Chapter 24

External female genitalia

Vaginal opening, Labia majora/minora, Clitoris, and Perineum

Internal female structures

• Ovaries are on each side of the abdomen—>create eggs

• Fallopian tubes connect ovary to uterus

• Uterus is where the fetus grows

• cervix opens to vagina

• vagina is outermost

When a female reaches puberty,

she begins to ovulate and experience menstruation.

Women continue the cycle of ovulation and menstruation

until they reach menopause.

Each month one ovum is

released into the fallopian tube (ovulation).

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Infection of the upper organs of reproduction

If infection expands to fallopian tubes,

it will cause scarring —> risk of ectopic pregnancy or sterility

If infection gets to ovaries,

it can grow into life-threatening abscess

Most common presenting sign of PID

is generalized lower abdominal pain.

Risk factors for PID

a. Multiple sex partners and/or a partner who has had multiple sex partners

b. Untreated sexually transmitted disease

c. Past history of PID

d. Being sexually active

e. Younger than 26 years of age

f. Douching(soaking)

g.Using an IUD for birth control

STDs can lead to

PID

Chlamydia(most common)

Infection of the cervix can spread to the rectum and can progress to PID

Bacterial vaginosis

• most common vaginal infection to afflict women ages 15–44 year

• can progress to premature birth

• patient more susceptible to other serious infections, and cause PID.

Gonorrhea

• grows in moist areas(cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes)

• severe infection can lead to cramp, pain, nausea, vomiting, and bleeding

• If untreated, it can enter bloodstream and spread to brain

Causes for Vaginal Bleeding

Possible causes include:

a. Abnormal menstruation

b. Vaginal trauma

c. Ectopic pregnancy

d. Spontaneous abortion

e. Cervical polyps

f.Cancer

Always maintain the patient’s

privacy as much as possible

When there is excessive internal vaginal bleeding

use sanitary pads to absorb and count how many used

PID treatment

• PID complain of abdominal pain —> gets worse with walking

• treatment is just nonemergency transport

In SA cases, you may be the first person  the victim has contact with after the encounter, so

act with professionalism, tact, kindness, and sensitivity

Beaware of the drugs present when

performing assessment

Ask patietn if they want to be treated by

female EMT

Your job as an EMT should be to

treat and care for patient; also preserve evidence

Do not clean up

evidence and ask her not to as well; stay as is and call rape crisis center