Category: Reproductive Disorders

Pyometra in Dogs: A Potentially Fatal Uterine Infection

JiangRuoan

– Pyometra: An infection inside the uterus of an unneutered female dog
– Unneutered female dogs over six years old are especially susceptible to pyometra
– Pyometra can lead to sepsis, kidney failure, peritonitis, and death
– There are two types of pyometra: open and closed
– Open pyometra is characterized by visible blood and pus from the dog’s vulva
– Closed pyometra is particularly dangerous as it can cause the womb to burst
– Neutered dogs can also develop a rare type of pyometra called stump pyometra
– Pyometra is a serious infection of the uterus
– It can lead to complications such as kidney failure, toxaemia, dehydration, and death
– Mostly affects older, un-spayed female dogs, but can occur in any un-spayed female dog
– Caused by a bacterial infection, commonly E. coli, which often occurs after a female dog’s season
– Symptoms include loss of appetite, lethargy, excessive thirst, and sometimes vaginal discharge
– Diagnosis is done through questioning, abdominal examination, and possibly ultrasound
– Urgent surgery to remove the infected womb is the usual treatment
– Earlier surgery increases the chances of survival
– Preventative spaying can help prevent pyometra
– Most spayed dogs will not get pyometra, but there is a rare condition called uterine stump pyometra.

Continue Reading

Trichomonas vaginalis: The Silent Intruder of Sexual Health

JiangRuoan

– Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite.
– In women, trichomoniasis can cause a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, genital itching, and painful urination.
– Men who have trichomoniasis typically have no symptoms.
– Pregnant women with trichomoniasis are at a higher risk of delivering their babies prematurely.
– Treatment for trichomoniasis involves taking antibiotics such as metronidazole (Flagyl), tinidazole (Tindamax), or secnidazole (Solosec).
– To prevent reinfection, all sexual partners should be treated simultaneously.
– Correct and consistent use of condoms can reduce the risk of infection.

Continue Reading

Cervical Dysplasia: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

JiangRuoan

– Cervical dysplasia is typically diagnosed during a routine pap test.
– A pap test involves swabbing the cervix to collect a sample of cells.
– The cells are sent to a lab, and results can take up to 3 weeks.
– Pap test results can be normal, inconclusive, or abnormal.
– Inconclusive results may indicate a simple infection in the cervix or vagina.
– Further testing or diagnoses will depend on age and medical history.
– An abnormal result is known as cervical dysplasia or a squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL).
– There are different classifications of precancerous cells: Low-grade SIL (LSIL), high-grade SIL (HSIL), or atypical glandular or squamous cells (ASCUS).
– Additional testing, such as a colposcopy, is needed to determine the severity of the cell changes.
– A biopsy of the cervix may be taken during a colposcopy to identify the abnormal area.
– Cervical dysplasia found on a biopsy is called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), which has 3 levels: CIN I (mild dysplasia), CIN II (moderate to marked dysplasia), and CIN III (severe dysplasia to carcinoma in situ).
– An HPV test can be done at the same time or separately to identify the presence and type of HPV.

Continue Reading

Syndactyly: Understanding Causes, Treatment Options, and Prognosis

JiangRuoan

– Syndactyly is often diagnosed at birth and sometimes detected earlier on a prenatal ultrasound.
– X-rays may be used to assess the structure of the fingers and determine treatment.
– Surgery is the most common treatment for syndactyly, usually performed between 1 and 2 years old.
– The skin is split evenly between the fingers during surgery, and skin grafts may be used to cover the separated fingers.
– Only one side of a web space is separated at a time to avoid complications.
– Children with Apert syndrome often experience syndactyly, with three main types: Type I (spade hand), Type II (mitten hand), and Type III (rosebud hand).
– After surgery, a cast or bandage will be worn for two to three weeks, followed by a splint for six weeks.
– Occupational therapy may be recommended to reduce scarring, manage stiffness and swelling, and improve function.
– “Web creep” may occur as scar tissue grows between the fingers, potentially requiring a second surgery.
– Regular follow-up visits are needed to monitor healing and movement.
– Some children may need additional surgeries for improved function and appearance of the hand.
– Boston Children’s Hospital has specialized programs for the treatment of syndactyly and other hand problems, with experienced diagnosis, treatment, and care options.
– The text does not provide any facts, stats, or figures about syndactyly.

