Viral lesions of the female genital organs. Viral diseases of the female genital organs

Inflammation in the female part is a serious and common problem. After all, the reproductive system is a very vulnerable part of the female body. It is susceptible to many inflammatory and infectious diseases. Each of them can lead to serious consequences, including ectopic pregnancies and infertility. If you want to know how to recognize inflammation of the female organs in time and how to treat them, read our article!

What organs may be affected?

To avoid confusion in terms, we have prepared a convenient table. It shows the organs of the female reproductive system and what their inflammations are called.

In general, female inflammation rarely occurs alone. Due to the anatomically close location of the organs, inflammation is often complex.

In addition, in almost half of the cases the disease also affects the urinary system - kidneys, bladder, urethra.

Therefore, it is better to treat infectious diseases of the female organs immediately after their occurrence. This significantly reduces the chance of the disease spreading.

Female inflammation rarely occurs alone. Due to the anatomically close location of organs, inflammation is often complex

Causes of inflammation in women

The main cause of any inflammation is pathogenic or pathogenic microorganisms. They can enter the female reproductive system through the vagina or blood.

Infection through the blood occurs if the body has a so-called “focus of infection” - that is, another organ that is inflamed due to a pathogenic microorganism. Pathogens from the source enter the blood and are carried throughout the body by its current.

The infection, which is transmitted through the vagina, most often occurs during sex without a condom.

The main causes of inflammation in women are:

Sexually transmitted diseases;
Violation of personal hygiene rules;
Intrauterine contraceptives, that is, spirals;
The presence of chronic infectious diseases;
Operations on female organs - abortions, curettage, cauterization of erosions;
Natural birth;
Hypothermia, low level of immunity;
Diseases of the endocrine system.

Sexually transmitted diseases are a leader in the field of causes of infectious diseases of the female organs. Gonococci, Trichomonas, chlamydia and other pathogens of sexual diseases affect the reproductive organs without treatment.

Due to the fact that in recent years people have often taken antibiotics uncontrollably, sexually transmitted infections often occur latently, without symptoms. This, however, does not prevent diseases from developing and affecting various organs.

Symptoms of inflammation in women

There are a number of signs by which one can suspect the presence of inflammation of the female organs:

Heaviness in the lower abdomen, pain similar to menstruation;
Painful menstruation;
Menstrual irregularities;
Heavy, or vice versa – very scanty menstrual flow;
Bloody discharge not during menstruation;
Change in the color of vaginal discharge;
Strong and unpleasant odor of vaginal discharge;
Unpleasant sensations or pain during sex;
Itching and burning sensation in the vagina and vulva area;
Increased body temperature, weakness, feeling of exhaustion - with acute inflammation.

Which doctor should I go to for female inflammation?

Suspicions of diseases of the female organs are a reason to immediately visit a doctor. A gynecologist treats such inflammations. If the problem is genital infections, or the disease affects the urinary system, consultations with a venereologist, urologist and nephrologist may be necessary.

For the doctor to understand whether there is inflammation and where exactly it is located, he will need to conduct additional research and take tests.

The main diagnostic method is a gynecological examination. Thanks to him, the doctor has the opportunity to examine the organs and notice the characteristic symptoms of inflammation. Moreover, by the nature, color and smell of some discharges, one can even guess which microorganism is the cause of the disease.

If the examination is not enough, the gynecologist prescribes Ultrasound pelvic organs. It can be carried out both externally and transvaginally - that is, through the vagina.

Be afraid of transvaginal Ultrasound It’s not worth it - this procedure is unpleasant, but does not cause pain.

It is important to remember that if a woman is a virgin, she must inform her doctor about this. This will help avoid injury or rupture of the hymen.

If a girl under 15 years of age comes to see a doctor, the examination and all manipulations are carried out in the presence of parents or guardians.

The main method for diagnosing inflammation is a gynecological examination. Thanks to him, the doctor has the opportunity to examine the organs and notice the characteristic symptoms of inflammation.

What tests may be needed

For women's diseases in gynecology, tests are required before treating inflammation.

In order to find out the degree of inflammation and its cause, the doctor may prescribe the following studies:

Type of analysis	What determines
General blood analysis	Presence or absence of inflammation
General urine analysis	Has the inflammation affected the urinary system?
Gynecological smear	Determines vaginal microflora, the presence of pathogens, cancer markers
Blood test for antibodies to infections	Detects the presence of antibodies in the blood to pathogens of various diseases
Blood test for female hormones	Determines the presence or absence of endocrine disorders
Pregnancy test	Carried out to exclude or confirm pregnancy, as it can affect the course and treatment of inflammation

How to treat inflammation like a woman?

Inflammatory diseases are treated primarily with antibiotics. Without them, it is impossible to completely and reliably cope with bacteria. If the cause of the disease is fungi, antimycotic drugs are prescribed; if viruses, antiviral drugs are prescribed.

Antibiotics can be prescribed in the form of tablets, injections or suppositories. Often it is necessary to combine several options for taking medications. In order to choose the right drug, a gynecological smear is examined by bacterial culture.

This makes it possible to conduct a test with antibiotics. This way it is precisely determined which medicine will be most effective for treatment.

Another important point of treatment is strengthening the immune system. This helps the female body cope with inflammation on its own.

If the inflammation has become chronic, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed. The doctor prescribes warming procedures, ultrasound treatment and electrotherapy.

When diseases lead to serious consequences - for example, the formation of adhesions, or severe purulent inflammation, surgical intervention is required. Today, they try to perform such operations in the least traumatic way. For this, the laparotomy method is used. It involves making very small incisions, and all manipulations are carried out using special equipment. So that the doctor can see the organs and understand what he is doing, special cameras are used.

Recovery after laparotomy surgery is quick and, as a rule, without consequences.

Medicinal suppositories for inflammation of the female part

If inflammation affects the vagina, suppositories are the optimal treatment method. Gynecological suppositories contain anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial substances. Since there are many blood vessels in the vagina, the medicine enters the blood very quickly. In addition, suppositories destroy inflammation and pathogens right where they are.

This local treatment is very effective and does not harm the rest of the body. But in order to choose the right type of suppositories, you need to know exactly the location of the inflammation and the infection that caused it. After all, if you make a mistake with your choice, you can cause disruption of the beneficial microflora without getting rid of the pathogenic one. Then it will be even more difficult to cure the disease, and bacterial vaginosis or thrush will be added to the main cause.

How much does it cost to treat inflammation in women?

The price of treatment depends greatly on the degree of inflammation and whether surgery is necessary.

If a woman is treated in a state medical institution - a hospital, a antenatal clinic - according to the policy Compulsory medical insurance, all tests, procedures and examinations by doctors are free for her.

Costs in this case are reduced only to the purchase of medications. If a woman is treated in a hospital, then the medical institution also provides them.

Paid gynecology saves time and effort, but at the cost of money.

Taking into account all the tests, the need to regularly consult a doctor and the cost of medications, a course of treatment may require 10,000 - 15,000 rubles.

The operations will seriously affect the final account, increasing it to 60,000 - 100,000 rubles.

