Don't Put Away That Yogurt Yet

Just because we aren't sexually active right now or infected with an STD doesn't mean we can be cavalier about our reproductive health. Most people know at least person who has had one of the following conditions, and if they don't, they certainly will. Here is some information on some of the more common reproductive problems that are not STDs. Remember that, like STDs, you do not have to have all or any of the symptoms listed below to be affected. Also remember that even if you're feeling fine halfway through the treatment, you are not cured until you finish the course of treatment. Often it is necessary to treat your partner as well.

Endometriosis

This condition (it is not an infection) occurs when the endometrium (the tissue that lines the uterus) grows elsewhere in the body, most often in the pelvic area. The tissue responds to the hormones of the menstrual cycle, building up, breaking down, and bleeding each month. Internal bleeding, inflammation, and formation of cysts and scar tissue results.
Symptoms:

Primary
- Severe pelvic pain around menstruation, ovulation, and/or sexual activity
- Excessive menstrual flow
- Fatigue
- Painful bowel movements with periods
- Diarrhea and/or constipation and other intestinal upset with periods
- Infertility
May also cause
- Ruptured ovarian cysts
- Adhesions
- Increased risk of ectopic pregnancy
- General debilitation
May also have no symptoms except for infertility

Diagnosis and Treatment:

May be confused with other diseases so be sure you've been correctly diagnosed. A laparoscopy is needed for definitive diagnosis.
May be hormonal, surgical, or alternative forms of healing

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

This infection is almost always the result of an STD, which spreads from the opening of the uterus to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries. However, it can sometimes be the result of a surgical procedure such as an abortion.
Symptoms:

Primary: mild to severe pain in the abdomen or reproductive organ area
May also have
- Abnormal or foul discharge from the vagina or urethra
- Pain or bleeding during or after intercourse
- Increased menstrual cramps
- Irregular bleeding or spotting
- More pain during ovulation
- Frequent urge to urinate, and/or burning or the inability to empty bladder when urinating
- Swollen abdomen
- Sudden high fever or low-grade fever that can come and go
- Chills
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Lack of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain around the kidneys or liver
- Lower back or leg pain
- Feelings of weakness, tiredness, or depression
- Diminished desire to have sex

Men's Symptoms: may have few or no symptoms but still carry the organisms that can cause it, so should be tested and treated and wear a condom
Diagnosis and Treatment:

Course of antibiotics for at least 14 days
Hospitalization may be necessary, especially for adolescents and severe cases.
Both partners must be treated.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Cystitis (infection of the urinary bladder) is the most common UTI in women.
Symptoms:

Frequent urge to urinate
Burning sensation when urinating but almost nothing comes out
Blood or pus in the urine
Pain just above the pubic bone
Peculiar, heavy urine odor when you first urinate in the morning
May also get mildly elevated temperature
Can have these symptoms without having a UTI (i.e., from too much tea or coffee, PMS, food allergies, anxiety, or irritation to the area from bubble baths, soaps, or douches)

Diagnosis and Treatment:

Can treat yourself if you're in good health and not pregnant (see below)
See a health practitioner if
- Symptoms last for more than 24 hours
- The infection recurs frequently
- Symptoms are accompanied by any of the following:
  - Chills, fever, vomiting, or pain in the kidneys
  - Blood or pus in the urine
  - Pain upon urination during pregnancy
- You suffer from diabetes, chronic illness, or abnormalities of the urinary tract, or you have a history of kidney infections or diseases
When you get a urine test, make sure the practitioner takes a clean, voided specimen (wash the area carefully, urinate a little, then collect the rest of your urine in a sterile jar) and does a pelvic exam to rule out other infections.
Have a follow-up urine analysis after finishing the course of drugs to make sure the organism is gone.

Prevention, Self-Treatment, and Avoiding Re-Infection:

Drink lots of liquid, especially water, every day
Urinate frequently and empty your bladder each time
Keep the bacteria in your bowels and anus away from your urethra by wiping yourself from front to back. Wash your genitals from front to back with plain water or very mild soap at least once a day.
Avoid sexual activity that puts pressure on the bladder or urethra. Clean your and your partner's hands and genitals before sex and wash after contact with the anal area before touching the vagina or urethra. It's a good idea to empty your bladder before and after sex. If you tend to get cystitis after sex despite precautions, ask your health practitioner for preventative tablets, which have been shown to be effective in preventing infections and is usually not associated with the same negative effects as prolonged courses of antibiotics.
Oral contraceptives (the Pill), some diaphragms, contraceptive foams or vaginal suppositories, dry condoms, condom dyes and lubricants may cause irritation in some women.
If you use maxi-pads during your period, change pads frequently and wash your genitals twice a day during menstruation. Some women find tampons or sponges put pressure in the urethra.
If you play sports that may provoke cystitis (i.e., bicycling or horseback riding), wear loose clothing and try to drink extra water.
Cut down in caffeine and alcohol, which irritate the bladder
Some women find that regular use of unsweetened cranberry juice, cranberry concentrate supplements or vitamin C helps prevent urinary tract problems. Whole grains, meat, nuts, and many fruits also help to acidify the urine. Avoid strong spices.
Diets high in refined sugars and starches may predispose some women to UTIs.
Drinking teas made of uva ursi, horsetail, or shavegrass, barberry, echinacia, cornsilk, cleavers, lemon balm, or goldenseal may be beneficial to the bladder.
UTIs are usually treated with antibiotics, which often cause diarrhea and vaginal yeast infections. Eating plain yogurt or taking acidophilus in capsules, liquid, or granule form helps prevent diarrhea by replacing the normal bacteria in your intestines killed by the drugs.
Eat well and rest and reduce stress.
Vitamin B6 and magnesium-calcium supplements help to relieve spasm of the urethra that can predispose to cystitis.
If you have an infection, soak in a hot tub 2 or 3 times a day or try a hot water bottle or heating pad on your abdomen and back.

Yeast Infections

In a healthy vagina, the presence of some yeast may not be a problem. When your system is out of balance, yeastlike organisms may grow profusely and cause a thick, white discharge that may look like cottage cheese and smell like baking bread. If you are pregnant, you may pass the yeast infection onto your baby, who will get yeast in its throat or digestive tract, which is called thrush.
Treatment:

Yeast is diagnosed by microscopic analysis of vaginal secretions
Usually a vaginal suppository or cream. Antifungal creams may eliminate or reduce symptoms but not cure the infection.
A one-dose oral medication is now available and is usually given for recurrent infections.
Over-the-counter medications are available without a prescription, but if this is your first yeast infection, don't self-diagnose. See a health practitioner to ensure the correct diagnosis and treatment.
Yeast may be treated by painting the vagina, cervix, and vulva with gentian violet, which is purple and stains.

Self-Help:

Plain yogurt in the vagina
Garlic suppositories (peel but don't nick a clove of garlic, then wrap in gauze before inserting in the vagina)
Drinking 8 oz. of unsweetened cranberry juice every day or taking cranberry concentrate supplements (to acidify the system)
A cotton tampon dipped into a 3% solution (15 grams of dry potassium sorbate in 1 pint of water) and then inserted into the vagina at night and removed in the morning

Go home!