Gynecology

Gynecology in Turkey: Comprehensive Women’s Health Care with Dr. Cengiz Andan

What is gynecology? Learn about annual exams, Pap smears, HPV screening, and Dr. Cengiz Andan’s holistic approach to women’s health in Istanbul. Expert care for fibroids and ovarian cysts.

Your Trusted Partner in Women’s Health

A woman’s body is dynamic, constantly evolving from adolescence through the reproductive years and into menopause. Gynecology is not just a branch of medicine that steps in when illness strikes; it is a discipline dedicated to preserving a woman’s quality of life, preventing potential risks, and ensuring health at every age.

At Dr. Cengiz Andan’s Clinic in Istanbul, our philosophy is simple: “There are no diseases, only patients.” Every woman’s biological makeup, hormonal balance, and lifestyle are as unique as her fingerprint. That’s why we move beyond standard protocols to offer personalized diagnostic and treatment plans.

Our goal is to provide healthcare in a warm, trustworthy environment that respects your privacy and understands the anxieties often associated with gynecological exams.

Why Are Routine Gynecological Exams Important?

Many women tend to postpone their gynecological check-ups unless they experience specific symptoms like pain or bleeding. However, many serious conditions threatening women’s health—such as cervical cancer, ovarian cysts, and fibroids—can progress silently in the early stages without showing any symptoms.

A 30-minute annual exam can be life-saving. These check-ups include:

• Detailed Ultrasound: To visualize the internal structure of the uterus and ovaries.
• Pap Smear & HPV Screening: The most powerful tools for catching cervical cancer before it starts.
• Infection Screening: Diagnosing and treating vaginal infections that cause discharge or itching.
• Hormonal Evaluation: Investigating the root causes of menstrual irregularities or excess hair growth.

Gynecological Services Offered at Our Clinic

Under the leadership of Dr. Cengiz Andan, we provide services using the latest medical technologies in the following areas:

• General Gynecological Check-ups: Periodic exams and counseling.
• Menstrual Irregularities: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), hormonal disorders.
• Vaginal Infections: Treatment for stubborn yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and sexually transmitted diseases.
• Family Planning: IUD (Spiral) insertion, birth control counseling.
• Menopause Management: Treatments for hot flashes, osteoporosis, and vaginal dryness.
• Mass & Tumor Surgery: Monitoring and treatment of fibroids and cysts (detailed below).

1. Fibroid Treatment in Turkey: Everything You Need to Know

Benign but Not to Be Ignored: Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids (Leiomyomas) are benign tumors originating from the muscle layer of the uterus and are the most common diagnosis in gynecology clinics. Statistics show that 1 in 4 women of reproductive age and nearly half of women over 40 have fibroids.

The word “tumor” often scares patients with thoughts of cancer. However, Dr. Cengiz Andan reassures patients: The risk of a fibroid turning into cancer (sarcoma) is extremely low (less than 0.5%). But just because they aren’t cancer doesn’t mean they are harmless. Depending on their location and size, they can cause serious bleeding, severe pain, and infertility.

Symptoms: What is Your Body Telling You?

Fibroids can grow silently or cause loud symptoms that disrupt your quality of life. Symptoms depend entirely on the fibroid’s location:

• Submucosal Fibroids (Growing Into the Cavity): The most symptomatic group. They distort the uterine lining, causing excessive heavy bleeding, prolonged periods, and bleeding between periods. Patients often present with severe anemia. They can also cause miscarriage or infertility by occupying space needed for the baby.
• Intramural Fibroids (Within the Muscle Wall): The most common type. They enlarge the uterus, causing severe menstrual cramps and a feeling of abdominal bloating or heaviness.
• Subserosal Fibroids (Growing Outward): These usually don’t cause bleeding but can grow very large. They press on surrounding organs, causing frequent urination (pressure on the bladder), constipation (pressure on the bowel), or back pain.

Diagnosis and Follow-up: Does Every Fibroid Need Surgery?

Dr. Andan’s fundamental rule is: “Treat the patient, not the fibroid.” If a fibroid is small (e.g., 2-3 cm), not causing bleeding or pain, and not in a location that hinders pregnancy, surgery is not needed. These patients are monitored with ultrasound every 6 months. As estrogen levels drop approaching menopause, these fibroids are expected to shrink on their own.

