Genital Infections

Genital Infections

The word infection is used as "infection" in French and as a term used in medical terminology in our language, it is used in the sense of "general or local development and spread of a microorganism that causes disease in living organisms".

Like all systems of the body, the genital system is at risk of infection.

Genital infections can be mainly classified as:

• vaginal infections
• cervical infections
• Tube infections
• Sexually transmitted diseases

As in all neighboring organs, infections can pass between organs due to close proximity of reproductive organs. These reasons can be a factor in the infection of an organ and the formation of an infection in the neighboring organ by the same or different microorganisms.

1-Vaginal infections

The vagina is a female genital organ with a serrated surface, covered with a special layer that produces secretions, and consisting of a 9-10 cm long canal.

The vagina is not a sterile organ, it has a flora of beneficial bacteria called "Lactobacillus", which is involved in the defense against harmful bacteria. Lactobacilli are also called "milk bacilli". These bacteria create an acidic environment in the vagina, so they can inhibit the growth of harmful microbes.

Another feature of the vagina is the formation of a somewhat fluid, colorless, odorless, and slippery discharge starting from the reproductive age. This vaginal fluid, which is not a sign of any disease, is called "physiological vaginal discharge". This discharge creates a slippery layer between the vaginal walls and prevents irritation in situations such as physical activation and sexual intercourse. Therefore, this normal discharge does not require treatment.

Vaginal infections caused by the uncontrolled proliferation of harmful microorganisms are called "vaginitis". The discharge that occurs in the case of infection has different characteristics from the normal discharge. Instead of being transparent and fluid, it is colored and foamy and has a thicker consistency. It may also have an offensive odor. In addition, the presence of itching is an important finding for some infections.

Common vaginal infections can be classified as:

• Bacterial vaginosis (Gardnerella vaginitis)
• fungal infections
• Trichomonas infections (Trichomonas vaginitis)

Conditions that can cause vaginal discharge other than infection are:

• Use of vaginal tampons
• Vaginal irritating chemicals
• Latex allergy (they produce discharge during condom use)
• Herpes simplex (genital herpes)
• vaginal tumors

It should be kept in mind that vaginal discharge can also be caused by non-vaginal causes such as infections originating from the cervix and hydrosalpinx disease developing in the tubes.

2- Cervical infections

The cervix is a canal located between the vagina, which has microbial flora, and the sterile (bacteria-free) uterus. Vaginal discharge may occur as a result of the secretion formed in infections of the cervix.

Microorganisms that cause infection in the cervix are:

• mycoplasma or ureaplasma
• chlamydia
• Neisseria (gonorrhea-gonorrhea)

Cervical infections often progress without symptoms, but when these diseases escalate and cause infection in the uterus and tubes, it leads to serious consequences such as infertility. These problems can be prevented by evaluating these infections during annual gynecological examinations.

3-Tube infections

“Pelvic Inflammatory Disease”
Tube infections cause a different picture than vaginal and cervical infections. Unlike the others, these infections cause mainly inguinal pain symptoms and if the treatment is not done well, it can lead to extremely serious consequences such as infertility.

Tube infections are called "pelvic inflammatory disease". In cases that cause this definition, symptoms due to infection of the tubes are dominant, as well as the uterus and ovaries can be infected.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID is used as an abbreviation because of the English definition) is one of the most common and serious infectious conditions affecting women. It usually occurs in women of reproductive age who are sexually active. If neglected, it can cause life-threatening complications.

Sexually transmitted infections are the most common cause of the pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Gonorrhea and chlamydia are the most common causes of pelvic inflammatory disease. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) usually develops in two stages. In the first stage, the bacteria settle in the cervix. Then, in the second stage, in 10% of patients whose cervix is ​​infected, the bacteria spread to the uterus, tubes, ovaries, and abdominal cavity.

Less common causes of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) are; abortions and abortions that are not performed under sterile conditions, deliveries made under infected conditions and attempts to insert a spiral in the presence of any vaginal infection.

Tube Infections Clinical and Diagnostic methods
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) often presents with symptoms such as foul-smelling vaginal discharge, moderate-severe inguinal pain, fever, chills-chills, nausea, and urinary complaints. Sometimes these findings may not impair the patient's quality of life, while in some cases they may be severe enough to be hospitalized. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is also the most common preventable cause of infertility. As a result of this infection, widespread adhesions occur in the abdomen, especially in the tubes, and infertility may develop as a result.

The diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can be made mostly by gynecological examination and ultrasound examination. However, sometimes it may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis with interventions such as laparoscopy.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is usually detected in women younger than 25 years of age who have multiple sex partners. Women who have one of the sexually transmitted infections or women who have had PID before are more likely to develop Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) again. Even if women are monogamous, there will still be an increased risk of PID if their male partner has more than one sex partner.

Tube Infections Treatment
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is treated with antibiotics. While the use of a single antibiotic is sufficient in many cases, sometimes combined antibiotic treatments may be required. Antibiotics can be administered orally or intravenously, preferably by hospitalization, depending on the severity of the symptoms and infection. In most cases, the duration of treatment is two weeks. If antibiotic treatment does not provide adequate healing, surgical treatment may also be required.

4- sexually transmitted diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases; It is a group of diseases that are transmitted by the exchange of body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, and blood during sexual intercourse and contains more than fifty diseases. In the last century, due to industrialization and urbanization, widespread sexual freedom, multiple sexual partnerships, and microorganisms that develop resistance to antibiotics, sexually transmitted diseases are increasing in our country.

As a result of sexually transmitted diseases, genital symptoms may occur, reproductive organs may be permanently damaged, infertility may occur, ectopic pregnancy may develop, a newborn baby may be transmitted after pregnancy, and cancer (HPV and hepatitis) may be prepared. In addition, many systems (such as the liver, immune system, and nervous system) can be adversely affected by sexually transmitted diseases.

The symptoms to be suspected of sexually transmitted diseases are as follows:

• yellow, green, white, or gray discharge from the vagina or a foul odor
• vaginal burning sensation, pain, or itching
• bleeding other than the menstrual period
• pain felt in the groin or lower back
• urinary complaints
• pain or burning during sexual intercourse

sexually transmitted diseases

• Syphilis (Syphilis)
• Herpes Infections (Genital Herpes)
• Molluscum contagiosum
• chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Mycoplasma-ureaplasma
• Hepatitis B and C
• AIDS (HIV)
• HPV (genital warts)
• Haemophilus ducrei (soft chancre)
• Trochomonas vaginitis
• Phythirus pubis (pubic lice)