Foreword.

The practice of medicine and the science informing that practice is changing so rapidly that no one physician can keep abreast of current guidelines and best practices. Many of us have limited our practices to a subspecialty within women’s health care which makes it even more challenging to read and absorb the vast array of data published every month. In addition, our patients have immediate access to “Dr Google” and various online sources—be they evidence-based, scientifically sound, or biased, inflammatory or financially motivated—which drive their choices and their appointments with us. It is critically important for actively practicing women’s health care physicians and providers to have a basic understanding of all aspects of medicine that impact our patients. In this series, we have compiled a commentary on some of the most controversial and difficult aspects of current practice by experts in the respective areas. Their practical summary of the current literature and guidelines, along with recommendations for management, should help inform each of our daily practices. We have endeavored to provide short, pointed and carefully considered chapters to give readers a quick overview of various areas in women’s health care that are of high impact and for which there may be considerable controversy. From approaching women with chronic pelvic pain to the cutting edge of Precision Medicine, I hope you will find the subject matter interesting, engaging and valuable in your daily care of patients. I am grateful for the dedicated and expert authors who contributed their time and lent their vast experience to help all of us understand the nuances of these complicated and difficult topics.