Iryna Rozum: "I have always been impressed by the perfection of the female body"
- BOMOND VIP fashion magazine
- 3 days ago
- 12 min read
The heroine of the August DIGITAL cover of BOMOND VIP fashion magazine was Iryna Rozum, an obstetrician-gynecologist who devotes her professional activity to women's health. Her approach combines evidence-based medicine, many years of clinical experience and a deep conviction that self-care begins with attention to one's own body.
"I sincerely believe that a woman's health is the foundation of a healthy family, and attentive attitude to oneself, timely prevention and partnership between the doctor and the patient are the key to a long, active and happy life," says Mrs. Iryna.
In the new interview, we talk about the path to the profession, the culture of prevention, early diagnosis of cervical diseases, preparation for pregnancy, postpartum recovery, reproductive health in war conditions, infertility treatment and a modern portrait of a woman.
Ms. Iryna, we live in a world where everything changes extremely quickly: technologies, trends, the rhythm of life. But there are things whose value remains unchanged - time and health. It is health that becomes the foundation on which a woman builds the future, family, career and her own dreams. Every day you are to the birth of a new life, to the most important stages of the woman's path. Tell us, please, how did your own story to the profession of obstetrician-gynecologist begin?
I was born into a family of doctors. My grandmother and father are obstetricians-gynecologists, so talking about medicine was an integral part of my childhood, and books on obstetrics and gynecology were among the first that I enthusiastically flipped through during my school years. It was then that my sincere admiration for women's health and the desire to devote my life to helping women were born.
I have always been impressed by the perfection of the female body. I wanted not only to understand how it works, but also to learn how to help when health needs support. That is why, after graduating from I. Horbachevsky Ternopil State Medical University, there was never any doubt about which specialty I would choose — I became an obstetrician-gynecologist.
Today, for more than twenty years, my profession is not just a job, but a vocation. For me, it is important not only to treat, but also to be close to a woman at different stages of her life: to help maintain health, prevent diseases, support in difficult moments and to rejoice together in happy events, in particular the birth of a child.
In 2019, I received a specialization in pediatric and adolescent gynecology. This direction has become an important continuation of my professional activity. I am convinced that caring for women's health begins in childhood. That is why the opportunity to accompany a girl from the first preventive examinations to the moment when she becomes an adult woman is extremely valuable. Such observation allows you to better understand the peculiarities of the body's development, identify possible problems in a timely manner, and carry out effective prevention.
Medicine is constantly evolving, so I regularly study, improve my knowledge and implement modern approaches to diagnosis and treatment. However, the main thing remains unchanged — attentive attitude to each patient, trust and sincere desire to help.
I sincerely believe that a woman's health is the basis of a healthy family, and attentive attitude to oneself, timely prevention and partnership between the doctor and the patient are the key to a long, active and happy life.
I truly love my profession, because the greatest reward for me is healthy and smiling patients who trust me with the most valuable thing - their health.
In your work, you see women in different periods of their lives: from adolescence to motherhood, menopause and new stages of self-knowledge. What is the portrait of a modern woman in your eyes today? What has changed in her attitude towards herself and her own health?
A modern woman in the conditions of war has faced numerous challenges that require significant physical, emotional and psychological endurance from her. On her shoulders often lies at the same time the responsibility for family well-being, raising children, financial stability, professional realization and support of loved ones.
Prolonged stress, constant anxiety and a change in the usual way of life cannot but affect the woman's body. The hormonal system is particularly sensitive to such factors, on the state of which reproductive health, emotional balance, metabolic processes and general well-being depend.
At the same time, a modern woman demonstrates a high level of adaptation and development. She successfully builds a career, runs a business, holds responsible positions and at the same time remains a caring mother and partner.
Today, women pay more attention to their own health: they are interested in modern methods of prevention, use available information resources, undergo regular examinations and form a responsible attitude to their body. A healthy lifestyle, physical activity and self-care also play an important role, which contribute to the preservation of working capacity, quality of life and active longevity.
