Cut It Out examines the exponential increase in the United States of the most technological form of birth that exists: the cesarean section. While c-section births pose a higher risk of maternal death and medical complications, can have negative future reproductive consequences for the mother, increase the recovery time for mothers after birth, and cost almost twice as much as vaginal deliveries, the 2011 cesarean section rate of 33 percent is one of the highest recorded rates in U.S. history, and an increase of 50 percent over the past decade. Further, once a woman gives birth by c-section, her chances of having a vaginal delivery for future births drops dramatically. This decrease in vaginal births after cesarean sections (VBAC) is even more alarming: one third of hospitals and one half of physicians do not even allow a woman a trial of labor after a c-section, and 90 percent of women will go on to have the c-section surgery again for subsequent pregnancies. Of comparative developed countries, only Brazil and Italy have higher c-section rates; c-sections occur in only 19% of births in France, 17% of births in Japan, and 16% of births in Finland. How did this happen? Theresa Morris challenges most existing explanations of the unprecedented rise in c-section rates, which locate the cause of this trend in physicians practicing defensive medicine, women choosing c-sections for scheduling reasons, or women's poor health and older ages. Morris's explanation of the c-section epidemic is more complicated, taking into account the power and structure of legal, political, medical, and professional organizations; gendered ideas that devalue women; hospital organizational structures and protocols; and professional standards in the medical and insurance communities. She argues that there is a new culture within medicine that avoids risk or unpredictable outcomes and instead embraces planning and conservative choices, all in an effort to have perfect births. Based on 130 in-depth interviews with women who had just given birth, obstetricians, midwives, and labor and delivery nurses, as well as a careful examination of local and national level c-section rates, Cut It Out provides a comprehensive, riveting look at a little-known epidemic that greatly affects the lives, health, and families of each and every woman in America.

Infertility affects an estimated 50 million women worldwide and has a wide range of causes including eating disorders, smoking, chemotherapy, diseases such as STIs, as well as genetic factors and malformations. The preliminary assessment and diagnosis involves a potentially broad array of lab and imaging tests, physical examination and potentially genetic tests, after which a management plan is selected depending on the woman’s age, the cause(s) and duration of the infertility. Female Infertility: Core Principles and Clinical Management provides clinicians with a comprehensive understanding of how best to overcome infertility using the various treatment options now available. The book opens with an introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive system before describing the assessment and investigative tools used in primary and secondary healthcare settings. Subsequent chapters describe how to secure optimum functionality of the ovaries, the measurement of ovarian reserves, stimulation protocols and the process of oogenesis and oocyte collection. Given their potential adverse impact on the quality of oocytes and implantation, dedicated chapters focus on the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis. Concluding chapters address fast moving and future technologies, including the use of pluripotent stem cells for treating different medical conditions; the management of mitochondrial disease and the transplantation of cryopreserved ovaries. Highly illustrated and written by a team of international experts in the field, Female Infertility: Core Principles and Clinical Management serves as an essential resource for all clinicians, nurses and clinical scientists who specialise in reproductive medicine, gynecology, oncology, infertility and embryology.

This book is a comprehensive guide to addressing, working with, and healing from emotional struggles related to fertility and eating disorders. Covering the emotional, psychological and physical impact of anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating disorder, this book explores the lived experience of numerous women and men who have lived with eating disorders, fertility, and parenthood. It delves into research on medical complications that can affect fertility, attachment, the experience of shame, adjustment to the postpartum period, and offers clinical tools for therapists to use to support clients from a weight and body neutral perspective. Those who read this book will come away with a renewed sense of hope for recovery and healing from serious mental illnesses, and the notion that the value of having a family may be stronger than the eating disorder itself. The only book of its kind, The Clinical Guide to Fertility, Motherhood and Eating Disorders will be useful to practitioners, therapists, and scholars alike.

