Common problems of the female reproductive tract

Some common reproductive problems affect solely women. These conditions can be dangerous if untreated so each lady should be aware of their symptoms and the manners in which a specific reproductive condition can be recognized.

Apart from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), other conditions can affect the health of the female reproductive tract.

A gynecological examination is needed to identify the condition. Urine displacement usually demands surgical intervention.

VAGINAL INFLAMMATIONS
Nearly all women have suffered from some sort of inflammation during one stage of life or another.

The female reproductive tract has a very delicate balance, which can be disturbed effortlessly. Any undesired change or hygiene negligence can lead to inflammation.

Sexual activity, the use of inappropriate soaps and intimate gels, the usage of tampons and menstrual pads can all lead to some sort of infection. If untreated, these infections can even lead to fertility, so they should be kept under control.

Lower abdominal pain, a burning sensation, problematic urination and unusual secretion can all be the signal of inflammatory processes taking place. A consultation with a gynecologist is a must if any of these symptoms is obvious.

FEMALE GENITAL TUBERCULOSIS
Genital tuberculosis is an infectious disease. Tuberculosis microbes reach the reproductive tract after they have affected another organ – the lungs or the diaphragm.

The process starts about 10 years after tuberculosis occurs. It can affect the uterus, cervix or the vagina. If the condition appears during childhood, the teenage girl will have smaller than usual and thicker uterus.

Female genital tuberculosis leads to menstruation irregularities. It can affect the ovaries and eventually lead to infertility.

Some of the symptoms include abdominal and back pains, which do not occur during menstruation or as part of the woman’s PMS.

PELVEOPERITONITIS
Pelveoperitonitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the pelvic region. It can occur as the result of an abortion, a cold or a medical reproductive manipulation.

This inflammation can often accompany the first menstruation of a girl. Its symptoms include dizziness, vomiting and general fatigue. It can also lead to diarrhea and abdominal pain. Pelveoperitonitis can also cause fever.

VAGINAL YEAST INFECTION
According to studies, about 60 percent of women suffer from a vaginal yeast infection.

Keep in mind that such infections can often occur without any accompanying symptoms. Improper personal and sexual hygiene, the use of hormonal medications and antibiotics can lead to such infection.

Women who are overweight and the ones suffering from diabetes have higher risk of developing a vaginal yeast infection.

PMS could be treated with small dose of Prozac, say researchers

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have discovered that a small dose of the antidepressant can eradicate the mood swings and irritability associated with the problem.

They say it could prove to be a breakthrough for the 75 per cent of women affected by PMS, who suffer psychological changes such as anxiety, mood swings, tiredness, irritability and depression. The drug has been successfully tested in rats, and researchers today called for the first human trials to be undertaken.

“This is an enormous problem, both for women and their partners,” said Dr Thelma Lovick, reader in neuroscience at the University of Birmingham, who revealed the research at the British Science Festival in Birmingham today.

“We can’t do anything about the physical pain, but the irritability and other psychological problems disappeared.”

Dr Lovick’s group found the problems were caused by hormones overexciting the brain circuits involved in regulating emotions. A steroid substance called allopregnanolone normally inhibits activity in those circuits, but levels of it fell sharply during the rats’ menstrual period, causing the symptoms of PMS.

“My idea was that if you could stop levels falling sharply in the brain, you could avoid these problems,” said Dr Lovick. “You want a small dose, a quick fix for the days that things go wrong.

“I would like to put together a trial, which could be done in months — Prozac has already been through all the safety tests.”

However, as Prozac is off-licence, drug companies are unlikely to make much money from it, which could hinder their willingness to run trials.