Continue Reading

Fishing Techniques: Exploring the Art of Catching FSH

JiangRuoan

List of Pertinent Information for Keyword ‘fsh’:

1. High FSH levels in women may indicate primary ovarian insufficiency, polycystic ovary syndrome, menopause or perimenopause, an ovarian tumor, or Turner syndrome.
2. Low FSH levels in women may indicate insufficient egg production, pituitary gland dysfunction, hypothalamus problems, or being underweight.
3. High FSH levels in men may indicate testicular damage from chemotherapy, radiation, infection, or alcohol abuse, or Klinefelter syndrome.
4. Low FSH levels in men may indicate a disorder of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus.
5. High FSH levels in children along with high levels of luteinizing hormone may indicate the onset of puberty and could be a sign of a central nervous system disorder or brain injury.
6. Low FSH and luteinizing hormone levels in children may indicate delayed puberty, which can be caused by various factors such as ovarian or testicular disorders, Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, infection, hormone deficiency, or an eating disorder.
7. The FSH test is used to determine if there is an imbalance in FSH levels and can help determine the cause of issues related to the pituitary gland or ovaries/testicles.
8. The FSH test may be done alongside a test for luteinizing hormone (LH), another pituitary hormone.
9. Test results can vary depending on age, gender, and health history.
10. Normal FSH levels for men are 1.4 to 15.4 mIU/mL.
11. Normal FSH levels for women depend on the menstrual cycle phase.
12. The FSH test is done with a blood sample taken from a vein in the arm or hand.
13. Risks of the FSH test include bleeding, infection, bruising, and feeling lightheaded.
14. Being pregnant or taking birth control pills may affect the results of an FSH test.
15. Certain medicines can also impact the test results, so individuals should inform their healthcare provider about all medications, herbs, vitamins, and supplements they are taking.
16. No specific facts, stats, or figures are provided in the article.

Note: Any duplications have been removed.

Continue Reading

Bartholin Gland: Understanding Its Function, Common Issues, and Treatments

JiangRuoan

– Bartholin’s cyst
– Vagina opening
– Painful lump
– Pain in vulva
– Pain during walking, sitting, or sex
– Swelling of labia majora
– Infected cyst
– Painful abscess
– Routine screening
– Examinations
– GP visit
– Bacterial infection
– Swab analysis
– Vulval cancer
– Duct blockage
– STIs
– Self-care measures
– Painkillers
– Surgical procedures
– Drain the cyst
– Sexually active women
– Age 20-30
– Rare in children
– Puberty
– Menopause
– Prevention
– Safe sex
– Condom use
– Surgical drainage
– Local anesthesia
– Sedation
– Incision
– Rubber catheter
– Complete drainage
– Catheter placement
– Up to six weeks

Continue Reading

Hydatidiform Mole: Unraveling the Enigmatic World of Gestational Trophoblastic Diseases

JiangRuoan

– A hydatidiform mole, or molar pregnancy, is a rare condition affecting approximately 1 in 1,200 pregnancies.
– It is typically detected in early pregnancy and can be identified through ultrasound or examination of tissue after a miscarriage.
– In a molar pregnancy, there is abnormal and rapid growth of part or all of the placenta, resulting in a larger than normal size and the presence of fluid-filled cysts.
– Two types of molar pregnancy include complete molar pregnancy, in which a fetus does not develop, and partial molar pregnancy, in which a fetus develops but is abnormal and cannot survive beyond three months.
– Despite the abnormal pregnancy, women may still experience typical symptoms such as morning sickness or sore breasts due to the production of the pregnancy hormone hCG by the placenta.
– In some cases, the placenta can become malignant and develop into choriocarcinoma, a rare form of cancer that can spread to organs like the lungs, liver, and brain. Choriocarcinoma responds well to chemotherapy.
– Risk factors for molar pregnancy include age (under 18 or over 35), Asian or Mexican background, a diet low in carotene, and a history of previous molar pregnancy or other gestational trophoblastic tumor.
– Registries like the Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD) Registry at the Royal Women’s Hospital are established to monitor and provide follow-up care for women who have had a molar pregnancy.
– Regular monitoring of hCG levels is necessary to detect any remaining molar cells that could grow and potentially spread to other organs. Testing involves urine and blood collection, and treatment may be required if hCG levels do not decrease.
– It is important to avoid getting pregnant again until discharged from the registry to prevent confusion between a new pregnancy and persistent trophoblastic disease. After discharge, attempting a new pregnancy is safe after having at least one normal period and using contraception during this time.
– Emotional healing after a molar pregnancy can take a longer time than physical healing from treatment, and seeking support from family, friends, and the GTD Registry team is recommended.