As can be seen from the “price list”, it is better not to let gynecological diseases lead to serious consequences.

Complications of female inflammation

Without treatment, any disease gradually progresses and can also become chronic. Over time, changes in internal organs become stronger and sometimes even irreversible.

Inflammation in the female part mainly affects reproductive function - that is, a woman’s ability to conceive and bear a child.

The most common consequences of female diseases are:

Ectopic pregnancy - due to adhesions in the fallopian tubes, the fertilized egg cannot enter the uterus and is implanted into the tissue of the fallopian tube.
Infertility - scars on the uterus and chronic inflammation make it impossible for the egg to attach. Inflammation of the ovaries interferes with the release of the egg, which also makes conception impossible.
Amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea - that is, the cessation of menstruation or a serious disruption of their flow.
Hormonal disorders - since both the uterus and ovaries produce female hormones, the disease disrupts this function. Due to the fact that all hormones in the body are connected to each other, hormonal disorders in the female part affect the entire endocrine system.
Miscarriage, that is, miscarriages - changes in the lining of the uterus, scars and adhesions make it impossible to fully bear the fetus.
Frozen pregnancy - pathogenic microorganisms can damage the fetus and stop its development. In addition, a frozen pregnancy can be caused by hormonal disorders.
Fetal pathologies - some microorganisms can penetrate the placenta and damage the developing fetus.

Women often tend to take inflammation of their reproductive system lightly. They often occur in a hidden or lubricated form and do not cause any particular inconvenience. However, this is a false calm - inflammation quietly but inevitably harms health. It is necessary to identify and treat them at the earliest stage, so as not to struggle later, painfully and hard, with the consequences and complications.

The best prevention of inflammation in women is regular preventive examinations by a gynecologist.

Timely diagnosis and proper treatment are the key to women’s health.

Inflammations often occur in a hidden or blurred form and do not cause any particular inconvenience. To detect inflammation in time, you need to regularly visit a gynecologist

Select a letter:

Regardless of the type of inflammation of the Bartholin gland (true or false abscess), the clinical picture of this disease includes the following symptoms: one-sided inflammatory…

Every woman can suspect adenomyosis based on one of the most striking symptoms - prolonged menstruation (more than one week), with heavy discharge...

Adnexitis can develop in several phases, the main of which are considered to be chronic and acute forms with frequent relapses and a protracted course. For subacute and acute forms of salpingoophoritis...

Allergic vulvitis in women can proceed almost unnoticed, and maybe very violently. It can develop either gradually or very quickly. It all depends...

The anovulatory cycle is a pathological condition characterized by the absence of obvious signs of progression. Mostly, patients do not complain about deterioration in general...

Anovulation is usually determined by the presence of certain signs. The main symptoms of ovarian dysfunction in this pathology are: infertility, acne, decreased manifestations...

The most common signs of atrophic vaginitis are as follows. Dryness and itching of the vaginal mucosa, a burning sensation in the vaginal cavity, as well as prolapse of the vaginal walls. Increased urges...

Long before the onset of the disease, the mucous membrane of the genital organs begins to thin in a woman. This phenomenon is often combined with dryness. Atrophic vulvitis can occur...

Like any other inflammatory process, when diagnosed with “atrophic colpitis” in women, similar symptoms appear. Swelling of the outer labia. Due to inflammatory...

Gynecologists will distinguish between 3 stages of development of aerobic vaginitis. Aerobic subacute vaginitis has no symptoms or they are mild. Therefore, diagnosing the disease at the first stage...

At the very beginning of the development of bacterial vaginitis, a woman begins to experience profuse, thick vaginal discharge with a grayish-greenish tint and the smell of rotten fish.…

The severity of clinical signs of bacterial vaginosis can be very diverse. Symptoms depend on the composition of microbiocinosis, as well as on the general condition of the female body...

As a rule, bacterial vulvitis has the following symptoms, regardless of the patient’s age and the nature of her disease: itching, burning and swelling of the organs,…

The incubation period of the disease can last from 1 to 5 weeks. After this, the woman begins to notice the first signs of the disease. Among the symptoms indicating...

Symptoms of bartholinitis are different, both at the initial stage of development of the disease, and during the subsequent development and spread of the pathological process. The beginning of the development of this disease...

All clinical symptoms of painful menstruation can be divided into the following syndromes: Pain syndrome Very painful menstruation with algodismenorrhea often has cramping...

The main clinical symptom of vaginismus is uncontrollable spasms of the muscle fibers of the vagina, thighs, lower abdomen, as well as very severe pain when attempting various contacts or...

Vaginitis caused by various pathogens has similar clinical symptoms. The most common signs of vaginitis: pathological vaginal discharge...

In its acute form, vulvitis develops rapidly and has severe symptoms. Vulvitis in women usually has the following symptoms: redness and swelling of the outer part of the reproductive…

Since vulvovaginitis is a two-component disease, its manifestations combine both options. The symptoms of the disease are the same as those of vaginitis and vulvitis. Disease…

At the initial stages, prolapse of the vagina and uterus is not accompanied by obvious symptoms or they are completely absent. If the disease develops, the general condition changes...

Initially, women should understand that vulvitis can have two forms: primary and recurrent. They differ only in the period of infection. When an infection enters the body...

Finding signs of endometrial hyperplasia is a reason to seek help from a specialist. What symptoms should you look out for? This is heavy bleeding...

Symptoms of ovarian pathology depend on the type of disease. With congenital ovarian hypofunction, the following signs are noted: puberty occurs after 15 years; mammary gland…

In each individual case, women have their own set of factors that lead to hormonal imbalance. Age, body condition, presence of bad habits, as well as past…

Bilateral adnexitis exhibits fairly clear symptoms, so a woman can determine them on her own. An increase in body temperature as a consequence of the inflammatory process...

Mostly in women, vaginal dysbiosis passes without obvious symptoms; microflora disturbances remain unnoticed for a long time. An important indicator is vaginal discharge. However,…

In the early stages (grade 1) of cervical dysplasia there are no pronounced manifestations. The signal to visit a gynecologist should be: pain on contact; copious discharge with...

Main clinical manifestations: delayed menstruation, sometimes the development of amenorrhea; copious, scanty or prolonged uterine bleeding, which may have clots; anemic syndrome...

Diffuse mastopathy does not have pronounced symptoms; most often the only sign is lumps of varying sizes in the breast. Diffuse mastopathy, as a rule,…

In most cases, adenomyosis is manifested by symptoms such as: dark brown vaginal discharge before menstruation; moderate to severe premenstrual syndrome...

This disease has the following symptoms: itching and discomfort in the intimate area, heaviness in the lower abdomen; redness of the labia, pain when touched; pain and discomfort when...

There are no manifestations that clearly indicate a bending of the uterus. Many patients do not even suspect that they have abnormalities until their first visit to the doctor. Retroversion of the uterus...

The signs of implantation bleeding are not very pronounced, but we will try to consider each of them: The nature of the discharge. Scanty, relatively insignificant bleeding...

The main symptom of the disease in question is pain. Discomfort increases significantly when walking, running, other active movements and sexual intercourse. Outside, around the outlet hole...

