Diseases of the female reproductive system should not be taken lightly. Disorders of the female reproductive organs can be caused by many things. If left untreated, some of these diseases of the female reproductive system can even increase a woman's risk of developing problems fertility.
The female reproductive system consists of the labia majora, labia minora, Bartholin's glands, clitoris, vagina, uterus or womb, ovaries (ovaries), and fallopian tubes.
These organs function to support the human reproductive process, from producing eggs, having sex, protecting and caring for the fetus during pregnancy, to giving birth.
However, sometimes these organs cannot work properly due to diseases of the female reproductive system.
Various Diseases of the Female Reproductive System
There are many diseases that can attack the female reproductive system, including:
1. Polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disease of the female reproductive system that quite often causes fertility problems. This disease is often found in women of childbearing age.
This disease is caused by disorders of the ovaries or adrenal glands, so that the androgen hormone (male sex hormone) is in more than normal levels in a woman's body. This disease is prone to occur in women who have hormonal disorders and diabetes.
Women who have PCOS may experience several signs and symptoms, such as:
- Irregular menstruation.
- A lot of hair or fur that grows in certain body parts.
- Pelvic pain.
- Oily and acne prone skin.
- Baldness.
2. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Other diseases of the female reproductive system that may appear are sexually transmitted infections. Women who have unprotected sex with people with STIs will get the disease. When suffered by pregnant women, STIs can cause serious effects to the fetus.
3. Miom
Other diseases of the female reproductive system are uterine fibroids or fibroids. Myoma is a benign tumor growth in the uterine muscle wall that attacks women of childbearing age.
Although the exact cause of uterine fibroids is still unknown, there are two factors that can increase a woman's risk for developing this disease, namely hormonal disorders (changes in estrogen and progesterone levels) and genetic or hereditary factors.
4. Cancer of the female reproductive system
Cancer that attacks the female reproductive organs is also called gynecological cancer. Some types of cancer that are included in the gynecological cancer group are uterine cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer.
5. Endometriosis
One of the diseases of the female reproductive system that is also quite often heard is endometriosis. This condition occurs when the lining of the uterus grows in other organs or parts of the body, such as the ovaries, digestive tract, or bladder.
This disease mostly affects women in their 30s to 40s. Symptoms can include pain in the pelvis or abdomen, very painful menstruation, bleeding outside the menstrual period, to pain during bowel movements or during sex.
6. Pelvic inflammation
Pelvic inflammatory disease is caused by an infection that causes inflammation of the female reproductive organs. This disease usually occurs due to the entry of bacteria from the vagina into the pelvis, then causes inflammation in the area.
Pelvic inflammatory disease can also be caused by sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea. Symptoms of pelvic inflammation usually include pelvic and abdominal pain, pain when urinating or having sex, fever, and discharge or blood from the vagina.
If not treated immediately, pelvic inflammatory disease can cause complications such as infertility.
7. The uterus descends (uterine prolapse)
This is a condition in which the uterus descends into the vagina or comes out of it. Uterus descending is more common in women who are postmenopausal, old age, have given birth vaginally more than twice, and women who have pelvic muscle weakness.
Symptoms of this disease can include discomfort in the abdomen or pelvis, visible objects or lumps coming out of the vagina, pain during sex, and difficulty holding urine (urinary incontinence).
8. Interstitial cystitis
Other diseases that can attack the female reproductive organs are: interstitial cystitis. This condition occurs when the bladder or the area around the pelvis experiences chronic pain, resulting in constant discomfort.
Women who suffer from this disease will often feel the urge to urinate, there is discomfort or pain in the abdomen or pelvis, abdominal pain (especially when pressed), and pain when urinating.
If you feel one or more signs of symptoms that may point to one of the diseases of the female reproductive system, then the thing that must be done is to immediately consult the nearest obstetrician.
To diagnose and look for causes of disorders in the female reproductive organs, doctors can perform physical and supporting examinations, such as blood tests, urine tests, Pap smears, and ultrasound. After the disease is detected, the treatment will be adjusted according to the doctor's diagnosis.