “dick doctor”.
First, I would say that “female disorders” are common and a large part of female health. Cervical and breast cancer screening is harder than prostate cancer screening and there is a good excuse to have it done by a specialist. Other female-specific non-cancer conditions are also quite common (hysterectomy IIRC is the most common surgery or at least once was): endometriosis, leiomyomas (uterine cysts), yeast infections, polycystic ovaries, and so forth are very common, and there is enough of them to keep a specialist busy. Second, pregnancy is a huge part of female health of which no equivalent exists for the male. Third, I would say that urologists do primarily treat men (I don’t know the exact breakdown), specifically because of prostate issues, which are quite common (cancer, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and prostatitis). I can’t recall a woman going to a urologist (although I have yet to do my urology rotation) for something like urinary tract infections or bladder problems. The gynecologists usually handle these for women, where men go to the urologists.
Might also cost more due to the same effect that makes women get charged more when they go to a mechanic.
“Yup, your thrombulator’s all messed up. Looks like we’re gonna have to operate.”
(OT: One more post and I’ll be at 1000!)
I think that perhaps the better argument is that women are in far greater need for screening for problems that may not be symptomatic until a much later stage. There’s plenty of male-specific problems that can occur, but due to the physics of the situation they’re often more apparent or more demanding of treatment (ie painful). Nonetheless, there’s common and serious issues where they can be wilfully ignored (bowel and prostate problems), or missed entirely until a late stage (testicular cancer). I’m pretty sure that specialists in these fields aren’t exactly sat around waiting for patients to turn up.
Actually, a new item worth mentioning in the context of what I just said: UK to start screening for bowel cancer among over-60s.
(Sadly, my hunch is that there’ll be a disappointing takeup of the offer of such preventative care…and yes, I do speak from experience when I say it wasn’t all that bad. The ability to fart with impunity for hours afterwards was wonderful…)
Plenty of women get referred to urologists for disorders such as ureteral strictures, kidney stones, polycystic kidneys, bladder cancer, interstitial cystitis, etc. I’m not aware of any gynecologists doing regular cystoscopy or stenting of ureters, tho I’m sure some do somewhere.
IS that what they do to make them the proper diameter if they are too narrow? I had what ever you call that done to me when I was 5 years old [ I have always had a nasty predisposition to asymptomatic bladder infections, and a series of infections is what had my ped recommend it to my parents=\ that is NOT something you should do to a child that damned young 
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That’s one reason for doing it.
When it works, it can save kidneys and lives. Chronic reflux with chronic infections resulting in pyelonephritis causes the removal of kidneys on occasion, and can lead to dialysis.
I don’t know how long ago you had yours done, but today’s procedures use a lot of nice microtechnology. Combining that with adequate anesthesia and decent pain meds is usually pretty effective.
You know, my guess on why there isn’t an “andrologist” is because doctors tend to be primarily male and, historically, most medical research has been conducted on males. That’s changing now but there was an assumption that women were pretty similar to men in most respects. The gynecologist handles the bit that is “different”…
In my career as a billing person, I have seen “gynecologic urologists” that treat urinary problems in women, generally from damage caused in pregnancy and childbirth. (For a while, in fact, I had the codes for a Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz suspension procedure memorized.)
I’ve also seen some MD call himself an “andrologist”. He specialized in men’s sexual issues, like hormonal problems, physical ED problems, and the like, but I don’t recall him having to do anything with the prostate. I guess those went to the urologist.
Oh, and there is a urologist in New Jersey named Dr. Eric Seaman. His specialty is male infertility, and is apparently quite renowned in that field.
Robin
Adam Corolla once said on his radio show that the female reproductive system is like a porsche; it’s a high-performance thing of beauty and a lot of fun to drive, but they need a lot of regular maintenance and spend a lot of time in the shop.
Where as male genetalia is more like a 77 subaru wagon: all you have to do is change the oil, keep the tires inflated and it will run a million miles. Any repairs that it may need you can do yourself with pliers and baling wire.
But do they do cystos and stenting of ureters? I imagine a few out there do, but I don’t think it is standard training for gyn. Most of their training in abdominal urology seems to be on how to recognize a ureter during surgery, avoid cutting it, and how to repair it when they do cut it. I can’t imagine having a gyn do a nephrectomy.
I wonder if he had a surgical background. There’s always a doc willing to fill a niche.
A doc specializing in “men’s health” needs to know his way around the testes, penis and prostate. Since this involves intimately knowing the urethra and bladder, the best place to train to get this skill is in a urology residency, which throws in the ureters and kidneys too. Once you’ve done all that, you’re qualified to treat both male and female urological problems. If you choose to cut out females because you want to treat only “men’s health” issues, you’re free to do so. But most docs will not want to immediately cut out a chunk of their income by excluding patients they are able to treat until they see if their subspeciality will fill their time and pay the bills.
QtM, yes, the gynecologic urologist did do stenting and cystos. IIRC, they (and I’m talking maybe two or three total) were urologists who specialized in women’s plumbing, what with the anatomical differences and all.
Robin