In medicine, one of two stages of candidiasis of the genital organs is often diagnosed: acute or chronic. In its acute form, candidal vulvitis manifests itself as follows...

Based on the several clinical forms of this disease, the symptoms vary. There are 3 forms of vulvovaginal candidiasis: acute form; chronic form; asymptomatic...

The cyst at the initial stage is a small round swelling in the lower part of the labia majora. In this case, the cyst is approximately the size of an average pea. If…

Symptoms of a corpus luteum cyst are usually not very pronounced. Often a corpus luteum cyst forms within a couple of months and then disappears spontaneously. However, there are several characteristic…

In most cases, the disease proceeds for a long time without visible symptoms, only after a certain amount of time does a painful sensation and burning sensation appear inside...

The first and most important reason that should alert any woman is causeless chest pain. It manifests itself as a periodic or constant sensation of painful...

Precursors of this condition can appear at a relatively early age - from 30 to 40 years. These are diseases of the reproductive system, cycle disorders, difficulties with conception and pregnancy...

Colpitis, as a rule, has characteristic symptoms in women. These include: Burning or itching in the groin; Unpleasant pain in the abdominal area; Various pathological discharges. Chronic…

The clinical symptoms of this disease can be different, since it depends on the specific pathogen that caused this pathological process. According to the course of the inflammatory...

Today, there are four types of molluscum contagiosum, two of which affect only children, and the other two only affect adults. The first manifestation of this disease is the presence...

Many breastfeeding women experience certain symptoms of lactostasis. This disease manifests itself in the form of pain in the mammary glands, as well as…

This pathological condition does not cause characteristic clinical symptoms in women. This disease is often discovered during a routine examination by a gynecologist. Sometimes when...

There are serous, infiltrative and purulent forms of mastitis. In rare cases, infiltrative-purulent, abscessing, phlegmonous, purulent-necrotic or gangrenous...

The main signs of the development of the disease: enlargement of one of the mammary glands (most often mastitis develops unilaterally, less often it is bilateral); painful sensations in the breast...

One of the most striking symptoms of mastopathy is considered to be dense formations of a diffuse or nodular nature in the mammary glands. The sizes of such neoplasms can vary. Restless...

With uterine bleeding, general symptoms are observed that should make you wary and undergo an examination. These include: weakness and constant...

Menstrual irregularities, discomfort and brownish spotting in the middle of the cycle. Heaviness in the lower abdomen, aching pain, as during menstruation. Prolonged constipation and frequent…

The following main signs of metritis are distinguished: increased thickness of the myometrium; pain in the lower abdomen and sacrum; increased body temperature, chills, tachycardia; general deterioration...

Symptoms of acute metroendometritis: a sharp increase in body temperature up to 390C; bloody discharge mixed with pus from the genital tract; severe pain syndrome, radiating...

Mycoplasmosis in women, the treatment of which is difficult, can give either a pronounced clinical picture or manifest itself asymptomatically. Mycoplasmosis is often characterized...

The main clinical signs of uterine fibroids: prolonged heavy menstrual flow with blood clots; dysfunctional uterine discharge that leads to general weakness...

The symptoms of uterine adenomyosis and fibroids are very similar, although in some cases the combination of these diseases may be completely asymptomatic. For example, diffuse adenomyosis...

Progressive vaginal candidiasis, or thrush, in women always has clear signs. Doctors identify the main symptoms of infection of the mucous membrane, including: a feeling of itching, which...

Age. In older women, this pathology occurs much more often, which is due to relaxation of the ligamentous apparatus that supports the urethra. In addition, in old age it is much more often...

Symptoms of nonspecific vaginitis can vary greatly depending on the form, nature of the course and the type of pathogen that caused it. In general, the symptoms...

Acute vulvitis in girls develops as a result of the influence of pathogenic microorganisms on the damaged mucous membrane of the external genitalia. The process is developing rapidly...

Clinical symptoms and course of the disease depend on its stage. The main symptoms of acute oophoritis: severe pain of a sharp nature, which is localized in the lower...

This pathology is characterized by slow development in the initial stages of the disease and rapid rates of development during the protracted course of the disease. Against the background of prolapse of the vaginal walls, it is often...

The clinical picture of this disease largely depends on the type of pathogen. The main symptoms of acute adnexitis are as follows: symptoms of general intoxication (sharp increase in body temperature, increased…

The clinical symptoms of acute bartholinitis depend on the form of its course. According to the course, bartholinitis can be divided into acute and chronic. There are several stages of acute...

Acute vaginitis always occurs suddenly. If the causes of the disease are the presence of infection, then from the moment of infection until the appearance of the first symptoms of vaginitis ...

The acute form of the disease in women is characterized by the following symptoms: hyperemia, swelling of the genital organs; discharge: purulent, watery, sanguineous; increase in regional lymphatic...

Acute vulvovaginitis occurs with pronounced symptoms: severe burning and itching sensations in the pelvic area, aggravated by urination; purulent discharge...

Acute endometritis most often develops a few days after various intrauterine manipulations (such as abortion, childbirth, uterine surgery, curettage, and so on).…

An informative factor about the presence of the disease is menstruation (pain in the pelvis, heavy bleeding). Many patients complain of weakness and anemia.…

The main clinical symptoms of acute adnexitis are as follows: severe pain of a pulsating nature, which is localized in the lower abdomen and can radiate...

The main symptoms that make it possible to diagnose polycystic ovaries are: the presence of multiple cystic formations in enlarged ovaries; menstrual dysfunction in the form of...

When diagnosed with cervical polyp, symptoms may not appear at first. Their presence is mainly diagnosed during a routine preventive examination.…

Polyps in the uterus manifest themselves in different ways; the most common symptoms are menstrual irregularities. You can also highlight the following symptoms of polyps in the uterus: profuse hemorrhage in…

If we consider absolutely all the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, then they can be divided into two groups: Neuralgic or psychological; Physical. But both types...

Hydatidiform mole exhibits quite pronounced symptoms, and every pregnant woman can identify the first signs of this disease. A sharp jump in the level of hCG (chorionic...

There are three types of salpingitis - acute, subacute and chronic. Acute salpingitis is expressed by sharp, sometimes unbearable pain in the abdomen, and a sharp increase in body temperature. Also…

Recently, viral women's diseases have increased significantly. Of the many types of viral infections, women's genitals are most often affected by herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus and papillomavirus. Most often, the viral infection is localized in the lower parts of the genitals and only during pregnancy does a tendency toward its generalization appear.

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is one of the most common viral diseases in humans. The causative agent of herpetic infections of the genital organs is the herpes simplex virus, which infects over 90% of people. Characteristic features of genital herpetic infection are long-term residence of the pathogen in the body and a tendency to relapse.

The clinical picture of this viral female disease is characterized by local and general symptoms. Local changes are expressed by the appearance of multiple vesicles in the affected area against the background of hyperemic, edematous mucous membrane. The vesicles subsequently (after 2–3 days) open and ulcers with a yellowish coating form, healing in 2–3 weeks. In cases of secondary infection, the ulcers increase in size and last longer. There is itching, burning, and soreness in the affected area. Enlargement of regional lymph nodes may occur. Common symptoms include headache, myalgia, nausea, low-grade fever, irritability, and sleep disturbances. As the ulcers heal and other local manifestations of the disease disappear, the general symptoms also disappear.

