Reproductive Disorders

Vaginitis

Vaginitis

Swelling, itching, burning; caused by bacteria, yeast, and fungus; treated with antibiotics or antifungal medications.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Symptoms include pain in abdomen, fever, unusual discharge from vagina with bad odor, pain or bleeding during sex, burning during urination, and bleeding between periods; often caused by STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea; treated with antibiotics but damage may be irreversible.

Endometriosis

Symptoms include pain in abdomen, lower back, or pelvic areas; heavy periods and bleeding between periods; painful menstrual cramps; most women are asymptomatic until they struggle with infertility; cause is unknown; treatments include pain medicines, hormone treatments, and surgery.

Ovarian Cysts

Fluid-filled sac; mostly asymptomatic but may cause pelvic pain and bloating; caused by follicle (that holds the egg) not dissolving after ovulation occurs; treatment may involve time, medication, or surgery.

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)

Symptoms include confusion, diarrhea, general ill feeling, headaches, high fever, low blood pressure, muscle aches, nausea, redness of eyes, mouth throat, widespread red rash that looks like sunburn; caused by bacteria; treatment includes antibiotics for any infection, removal of materials, and drainage of infection sites.

Cervical Cancer

Pre-cancers and early cancers have no symptoms; late stages may have abnormal vaginal bleeding, unusual discharge, and pain during sex; almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV; treatment includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination, and vaccines can protect against certain types of HPV.

Breast Cancer

Symptoms may include a lump in the breast, a change in size or shape of the breast, and discharge from a nipple; cause is unknown but risk factors include age, genes, obesity, hormone replacement therapy, birth control pills, alcohol, not having children or having the first child after age 35, dense breasts, early periods, and late menopause; treatment includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination.

Infertility

Inability to conceive after one year (or longer) of unprotected sex; numerous causes including polycystic ovarian syndrome, low egg count, endocrine system disorders, fallopian tube obstruction, and uterine abnormalities; treatment depends on the cause and may include surgery, hormonal treatments, or artificial insemination.

Undescended Testes

One or both testes fail to move from abdomen into scrotum; caused by premature birth and/or hormonal disorders; treatment may involve self-correction, surgery, and/or hormonal treatment.

Erectile Dysfunction

Inability to achieve or sustain an erection for sex; caused by factors such as alcoholism, illnesses like MS and diabetes, heart disease, side effects of certain medicines, depression, anxiety, and stress; treatment depends on the cause and may include medication, therapy, or treatment for cardiovascular disease.

Testicular Torsion

Symptoms include sudden, severe pain or swelling in the scrotum, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, a testicle positioned higher than normal or at an unusual angle, frequent urination, and fever; caused by an inherited trait that allows the testicle to rotate freely inside the scrotum, often occurring after vigorous activity, minor injury to the testicles, or while sleeping; treatment usually requires emergency surgery to save the testicle.

Epididymitis

Symptoms include a swollen, red or warm scrotum, testicle pain and tenderness, painful urination or an urgent/frequent need to urinate, discharge from the penis, pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen or pelvic area, and blood in the semen; caused by untreated STIs, bladder/prostate infection, urine in the epididymis, or trauma to the groin; treatment may involve antibiotics or surgery.

Inguinal Hernia

Symptoms include a lump and pain in the scrotal wall, a heavy feeling in the groin, and occasional swelling around the testicles; caused by pressure in the abdomen due to factors like obesity, heavy/improper lifting, straining during bowel movement, or chronic coughing/sneezing; treatment usually involves minor surgery.

Prostate Cancer

Symptoms include trouble urinating, decreased force in urine stream, blood in semen, pelvic discomfort, and erectile dysfunction; risk factors include heredity, race (African American men carry a greater risk), family history, obesity, and high fiber/nutrient dense diet; treatment includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination.

Testicular Cancer

Symptoms include enlargement in the testicle, heaviness in the scrotum, and a dull ache in the scrotum; risk factors include age (15-35 is highest risk), undescended testes, family history, and race (more common in white men); treatment includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination.

Sterility

Unable to conceive after one year (or longer) of unprotected sex; causes include low or abnormal sperm production, hormonal imbalance, side effects of male disorders, or side effects of drugs/medicine; treatment may involve artificial insemination, hormone therapy, or surgery.