Extended Response: Contraception, STIs, Assisted Reproductive Technology

Chlamydia

Caused by bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis

chlamydia symptoms

- most people no symptoms

if symptoms present, can be:

- unusual discharge

- pain when peeing

- painful swelling of testicles

- heavy periods or bleeding

- pelvic pain

- bleeding during/after sex

Chlamydia diagnosis

urine or swab test

Chlamydia treatment

course of antibiotics

Gonorrhea

infectious disease caused by bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It affects the mucous membranes of reproductive and excretory systems, rectum and occasionally eyes and throat. can cause infertility

Gonorrhea symptoms

appear after 2-10 days after infection

no early symptoms or not recognised in majorty of women

- green/yellow/white (for men) discharge

- burning when peeing

- lower abdomen tenderness/pain

- heavy periods or bleeding between periods

- painful swelling of foreskin

- pain/tenderness of testicles

Gonorrhea treatment

antibiotics (injection or pills)

although some drug resistant strains exsist

Syphilis

caused by Treponema pallidum bacterium has 4 stages of infection. enters through any small break in skin

symptoms of stage 1 syphilis

Small painless, infectious sore (chancres) appear on genitals, anus, or mouth; chancres go away in 3-8 weeks giving false security.

symptoms of stage 2 syphilis

Painless rashes on skin, wart-like growth on genitals, flu-like symptoms, mild fever, weight loss, sores/ulcers in mouth.

symptoms of stage 4 syphilis

Syphilis heart disease, insanity, blindness, weakening of blood vessels, loss of coordination, deafness, dementia.

syphilis treatment

antibiotics for all phases

can be single injection or a course of

however if reaches stage 3 can be fatal

genital herpes

caused by herpes simplex virus, there are two variants; simplex type 1 and simplex type 2

genital herpes symptoms

type 1: 'cold sores' on lip, but also can be on genitals

type 2: blisters on genital organs

overall:

blisters develop, can be accompanied by flu-like symptoms or a rash

genital herpes treatment

no cure

- antiviral medication (reduce severity and duration of attack)

-medication to reduce pain

- saline dressing to clean up blisters

Gonorrhea diagnosis

urine or swab test g

syphilis diagnosis

examination by doctor or nuse

blood test/swab if there is a sore

genital herpes diagnosis

examination by doctor or nurse

swab of fluid from blisters

HIV

human immunodeficiency virus, causes AIDS (acquired immune Deficiency Syndrome)

HIV stage 1 and symptoms

when first infected

flu-like symptoms for 2-3 weeks

HIV stage 2 symptoms

no symptoms, can be 10 years or longer

followed by stage 3 which is AIDS

HIV Diagnosis

blood test 2 weeks after exposure

another 10-12 weeks after

HIV treatment

no cure

course of drugs can be given if found out within 3 days of possible exposure of body

antiretroviral drugs provided, multidrug therapy that is personalized must be continued indefinitely

IVF (in Vitro Fertilisation)

creating an embryo (joining a sperm and an ovum) outside of a human body in petri dish

ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)

A single sperm is injected directly into an egg. Used mainly in cases of male infertility, ensures fertilization occurs

ovarian stimulation

personalized injectable hormone medication matures group of eggs. 36 hours before a trigger shot finalizes maturation

egg retrieval

long thin needle w/suction device inserted via vagina, punctures ovarian follicles pulling out mature eggs, under medication

removed egg places in petri dish with solution in incubator

egg fertilisation (IVF)

add sperm to petri dish with egg, where it penetrates and enters on its own, 'natural fertilisation'

egg fertilisation (ICSI)

single sperm injected into egg with needle, more guarantee, done for male infertility issues

embryo development

Fertilised eggs left for several days to develop into embryos, via cell division

embryo transfer

the embryos which are suitable for transfer, are placed into utereus through cervix and vagina

if pregnancy test shows mother is pregnant

ultra sound exam occurs 2 weeks later to ensure normal development

if pregnancy test shows mother isn't pregnant

- can try another embryo transfer, if additional frozen embryo

- try again

- have a period

cumulative birth rates

the live births per woman after upto three stimulated cycles following fresh/frozen embryo transfer

genital warts

std caused by Human papillomavirus

genital warts symptoms

flat or raised growths in genital area, appear either alone or in cluster like cauliflower

can take months/year for warts to appear

may form inside vagina/penis where not seen

genital warts diagnosis

examination by doctor or nurse gw

gential warts treatment

cream or lotion

warts can be frozen, heated or removed

can take months to disappear

sperm preparation

assess count and motility of sperm

washed to remove toxins, dead or weak sperm