Stages of genital herpes

Taking into account the location of the lesion and the severity of clinical symptoms, three stages of genital herpes are distinguished:

1) damage to the external genitalia;

2) herpetic colpitis, cervicitis;

3) herpetic endometritis, salpingitis.

Viral diseases of women are localized in the labia, vulva, clitoris, then spread to the vagina and cervix. Deeper lesions are more often observed with relapses of the disease. Recurrences of genital herpes can occur from 1–2 (with a mild form) to 4–5 times a year (with moderate severity) and even monthly exacerbations (severe clinical course).

Human papillomavirus infection of the genitals– diseases caused by papillomavirus infection (HPV). To date, over 60 types of human papillomaviruses are known. HPV is transmitted primarily through sexual contact. This pathology mainly affects young women who are sexually active with different partners.

Clinically, HPV infection manifests itself in several variants: genital condylomas, flat condylomas with endophytic growth and papillary condylomas with exophytic growth. The incubation period lasts from 1 to 9 months, with an average of 3 months.

Genital warts are most often located in the area of the external genitalia, vagina, cervix, as well as around the urethra, anus and perineum. They look like small neoplasms of pale pink color, sit on a constant base and resemble cauliflower or a cockscomb. They can be single or multiple, sometimes reaching the size of large tumors. Condylomas acuminata are pink or intense red in color, ulcerating and secreting a foul-smelling fluid. During their growth, symptoms are often absent and only with maceration and ulceration do itching, burning and an unpleasant odor occur. Viral diseases of women and their course can be long-term with the addition of a secondary infection.

Flat (intraepithelial or endophilic) condylomas most often affect the cervix. Due to pseudo-invasive penetration into the underlying stroma, the morphological features resemble intraepithelial carcinoma (hidden capillary network, vasodilation).

Papillary condylomas with exophilic growth are benign tumors (warts) in the form of hard gray nodules located on the labia or around the vaginal opening.

HPV infection occurs in the form of clinical (visible to the eye with certain symptoms), subclinical (invisible to the naked eye and detected only by colposcopic or histological studies) and latent (detected only by methods special for HPV) forms.

There is a wealth of evidence linking HPV to the development of dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma. The participation of HPV in malignant transformation depends on the form of the virus and the addition of chemical or physical carcinogenic factors.

Cytomegalovirus infection

Cytomegalovirus infection can affect various organs and occur clinically from latent to severe forms. The causative agent of the disease is a virus belonging to the herpes virus family. The source of infection is a sick person. The pathogen is transmitted through saliva, blood, human milk, sperm, secretions from the vagina and cervix, and feces. It requires close contact to transmit it. Possible intrauterine infection, infection during childbirth, blood transfusion and organ transplantation.

More often, cytomegalovirus resides in the body for a long time in the form of a latent or chronic infection, persisting in various organs, often in the presence of another infection.

Clinically, the disease occurs in acute or chronic form, although both latent and severe courses are possible. It affects the central nervous system (encephalitis, myelitis), genitourinary organs (endocervicitis, endometritis), organs of the gastrointestinal tract, and endocrine glands. The cytomegaly virus is detected in high concentrations in the urine and genitals of women, causing a number of chronic diseases of this system: vulvovaginitis, colpitis, cervicitis, adnexitis and endometritis. These diseases are subclinical, almost asymptomatic. There may be complaints of pain in the genital area. Locally, the disease manifests itself as symptoms of sluggish inflammatory processes - colpitis, cervicitis. Depending on the prevalence of clinical syndromes and according to morphological studies, a number of forms of generalized cytomegaly are distinguished: pulmonary (diffuse interstitial inflammation of the lungs, often with abscess formation); intestinal (vomiting, diarrhea with minor morphological changes in the intestines); cerebral (like encephalitis with foci of necrosis in the cortex and subcortical centers); hepatolienal (in the form of cholestatic or parenchymal hepatitis with jaundice, hepato- and splenomegaly, damage to the circulatory system).

Tuberculosis of female genital organs– this viral female disease is caused by mycobacteria tuberculosis and is not an independent disease, but one of the manifestations of tuberculosis infection in the body. Damage to the genital organs occurs secondary, as a result of the introduction of infection mainly by hematogenous route, often from the lungs, less often from the intestines and other foci. Mycobacterium tuberculosis can exist for a long time in regional lymph nodes and exhibit the ability to spread when the immunological resistance of the body decreases.

The clinical picture of genital tuberculosis is very diverse. In most patients, the process occurs against a background of scant symptoms, is characterized by a long course, frequent exacerbations and lack of effect from conventional anti-inflammatory therapy. Often the only complaint of patients is infertility or menstrual dysfunction. Often, short-term or prolonged pain in the lower abdomen of an aching or pulling nature, and periodic increases in temperature are disturbing. Less common is the acute onset of the disease with signs of intoxication, characterized by high fever, weight loss, and night sweats.

With tuberculosis of the uterine appendages, clearly-shaped thickenings along the fallopian tubes, extensive dense fusions with the pelvic peritoneum and little pain on palpation can be detected; small, clearly-shaped nodules can be identified in the area of the uterosacral ligaments. Saccular tumors or nodular lesions of the fallopian tubes occur in the exudative-productive form of tuberculosis.

Caseous forms of tuberculosis of the uterine appendages are accompanied by high body temperature, bleeding and are often combined with damage to the uterus, visceral and parietal peritoneum; in the chronic stage they sometimes occur without pronounced clinical manifestations.

With uterine tuberculosis, the mucous membrane is predominantly affected, and less commonly the myometrium.

Forms of tuberculous endometritis

There are three forms of tuberculous endometritis:

1) productive with the formation of disseminated tubercles in the endometrium;

2) miliary tuberculosis of the entire endometrium;

3) caseous decay with transition to the muscle layer.

Tuberculous endometritis occurs without pronounced clinical manifestations. The main complaint of patients is menstrual dysfunction.

With a long course of the disease, the uterine mucosa is replaced with connective tissue, the formation of adhesions (synechias), which deform the uterine cavity, leading to its partial or complete obliteration, resulting in the development of persistent amenorrhea.

Cervical tuberculosis usually develops as a result of the spread of a specific endometrial process (descending process). The mucous membrane of the cervical canal is most often affected, less often the vaginal part of the cervix.

Viral female diseases distinguish between productive and ulcerative forms, which are the final stage of the productive process. The productive form is characterized by the formation of tubercles under the epithelium of the vaginal part of the cervix. The ulcers have an irregular shape, undermined edges, and bleed easily when touched; their bottom is covered with a whitish coating. The ulcerative form of the endocervix can lead to narrowing of the lumen of the cervical canal or its atresia.

Vaginal tuberculosis is manifested by the formation of painful ulcers resembling cervical ones, usually localized on the posterior fornix and posterior wall of the vagina.