In consultation with Consulting Editor, Dr. Lucky Jain, Drs. Jonathan M. Davis and Errol R. Norwitz have put together a state-of the-art issue of the Clinics in Perinatology devoted to Perinatal Pharmacology. Clinical review articles are specifically devoted to the following: Drugs for the prevention and treatment of preterm labor; Drugs for the prevention and treatment of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; Drugs to promote neuroprotection; Medications that cause fetal anomalies and possible prevention strategies; Safety and efficacy of psychotropic medications during pregnancy; Treatment of viral infections during pregnancy (HIV, herpes, CMV, hepatitis C); Drugs to control diabetes during pregnancy; Cardiotonic drugs; Drugs to treat coagulation disorders in the newborn; Drugs for the prevention and treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia; Drugs for the prevention and treatment of neonatal brain injury; Drugs for the prevention and treatment of sepsis in the newborn; Analgesia, opioids and other drug use during pregnancy and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome; Medications and breast feeding; Principles of pharmacokinetics in the pregnant woman and fetus; and Challenges in designing clinical trials to test new drugs in the pregnant woman and fetus. Readers will come away with the latest information on therapeutics as they seek to utilize evidence-based recommendations to improve patient outcomes.

Rare gynecological cancers kill all too commonly Gynecological cancer is a frightening prospect for women. It is terrifying also for physicians who need, but often can t find, guidance on how to investigate and appropriately treat the tumors. Rare cancers provide greater challenges as information can be harder to find and more difficult to verify. Rare Gynecologic Cancers: Diagnosis and Management brings together all you need to know on these life-threatening diseases. Straightforward summaries of pathophysiologic processes lead to the investigations that will improve your diagnostic accuracy. This provides the basis for you to identify effective treatment strategies for your patients. Written by a world-leading team of Editors and Authors and covering cancers of the Ovaries Uterus Vulva Vagina Cervix Rare Gynecologic Cancers: Diagnosis and Management will guide you to the best life-saving treatment for your patients.

Sadly, women often feel they have no alternative but to give up breastfeeding, having been prescribed or purchased medication. In many cases, however, this is unnecessary. This book outlines the evidence base for the use of medication during breastfeeding. Breastfeeding and Medication presents a comprehensive A to Z guide to the most frequently prescribed drugs and their safety for breastfeeding mothers. Evaluating the evidence for interventions and using a simple format for quickly identifying medications that are safe or unsafe to use, it also highlights those drugs where there is inconclusive evidence. Additional contextual information makes this the most complete text for those practitioners who support and treat breastfeeding women. It: provides an overview of the anatomy and physiology of the breast together with hormonal influences to better understand how complications, such as mastitis, arise and inform the approach to their treatment; includes a section on conditions that affect women specifically when they are lactating where prescription of medication may be necessary; discusses the importance of breastfeeding and its advantages, as well as its disadvantages; and explores how to support breastfeeding mothers, and presents a counselling model approach. This new edition contains information on more drugs and a chapter on the management of some chronic conditions which may affect breastfeeding mothers. In most cases there are options to support the mother's optimal care whilst allowing her to continue to breastfeed her baby as long as she wishes. This is a topic which raises many questions on social media, which informed the choice of conditions to consider. This is an invaluable reference for all health practitioners and volunteers who work with, support and treat breastfeeding women, including lactation consultants, breastfeeding support workers, health visitors, GPs, practice nurses, pharmacists and midwives.

This book presents both theoretical contributions and empirical applications of advanced statistical techniques including geo-additive models that link individual measures with area variables to account for spatial correlation; multilevel models that address the issue of clustering within family and household; multi-process models that account for interdependencies over life-course events and non-random utilization of health services; and flexible parametric alternatives to existing intensity models. These analytical techniques are illustrated mainly through modeling maternal and child health in the African context, using data from demographic and health surveys. In the past, the estimation of levels, trends and differentials in demographic and health outcomes in developing countries was heavily reliant on indirect methods that were devised to suit limited or deficient data. In recent decades, world-wide surveys like the World Fertility Survey and its successor, the Demographic and Health Survey have played an important role in filling the gap in survey data from developing countries. Such modern demographic and health surveys enable investigators to make in-depth analyses that guide policy intervention strategies, and such analyses require the modern and advanced statistical techniques covered in this book. The text is ideally suited for academics, professionals, and decision makers in the social and health sciences, as well as others with an interest in statistical modelling, demographic and health surveys. Scientists and students in applied statistics, epidemiology, medicine, social and behavioural sciences will find it of value.

