Empowering Women's Health: Insights from a Gynecologist
Keywords: adosculation, article, facts, stats, figures, summarize, definition, origin, Latin, generate, summary, information
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– The hymen is a thin piece of mucosal tissue that surrounds or partially covers the vaginal opening.
– Some people are born with imperforate hymens that completely obstruct the vaginal canal.
– The appearance of the hymen can vary, with a common shape being crescent-shaped in children.
– During puberty, estrogen causes the hymen to become more elastic.
– Normal variations of the hymen after puberty range from thin and stretchy to thick and rigid, and in some cases, the hymen may be absent.
– The hymen can tear or rip during first penetrative intercourse, resulting in pain and possible bleeding.
– However, tearing or bleeding from first intercourse is not always common.
– The state of the hymen is not a reliable indicator of virginity.
– The hymen is formed during embryogenesis and normally becomes perforate before or shortly after birth.
– The hymen has dense innervation and can stretch or tear as a result of various behaviors, including the use of tampons, menstrual cups, pelvic examinations with a speculum, or sexual intercourse.
– A glass or plastic rod called a Glaister Keen rod is used for close examination of the hymen.
– In cases of suspected rape or child sexual abuse, a detailed examination of the hymen may be performed, but the condition of the hymen alone is often inconclusive.
– There are various types of hymens, ranging from thin and stretchy to thick and rigid.
– An imperforate hymen occurs in 1-2 out of 1,000 infants and may require surgical intervention.
– The appearance of the hymenal opening can vary in shape and appearance based on hormonal and activity levels.
– Trauma to the hymen during first sexual intercourse does not always result in bleeding, and not all women experience pain.
– Several studies found that half or fewer of virgin rape victims had any injury to the hymen.
– Tears of the hymen occurred in less than a quarter of cases among virgin rape victims.
– Virgins were more likely to have injuries to the hymen than non-virgins.
– Approximately half of adolescents who had consensual sex showed evidence of trauma to the hymen.
– Trauma to the hymen may occur in adult non-virgins following consensual sex, but it is rare and may heal without any visible sign of injury.
– Trauma to the hymen can occur from activities such as tampon or menstrual cup use, pelvic examinations with a speculum, masturbation, gymnastics, or horseback riding, although the true prevalence is unclear.
– The hymen is culturally significant in certain communities as a proof of virginity at marriage.
– Some women undergo hymenorrhaphy to restore their hymen for cultural reasons.
– The UN Human Rights Council, UN Women, and WHO have called for an end to virginity testing as it is considered a form of violence against women.
– In the 16th and 17th centuries, the presence or absence of the hymen was mistakenly seen as evidence of physical diseases such as “womb-fury” or hysteria.
– Many mammals, including chimpanzees, elephants, manatees, whales, horses, and llamas, have hymens.
– The size, shape, and thickness of a hymen vary from person to person.
– The hymen is soft and elastic and does not usually block the vagina’s opening.
– Hymens can break or tear from simple activities like inserting a tampon.
– The hymen has no purpose and does not impact the body, reproductive system, or health.
– The absence of a hymen is not a reliable indicator of whether a person has had sex or not.
The term cisgender, which is used to describe a person whose gender identity corresponds with their sex assigned at birth, was coined in 1994. The prefix “cis-” comes from Latin and means “on this side of.” The term has been subject to critique and controversy. Cisgender is the opposite of transgender. The term was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2015. Facebook started offering custom gender options in 2014, including cisgender. Medical academics have recognized the importance of the term in transgender studies since the 1990s. Other derivatives of the term include cis male, cis female, cis man, and cis woman. The term “cissexism” refers to the belief that transsexual individuals’ identified genders are inferior to those of cissexual individuals. The concept of “cisgender privilege” refers to the unearned advantages that individuals with cisgender identities have in society. The use of the term cisgender has been controversial, with some critics arguing that it is as problematic as the masculine-feminine gender binary. Additionally, there is some confusion regarding the term in relation to intersex individuals. The text discusses the term “cisgender” and its relationship to gender identity and intersex individuals. It critiques the term’s basis on a binary sex model that does not account for intersex people. The text also mentions the use of the term “sex assigned at birth” without acknowledging that babies are assigned male or female regardless of intersex status. It argues that this obfuscates the birth of intersex babies and fails to address gender-based discrimination against intersex individuals. The prefix “cis-” means “on this side of” in Latin. Related concepts are cisnormativity and cissexism. The term was used in German sexology in 1914 and was later coined in English in 1994 in a Usenet newsgroup. Some derivatives of the term include cis male, cis female, cis man, and cis woman. Cissexism is the belief that transsexuals’ identified genders are inferior to those of cissexuals. The term cisgender privilege refers to the advantages that individuals with a cisgender identity accrue. However, the term cisgender has been met with criticisms, as some prefer the term non-trans, finding it clearer to understand. The article discusses criticism of the term “cisgender” and its lack of inclusivity towards intersex individuals. The author argues that the term is based on a binary sex model that does not account for the existence of intersex people. They also critique the use of the term “sex assigned at birth” without acknowledging that intersex babies are also assigned a male or female label. The author believes that this framing perpetuates discrimination against intersex individuals. The article also briefly mentions a personal essay in which the creator of the term, Dana Defosse, defends the term and claims it only revealed existing problems.
