Chapter 12 Diseases and Conditions of the Reproductive System

1. Chapter 12 Diseases and Conditions of the Reproductive System

2. Sexually Transmitted Diseases • More than 20 infectious diseases are spread by sexual contact • Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are spread from one person to another through bodily fluids (blood, semen, vaginal secretions) during vaginal, anal, or oral sex • Some spread by direct contact with infected skin

3. Sexually Transmitted Disease Risk Factors A person is at greater risk for getting an STD if he or she: • Has sex without knowledge of partner’s history • Shares drug-related needles • Has sex with multiple partners • Has direct skin contact with an open wound of an infected person

4. Chlamydia • One of the most frequently reported infectious diseases in the U.S. • More common than gonorrhea and the leading cause of pelvic inflammatory disease and sterility in women • Sometimes called the silent STD because it often has no symptoms

5. Chlamydia (cont’d.) • Symptoms • When symptoms are present they are evidenced in both females and males and include: • Females • Thick vaginal discharge with burning sensation • Itching • Abdominal pain • Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)

6. Chlamydia (cont’d.) • Males • Discharge from penis with burning sensation • Itching • Burning sensation when urinating • Scrotum may be swollen

7. Chlamydia (cont’d.) • Treatment • Antibiotic therapy is given to both partners • Initially: a single injection • Followed by: oral antibiotics • Patients are encouraged to abstain from intercourse until both partners are cured

8. Gonorrhea • A common STD with symptoms similar to chlamydia • Additional symptoms: • A discharge of pus from the genital tract in both males and females • Difficult or painful urination • Symptoms vary in severity

9. Gonorrhea (cont’d.) • Treatment • Antibiotic therapy for both partners • Because many strains of the bacteria that cause gonorrhea have become resistant to standard antibiotic therapy (tetracycline and penicillin), follow-up cultures are routinely ordered to ensure a complete cure

10. Gonorrhea (cont’d.) • Neglecting treatment can lead to the following complications: • Pelvic inflammatory disease • Blood poisoning (septicemia) • Septic arthritis

11. Trichomoniasis • Infection of the lower genitourinary tract • Affects about 15 percent of sexually active people • Most infected men and women are without symptoms

12. Trichomoniasis (cont’d.) • Symptoms • When symptoms are present they are evidenced in both females and males and include: • Difficult or painful urination • Itching • Women: profuse greenish yellow discharge from the vagina

13. Trichomoniasis (cont’d.) • Diagnosis • Discharge from either the male or female is typically studied for the microorganism responsible. • Urinalysis may be performed • Cervix may also be examined for the presence of small hemorrhages with a strawberry-like appearance

14. Trichomoniasis (cont’d.) • Treatment • Anti-infective drugs are given orally or in some cases vaginally. • Follow-up examinations to ensure the infection has been eliminated

15. Genital Herpes • Infection of the skin in the genital area resulting in painful genital sores • Spread by direct skin-to-skin contact • Caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) • Large percentage of infections go unnoticed

16. Genital Herpes (cont’d.) • Symptoms • One or more blister-like lesions on or around the genitals or anus • Swollen glands • Fever • Headache • Painful urination

17. Genital Herpes (cont’d.) • Diagnosis • Presence of characteristic lesions on the male or female genitalia • An antigen test or tissue culture may confirm the diagnosis.

18. Genital Herpes (cont’d.) • Treatment • There is no cure. • Prescription drugs are routinely used to reduce the frequency and duration of outbreaks. • Women with genital herpes are at increased risk for cervical cancer and are encouraged to obtain a Pap smear every six months for screening.

19. Genital Warts (Condylomata Acuminata) • A genital infection that causes raised cauliflower-like growths in or near the vagina or rectum or along the penis • Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and is usually transmitted through sexual contact.

20. Genital Warts (cont’d.) • Symptoms • Possible itching or burning • Discomfort varies by size, number, and location • Added risk factor • Women with HPV infection are at greater risk for cervical cancer

21. Genital Warts (cont’d.) • Treatment • Topical drug therapy • Surgical procedures • Cryosurgery: freezing and removing affected tissue • Electrodesiccation: removing warts using lasers • Some genital warts disappear without treatment

22. Syphilis • A chronic, sexually transmitted infection that can affect the entire body if left untreated

23. Syphilis (cont’d.) • Symptoms manifest in four stages: • Presence of a painless but highly contagious local lesion called a chancre (pronounced “shang-ker”) found on the genitalia • Within one-two months, the primary lesion heals, but the infection spreads throughout the body and can cause similar lesions anywhere

24. Syphilis (cont’d.)

25. Syphilis (cont’d.) • Symptom stages • The infection begins spreading systemically throughout the body and may present with: • Fever • Headache • Aching joints • Mouth sores • Rashes on palms or soles of feet

26. Syphilis (cont’d.) • Symptom stages • A latent period follows where the infection is without symptoms but can be transmitted in the first few years of this stage. • This stage can last from one to 40 years and varies by person.

