Women's health needs are different from men's both as a result of bodily differences and also as a result of the ways that women live, work, play and study. Women's patterns of illness are often dissimilar from those of men. Much of this difference results from medical care related to reproduction and sexuality. Furthermore women tend to live longer than men with the result that they experience more chronic illness that requires care. Many diseases are not unique to women, but are more common in women than men. Until recently, most research focused on men, and assumed that the results could be generalized to women. However we now know that the signs and symptoms of many conditions may be quite different for women and men, hence treatment modalities, simple or complex are often diverse.
AMC Women's Health Center physicians and nurses are dedicated to promoting health and wellness for women throughout life in an environment which ensures privacy, confidentiality, safety and consent.
The AMC multidisciplinary approach will thus also offer preventative medical and paramedical services, alternate medical options and an information center to all women. AMC has adapted a holistic approach to woman's health spanning her lifetime and her changing needs.

In order to meet this diversity, the Women's Health Center will provide a wide variety of primary health care options.

• Fertility. Fertility issues will be addressed by AMC specialists. Modern diagnostic and treatment modalities will be employed with the hope of establishing a pregnancy. If non-invasive procedures do not succeed, then the couple will be referred to an AMC contracted IVF clinic.
• Digital mammography. Breast cancer, even now in the third millennium, is the number one cause if death among women aged 40 – 60 in the western world. Its incidence has risen to one in eight women who will be stricken during her lifetime. Therefore awareness programs for self-inspection and mammography are vital. If detected early, breast cancer is ameliorative to treatment with survival rates approaching 97%. The mammography unit will be a key feature in the innovative Women's Health Center. It will be housed in an area of 865 sq. ft. (82 sq. meters). Having a mammography is one of the best methods for the early detection of breast cancer. Given that one woman in eight falls victim to breast cancer, mammography testing is essential from a relatively early age and should be frequently repeated. Though self- and clinical inspection are important, today's advanced digital mammography uses a computer based technique that detects lumps the size of 80 microns (80/1000 cm). These detections are smaller than can be felt by manual inspection. Advanced mammography employs decreased radiation levels, 0.1 rads, to obtain high resolution images. This level of exposure equals that experienced by a flight from Tel Aviv to London. Additionally the equipment used by AMC has a 20% diagnostic advantage over analogue equipment especially for young women whose breasts are characterized by greater ranges of internal tissue density. Offering the latest advancements in early detection, digital mammography collects digital images of the breast and stores them directly into the AMC computer database enabling the physician immediate access for image review. AMC will fully integrate PACS. It is recommended that women over the age of 40 be tested once in two years. However those with a history of breast cancer in their families should be tested once every year. Mammograms are quick and easy, they take only a few minutes. The person who takes the x-ray images places the breast between two plastic plates. The plates press the breast and make it flat. This may be uncomfortable for a few seconds, but it helps give a clear picture. It is often routine that when there is something palpable on the breast exam but the mammogram is negative that a supplemental ultrasound is preformed. This condition is more common in young women, as explained above, because of the differential densities in the breast. Research indicates that diagnostic breast ultrasound improves cancer detection by 30%. If further inspection of the breast is indicated because of a suspect lump, a biopsy via FNA (fine needle aspiration) may be performed. Histological examination of the tissues is then carried out. This tests will be done is rapid succession at AMC thus eliminating the anxiety laden waiting time between spaced appointments. Technology into the imaging operation thus eliminating film based images and utilizing computer based technology. All AMC physicians will be able to immediately review current and past images at conveniently placed medical workstations.
  The mammography unit will be aesthetically designed and tastefully furnished to help alleviate patient anxiety. For the convenience of mothers of small children, it will include a play area so that children can occupy themselves while their mothers undergo the exam. For the further benefit of the community, a breast health awareness program is planned. Its aim will be to foster awareness about the importance of early screening leading to increased frequency of screening rates. This educational project will be implemented with the full cooperation of local health clinics.
• Most pregnancies progress normally with no problems and end the birth of a healthy baby. Sometimes however because of a variety of fetal or maternal conditions a high risk pregnancy develops. The risk can develop due to pre pregnancy conditions of the mother, for example: high blood pressure, kidney disorder, STDs, anemia, Rh incompatibility, previous miscarriages or previous fallopian tube infections. The risk can be detected early in the pregnancy, for example, early bleeding, or during the pregnancy, for example an ectopic pregnancy. Other problems present themselves only at birth, for example a breech birth, an umbilical cord wrapped around the neck, a placenta previa. High risk pregnancies often lead to mechanical birth interventions such as vacuum, forceps or a caesarean section. These may result from early contractions, maternal high blood pressure, diabetes, metabolic or auto immune disorders. High risk pregnancies that are accompanied by continual and intensive medical supervision greatly reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. Additionally clinical dietitians in conjunction with the metabolic and endocrinology advisors will provide dietary information. This is especially important from the fourth month onward when the fetus grows by 1 to 1.5 kilograms per month. Correct nutritional balance is critical to maternal health and fetal development.
• Pap smears and colposcopy. Since women began having Pap smears more than 50 years ago, the number of deaths from cervical cancer has dropped dramatically. What was once the leading cause of cancer deaths for women in the USA now ranks 15th. The test takes only a few minutes. If the results indicate no abnormal cells on the cervix, then no further treatment or testing is needed until the next regular Pap smear. However, if abnormal cells are detected, then a colposcopy may be indicated. In order to take a closer visual examination of the cervix, a gynecologist uses a colposcope, a large electric microscope. Colposcopy is a simple, painless procedure that takes about 15 minutes.
• Bone density testing. As many as one in four women are affected by osteoporosis each year. The condition is a consequence of gradual loss of bone tissue, typically following menopause. This bone loss can lead to easy fractures as well as a weakening of the spinal column. A Bone Density Test uses special low radiation X-rays to measure bone mineral content. The test is easy, fast and painless and carried out on bones that are most likely to break due to osteoporosis. Higher mineral content indicates denser bones that are less likely to break. The results of the bone scan are interpreted by radiologists in conjunction with bone specialist endocrinologists.

As Ashdod grows, so does the need for accessible, quality health care for all women. Socioeconomic factors prevalent in the region, such as low levels of income and education, a large working class and immigrant population, the presence of many orthodox households blessed with numerous children, strain the already overburdened and inadequate health service delivery system. Growing awareness by women to technical advancements has increased their demand for these life saving procedures. AMC will meet this challenge within its greater vision of offering the population of Ashdod the highest standard of medical services available.