Since the beginning of time, a woman has been heavily responsible for procreation. To bear and give birth to a healthy baby is not an easy task. To do this, you need to have a fairly good health. Gynecological diseases in women have recently been found more and more often, which is due not only to anatomical features, but also to lifestyle. Early sexual intercourse is one of the main causes of many infections and diseases.
Female diseases. Main types
Ailments that are characteristic only of the female body are studied by such a branch of medicine as gynecology. A huge number of genital diseases are known. They can be divided into two main groups. The first is sexually transmitted diseases, and the second is arising from inflammations and hormonal disruptions.
The first type includes chlamydia, candidiasis, trichomoniasis, herpes, tripper, syphilis and some others. You can get these infections mainly during sexual intercourse.
The second type of disease is characterized by various neoplasms on the genitals - erosion, fibroids, cysts, polyps, hyperplasia, endometriosis, cancer.
Gynecological diseases in women often occur without any symptoms. This is their insidiousness. Therefore, every sane representative of the fair sex should be examined once a year by a local gynecologist, even if there are no obvious reasons for this.
How do they appear?
The main cause of any disease is weakened immunity, stress, and the wrong lifestyle. Most female ailments are associated with a hormonal background. An important role is played by sexual life or its absence.
Accidental sexual intercourse or unprotected sexual contact almost always causes various infections. The subsequent inflammatory process in the vagina is, in turn, a favorable background for the development of other, more serious diseases (erosion, dysplasia, cancer). Therefore, when a person enters reproductive age, sexual education should become an integral part of the formation of his personality. Thus, you can protect the teenager from the possible consequences of early sexual intercourse.
Symptoms to watch out for
Female diseases (gynecology) - inflammation of the female genital organs. The causes of the appearance of ailments can be very different. Particular attention should be paid to the symptoms. The reasons for concern and medical attention should be:
- Sharp pains in the lower abdomen or back.
- Irregular menstruation, which can be either plentiful or too scarce.
- Itching, burning in the genital area.
- Painful urination.
- Unpleasant discharge (purulent, curdled, frothy).
- Painful and unpleasant sexual intercourse.
- Deteriorated general health.
Female diseases do not always have signs. Symptoms are often absent, resulting in an advanced stage. And treatment becomes not only expensive, but also difficult.
Therefore, each representative of the fair sex should be examined in a timely manner by a doctor for the purpose of prevention.
Female genital diseases
STDs, unfortunately, are not uncommon these days. They are found both in married couples and in people who do not have a permanent sexual partner. The whole danger of these sores is that for a long time, being in the body, they do not make themselves felt.
Sexual infections can be divided into two types:
- Bacterial (caused by pathogenic bacteria) - chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, trichomoniasis, syphilis, ureaplasma, gonorrhea.
- Viral - herpes (genital), warts, HIV.
The chances of contracting these diseases in everyday life are negligible. They are transmitted mainly through sexual contact or through the blood.
The main trouble with these diseases is that they are difficult to detect during a routine examination. For diagnosis, flora sowing is used, as well as PCR analysis, which determines the DNA of the pathogen in the body.
Most genital infections that are not treated promptly result in diseases of the cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
Uterus and appendages ailments
These are inflammations and tumor formations (benign and malignant) on the ovaries, uterus and in the tubes. The consequences for the female body can be very different - partial or complete removal of organs, infertility, ectopic pregnancy.
Inflammatory diseases of the cervix uteri most often occur as a result of genital infections, the causative agents of which are chlamydia, trichomonads, streptococci, staphylococci, gonococci, fungi and other bacteria.
Among the most common female diseases, cervical erosion comes first. She is diagnosed in every third to fifth woman. Erosion is a small wound that, developing, can affect the entire uterine epithelium (dysplasia) and lead to its tumor.
In second place is a cyst. A disease is a blockage in the glands of the uterus or ovaries. Outwardly, it looks like small tubercles. Unlike erosion, a cyst does not grow into a tumor. However, it can grow. Increasing in size, it can deform the cervix and disrupt the structure of the epithelium. That is why the treatment of this disease is mandatory.
They diagnose erosion, like a cyst, using the method of colposcopy. Treatment is carried out by cauterization (laser or radio waves).
The diseases of the appendages include salpingitis (inflammation of the fallopian tubes), oophoritis (inflammation of the ovaries) and salpingoophoritis (inflammation of both the tubes and ovaries).