Vulvar tuberculosis is the rarest form of genital tuberculosis. It is detected in the form of lupus, ulcerative or miliary-ulcerative form with the most common localization of ulcers on the inner surface of the labia majora and minora and around the urethra.

Tuberculous pelvioperitonitis can occur in an exudative, adhesive or caseous form. The exudate is always transparent, yellowish or greenish in color, sometimes serous-bloody. Exudative pelvioperitonitis occurs with mild clinical manifestations. The adhesive form of the disease is characterized by high fever, abdominal pain, severe dyspeptic disorders and intoxication. In the caseous form of pelvioperitonitis, a severe course of the disease is observed with the formation of purulent or caseous foci in the pelvic organs and abdominal cavity.

When problems occur in the reproductive system, the entire body is involved in the pathological process.

Causes of inflammatory diseases in women

Inflammation is most often caused by an infection introduced into the urogenital tract from the outside.

There may be several ways for pathogens to enter.

Sexual transmission - during sexual contact from an infected person to a healthy person.
Ascending path - with poor personal hygiene, microbes penetrate deeper from the external genitalia and anal area.
Mechanical way - in the presence of damage to the mucous membrane, the use of untreated douching tips, inept placement of barrier contraceptives, etc.
The medical path is in case of insufficiently professional placement of intrauterine devices, or carrying out medical manipulations with a non-sterile instrument.
Endogenous pathway - in the presence of inflammatory foci with menstrual blood, during childbirth, etc.
Spontaneous path - with a decrease in protective barriers in the genital organs (acidic environment of the vagina, disruption of the mucous plug in the cervical canal, etc.

Causative agents of inflammatory diseases in women

Pathological processes in the urogenital tract are divided into specific and nonspecific. They are determined by the type of infectious pathogen that caused the inflammation.

Specific ones are caused by the penetration of microflora that multiply mainly in the genitals - gonococci, trichomonas, chlamydia, mycoplasmas, etc.

Nonspecific ones can affect many other body systems (oropharynx, digestive tract, respiratory tract, etc.). These are staphylococci, streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, etc.

Since the latter often act as a united front, they are called mixed-type bacteria.

The body's response to inflammatory diseases in women

Inflammation, which many people habitually call a disease, is actually a protective reaction of the body. This natural mechanism is called immunity. It is the immune cells that attack the emerging enemies and try to destroy them by increasing the temperature at the site of penetration and thus prevent their spread further.

The outcome of the defense depends on the activity of killer cells, their number, strength and diversity. If uninvited guests are successfully neutralized, the disease will not develop. If there are more pathogenic pathogens than defenders, they will win, cause intoxication of the body and lead to illness.

Doctors have defined this “warfare” between microbes and immune cells as immunological reactivity, which can be strong or weak. It is to increase the number of protective cells that measures called strengthening the immune system are aimed.

Often, when a pathological focus appears in the genitals, the nervous, vascular, and endocrine systems are affected, which determines the clinical picture of the disease.

Localization of inflammatory diseases in women

Gynecologists make a diagnosis according to the location where the inflammation occurs. In fact, such a division has practically no meaning for a woman, since several organs are involved in the pathological process at once.

Nevertheless, it is useful to know the decoding of the diagnosis.

Features of inflammatory diseases in women

Vulvitis occurs due to injury or insufficient hygiene of the perineal area. In girls, vulvitis is associated with weakness of specific immunity, the presence of other inflammatory foci and anatomical features of the structure of the external genitalia (thin skin, weak epithelial cover, numerous glands, etc.)

Vulvovaginitis It develops more often in older women, which is due to endocrine diseases, dietary errors, and hormonal imbalances.

Middle-aged women rarely suffer from inflammation of the external genitalia due to the characteristics of the epithelial tissues, which over time become resistant to infections.

Colpitis It is one of the most common gynecological pathologies. The disease is usually associated with a violation of the barrier function of the vagina, a decrease in its ability to self-cleanse, which allows microbes to freely penetrate deep into the genital organs.

Cervicitis is a consequence of inflammation of the vaginal mucosa if there are microdamages in the mucous membrane of the canal and cervix. Cervicitis can lead to cervical erosion (epithelial ulceration). When erosion occurs, the damaged area becomes covered with mucus with an alkaline reaction. And an alkaline environment, unlike an acidic one, serves as an excellent incubator for the proliferation of pathogenic microflora, which will subsequently cause inflammation!

Endometritis how an independent disease can occur after childbirth. However, most often the infection is introduced during the placement of uterine devices, operations and other medical (surgical and diagnostic) procedures. Among the causes of endometritis are sexual relations during menstruation.

Salpingitis begins after endometritis: the infection from the uterus spreads to the fallopian tubes. Salpingitis is dangerous due to the formation of adhesions in the tubes, preventing the passage of the egg into the uterine cavity. This is one of the most common causes of female infertility.

Oophoritis It is rarely primary, since the ovaries are quite reliably protected from microbes by a dense membrane. But with the invasion of an abundance of pathogenic flora from the fallopian tubes, the ovaries also become inflamed, causing adnexitis.

Signs and symptoms of inflammatory diseases in women

How do inflammatory processes in a woman’s urogenital tract make themselves felt? Most often, itching, burning, discharge and pain in the lower abdomen occur, and sometimes menstrual function and libido (sexual desire) are disrupted.

Beli- secretion of viscous transparent secretion of the gonads in moderate quantities is the norm for the female body. However, sometimes leucorrhoea has a yellow-greenish tint, which indicates the presence of pus at the site of inflammation, and has an unpleasant odor.

The smell may have diagnostic value. Thus, the smell of fish comes from Trichomonas and Gardnerella. The sour smell of curdled discharge occurs due to candidiasis (thrush of fungal etiology). A sharp, unpleasant odor may indicate vaginal dysbiosis.

Discharge in women may not have a pathological origin. Thus, an increase in the formation of secretions often occurs under nervous tension - stress, for example. Such leucorrhoea stops on its own after the cause disappears. In girls of puberty, leucorrhoea signals hormonal changes.

Each woman usually determines for herself that leucorrhoea is abnormal. This is a reason to immediately contact a gynecologist, since sometimes they talk not about an inflammatory process, but an oncological process.

Pain- a common symptom of trouble. Dull and aching, sharp and nagging, temporary and permanent, aggravated by colds and stress, physical fatigue and sexual intercourse, local and diffuse, premenstrual and accompanied by headaches along with insomnia - all of them sharply reduce life comfort, impair the ability to work and sometimes bring a woman down. to depression.

Itching and burning occur exclusively due to pathology in the reproductive system; this does not happen normally.

In most cases, the cause lies in infection, less often in violation of hygiene rules, and even less often in mechanical damage (for example, when rubbing underwear). Sometimes this result is achieved by the use of certain medications and rarely by the use of inappropriate intimate hygiene products.

Often itching and burning accompanies disorders in other body systems. They appear with diabetes, hepatitis, abnormalities in the functioning of the endocrine glands, sudden changes in hormonal levels (for example, during menopause), mental illness, etc.