That is why, in modern conditions, an individual approach to each patient, timely diagnosis and support of a woman's hormonal and reproductive health are of particular importance.
Many diseases in gynecology may not manifest themselves with bright symptoms for a long time. Why, in your opinion, the culture of preventive examinations is still underestimated and what should every woman understand about regular health care?
Preventive examinations are the basis for preserving a woman's reproductive health and one of the most effective tools for early detection of precancerous conditions, malignant neoplasms, infections, endocrine and gynecological diseases. Despite the availability of modern diagnostic methods, the culture of regular preventive visits to the gynecologist remains insufficiently formed.
Preventive gynecological examination is not only the diagnosis of diseases, but also the formation of a woman's responsible attitude to her own health.
Most gynecological diseases in the early stages are asymptomatic, which justifies the need for regular preventive examinations even in the absence of complaints.
Regular screening allows you to timely identify cervical pathology, benign neoplasms, infections, menstrual disorders and risk factors for oncogynecological diseases.
An important component of modern prevention is vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV), which significantly reduces the risk of cervical cancer.
Of particular importance is a personalized approach to prevention depending on age, reproductive plans, comorbidities and family history. As a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist, I emphasize that the formation of a culture of preventive examinations should begin from adolescence through educational work, sex education and improving the level of medical literacy.
Psychological barriers have a significant impact on women's adherence to regular examinations: fear of diagnosis, shyness, negative previous experience, lack of awareness and lack of time.
The formation of a culture of preventive gynecological examinations is one of the key areas of modern medicine. Regular preventive visits contribute to the early detection of diseases, the reduction of oncological incidence, the improvement of reproductive health and the quality of life of women. The patient's responsible attitude to her own health in combination with evidence-based approaches is the key to the health of a woman, a girl, and a future mother.
For almost 5 years of full-scale war in Ukraine, significant obstacles have been created to the provision and receipt of medical care, in particular in the field of women's reproductive health. Forced population displacement, destruction of medical infrastructure, psycho-emotional stress and economic difficulties have led to a decrease in the coverage of women with preventive gynecological examinations. This, in turn, increases the risk of late diagnosis of precancerous conditions, malignant neoplasms and chronic gynecological diseases.
Martial law is accompanied by prolonged psycho-emotional stress, which can negatively affect the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, causing menstrual disorders, anovulation, exacerbation of chronic inflammatory processes, worsening of the course of endometriosis and other gynecological diseases. However, stress should not be considered as a reason for refusing preventive examinations, since it does not replace the timely diagnosis of organic pathology.
Cervical pathologies remain one of the topics that often cause anxiety in women. What modern diagnostic and prevention capabilities allow you to detect changes in the early stages and why is timely examination so important?
In recent years, in my medical practice, I have increasingly encountered women with precancerous cervical diseases. At first glance, it may seem that there are more such cases. In fact, this is largely due to the fact that modern medicine has learned to detect these changes much earlier than they pass into a malignant process.
Today, doctors have at their disposal high-precision diagnostic methods: testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) of high oncogenic risk, liquid cytology, modern colposcopy, and, if necessary, identification of special biomarkers and targeted biopsy. It is these methods that allow you to detect changes in a timely manner and start treatment at the stage when the disease is completely curable.
At the same time, there are factors that contribute to the increase in the number of such cases. Among them are irregular preventive examinations, late visits to the gynecologist, violation of the continuity of medical observation due to migration, as well as infection with highly oncogenic types of human papillomavirus, the risk of which increases in the presence of several sexual partners or unprotected sexual contacts.
The most important thing that every woman should know today: precancerous changes in the cervix is not a sentence. Provided timely diagnosis and proper treatment, they can be completely eliminated, preventing the development of cervical cancer.
The topic of infertility for many couples becomes not only a medical, but also an emotional challenge. How has the approach to the diagnosis and treatment of infertility changed today and what would you like to say to women who are going through this difficult path?