It is no surprise that women and men experience biological and physiological differences fundamentally and throughout the lifecycle. What is surprising is that faced with such a self-evident truth, there should be so little consideration to date of how these differences affect susceptibility to disease and metabolic response to dietary treatment. Understanding these differences and developing a gender-based approach focusing on the specific needs and conditions of women is crucial to achieve effective nutritional strategies for women's health. Expanding the knowledge-base regarding sex, nutrition, and medicine, Optimizing Women's Health through Nutrition presents the biology, physiology, and metabology unique to women. The book demonstrates in a practical, accessible manner the scientific application of this data addressing lifecycle changes, disease prevention, and treatment. Based on sound research and supported by extensive references, it begins by describing recent research on biological and physiological differences and how these differences translate into varying disease trends between the sexes. Contributions describe the nutritional needs of women during the lifecycle, particularly during adolescence, pregnancy and lactation, premenopause, and menopause and midlife stages. The bulk of the book addresses each of the common major diseases or conditions that specifically affect the health of women. It emphasizes the role of nutrition in disease risk reduction as well as management and treatment of disease. Specific disease selection was dictated by those in which women are more vulnerable or have a higher incidence than men. The concluding section identifies areas for future research and strategic areas of investigation for researchers and health professionals, government regulators, and food industry professionals involved in creating novel foods that enhance women's health.

This book is a guide to labour and delivery management for trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology, and midwives. Divided into three sections, the text begins with detailed discussion on labour, from preparation before labour and delivery, through the different stages of labour, to postpartum care. The next section covers caesarean delivery, and the third, 'special labour' which explains labour complications, twins, prelabour rupture of membranes, and more. The book is authored by recognised experts from the USA and Italy, and is based on evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Clinical photographs, diagrams and tables further enhance learning. Key points Guide to labour and delivery management for trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology, and midwives Text based on evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) Recognised author team from USA and Italy Includes clinical photographs, diagrams and tables

TheRoutledge International Handbook of Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health is the authoritative reference work on important, leading-edge developments in the domains of women’s sexual and reproductive health.

The handbook adopts a life-cycle approach to examine key milestones and events in women’s sexual and reproductive health. Contributors drawn from a range of disciplines, including psychology, medicine, nursing and midwifery, sociology, public health, women’s studies, and indigenous studies, explore issues through three main lenses:

the biopsychosocial model

feminist perspectives

international, multidisciplinary perspectives that acknowledge the intersection of identities in women’s lives.

The handbook presents an authoritative review of the field, with a focus on state-of-the-art work, encouraging future research and policy development in women’s sexual and reproductive health. Finally, the handbook will inform health care providers about the latest research and clinical developments, including women’s experiences of both normal and abnormal sexual and reproductive functions.

Drawing upon international expertise from leading academics and clinicians in the field, this is essential reading for scholars and students interested in women’s reproductive health.

Table of Contents

Author biographies

Introduction – Joan C. Chrisler, Jane M. Ussher and Janette Perz

Part I: Menarche, menstruation and menopause

1. Pubertal development and menarche: physiological and developmental aspects – Margaret L. Stubbs

2. Menarche. psychosocial and cultural aspects – Maria Luisa Marván and Verónica Alcalá–Herrera

3. The menstrual cycle: its biology in the context of silent ovulatory disturbances – Jerilynn C. Prior

4. The menstrual cycle: attitudes and behavioral concomitants – Joan C. Chrisler and Jenifer A. Gorman

5. Premenstrual mood disorders: a feminist psychosocial perspective – Jane M. Ussher and Janette Perz

6. Menopause and midlife: psychosocial perspectives and interventions – Myra S. Hunter

Part II: Reproductive and gynecological disorders

7. Menstrual-cycle-related disorders: polycystic ovary syndrome, dysmenorrhea and menstrual migraine – Nancy Fugate Woods and Nancy J. Kenney

8. Women’s experience of endometriosis – Elaine Denny and Annalise Weckesser

9. Breast and reproductive cancers: genomics and risks – Cheryl B. Travis

10. Psychosocial aspects of women’s sexual and reproductive well-being after cancer – Chloe Parton

Part III: Contraception and infertility

11. Contraception across the reproductive life-course – Deborah Bateson

12. Abortion in context – Jeanne Marecek

13. Women’s experiences of infertility – Jessica L. Barnack–Tavlaris

14. Fertility and cancer – Michelle Peate, Lesley Stafford and Yasmin Jayasinghe

15. Assisted conception: fertility preservation, surrogate motherhood, gamete/embryo donation and in vitro fertilization – Olga B. A. van den Akker

Part IV: Pregnancy and childbirth

16. ‘Adolescent pregnancy’: social problem, public health concern, or neither? – Catriona Ida Macleod and Tracey Feltham–King