Specific infection

The same and even more acute manifestations are associated with specific inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs. Their appearance is associated with infections that are predominantly sexually transmitted, but still this variant of infection is far from the only one. These include chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, gardnerellosis, genital herpes, trichomoniasis, mycoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, HIV, etc., as well as venereal gonorrhea and syphilis.

Inflammations caused by one pathogen are called monoinfections; a combination of microorganisms provokes mixed infections.

Mixed infections arise due to the hidden course of many diseases, the longer incubation period that some strains of microbes acquire, and due to the tendency to self-medicate (especially with antibiotics) at the first signs of trouble.

Mixed infections are difficult to diagnose, take longer to treat and cause more complications.

Find to defuse

Patient question

Doctor's answer

It is necessary because it helps to identify hidden infectious agents and disarm (treat) them before pregnancy occurs.

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a very accurate diagnostic method in which the DNA of pathogenic microflora is scanned, which allows one to accurately determine the type of pathogenic microorganism.

PCR diagnostics have proven themselves to be excellent, and therefore deservedly enjoy the respect of gynecologists, who often have to deal with disguised sexually transmitted diseases (asymptomatic chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, genital herpes, etc.).

The reliability of the method approaches 100% accuracy.

PCR diagnostics are also used in pulmonology (for lung diseases) to determine viral and bacterial pathogens of pneumonia and detect tuberculosis. In hematology, PCR helps determine the presence of cytomegaloviruses and oncoviruses. And infectious disease doctors use the rapid PCR method in their practice to diagnose diphtheria, viral hepatitis B, C and G, and salmonellosis.

To carry out diagnostics using the PCR method, biological material is taken - blood, saliva, urine, or a piece of human tissue.

Preventing vaginal infections

To avoid vaginal infections, and if they occur, to shorten the treatment time, girls and women should follow certain rules.

You should try not to constantly wear thick synthetic tight-fitting panties. Such underwear does not provide air circulation in the genital area and does not absorb moisture. Since infectious agents, and especially fungal flora, multiply most actively in a humid environment, during the greenhouse effect, preference should be given to breathable fabrics. Panties made of cotton or at least with a cotton insert will prevent the formation of an alkaline environment on the vaginal mucosa. The unpleasant putrid smell of natural discharge, which even healthy women often complain about, indicates the formation of an alkaline environment favorable for fungal infection.
You should not walk for a long time in a wet swimsuit. In addition to creating a greenhouse environment for microbes, as discussed above, there is another risk. You can get colds in the pelvic organs. Immunity will drop, and bacteria will multiply so that they cause inflammation.
After water procedures, it is necessary to thoroughly wipe the perineum with a dry towel, and always with movements from front to back, in order to avoid the transfer of intestinal bacteria from the anal area to the genitals.
It is very important to use toiletries alone.
You need to be careful when choosing intimate hygiene products: avoid scented tampons, colored toilet paper, soaps, gels and sprays with fragrances and other substances that can cause irritation to the mucous membranes.
To avoid discomfort, it is better to use cotton tampons instead of synthetic ones during menstruation. Super-absorbent tampons, as well as those that remain in the vagina for more than 12 hours, disrupt drainage and promote the growth of fungal microorganisms.
Those women who are accustomed to using tampons during menstruation should use them only during the day. At night, preference should be given to pads.
If any discomfort occurs in the urogenital tract, you should immediately consult a doctor. If it is an infection, you need to start treating it immediately to avoid big troubles.
If an infectious pathogen is detected during examination, the sexual partner will also have to be treated. Even if he was not the cause of the disease, the pathogenic microbial flora migrated to him.
If you have candidiasis, it is useful to avoid excess sweets. Refined sugar, according to many doctors, can support chronic fungal infections.
For the same reason, it is necessary to limit the consumption of bread, mushrooms, alcoholic drinks, canned foods and spicy foods.
The menu should include more dairy products, fish, potatoes, citrus fruits and legumes. Consume at least 2 glasses of fermented milk products (especially those enriched with bifidobacteria) per day. This helps prevent dysbiosis in the external genitalia.

Conservative therapy for inflammation of the appendages

Acute inflammation of the appendages and exacerbation of the chronic process requires hospitalization, especially if the relapse is caused by a sexually transmitted infection.

In case of severe pain, the patient is prescribed bed rest with cold procedures (ice pack) to suppress the inflammatory process.

On the first day, when tests have not yet been carried out and the type of pathogen is unknown, the woman is prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics, since it is urgent to localize the inflammation.

Commonly used are oxacillin sodium salt, ampiox or ampicillin. Then drugs are added, taking into account the type of microbes, specifically designed against this type of microorganisms.

Cephalosporins are effective - cephaloridin, cephalexin, cefazolin, as well as antibiotics of the aminoglycoside group - neomycin, gentamicin, kanamycin sulfates. Levomycetin is also used.

Antibiotic therapy should not be stopped even after the acute symptoms of inflammation have subsided. The course is usually 10-14 days, and for chlamydial infection - up to 3 weeks.

When pathogens are clearly resistant to antibiotics, nitrofurans are added to the treatment regimen. Although this group of antimicrobial drugs is inferior in clinical effectiveness to most antibiotics, at high concentrations they have a fairly wide spectrum of action and suppress both anaerobic flora and bacteria, and in addition fungi that cause casdidiasis. Furazolidone and nifuratel actively fight Trichomonas and Giardia.

In parallel with antibacterial drugs, medications that prevent the development of fungal infections are prescribed, since antibiotic therapy poses a threat of candidiasis and dysbacteriosis. Usually these are nystatin and levorin.

If inflammatory processes in the ovaries and tubes give rise to high temperature, fever, chills, the doctor prescribes drug detoxification with rheopolyglucin, hemodez, glucose solution with vitamins administered intravenously.

In case of severe pain, analgesic drugs are prescribed (analgin, butadione, amidopyrine, etc.), in case of drug allergies, desensitizing drugs are prescribed (diphenhydramine, suprastin, tavegil). If the adhesive process is noticeably expressed, enzymes are used - ronidase, lidase, as well as vitreous body and aloe that stimulate the body's defense reactions.

Physiotherapeutic procedures are widely used to resolve adhesions: pulsed currents, magnetic fields, UHF. During the recovery period, chloride, sodium, and sulfide sitz baths are beneficial.

Therapeutic mud, ozokerite (a natural mineral substance of the petroleum group), paraffin are used for local effects in the form of applications.

To restore functional disorders, acupuncture is often prescribed.

With proper treatment in a hospital, as well as patient and careful compliance with doctor’s orders during the home period of rehabilitation and recovery, inflammation in the female reproductive organs can be managed. But if persistent infertility has developed due to the chronicity of the process, the prognosis is not so favorable. In some cases, it is not possible to get rid of adhesions in the abdominal cavity.

Medical preventive measures

In order to reduce the risk of developing gynecological diseases, you need to:

visit a gynecologist 2 times a year;
regularly do histological analysis to detect atypical cells;
go to see the same doctor, who can monitor your health over time;
if possible, choose the most qualified doctor;
If you experience any discomfort in the genital area, immediately seek medical advice;
Follow the assigned recommendations carefully and in a timely manner.