27. Syphilis (cont’d.) • Symptom stages • In the final stage, lesions (called gummas) invade the body organs and systems and cause widespread damage that can be disabling and life-threatening.

28. Syphilis (cont’d.) • Treatment • Can be cured with a course of antibiotic therapy using penicillin G • Patients are monitored with follow-up blood tests for up to one year to ensure elimination of infection.

29. Chancroid • A bacterial infection of the genitalia that causes a shallow and painless lesion on the skin or mucous membrane that appears seven to 10 days after sexual contact with an infected person • Symptoms: • Over time, ulcer usually deepens and oozes pus

30. Chancroid (cont’d.) • Treatment • Antibiotic therapy • Lesions must sometimes be drained surgically • Good personal hygiene • Refrain from sexual contact during treatment

31. Hepatitis B • An infection of the liver that is caused by a DNA virus • The disease has a long incubation and symptoms may become severe or chronic, causing serious damage to the liver

32. Hepatitis B (cont’d.) • Causes • Can be transmitted by: • Contaminated blood or blood derivatives in transfusions • Sexual contact with an infected person • Use of contaminated needles and instruments

33. Hepatitis B (cont’d.) • Symptoms • Fatigue • Loss of appetite • Nausea • Abdominal discomfort • Dark urine • Clay-colored bowel movements • Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

34. Hepatitis B (cont’d.) • Treatment • Some cases are self-limiting • Medications to control nausea and pain • Low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet • Restriction of physical activity • Alcohol should be avoided at all costs because of its potential to strain the liver • Antiviral therapy for chronic cases

35. Hepatitis B (cont’d.) • Prognosis • Acute cases: prognosis is good • Liver heals and regenerates • May take several months • Chronic cases: prognosis is poor • Inflammation causes destruction of liver cells and possible liver failure

36. Chapter 12Lesson 12.2

37. Sexual Dysfunction • Sexual dysfunction is the abnormal or impaired function of sexual behavior resulting from physical and/or mental imbalances in the system

38. Dyspareunia • Refers to recurrent painful or difficult sexual intercourse • Can occur in men and women but is more common in women

39. Dyspareunia (cont’d.) • Physical causes (women) • Intact hymen • Insufficient lubrication • Presence of an STD • Use of spermicide • Endometriosis • Pelvic inflammatory disease • Presence of cysts or tumors in pelvic region

40. Dyspareunia (cont’d.) • Psychological causes (women) • Past trauma • Sexual abuse • Fears (including fear of pregnancy) • Anxiety

41. Dyspareunia (cont’d.) • Causes (men) • A “bowed” erection • Tight foreskin • Inflammation of the prostate • Anxiety or guilt

42. Dyspareunia (cont’d.) • Treatment • Determined by cause but could include: • Use of lubricants during intercourse • Gentle stretching of vaginal opening • Treat existing infections • Address psychosexual issues in counseling • Corrective surgery, if necessary

43. Erectile Dysfunction (ED)/Impotence • Description • The inability of a man to perform sexual intercourse, usually because he is unable to attain or maintain an erection of the penis

44. Medical conditions Diabetes mellitus Heart disease High cholesterol Hypertension Nerve disorders arising from: Prostate surgery Trauma Psychological causes: Depression Unconscious guilt Sexual trauma Discordant relationships Anxiety about sex Chronic fatigue Stress ED/Impotence (cont’d.)

45. ED/Impotence (cont’d.) • Other causes • Medications used to treat hypertension and depression • Alcohol • Recreational drugs • Antihistamines • Diuretics

46. ED/Impotence (cont’d.) • Diagnosis • Physical examination • Lab tests to rule out organic disease • Measurement of testosterone level • Medical history of patient and family: • Any chronic disease such as diabetes, hypertension heart disease, renal or vascular problem, etc. • Lifestyle habits such as smoking, alcohol use, stress levels, and degree of sexual activity

47. ED/Impotence (cont’d.) • Treatment • Change or discontinue medications • Testosterone therapy • Psychological counseling • Penile implants/injection therapy • External vacuum therapy • Oral drug therapy

48. Male and Female Infertility • The involuntary inability to conceive • With regular unprotected intercourse, about 90 percent of couples conceive within one year • Of those unable: approximately 40 percent can be attributed to male factors, 40 percent more to female factors, and less than 10 percent unknown

49. Male and Female Infertility (cont’d.) • Causes (male) • Insufficient number of sperm • Inadequate motility (movement) of sperm • Presence of an STD or any infection or blockage • Other physical conditions (genetic disorders) or injuries (radiation exposure, hormonal imbalances) that may result in sterility

50. Male and Female Infertility (cont’d.) • Causes (female) • STD or infection of the reproductive system • Failure to ovulate • Endometriosis • Blocked fallopian tubes • Congenital structural or chromosomal disorders • Scar tissue from infection, ectopic pregnancy, or surgery • Psychological distress