Infertility is an urgent problem of modern gynecology and reproductive medicine, which is observed in about 10-15% of couples of reproductive age. A timely comprehensive examination of both partners allows us to establish the etiological factor of infertility and choose the optimal treatment tactics.
Modern examination of an infertile couple involves a comprehensive approach with a simultaneous examination of both partners. It includes anamnesis collection, clinical examination, laboratory and instrumental research methods.
In women, hormonal studies, ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs, evaluation of ovulation and patency of the fallopian tubes (hysterosalpingography or sonohysterosalpingoscopy) are performed. According to indications, hysteroscopy or laparoscopy is performed. In men, the main method of diagnosis is a spermogram, if necessary — hormonal, genetic studies and ultrasound of the gulle organs.
Pregnancy planning is increasingly becoming a conscious decision. What steps, in your opinion, should a woman take before pregnancy to prepare her body for this special period?
An important stage in a woman's life is the birth of a child, so preparation for pregnancy should begin 3-4 months before conception. This is the optimal time to strengthen the body and eliminate hidden risks to the baby's health.
The first step is a visit to the gynecologist and basic screening. The doctor will conduct an examination, perform an ultrasound of the pelvic organs and take a mandatory smear for cytology (PAP test). It is also necessary to pass a general blood test to rule out anemia, check the level of sugar and thyroid hormone (TSH).
The second step is vaccination and infection safety. Pregnant women are contraindicated "live" vaccines, so protection is updated in advance. It is worth donating blood for IgG antibodies to rubella and chickenpox. If there is no immunity, vaccination is done at least 1-3 months before conception, because these infections cause severe fetal defects. It is also recommended to update the routine vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus if more than 10 years have passed since the last injection.
The third step is taking the necessary vitamins. 3 months before conception, both partners need to take 400 mcg of folic acid daily. This reduces the risk of congenital malformations of the child's nervous system by 70%. A woman is also usually prescribed 150–200 mcg of iodine daily for the development of the baby's brain. Vitamin D and iron are added only after tests, if their deficiency is detected.
The fourth step is the revision of the home medicine cabinet. Be sure to warn the doctor about all the medications that you take constantly. Some popular drugs for pressure, acne or migraines are toxic to the fetus, so they must be replaced in advance with safe analogues.
The fifth step is gentle changes in lifestyle. It is necessary to completely give up alcohol and smoking (including vapes) because they spasm the vessels of the placenta. Coffee consumption should be limited to 1–2 cups per day, and it is also advisable to normalize weight without strict diets.
The sixth step is the preparation of the future dad. Male sex cells are renewed for about 74 days. During this period, it is important for the future father to avoid overheating (saunas, hot baths, car seat heating), give up alcohol and take folic acid with your partner.
Timely preparation of both parents is the key to a quiet pregnancy and the birth of a healthy child.
After the birth of a child, attention usually focuses on the baby, while the woman herself is often left alone with changes in her own life and organism. How important is postpartum rehabilitation and what do women most often forget during this period?
Methods of postpartum recovery: returning to yourself step by step
Very often, after the birth of a child, all the attention is mainly for the child, and about the mother is forgotten a little. After the birth of a child, the body needs time to recover. Do not rush to return to the usual rhythm of life - rehabilitation should be gradual and comfortable. Here are the main methods that help a woman recover after childbirth.
Movement is the best start
First walks, light exercise and a gradual increase in physical activity improve blood circulation, reduce fatigue and help the body recover faster.
Caring for the pelvic muscles
During pregnancy and childbirth, these muscles are subjected to a significant load. Special exercises help prevent urinary incontinence, improve the support of internal organs and promote a comfortable return to an active life.
Restoration of abdominal muscles
If diastasis (divergence of the abdominal muscles) is left after pregnancy, it is important to perform correctly selected exercises. This will help strengthen the muscular corset and reduce back pain.
