Gynecology in Seoul

Gynecology is the medical practice that focuses on the health of the female reproductive system, including the vagina, uterus, and ovaries. Doctors who specialize in this field are called gynecologists. They deal with a range of conditions, such as:

• Issues relating to menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, and fertility
• Family planning, including sterilization, contraception, and pregnancy termination
• Urinary and fecal incontinence
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Problems with tissue that support the pelvic organs, including muscles and ligaments
• Benign conditions of the reproductive tract, such as fibroids, breast disorders, ovarian cysts, as well as vulvar and vaginal ulcers
• Premalignant conditions, such as cervical dysplasia and endometrial hyperplasia
• Cancers of the breasts and reproductive tract, as well as pregnancy-related tumors
• Endometriosis, which is a chronic condition affecting the reproductive system
• Congenital abnormalities of the female reproductive tract
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Emergency care relating to gynecology
• Sexual dysfunction
• Sexuality, including health issues that relates to same-sex relationships.

Gynecologists are trained to carry out certain diagnostic and surgical procedures, including:

• Pap smear tests
• Colposcopy
• Ultrasound scanning
• Endometrial biopsy
• Hysteroscopy
• Diagnostic laparoscopy
• Hysterectomy
• Dilation and curettage
• Oophorectomy
• Tubal ligation
• Exploratory laparotomy
• Appendectomy
• Surgical treatments for urinary incontinence, such as cystoscopy and sub-urethral slings
• Surgical treatments for pelvic organ prolapse, such as rectocele and cystocele
• Cervical excision procedures, such as cryosurgery.

How Long Should I Stay in Seoul?

Your length of stay varies depending on the procedure you underwent. In general, you should be able to leave the hospital or clinic on the same day for diagnostic procedures, and stay in Seoul for around 2 to 7 days to wait for the results. For surgical procedures, you may need to stay in the hospital for about 2 to 5 days and stay in Seoul for 7 to 14 days. You will attend scheduled checkups where your gynecologist checks your condition and, if necessary, remove any stitches.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

After diagnostic procedures, you may be advised to rest for the remainder of the day before resuming your normal activities, including work the next day. After a surgical procedure, you may need to wait around four to six weeks until you return to work and do strenuous activities.

What Aftercare is Required?

You will have to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating a healthy diet and exercise regularly (as recommended by your doctor), to maintain your health and prevent any issues in the future. After surgery for a serious illness, you may feel very emotional and it is recommended that you seek support if this happens. You also need to attend regular checkups, typically once a year.

What's the Success Rate?

The field of gynecology continues to advance each year and gynecologists now have more information and a deeper understanding of the female reproductive system. This means that the success rate is now higher than it used to be. However, all procedures carry some risks. In gynecology procedures, the risks include infection, tearing or damage to the cervix, pelvic inflammatory disease, damage to nearby organs, chronic pain, and vaginal prolapse.

Are there Alternatives?

Seeing a gynecologist is crucial if you experience any problems with your reproductive system. Therefore, there is no alternative to seeing a gynecologist. If your conditions are found to be caused by other diseases unrelated to the reproductive system, your gynecologist will refer you or work together with the relevant specialist.

Gynecology in and around Seoul

About Seoul

Seoul is the capital city of South Korea and is one of the most affluent cities in Asia with high per capita income. Seoul is a city of differences as you can find anything from ancient monuments and palaces to modern skyscrapers. Every year the city attracts over 10 million tourists from different parts of the world. While some visit Seoul to enjoy its rich culture, others come to experience the fascinating metropolitan vibe, large numbers of medical tourists visit this busy city to undergo various medical procedures for cheaper prices and to enjoy the Korean hospitality. As per reports from the South Korean Ministry of Health & Welfare, the number of medical tourists in 2016 increased to 364,000, which is 23% more than in 2015. Some of the more popular procedures sought-after in Seoul are gynecology related treatments, stem cell therapy, treatments in neurology & endocrinology, laser treatments, transplants, and cardiology.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, most medical tourists are from China, Uzbekistan, UAE, Japan, and Canada. Seoul is dynamically emerging as one of the most preferred destinations for medical tourism. The city proudly houses one JCI accredited hospital. The other top-rated medical hospitals include the Severance Hospital, Asan Medical Center, Seoul National University Hospital, MizMedi Women's Hospital. The world-class hospitals comprise of VIP rooms, exceptional medical facilities, and highly-reputed physicians. Doctors are fluent in English, Korean, Japanese, and French.

