SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES: PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE (PID) AND PUBIC LICE
PID is an infection of the uterus, Fallopian tubes, ovaries and/or other female pelvic organs. The disease is usually caused when gonorrhoea or chlamydia organisms or other sexually transmitted organisms make their way from the vagina up into the uterus. From there the infection may spread to the other pelvic organs. PID may be more severe in women who use the IUD. PID may cause any or all of the following symptoms: period pains; heavier periods, bleeding between periods and other menstrual irregularities; abnormal vaginal discharge; urinary pain or frequency; pain in the lower abdomen or legs; and fever, chills, vomiting or flu-like symptoms. Females may also be asymptomatic, but even these ‘silent’ infections can cause serious damage to the reproductive organs. Treatment involves complete bed rest and antibiotics, and may require hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics. If the antibiotics don’t work, it may be necessary to operate and surgically remove the reproductive organs. Females who’ve had PID have a greater chance of having ectopic pregnancies. Some females who’ve had PID are troubled with chronic pelvic pain and repeated attacks of the symptoms. In rare cases PID may be so severe that it is fatal. PID is on the rise and is one of the leading causes of infertility.
Pubic lice-Pubic lice are also called ‘crabs’. This STD is caused by tiny, blood-sucking lice that can live in pubic hair or sometimes in the eyelashes. The lice may be passed through sexual contact or through contact with infected clothing, towels and bed linen. The bite of the lice causes intense itching, and if you look closely you can see the lice or the shiny, sticky eggs they attach to the hair shafts. Lice are treated by repeated shampooing of the infected area with special lotions (available from a chemist without prescription). Bed linen, towels and clothing must be boiled, dry-cleaned or isolated for two weeks to avoid re-infection. Though bothersome, crabs are not a serious health problem.
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Tags: Men’s Health