Posts Tagged ‘Vagina’

The Reproductive System – what is it and why is it important for health ? – Part 4

The Reproductive System

This system is responsible the human race to continue their race. There are some problems associated with this system:

- Testicular Torsion
If the person is experiencing a severe rapid pain and occurs in one testicle and then spreads to the lower abdomen, then it could be testicular torsion where the testicle twists itself and blood supply is cut and medical treatment should be seek immediately.

- Epidiymitis or inflammation of the passage leading from testicles
If a person is experiencing pain in one or both testicles that lasts for more than few hours, red inflamed scrotum and flu like symptoms, then it could be epidiymitis and it can be treated by medicines and one should keep a watch for couple of days and if it still persists, seek medical advice.

- Testicle cancer
If a person is experiencing tenderness in testicle or if it feels harder than usual or uneven, then it can be testicle cancer which can be diagnosed by an ultrasound.

- Thrush, a fungal infection
If a person is experiencing a vaginal discharge which is thick white curdy in appearance accompanied with itching and irritation, then it can be thrush which is a fungal infection and it can be treated by some anti fungal creams or tablets.

- AIDS
If a person is experiencing weight loss of over 10%, fever for over a month, repeated infections and diarrhea for over three months then it can be AIDS and you should get tested for HIV.

- Gonorrhea
If a person is experiencing a thick smelly discharge from penis and a burning sensation when urinating, then it can be gonorrhea and treatment can be done with antibiotics.

- Genital Herpes Simplex (GHS)
If a person is experiencing a tickling or itching in the genital region or small blisters which burst and form scales, then it can be genital herpes simplex and it can be treated with creams but can reappear and can lead to cervix cancer.

- Polycystic Ovarian Disorder
If a person is experiencing weight gain, irregular periods, acne, excessive body hair and trouble in concerning, then it can be polycystic ovarian disorder and it can be treated with hormones.

- Syphillis
If a person is experiencing a small, hard and painless swelling at top of penis or near vagina opening or anal region, mouth, then it can be syphillis and it can be treated with antibiotics.

| More

If you found this post informative, why not sign up to receive new posts ?
It's simple, and free, and you can even opt to receive by email:
Subscribe in a reader
Subscribe to Good Health Tips by Email

Bleeding from the Vagina during Pregnancy – Causes and Treatment

Bleeding during all stages of pregnancy can be dangerous; you should call your healthcare provider if there are any signs of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Vaginal bleeding is any blood from the vagina (the canal leading from the uterus to the external genitalia). This usually refers to abnormal bleeding not associated with a regular menstrual period. Some basic things to know about bleeding are:

- If you are bleeding, you should always use a towel or panty liner so you can control how much you are bleeding and the type of bleeding you are experiencing.
- Never use a tampon or introduce anything else in the area of the vagina as a douche or sexual intercourse if you are experiencing bleeding.
- If you are also experiencing any of the other symptoms mentioned below in connection with a possible complication, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately.

The time period of the bleeding can be:
- The first trimester bleeding is vaginal bleeding during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Vaginal bleeding can vary from light spotting to severe bleeding with clots. Vaginal bleeding is a common problem in early pregnancy, complicating 20-30% of all pregnancies.
- Any vaginal bleeding during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy (last 6 months of a 9-month pregnancy) is abnormal.
- Bleeding from the vagina after 28 weeks of pregnancy is a true emergency. Bleeding can range from very mild to very quickly and may or may not be accompanied by abdominal pain. Haemorrhage (another word for bleeding) is the most common cause of maternal death in the United States. It complicates 4% of all pregnancies.

Causes:
Many women have a certain amount of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Some studies show that up to 30% of pregnant women experience some degree of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is more common in twins and other multiple pregnancies than singleton pregnancies.

Sometimes women experience very little amount of bleeding in the first two weeks of pregnancy, usually around the time of the expected menstrual period. This light bleeding is sometimes referred to as “implantation bleeding.” Doctors do not know for sure what causes this bleeding, but can occur as a result of a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterine wall.