17. Smoking and pregnancy: risk factors, women’s experiences and interventions – Michael Ussher, Felix Naughton, Cailtlin Notley and Linda Bauld

18. Medical aspects of pregnancy – Annemarie Hennessy

19. Miscarriage – Heather Rowe and Alexandra J. Hawkey

20. The ultimate in women’s labor: stillbirth and grieving – Joanne Cacciatore and Jill Wieber Lens

21. Psychological aspects of pregnancy and pregnancy health care in their social and cultural contexts – Jane R.W. Fisher and Karin Hammarberg

22. Childbirth and sexuality – Hannah H. Dahlen and Sahar Sobhgol

23. Postpartum adjustment: psychological aspects – Paula Nicolson

24. Understanding perinatal mental health problems: prevalence, risk factors, approaches to prevention, early identification and treatment – Virginia Schmied

Part V: Sexuality and sexual health

25. Women’s sexual health and embodiment – Niva Piran

26. Sexual health of adolescent girls – S. Rachel Skinner, Cristyn Davies, Jennifer Marino, Jessica R. Botfield and Larissa Lewis

27. Older women and sexual health: social, relational and medical considerations – Camille J. Interligi and Maureen C. McHugh

28. Sexuality and sexual dysfunction: psychological perspectives and interventions – Julia Velten and Sonia Milani

29. Sexuality and sexual dysfunction: critical analyses – Peggy J. Kleinplatz, Lianne A. Rosen, Maxime Charest and Alyson K. Spurgas

30. HIV, STIs, risk taking and sexual health – Jennifer Power

31. Impacts of sexual violence on women’s sexual health – Kyja Noack–Lundberg

32. Feminist perspectives on child sexual abuse – Sam Warner

33. Female genital mutilation and genital surgeries – Hilary Burrage

Part VI. Marginalized women’s health

34. Shame, silence and secrecy: migrant and refugee women’s sexual and reproductive health and embodiment – Alexandra Hawkey

35. Reproductive health disparities among women experiencing homelessness – Courtney Cronley and Shamsun Nahar

36. Reproductive justice and culturally safe approaches to sexual and reproductive health for indigenous women and girls – Pat Dudgeon and Abigail Bray

37. Reproductive health of women in low- and middle-income countries – Kirsten I. Black and Miriam O’Connor

38. Experiences of reproductive and sexual health and health care among women with disabilities – Heather Dillaway, Brianna Marzolf, Heather Fritz, Wassim Tarraf and Catherine Lysack

39. Women with intellectual and developmental impairments: differences not deficits – Jan Burns

40. Lesbian, bisexual, queer and transgender women’s sexual and reproductive health – Ruth P. McNair

Index/

The "ABC of Breast Diseases" provides comprehensive guidance to the assessment of symptoms, and how to manage all common breast conditions and provides guidelines on referral. It covers congenital problems, breast infection and mastalgia, before addressing the epidemiology, prevention, screening and diagnosis of breast cancer. It outlines the treatment and management options for breast cancer within different groups and includes new chapters on the genetics, prevention, management of high risk women and the psychological aspects of breast diseases.

Edited and written by internationally renowned experts in the field and highly illustrated in full colour, this fourth edition remains a practical guide for general practitioners, family physicians, practice nurses and breast care nurses as well as for surgeons and oncologists both in training and recently qualified as well as medical students.

This innovative deck provides primary care professionals with expert guidance on caring for newborns. Topics span everything from prenatal assessment to delivery and newborn evaluation, as well as feeding, general concerns, newborn illness, birth anomalies and skin lesions, specialized NICU care, preterm and full-term newborn concerns, and more. A series of illustrative boxes, tables, checklists, images, reference ranges, key principles, and supportive text are included in this handy deck. Topics Include Prenatal Assessment Delivery and Newborn Assessment Feeding General Newborn Concerns Newborn Respiratory Management Newborn Illness Other Birth Anomalies Newborn Skin Lesions Specialized Care Preterm/Early-Term Newborns And more...

This book provides those studying for the MRCOG Part 2 examination with welcome practice in answering Extended Matching Questions (EMQs). Updated throughout to map onto the MRCOG syllabus from September 2016, the book is designed to test the candidate's theoretical and practical knowledge of obstetrics and gynaecology. An introductory section on exam techniques is followed by a collection of 41 EMQ themes, split into obsterics and gynaecology. The questions are based on common clinical scenarios and cover a variety of topics. Answers are included after each topic, and these include explanatory material and useful references.

