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| Reproductive Diseases |
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| The diseases/disorders affecting the reproductive system are of many types. Some are due to malfunctioning gonads, others are due to pathogens. Some of the diseases/disorders affecting the reproductive system are as follows: |
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 Infertility in Females |
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Infertility in Males |
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| It is the inability to bring about fertilisation of sperm with eggs. The causes of infertility are varied and it affects both males and females. |
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| Infertility in Females |
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| The common causes of infertility among females is the inability to produce ova, mainly due to hormonal problems, blocked oviducts, damaged uterus and cervix, presence of anti-sperm antibodies in female reproductive system, etc. |
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| Infertility in Males |
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| Infertility in Males may be due to absence of sperm, low sperm count, abnormal sperms, autoimmunity (presence of antibodies in the male reproductive system itself), premature ejaculation and impotence. |
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| Infertility can be treated by either hormone treatment or modern methods of invitrofertilisation (IVF). IVF involves the fertilisation of sperm and egg in a test-tube. The zygote is then transferred to the uterus of the mother. Such babies are also called test-tube babies. Another method of treatment is the GIFT - gamete intra-fallopian transfer. In this procedure, the gametes are transferred to the oviducts and the fertilisation takes place inside the body itself. However, it works only if the oviducts are not blocked. There is also a procedure called ZIFT - zygote intra-fallopian transfer where the zygote is transferred to the oviduct and not to the uterus. |
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| Hormonal imbalances in the body result in menstrual disorders such as painful, irregular or excessive menstruation. |
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| The common diseases are syphilis and gonorrhea. Syphilis is characterized by sores around the anus, vagina, penis, lips, fingers, nipples, etc. In the later stages it results in fever and skin rashes. If untreated, it can result in insanity, heart damage or blindness. |
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| Gonorrhoea is characterized by yellow discharge from urethra and burning sensation while passing urine. In females it affects the uterus and the fallopian tubes. It can result in sterility. |
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| Both syphilis and gonorrhea are extremely infectious diseases. They spread through sexual contact. Indulging in unsafe and promiscuous (a (of a person) having frequent and diverse sexual relationships, esp. transient ones. b (of sexual relationships) of this kind). sexual activities increases the risk of infection. Both diseases can be cured by antibiotics. |
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| It is the most serious and challenging health problem confronting the world today. It is also a sexually transmitted disease. AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. It is caused by human immuno deficiency virus (HIV). It spreads through transfer of bodily fluids such as blood and semen. Thus the main causes are unprotected sexual activities, use of infected needles or transfusion of infected blood. The virus affects the immune system of the body by inactivating the white blood cells. This results in loss of resistance against infections. It is a fatal disease. |
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