Are vaginal infections classified as sexually transmitted diseases?

Patient question

Is a vaginal infection a sexually transmitted disease and can a woman spread it to her partner?

Doctor's answer

Among the three most common vaginal infections (bacterial vulvovaginitis, trichomoniasis and thrush), only trichomoniasis has recently been classified as a sexually transmitted disease, and even then conditionally.

However, doctors believe that the development of bacterial vulvovaginitis is almost always closely related to sex, since most women acquire pathogenic microflora through contact with a sexual partner.

How are these conditions different? The fact is that the bacteria that cause inflammation in women of the lower part of the urogenital tract are most often harmless for men and do not lead to the development of an inflammatory process in them in the genitourinary organs.

But the causative agents of sexually transmitted diseases affect both partners equally.

Overdiagnosis

Patient question

Gynecologists working in medical centers are convinced that every woman of the childbearing period should be examined every six months for the presence of sexually transmitted infections. Many paid tests and diagnostic methods are prescribed. Is this always justified?

Doctor's answer

Detection of sexually transmitted infections is carried out only for certain indications. If a woman lives in a marriage and there are no symptoms of an inflammatory process in the urogenital tract, reproductive function is not impaired, there is no point in additional examinations to detect infections.

Some microorganisms are saprophytes, that is, they live in the body almost constantly. Any analysis will reveal their presence, but such flora should be dealt with only if it is activated, which threatens the disease.

Sometimes, to make an accurate diagnosis, you really need to undergo a series of examinations. For example, with chlamydia, before making a diagnosis, it is necessary to confirm the presence of the disease using two or three diagnostic methods.

If information about the presence of an infectious pathogen is obtained by one method, this does not mean that the woman has developed chlamydia. However, even with one insufficiently reliable study, a diagnosis is often made and strong doses of antibiotics are prescribed. And this leads to genital candidosis and other undesirable consequences.

Unfortunately, there is a tendency towards unreasonable examinations and overdiagnosis of infections in the medical world. Overdiagnosis, i.e. excessive prescription of additional, sometimes completely unnecessary, tests and examinations often leads to an erroneous medical conclusion.

Typically, indications for infectious disease testing are symptoms of an inflammatory process in the urogenital tract, infertility, or recurrent miscarriage.

Gynecological fees

Patient question

Will herbal medicine help? Tell me, what herbal remedy can I buy at the pharmacy for vaginal inflammation?

Doctor's answer

Pharmacies sell special gynecological collections of medicinal herbs that have antiseptic properties, selected according to their composition in certain proportions. It includes yarrow, chamomile, St. John's wort, sage, and sometimes nettle is added. You can buy such preparations and use them for vaginal douching according to the recipe indicated on the package. But herbal medicine cannot always relieve the inflammatory process.

In this case, you need to find out what is causing the inflammation. If this is a banal colpitis and there are no pathogenic (infectious) microorganisms, then it makes sense to use herbal decoctions. Although it is necessary to warn: you should not get carried away with douching, because this washes out the normal flora of the vagina.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a whole group of diseases that have a negative impact on the genitourinary, reproductive and other systems of the body. The danger is posed by pathogenic microorganisms that can be transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person during sex, through blood and, in very rare cases, through everyday contact.

Types of sexually transmitted infections

There are 20 main types of sexually transmitted infections, and all of them pose health risks. Very often, the patient does not even realize that he is infected, since such diseases have a hidden incubation period, during which no symptoms are detected. This situation leads to the transition of the initial stage of the disease to chronic.

All infectious diseases are divided into three types according to the type of pathogen:

Ailments caused by microbes - syphilis, gonorrhea, chancroid, inguinal lymphogranulomatosis.
Diseases caused by protozoan microorganisms, the most common of which is trichomoniasis.
Viral lesions - HIV, hepatitis, herpes, cytomegaly.

Each disease has its own symptoms and methods of infection:

Syphilis. It is transmitted both sexually and domestically, through blood, saliva and seminal fluid; placental infection of the child from the mother is possible. The main symptoms are skin rashes, ulcers, myalgia, headache, an increase in leukocytes and a decrease in hemoglobin. Read about testing for syphilis.
Chancroid (soft chancroid). Infection occurs only during sexual contact. The disease is characterized by the development of purulent processes that involve the nearest lymph nodes. External signs are non-healing ulcers with serous contents and swelling around the circumference. The lesion covers the prepuce area in men and the labia in women. With unconventional types of sex, damage to the oral cavity and anus is possible.
Trichomoniasis. Infection occurs during sexual intercourse, less often during household contacts. In women, the disease manifests itself in the form of hyperemia and itching of the vaginal mucous tissues, discharge mixed with foam and an unpleasant odor. In men, this is difficult, painful urination, frequent false urge to go to the toilet.
Gonorrhea. The infection is transmitted during sex, through the patient's personal objects, and when the baby passes through the birth canal. In men, the main symptoms are inflammation of the urethral canal, pain when urinating, and purulent discharge. If the pathogen penetrates the prostate gland, erection may decrease. Gonorrhea in women is manifested by copious discharge of pus, pain and burning when urinating. Read more about gonococcal infection (gonorrhea).
. It is distinguished by the latent nature of its occurrence and, in fact, has no external manifestations. The main symptoms appear only when the form is advanced and are expressed in pain, itching of the genital organs in a woman, and the same symptoms in a man during urination. The routes of infection are sexual contact, the use of linen and hygiene items of a sick person, transmission from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth.
Candidiasis. It has typical manifestations in the form of inflammation of the mucous membranes of the genitals and mouth, severe itching, and intense cheesy discharge. The infection can develop as a result of sexual intercourse, with prolonged use of antibiotics.
Human papillomavirus. The infection typically enters the body through sexual and domestic means. External signs are genital warts and warts on the mucous tissues of the reproductive organs and anus. Some varieties are especially dangerous - they lead to breast and cervical cancer in women.
Ureaplasmosis. It is transmitted to the baby during childbirth, through sexual contact. Pronounced signs are often absent; in men, the infection provokes the development of prostatitis with typical symptoms - pain, stinging, difficulty urinating.
Cytomegalovirus. Infectious agents penetrate tissues through sperm, female, and vaginal secretions and are capable of infecting a child during fetal development. There are generally no symptoms.
Inguinal lymphogranulomatosis. Spread occurs through sexual contact. In men, the head of the penis is affected; in women, the labia and vagina are affected. Blisters and ulcers appear at the sites of infection. As the pathology develops, the cervical, inguinal and submandibular lymph nodes enlarge.
Gardnerellosis. It is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, although in some cases the virus can be introduced through household means. Since the pathogen actively suppresses the vital activity of lactobacilli, a person may experience digestive problems and disruption of normal bowel movements.
Mycoplasmosis. It is more common in women during unprotected sex, causing kidney dysfunction, inflammation of the urethra and vagina.
Hepatitis (B and C). The infection has different routes of entry - through blood, saliva, semen, and breast milk. Symptoms of infection may be loss of appetite, fatigue, pain in the liver, aching joints, dark urine, and attacks of nausea.
. A common, practically incurable disease, transmitted both sexually and through household methods. Due to the fact that the pathogen not only has the ability to penetrate human DNA, it penetrates into the nerve fibers of the spine, where it remains, becoming inaccessible to interferons and antibodies of the immune system. While in a latent state, the virus is activated at any sign of a decrease in the body's defenses. The rashes are localized on the lips, mucous membrane of the cheeks, eyes, in the genital area, and on the genitalia in women and men. The rashes disappear, most often, after 20-30 days.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Routes of infection - through blood, sexual intercourse (see more details about). Symptoms of infection during the acute phase are high fever, chills, joint and muscle pain, enlarged lymph nodes, rash, intestinal upset, vomiting, headache. The disease may not progress for some time, continuing to destroy the immune system, after which the patient’s well-being deteriorates.
AIDS. A serious sexually transmitted disease. The main routes of transmission are oral and anal sexual intercourse. Immunodeficiency syndrome has the following primary symptoms - high fever, general weakness, increased sweating, regular headaches, myalgia. Signs of intoxication often appear - nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing.
Pediculosis pubis. The peculiarity of the disease is that it is transmitted not only sexually, but also through underwear and bed linen. Characteristic symptoms are severe itching, hyperemia of the skin in the scalp area.
Molluscum contagiosum. In addition to sexual relations, the disease is transmitted through underwear, bed linen, household items, when applying a tattoo, through microtrauma during close contacts. The skin disease is expressed in the form of rounded papules - nodules, which increase in size over time and merge with each other, forming a large affected surface.
Athlete's foot (groin fungus). Routes of infection are intimate intimacy, close household contacts, introduction of infection through cosmetics and personal hygiene items. A typical sign of the disease is severe itching, rashes in the form of pink papules in the scrotum, penis in men, in the armpits, genitals, buttocks, inside the knee and under the breasts in women.
Scabies. The introduction of scabies mites occurs through prolonged contact, including during coitus, when the patient’s skin comes into contact with healthy epidermis. The main manifestations are intense itching, which becomes unbearable in the evening and at night, when the activity of the pathogen increases. Localization of rashes - genitals, lumbar region, buttocks, chest, feet, inner thighs, armpits.