Continue Reading

Hypopituitarism: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Coping Strategies

JiangRuoan

Hypopituitarism is a rare condition in which the pituitary gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. The pituitary gland is a kidney-bean-sized gland located at the base of the brain. It is part of the endocrine system, which includes other glands like the thyroid and adrenal glands. Hypopituitarism can affect various functions of the body, such as growth, blood pressure, and fertility. Symptoms of hypopituitarism depend on which hormones are deficient, and can include fatigue, muscle weakness, changes in body fat, loss of interest in activities, infertility, hot flashes, irregular periods, loss of pubic hair, erectile dysfunction, mood changes, tiredness, weight gain, dry skin, constipation, and sensitivity to cold. Treatment usually involves taking medications to replace the missing hormones.

Some important facts about hypopituitarism include:

– Symptoms can include severe tiredness, low blood pressure, frequent infections, nausea/vomiting/abdominal pain, and confusion.
– If symptoms occur suddenly or come with a bad headache, changes in vision, confusion, or a drop in blood pressure, it could indicate a medical emergency called pituitary apoplexy caused by bleeding into the pituitary gland.
– Common causes of hypopituitarism include pituitary tumors, head injuries, brain surgery, radiation treatment to the head or neck, stroke or bleeding in the brain, certain medications, inflammation of the pituitary gland, infections of the brain, diseases that affect multiple organs, significant blood loss during childbirth, and genetic factors.
– Tumors or diseases of the hypothalamus, located just above the pituitary gland, can also cause hypopituitarism.

Note: The provided text excerpts have been consolidated to remove duplication and ensure relevance to the keyword “hypopituitarism.”

Continue Reading

Uterine Prolapse: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention Strategies

JiangRuoan

– Uterine prolapse occurs when muscles and tissue in the pelvis weaken, allowing the uterus to drop into the vagina
– Nearly half of all women between ages 50 and 79 have uterine prolapse
– The main cause is weakened muscles and tissue in the pelvic floor that can’t support the weight of the uterus
– Risk factors include giving birth (highest risk), vaginal delivery, menopause, being Caucasian, being overweight, and smoking
– Many women with uterine prolapse have no symptoms, but possible symptoms include leakage of urine, inability to completely empty the bladder, feeling of heaviness or fullness in the pelvis, bulging in the vagina, lower-back pain, aching or pressure in the lower abdomen or pelvis, and constipation
– Diagnosing uterine prolapse involves a physical exam, possibly a cystoscopy to examine the bladder and urethra, and an MRI to get a better look at the kidneys and other pelvic organs.

Continue Reading

Ovary Health: Understanding the Key to Fertility Success

JiangRuoan

– The ovaries are located on either side of the womb in the pelvis.
– Each woman has two ovaries.
– The ovaries are oval in shape and about four centimeters long.
– The ovaries produce eggs for fertilization.
– The ovaries produce reproductive hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and androgens.
– The functions of the ovaries are controlled by hormones released from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
– Ovulation is the process of releasing an egg from the ovary.
– A female baby is born with around two million eggs, which decreases to about 400,000 by puberty.
– Menopause refers to the end of a woman’s reproductive years, usually around 51 years old.
– Menopause is caused by the loss of follicles in the ovary.
– The ovaries produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which regulate the menstrual cycle.
– Estrogen production dominates in the first half of the menstrual cycle, progesterone production dominates in the second half.
– Ovaries also produce small amounts of male hormones called androgens.
– Medical conditions that affect the ovaries can decrease fertility.
– Premature ovarian insufficiency is when the ovaries stop functioning before the age of 40.
– Hormone replacement therapy is a common treatment for restoring missing ovarian hormones.
– Conditions like Turner syndrome or damage from treatments like chemotherapy can affect ovarian function.
– Polycystic ovary syndrome affects 8-13% of women of childbearing age.
– PCOS can cause stunted follicles, cysts in the ovaries, excess male hormones, irregular or absent periods, and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
– Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods during reproductive years and can be caused by various factors.
– Factors like low body weight, excessive exercise, and psychological stress can affect ovarian function.
– Disorders of the pituitary gland, such as hypopituitarism caused by pituitary tumors or excess prolactin, can also impact ovarian function.

Continue Reading