Combining detailed descriptions of pelvic anatomy with easy-to-follow instructions for gynecologic procedures, Atlas of Pelvic Anatomy and Gynecologic Surgery, 5th Edition, is a comprehensive, up-to-date atlas that reflects current practices in this fast-changing field. Pelvic anatomy and surgical operations are depicted through full-color anatomic drawings, correlative surgical artwork with step-by-step photographs, and computer-assisted hybrid photo illustrations. Complete coverage of both conventional and endoscopic surgeries helps you master the full spectrum of surgical procedures. Covers all frequently performed gynecologic operations including laparotomy, laparoscopic, robotic, hysteroscopic, vaginal, vulvar, and cystoscopic procedures. Includes expanded sections on gender reassignment surgery and vulvar and cervical surgery, as well as a new chapter devoted to laparoscopic techniques. Contains a revised anatomic section with updated figures, plus high-quality artwork and clinical photographs throughout-now entirely in full color. Features numerous videos of surgeries and cadaver dissection. Ideal for practicing obstetricians-gynecologists, obstetrics-gynecology residents, general surgeons, subspecialists, nurses, and medical students with an interest in gynecology. Enhanced eBook version included with purchase, which allows you to access all of the text, figures, and references from the book on a variety of devices.

Endometriosis causes a variety of symptoms from painful periods and backache to fertility problems. If you have painful periods and wonder if you might have endometriosis, or if you've already been diagnosed, you need the best possible information, help and support. This book aims to help you understand your symptoms, talk to your doctor without embarrassment, and it explains the tests and the treatment options. There's also sympathetic advice to help you cope with pain, deal with your own feelings about having endometriosis, and talk to your partner about how you feel. "Women with endometriosis need simple, clear information to enable them to decide for themselves which kind of treatment may be right for them. This book is written in a clear question and answer format and covers everything from explanations of symptoms to treatments and self-help. A book aimed directly at women, in a language they can understand." - National Endometriosis Society

This book systematically reviews and discusses recent studies and articles on the immunology of female genital tract tissue. The scope is broad, encompassing innate immune responses, adaptive (humoral and cell-mediated) immunity, the immunology of menstruation, the immunology of viral and bacterial infections, the immunology of normal and abnormal pregnancy, and immunological infertility. Throughout, tables and illustrations are judiciously used to facilitate understanding. Immunology of the Female Genital Tract will serve as an invaluable source of up-to-date information for all with an interest in this subject.

Improvements in the detection of fetal and neonatal brain injuries, advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology, cellular and molecular bases of encephalopathy, and new treatment options have all combined to produce significant changes in the management of neonatal brain disorders in the past few years. This new edition of Fetal and Neonatal Brain Injury brings the reader fully up to date with all advances in clinical management and outcome assessment. Updated material includes inflammation focusing in particular on chorioamnionitis and fetal brain injury; genetic brain injury; and expanded sections on cholestasis, diabetes, and thyroid disease. An updated, highly illustrated chapter on structural and functional imaging of the fetal and neonatal brain is also included. An outstanding international team of highly experienced neonatologists and maternal-fetal medicine clinicians have produced a practical, authoritative clinical text that gives clear management advice to all clinicians involved in the treatment of these patients.

This book brings together a range of theoretical and empirical perspectives on conceptualization, measurement, multidimensional impacts and policy and service responses to address child and family poverty. It illuminates issues and trends through country level chapters, thus shedding light on dynamics of poverty in different jurisdictions. The book is structured into three sections: The first includes introductory chapters canvassing key debates around definition, conceptualization, measurement and theoretical and ideological positions. The second section covers impacts of poverty on specific domains of children’s and families’ experience using snapshots from specific countries/geographic regions. The third section focuses on programs, policies and interventions and addresses poverty and its impacts. It showcases specific interventions, programs and policies aimed at responding to children and families and communities and how they are or might be evaluated. Cross national case studies and evaluations illustrate the diversity of approaches and outcomes.