However, treatment is mandatory if the uterus reaches the size of a 3-month pregnancy, bleeding cannot be controlled with medication, the fibroid grows rapidly, or it causes infertility.

Advanced Treatment Options

• Medical (Drug) Therapy: Hormonal medications can be used to reduce bleeding or shrink the fibroid before surgery, but they do not eliminate the fibroid completely.
• Surgical Treatment:
  • Hysteroscopy: For fibroids growing inside the cavity, they are shaved off through the vagina without any incision.
  • Laparoscopic Myomectomy: Fibroids inside the abdomen are removed via keyhole surgery, preserving the uterus.
  • Hysterectomy: Considered a last resort for patients who have completed their family and seek a definitive solution.

Frequently Asked Questions (Fibroids)

1. Can fibroids turn into cancer?Classic fibroids are benign. However, a rare cancer called “Leiomyosarcoma” can mimic a fibroid. Rapidly growing masses require careful evaluation.
2. Do herbal cures eliminate fibroids?There is no medically proven herbal cure for fibroids. Some herbs with estrogen-like effects can even make them grow. Do not use them without consulting your doctor.
3. Can I get pregnant with a fibroid?Yes, you can. However, the location matters. Fibroids distorting the cavity can increase miscarriage risk. Pre-pregnancy evaluation is recommended.
4. Will my uterus be removed if I have surgery?Dr. Cengiz Andan prioritizes “Organ-Preserving Surgery.”Our goal is always to perform a Myomectomy (removing only the fibroid) and leave the uterus in place.
5. Do fibroids grow back after surgery?Since there is a genetic predisposition, there is a 10-20% chance of recurrence within 5 years. This risk ends after menopause.
6. Ovarian Cyst Treatment in Turkey: A Nightmare or a Temporary Phase?

Understanding Ovarian Cysts: Which Ones Are Dangerous?

“Ovarian Cysts” are a common fear for women, but they are actually fluid-filled sacs that can appear in any ovulating woman. The vast majority are Functional Cysts and disappear on their own within 1-2 months. However, some cysts—Pathological Cysts—do not go away, grow larger, damage the ovary, or carry a cancer risk. These require treatment.

Cyst Types and Symptoms

• Simple (Follicular) Cysts: Harmless, usually resolve spontaneously.
• Endometrioma (Chocolate Cyst): Caused by endometriosis, requires treatment.
• Dermoid Cysts: Contain tissue like hair or teeth. Must be removed surgically.
• Suspicious for Malignancy: Rapidly growing cysts with solid components.

They typically cause groin pain, menstrual irregularity, and bloating. However, emergencies like Cyst Rupture or Ovarian Torsion (twisting) cause sudden, severe pain.

Treatment Approach: Birth Control Pills or Surgery?

Dr. Andan decides based on the patient’s age and the type of cyst.

• Monitoring: Simple cysts <5-6 cm are monitored for 3 months. Birth control pills may be given to suppress them.
• Surgery (Laparoscopy): If the cyst persists after 3 months, grows, causes pain, or looks suspicious, it is removed via Laparoscopy (keyhole surgery), the gold standard.

Frequently Asked Questions (Cysts)

1. Do birth control pills destroy cysts?They do not dissolve existing cysts directly but prevent newcysts from forming, giving the body time to clear the existing one.
2. If a cyst ruptures, will I be poisoned?No. Fluid from simple cysts is absorbed by the body. Only the contents of dermoid cysts require surgical cleaning.
3. If my CA-125 test is high, do I have cancer?No. CA-125 can rise with chocolate cysts, menstruation, or infection. It does not diagnose cancer on its own.
4. Will my ovary be removed during surgery?For benign cysts, only the cyst is removed (Cystectomy), and the ovary is preserved. Removing the ovary is very rare and only done in extreme cases.
5. How is cyst treatment done for virgins?The treatment principles are the same. If surgery is needed, it is performed via Laparoscopy(through the abdomen), so the hymen is not affected.

Dr. Cengiz Andan is dedicated to protecting your health and quality of life in Istanbul with expert gynecological care.