Women deserve better health care, and that starts with better research and understanding the unique health challenges women experience.

The scientists and physicians in the department of obstetrics, gyncology and women's health conduct innovative research to aid the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of major diseases that affect women. Our groundbreaking advances not only keep women healthy and active, but also empower them to make the best decisions for their own health as well as their families.

Research being conducted now not only improves the quality of care women receive today, but also impacts care for future generations. With access to advanced technology and innovative procedures, our researchers and doctors are providing the safest, most effective treatment options to tackle women's most complex health issues.

Our team investigates the following areas:

  • Fertility and placental development. Pregnancy begins with the interaction of the uterus and embryo to form a placenta. Our researchers conduct cutting edge research to improve fertility rates, reduce pregnancy losses and prevent pregnancy disorders like pre-eclampsia by understanding how a healthy placenta forms. 
  • Pregnancy as a window into future health. The health of a woman’s pregnancy is a major determinant in the lifelong health of her children and grandchildren. We are researching obstetric complications — such as gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes — that increase both the woman’s and the baby’s risk of disease in the future. Our researchers are focused on advancing the prevention and treatment of common pregnancy complications to increase both the health of women and their children by identifying how these conditions alter lifelong health.
  • Reproductive cancers. Our researchers are studying reproductive tract malignancies — such as cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancers — to advance the prevention and treatment of these conditions by delivering precision medicine.
  • Pelvic floor and reproductive tract disorders. We are researching common pelvic floor disorders – such as pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, voiding dysfunction, and sexual dysfunction -- with the goal of advancing treatments to improve the lives of women who suffer from these conditions. Our researchers also study disorders of the reproductive tract with the goal of reducing the pain, emotional distress and financial burden of conditions such as endometriosis.

Watch how one of our researchers personally benefitted from the IWHC.