This book addresses new avenues in child abuse prevention research that will expand our capacity to protect children. These new avenues result from the emergence of new research methods made possible through technologic advances, an understanding of the benefits of cross-disciplinary research and learning and the entrance of many young scholars in the field. The book explores what these avenues produce in terms of clarifying the complex problems that continue to limit our progress in addressing child maltreatment and promoting optimal child development. Specifically, the book showcases individual contributions from emerging scholars and show how these scholars use the frameworks and advanced methods to shape their work, apply their findings and define their learning communities. The book highlights the benefits of creating explicit and extended opportunities for researchers to network across disciplines and areas of interest. The primary authors are young scholars from universities across the U.S. who have worked together as Fellows of the Doris Duke Fellowships for the Promotion of Child Well-Being – seeking innovations to prevent child abuse. Through this program, the Fellows have engaged in a robust self-generating learning network designed to create the type of ongoing professional linkages and decision-making style that fosters an interdisciplinary and team planning approach to research design and policy formation.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females that accounts for highest cancer specific deaths worldwide. In the last few decades research has proven that breast cancer can be treated if diagnosed at early stages and proper therapeutic strategy is adopted. Omics-based recent approaches have unveiled the molecular mechanism behind the breast tumorigenesis and aid in identification of next-generation molecular markers for early diagnosis, prognosis and even the effective targeted therapy. Significant development has taken place in the field of omics in breast cancer in the last decade. The most promising omics approaches and their outcomes in breast cancer have been presented in this book for the first time. The book covers omics technologies and budding fields such as breast cancer miRNA, lipidomics, epigenomics, proteomics, nutrigenomics, stem cell, pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine and many more along with conventional topics such as breast cancer management etc. It is a research-based reference book useful for clinician-scientists, researchers, geneticists and health care industries involved in various aspects of breast cancer. The book will also be useful for students of biomedicine, pathology and pharmacy.

This volume offers an up-to-date overview on the major areas of gynecological endocrinology, presenting the latest advances in adolescent gynecological endocrinology, assisted reproduction, menstrual-related disorders, sexuality and transsexualism, polycystic ovary syndrome, myometrial pathology and adenomyosis, obesity and metabolic syndrome, hormonal contraception, premature ovarian failure and menopause. In each chapter the recent advances deriving from basic science and clinical investigations are related to the practical management of the condition under consideration, taking into account the need for individualized therapies. The book is published within the ISGE Book Series, a joint venture between the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology and Springer and is based on the 2014 International School of Gynecological and Reproductive Endocrinology Winter Course. It will be an important tool for obstetricians and gynecologists, endocrinologists and experts in women's health as well as interested GPs.

This book examines the impact of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on national and international jurisprudence, since its adoption in 1989. It offers state of the art knowledge on the functions, challenges and limitations of the CRC in domestic, regional and international children's rights litigation. Litigating the Rights of the Child provides insight in the role of the CRC in domestic jurisprudence in ten countries from different parts of the world, with civil law, common law and Islamic law systems. In addition, it offers analyses of the jurisprudence of regional courts, in Europe and the Americas, and of human rights treaty bodies, including the Human Rights Committee, Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. This book presents a global and comparative picture on the use of the CRC in litigation and identifies emerging trends. This book serves as an important source of reference and inspiration for academics, students, legal professionals, including judges and lawyers, and (inter)national organisations working in the area of children's rights.

This book offers a critical review of the pelvic sciences-past, present and future-from an anatomical and physiological perspective and is intended for researchers, medical practitioners and paramedical therapists in the fields of urology, gynecology and obstetrics, proctology, physiotherapy, as well as for patients. The book starts with a "construction plan" of the pelvis and shows its structural consequences. The historical background of pelvic studies proceeds from medieval and early Italian models to the definitive understanding of the pelvic anatomy in the Seventeenth century. During these eras of pelvic research, concepts and approaches developed that are illustrated with examples from comparative anatomy and from mutations, also with regard to the biomechanics of pelvic structures. Perceptions of the pelvis as an important element in sexual arousal and mating conduct are discussed, as well as attitudes to circumcision, castration and other mutilations, in its anthropological, social context. The anatomy and physiology of the pelvic wall and its organs as well as the development of these pelvic organs are covered as a prerequisite to understanding, for example, the spread of pelvic carcinoma and male and female bladder muscle function. Connective pelvic tissue is examined in its reinforcing capacity for pelvic structures, but also as a "hiding place" for infections. Innervations and reflexes relayed through the pelvic nerves are discussed in order to explain incontinence, sphincter function and the control of smooth and striated muscles in the pelvis. Catheters and drugs acting on pelvic function are described, and a critical review of alternative clinical methods for treating pelvic dysfunctions is provided.