The epidemiology of gynaecologic health: contemporary opportunities and challenges

The field of reproductive epidemiology has primarily focused on reproductive outcomes and gynaecologic cancers. The study of non-cancerous, gynaecologic conditions (eg, uterine fibroids, endometriosis) has not received serious treatment in existing epidemiology textbooks and reproductive epidemiology curricula. Further, these conditions do not neatly fit into the other common subdisciplines within epidemiology (eg, infectious disease, cardiovascular, injury and occupational epidemiology and so on). In this commentary, we identify and illustrate three critical challenges to advancing the epidemiologic research of non-cancerous, gynaecologic conditions. With greater investment and a patient-centred approach, epidemiology can advance knowledge about this critical area of human welfare.

Automated summary

The field of reproductive epidemiology has focused on reproductive outcomes and gynecologic cancers, neglecting non-cancerous gynecologic conditions like uterine fibroids and endometriosis. This commentary identifies and illustrates three critical challenges to advancing epidemiologic research in this area, suggesting that greater investment and a patient-centered approach are needed.