Sometimes damage is observed by several types of pathogens at once. This situation is typical for people who are promiscuous in their intimate relationships or who are addicted to drugs or alcohol. The lack of reliable contraceptives and weak immunity increases the risk of infection.

In this video, a venereologist talks in detail about the types of sexually transmitted infections, how they affect organs, what their symptoms are and how to effectively fight them.

And these are just the most common infections caused by various pathogenic microorganisms. Each case will require an individual approach to treatment and medications effective for a specific pathogen.

Causes of infection

The cause of the development of sexually transmitted infections is the penetration of pathogenic viruses, bacteria, protozoan single-celled organisms, and fungi into the body.

Basic prerequisites:

Lack of quality contraceptives.
Casual sexual relations with unfamiliar partners.
Insufficient personal hygiene.
Blood donation and transfusions in case of accidents, operations, transplantations.
Lack of timely treatment of infection before conception and during pregnancy.

However, there are always factors that contribute to infection. And, first of all, this is a weakened immune system for various reasons. Alcohol abuse, an unbalanced diet that is poor in essential vitamins, mineral compounds and trace elements, constant stressful situations, and physical overload lead to the fact that the immune system cannot cope with the pathology on its own.

Sexual infections lead not only to poor health, but also to serious consequences - infertility, impotence, and death.

Diagnostics

To make an accurate diagnosis, laboratory tests and the use of medical equipment are required. But any visit to a doctor begins with collecting anamnesis and examining the patient. Today there are so many varieties of pathogens that bacterial culture and smear examination are clearly not enough to obtain a reliable result.

Diagnosis in men is carried out using the following methods:

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a highly informative examination method that makes it possible to identify the type of pathogen by its DNA in biomaterial from the secretion of the prostate gland, urethra, sperm and blood. The method also allows you to select the right antibiotic for a given virus. For examination, material is taken from the patient's urethral canal.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a method by which antibodies to specific infectious organisms can be found using a blood test.
Immunofluorescence is a laboratory blood test that provides maximum information about the protective forces of the male body, autoimmune disorders, endocrine system failures, and hematopoietic pathologies.

To examine women, in addition to PCR and bacteriological culture, the following is carried out:

serological blood test to recognize antigens;
histological examination of tissues of the uterine cavity and cervical canal;
clinical blood test for hemoglobin content, level of erythrocytes and leukocytes.

These methods are basic, but other diagnostic procedures are used if necessary. Research allows us to select adequate, comprehensive treatment.

Complex treatment

Treatment of infectious diseases is individual for each patient and is comprehensive. In addition, patients are registered with a venereological institution until complete recovery. The course is prescribed to both the patient and his partner.

Treatment of sexually transmitted infections in men and women involves abstinence from sexual relations and the use of a complex of medications:

antibacterial agents in the form of tablets and injections;
analgesics and antispasmodics for painful urination, headaches, muscle, and lumbar pain;
anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve swelling, irritation, hyperemia of the skin and mucous membranes;
if necessary, antifungal medications;
vitamins and immunomodulators to improve immunity;
medications for external use in the form of ointments, creams for rashes and ulcers.

The most effective antibiotics against pathogenic bacteria and viruses are:

Penicillins – Ampicillin, Amoxicillin.
Nitroimidazole – Trichopolum, Metronidazole.
Aminoglycosides – Neomycin, Spectinomycin.
Macrolides – Clarithromycin, Erythromycin.
Fluoroquinolones – Ofloxacin.
Tetracyclines – Doxycycline, Tetracycline.

Medicines are selected individually, as they can cause an allergic reaction. Antibiotics are used for no more than 2-7 days in a row as directed by a doctor. For more information about antibiotics that are used in the fight against sexually transmitted infections -.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the treatment of human papillomavirus infection. This is a lifelong disease and you can only suppress its manifestation. Read more about this.

Among other things, for genital infections, rectal/vaginal suppositories are prescribed in combination with other drugs that help relieve inflammation, reduce pain and swelling. These include:

antimicrobial suppositories Betadine, which stop inflammation;
for trichomoniasis, the antibacterial drug Metronidazole is effective;
Pimafucin is a highly effective vaginal suppository for women with antifungal action.

Among the immunostimulating agents used during general therapy are drugs such as Cycloferon, Genferon. For women, douching is prescribed, and for men - baths with a solution of potassium permanganate, Chlorhexidine.

In this video, a venereologist talks in detail about the treatment of sexually transmitted infections. Which drugs are better, how to properly build a treatment system.

In severe conditions, inpatient treatment under constant supervision is indicated. In the early stages of the disease, the patient can be treated at home as directed by a specialist, following the regimen of taking the necessary medications, and sometimes even bed rest.

Preventive measures

In order to prevent infection, the following rules should be followed:

use of condoms and contraceptives in women;
periodic examination by a gynecologist and urologist;
if necessary, undergo vaccinations;
maintaining intimate hygiene;
use of antiseptic solutions if infection is suspected within several hours after sexual intercourse;