The amount of bleeding, the stage of pregnancy, and any associated symptoms can help determine the cause of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. While vaginal bleeding during pregnancy does not mean a problem with the pregnancy, women who experience bleeding during pregnancy should always be evaluated by a physician.

Treatment:
Drugs for treatment of irregular vaginal bleeding depend on the cause. Examples are described below:
- If the cause of bleeding is the lack of ovulation (anovulation), doctors may prescribe either progesterone to be taken at regular intervals, or an oral contraceptive containing progesterone for proper hormone balance. This treatment dramatically decreases the risk of uterine cancer in women who do not ovulate.

- If the cause of irregular vaginal bleeding is a precancerous change in the lining of the uterus, progesterone drugs can be prescribed to reduce the accumulation of pre-cancerous tissue lining the uterus in an attempt to avoid surgery.

- When a woman has not menstruated for less than six months, the cause may be the menopausal transition. During this transition, a woman is sometimes offered an oral contraceptive to establish a more regular bleeding pattern to provide complete contraception until menopause, and to relieve hot flashes.

- If the cause of irregular vaginal bleeding is benign polyps or other tumors, they are sometimes removed surgically to control bleeding, and can not be treated with medication.

- If the cause of bleeding is infection, antibiotics are necessary. Bleeding during pregnancy requires urgent evaluation by an obstetrician. Endometriosis can be treated with medication and / or surgery.

- Sometimes, the cause of excessive bleeding is not evident after the completion of the test (dysfunctional uterine bleeding). In these cases, oral contraceptives may improve cycle control and reduce bleeding.

Vaginal Discharge during Pregnancy – Causes, Prevention and Treatment

Vaginal discharge can begin from mid to late first quarter and continue until the final delivery. The vaginal discharge during pregnancy is dangerous and has a mild odor. This is called leukorrhea. The flow can be heavy when on the workforce.

The fluids produced by the cervix clean the vaginal canal and protect it from infection. However, in some cases, you may suffer from a yeast infection and the genitals may be infected. Contact the doctor if vaginal discharge includes a foul odor, a colour that is unusual, itching, or warts. Also tell the doctor if you have symptoms such as fever or flu, along with the discharge.

Leukorrhea has a slight odour, milky fluid. In most cases, it is caused by increased blood flow in the area around your vagina. Probably, it is not so different from the discharge one has before pregnancy.

The flow can increase as you approach labour, and can be very heavy. In fact, an increase in the flow and thickening toward the end of pregnancy may be a sign that you are approaching labour. Also you’ll notice a lot of mucus released shortly before delivery.

Causes:
As your waistline expands, there is a hormonal change and the flow of new blood in the vaginal area causes the increased flow known as leukorrhea. If it does not smell, then it is normal. It’s how your body get rid of bacteria that could harm your baby.
Some of the other causes for vaginal discharge during the time of pregnancy are as follows:
- Greater blood flow in the genitals
- Higher production of estrogen in the body

Prevention:
Vaginal discharge is common during the entire life cycle of pregnancy. However, with proper care and treatment, we can avoid it to become a vaginal infection.

Treatment:
Some tips to fight infection because of vaginal discharge are as follows:
- Eat a healthy diet and keep off junk food.
- Keep the vaginal area clean and dry. To clean the area, use warm water and a cloth. Application of the soap will make the skin fragile.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing around your anus. This pushes the fluids in the vagina.
- Do not use tampons because they can help unwanted germs to enter the vagina.
- It is preferable to use cotton underwear and sanitary napkins.
- Wear panty liners to reduce moisture.
- Try to go to bed without underwear. This helps the skin around the vagina to dry.
- After passing urine or stool, always remember to dry the area from front to back after washing.
- Stay away from douches. This alters the tolerable balance of micro organisms in the body and cause serious vaginal infection. A shower is a syringe with detachable nozzles used to wash inside the vagina. In some cases, the force with which shower works is harmful during pregnancy.
- Avoid contact stress.
- Take baths often and pay attention to personal hygiene.
- If you get a yeast infection, contact your doctor immediately and begin the treatment immediately. Remember that yeast infections can be transmitted to the baby during childbirth.