Symptoms of inflammation:
- Fever.
- Sharp pains in the lower abdomen.
- Nausea, vomiting.
- Increased white blood cell and urine counts.
- Irregular menstrual cycle.
Inflammation of the appendages can be caused by pathogenic bacteria (staphylococci, streptococci, chlamydia, gonococci), abortion, biopsy, curettage and other mechanical damage.
For any ailments, consult a doctor immediately. Diseases of the uterus, as well as appendages, are a serious threat to reproductive health. In no case should you delay the treatment.
Effects
Any disease does not go unnoticed. Some time after the treatment of a particular illness, certain consequences may appear. Female diseases are no exception. The most terrible consequence of gynecological ailments is infertility, which today is increasingly found in young couples.
The neglected and timely untreated inflammation of the organs of the reproductive system can also cause:
- Commissures.
- Disturbed blood circulation in the genitals.
- Disruptions in the menstrual cycle.
- Ectopic pregnancy.
This is not all the consequences that female diseases entail (gynecology). Inflammation of the uterus and appendages leads to changes in the pelvic organs, disrupts the ovulation process, and also affects the patency of the fallopian tubes. Of course, this is not infertility, but it is quite difficult to bear a healthy child.
Therefore, the slightest ailment, which is accompanied by pain, secretions, should be the reason for going to the doctor. Timely diagnosis and treatment is the key to successful motherhood in the future.
Cancer
Malignant formations in women are most often formed in the chest, uterus, ovaries and appendages. The main reason is the lack of timely treatment for less serious diseases (for example, advanced erosion). An important effect is exerted by heredity, mechanical damage to the uterus, reduced immunity, hormonal disruptions.
In the early stages, the tumor is almost impossible to detect. As a result, treatment becomes difficult and often ends in death.
Symptoms of the appearance of tumors:
- Neoplasms that can be felt with your fingers.
- Swelling of the affected areas.
- Discharge from the genitals with pus or blood.
- Pain in the abdomen and back.
- Painful intercourse.
- Irregular menstruation.
- Weakness, malaise, weight loss.
They diagnose cancer using:
- Ultrasound
- Biopsies.
- Cytological studies.
- Computed tomography.
- Tests for tumor markers.
Of course, in most cases, tumor formation can be avoided. To do this, you must consult a doctor in a timely manner. Any diseases and infections should not be brought to an extreme state.
Prevention
It's no secret that any disease is easier to prevent than to treat. The most faithful prevention of all female ailments is a constant and proven sexual partner, as well as timely visits to the doctor.
Usually, in addition to examination and ultrasound diagnostics, the gynecologist prescribes the delivery of standard tests. This is the only way the overall picture of a woman’s health is looming. Standard analyzes include the following:
- General analysis of blood and urine.
- Smears on the flora.
- Cytological studies (will help determine oncology).
If during the examination a sexually transmitted infection was detected, do not neglect treatment. Of course, antibiotic therapy does not have the best effect on the female body, but without the use of special drugs it is impossible to get rid of such diseases. In no case should you self-medicate. Not knowing the exact diagnosis, you can only do harm.
Diseases during pregnancy
When a representative of the fair sex carries a child, her body becomes very vulnerable and susceptible to various ailments. When planning a pregnancy, it is best to undergo a medical examination and exclude all female diseases. However, it happens that no infections were detected during the examination. They make themselves felt only at a period of 10-12 weeks of pregnancy. Do not panic right away. Modern medications can treat female diseases with the least consequences for the fetus. The main thing is to wait for the right moment. This is usually the second trimester, when all the baby’s organs have already formed, and antibiotics will not have a harmful effect.
If female diseases, inflammation of the uterus and appendages are treated during pregnancy, then do not forget about vitamins and probiotics that will support and strengthen the immunity of the future mother.
It should be noted that infections not cured during pregnancy are fraught with premature birth, the appearance of a dead child, and various fetal pathologies. Therefore, when a woman is in an interesting position, she must clearly adhere to all the recommendations of the local gynecologist.
Conclusion
Our life is full of surprises, including unpleasant ones, which are associated with health. A lot of women of reproductive age turn to a gynecologist. The number of patients suffering from sexually transmitted infections is simply huge. This is due not only to the environmental situation, but also to the way of life.