Popular Areas in Seoul

The beautiful River Han flows through the heart of the city. It divides Seoul into North and South and you will find most of the ancient palaces and historical sites in the North. The Southside is quite modern and trendy with neighborhoods like Gangnam which is also the business hub of the city. It is also the residential part of the city with many apartments, and shopping malls.

• River Han: Is the favorite location for both locals and tourists. Here, you can enjoy indulging in exciting water activities such as windsurfing, water skiing, fishing, sailing, and swimming. The banks of the river are the perfect place to lounge and see the lights of the city at night.
• Banpo Bridge: Connects the districts Seocho and Yongsan and It was the first double-deck bridge built in South Korea and is covered with 10000 lights and the  Rainbow Fountain's colored water rains down the side of the bridge.
• Gangnam: It is the most trendy neighborhood and is home to Asia's largest shopping mall, COEX, and several high-end restaurants.
• Hongdae: Four Korean Universities lie close to the neighborhood. Hongdae houses a number of theme-based restaurants and an array of boutiques that cater to the needs of college-goers. Several music venues and glitzy nightclubs make it a perfect place to enjoy the vibrant nightlife.
• Myeongdong: Is the best and the largest shopping destination in Korea. It is a shopping mega where you can find clothes, cosmetics, stylish handbags, shoes and accessories, and Jewelry at affordable prices.

Weather and Climate in Seoul

As Seoul lies close to the coast of the Yellow Sea, the climate is continental. Summer and Winter are the two distinct seasons in Seoul. Summer is sultry, hot, and rainy, whereas winter is cold and sunny. The transitional periods are the spring and autumn, which are mild and pleasant.

1. Winter: November to February. The average temperature is around 0°C during winter. The cold air blows in from Asia and during the night time, the temperature can drop to -20°C but it rarely snows during winter.
2. Spring: March to May. Spring is mild and it rains occasionally.
3. Summer: June to August. Seoul receives about 80 mm of rainfall during the summer season. July is the wettest month of the year. The temperature can rise to 35°C during the hot summer days.
4. Autumn: September-October. Autumn is pleasant and rainfall gradually decreases during these months.

Getting around in Seoul

Incheon International Airport lies 48 km west of Seoul. It is the largest in the country and one of the busiest airports in the world. The airport is luxurious with an ice-skating rink, casinos, and spas. The airport operates several domestic and international flights to varied parts of the world.

Seoul has one of the finest public transportation systems in the world.

• Seoul Metropolitan subway: It is the fastest and cheapest mode of transportation. There is a total of 22 lines in operation and it costs 0.44$ for a single journey. You can buy tickets at the vending machines found in all subway stations.
• Seoul public buses: There are four different types of buses running in Seoul, each one covering different routes. The cost varies from 0.92$ to $1.63, depending on the bus type and the distance traveled.
• Taxis: Are expensive and are ideal for a large group of people. Regular, deluxe, jumbo, and International taxis are available. The major differences being the size and fare.

Tourist visa in Seoul

South Korea exempts the citizens of 117 countries from obtaining a valid tourist visa to enter the country. Australia, Chile, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Switzerland, UK, US are some of the visa-exempted countries. They can stay visa-free for a maximum of 90 days.

Citizens of countries like India, China needs to apply for a tourist visa with all the required documents. The visa fee comes to around $30.

Additional Information

1. The official currency of South Korea is the Korean Republican Won (KRW). One US dollar is approximately equivalent to 1149 KRW.
2. You can find ATMs across the City. Some accept foreign cards and dispense cash. You can exchange your currencies to KRW in banks and money exchange booths.
3. Hangul is the national and official language of South Korea. Koreans who are under the age of 40 years understand and speak English better than the rest of the locals.
4. Most people in Korea are not affiliated with any religion. The same holds true in Seoul. Though, a small number of people practice Confucianism and Buddhism.
5. Some of the public holidays in Seoul include New Year's Eve, Korean New Year, Buddha's birthday, Constitution day, Harvest festival, Hangeul day and Christmas.