Caring for a scar after a cesarean section
After complete healing of the scar, the doctor or physical therapist may recommend special techniques to improve tissue mobility and prevent discomfort.
Caring for your back and posture
Feeding, carrying a baby and lack of sleep often cause pain in the neck and lower back. Exercises to strengthen the back muscles, correct posture and a comfortable position during feeding will help.
Full meals and rest
A balanced diet, enough fluids and any opportunity to get enough sleep are important components of recovery. Even a short day's rest can help you regain strength.
Psychological health also matters
After giving birth, the woman experiences significant physical and emotional changes. Do not hesitate to ask for help from relatives and contact a specialist if you experience a depressed mood, anxiety or emotional exhaustion for a long time.
Regular doctor's check-ups
A follow-up visit after childbirth will help you assess how the recovery is going, answer your questions and adjust your rehabilitation plan if necessary.
Remember: postpartum recovery is not a marathon of speed. Every woman has her own pace, and taking care of herself is an important part of taking care of your child. Mom's health is the basis of the well-being of the whole family.
Violation of the menstrual cycle is perceived by many as a temporary phenomenon. In what cases can this be a signal of the body about more serious changes and when is it worth contacting a specialist?
The menstrual cycle is one of the main indicators of women's health. If menstruation comes irregularly, becomes too abundant, scarce or disappears altogether, the body can signal certain problems.
The reasons for the violation of the cycle can be many. Most often, it is stress, hormonal changes, excessive physical exertion, sudden weight loss or weight gain, thyroid disease or gynecological diseases. Sometimes the cycle changes due to fatigue or a change in lifestyle.
What can this lead to?
If you do not pay attention to the violation of the menstrual cycle, unpleasant consequences may occur.
Problems with conception. An irregular cycle often means that ovulation does not occur every month, and this makes it difficult for pregnancy to occur. If your periods are very abundant, the body loses a lot of blood can lead to anemia. This can cause weakness, rapid fatigue, dizziness and pallor.
Hormonal imbalance. It can manifest itself as rashes on the skin, hair loss, sudden changes in mood or weight gain.
Cycle disorders are sometimes a symptom of diseases such as ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, endometriosis or other conditions that require treatment.
Deterioration of well-being. Constant pain, discomfort and unpredictability of the cycle can negatively affect work, rest and overall quality of life.
Do not postpone a visit to the gynecologist if:
Monthly absent for more than three months;
The cycle has become very irregular;
Bleeding lasts more than seven days or is too abundant;
During menstruation there is severe pain;
Spotting appears between menstruation.
Tips for women's health
Take care of yourself: have a good rest, eat a balanced diet, avoid severe stress, maintain a healthy weight and regularly undergo examinations by a gynecologist. Even small changes in the cycle should not be ignored.
Violation of the menstrual cycle is not just an inconvenience, but a signal that the body needs attention. Timely treatment to the doctor will help identify the cause, preserve women's health and prevent possible complications.
Over the years of practice, you have witnessed thousands of women's stories. If today you could address every woman regardless of her age, profession or life experience, what main message about health and self-love would you like to leave?
In the daily rhythm of life, we often take care of everyone around us: children, relatives, work, home. But among all these worries, it is very important not to forget about the most valuable thing - your own health.
As an obstetrician-gynecologist, I want to remind you: women's health needs not only treatment when problems arise, but also regular care and prevention. Many gynecological diseases in the early stages do not have pronounced symptoms, so it is preventive examinations that make it possible to detect them in time and preserve your health.
Do not postpone a visit to the doctor due to lack of time or fear. Listen to your body, do not ignore changes, take care of a healthy lifestyle, full sleep, balanced nutrition and emotional balance. These simple steps work for your future every day.
Remember: it is worth undergoing a preventive examination by a gynecologist even when nothing bothers you. After all, the best medicine is the one that helps prevent the disease.
Take care of yourself, love yourself and do not postpone taking care of your health for later. After all, a healthy woman is a happy woman who has strength, energy and the opportunity to enjoy every day.
