Traditionally, women’s health has been synonymous with obstetrics and gynecology. With the exception of Family Medicine physicians who are trained in obstetric and gynecologic issues, most primary care physicians have received little training in reproductive health issues even though they care for women and girls. In recent years, there has been growing recognition that sex differences do exist between the organ systems of women and men, and research about male and female physiologic differences has bolstered the growing body of knowledge about sex differences. Women’s Health: A Handbook for Primary Care presents the most recent changes in current research and provides the reader with an easily accessible reference to common women’s health issues. The topics in this text range from health problems that largely affect only women, like cervical cancer and breast disease, to health problems that present differently in women than in men, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Chapters on polycystic ovary syndrome and oral health issues address health problems that bring together multiple organ systems including reproductive, cardiovascular and dental health. There are also useful chapters not typically found in primary care texts like eating disorders, interpersonal violence and sexual health. Women’s Health: A Handbook for Primary Care is succinct, well organized, and contains easily understood, practical information for the most common health problems seen in women. This volume is a valuable text for anyone who practices primary care medicine.