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– The main function of progesterone is to prepare the endometrium for a fertilized egg to implant and grow.
– Progesterone thickens the uterine lining and creates a good environment for a fertilized egg to implant.
– If no pregnancy occurs, progesterone levels decrease, causing the uterine lining to thin and break down, leading to menstruation.
– Progesterone helps support the early stages of pregnancy by thickening the uterine lining and preventing ovulation.
– Progesterone also suppresses uterine contractions and helps prepare the breasts for breastfeeding.
– Progesterone levels increase each trimester during pregnancy, reaching their highest level in the third trimester.
– Progesterone levels decline leading up to menopause, when ovulation stops.
– Low progesterone levels may make it difficult to conceive and increase the risk of miscarriage.
– Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
– The virus can be spread through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity.
– Some people may have no symptoms or very mild symptoms but can still spread the virus.
– Symptoms include pain, itching, and sores around the genitals, anus, or mouth.
– There is no cure for genital herpes, but medicine can help ease symptoms and reduce the risk of infecting others.
– Condoms can help prevent the spread of genital herpes.
– Symptoms usually appear 2 to 12 days after exposure to the virus.
– Sores can develop on the buttocks, thighs, rectum, anus, mouth, urethra, vulva, vagina, cervix, penis, or scrotum.
– After the first outbreak, recurrent outbreaks may occur, but they are usually less severe and don’t last as long.
– Warning signs of a recurrent outbreak may include genital pain, tingling, or shooting pain in the legs, hips, or buttocks.
– It is recommended to see a healthcare provider if you suspect you have genital herpes or any other sexually transmitted infection.
– Genital herpes is caused by two types of herpes simplex virus – HSV-2 and HSV-1.
– HSV-2 is the most common cause of genital herpes and can be present on blisters and ulcers, in the mouth, vagina, or rectum.
– HSV-1 is a version of the virus that causes cold sores and can be transmitted through close skin-to-skin contact.
– Recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes caused by HSV-1 are often less frequent.
– Neither HSV-1 nor HSV-2 survives well at room temperature and is not likely to spread through surfaces.
– However, the virus can spread through kissing or sharing objects like drinking glasses or silverware.
– Risk factors for contracting genital herpes include having unprotected sexual contact, especially without using barriers like condoms or dental dams, and having sex with multiple partners.
– Women are at a higher risk of getting genital herpes, and the virus spreads more easily from men to women than from women to men.
– Genital herpes is often undiagnosed, with many people unaware that they have it.
– Having multiple sexual partners increases the risk of contracting genital herpes.
– Genital herpes is spread through sexual activity and contact with infected genitals.
– Medication can help limit outbreaks of genital herpes, but there is no cure.
– Certain groups, including women, those with a history of sexually transmitted diseases, older people, Black people in the United States, and men who have sex with men, are diagnosed with genital herpes at higher rates.
– Complications of genital herpes can include other sexually transmitted infections, newborn infection during delivery, internal inflammatory disease, finger infections, eye infections, swelling of the brain, and infection of internal organs.
– Prevention of genital herpes involves practicing safe sex and having a long-term sexual partner.
– Chlamydia is a common STD that can cause infection among both men and women.
– Chlamydia can cause permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy.
– Chlamydia can be spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex, even without ejaculation.
– The only way to completely avoid STDs is to not have sex, but using condoms and being in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship can lower the risk.
– Sexually active people, especially young individuals and gay/bisexual men, are at a higher risk of getting chlamydia.
– Pregnant people with chlamydia can pass the infection to their babies during childbirth, which can lead to eye infection or pneumonia.
– Chlamydia often has no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems such as abnormal vaginal discharge and burning sensation when urinating in women, and discharge from the penis and burning sensation when urinating in men.
– Testing and treatment are essential to prevent health problems associated with chlamydia.
– Chlamydia can cause pain and swelling in testicles, pain and bleeding in rectum.
– Symptoms in women include unusual sore, smelly discharge, burning when peeing, bleeding between periods.
– Chlamydia can be diagnosed through laboratory tests using urine or vaginal samples.
– Chlamydia can be cured with proper treatment, but it won’t undo any permanent damage.
– Repeat infection with chlamydia is common, so testing should be done again after treatment.
– It is advised to wait until completion of treatment before having sex again (7 days for single dose, complete all doses for 7-day treatment).
– Untreated chlamydia in women can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, scarring of fallopian tubes, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, long-term pelvic/abdominal pain.
– Men rarely have health problems from chlamydia, but it can cause fever and pain in testicle tubes, leading to infertility in rare cases.
– Untreated chlamydia increases the chances of HIV transmission.
– Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by infection with the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium.
– It infects the reproductive tract in women and the urethra in both men and women, but can also infect other mucous membranes.
– Approximately 1.6 million new gonococcal infections occurred in the US in 2018, with more than half occurring among young people aged 15-24.
– Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the US.
– Gonorrhea is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected partner, and can also be spread from mother to baby during childbirth.
– Any sexually active person can be infected with gonorrhea, with the highest reported rates of infection among sexually active teenagers, young adults, and African Americans.
– Many men and women with gonorrhea are asymptomatic.
– Symptoms in men may include dysuria, urethral discharge, and testicular or scrotal pain.
– Symptoms in women may include dysuria, increased vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding between periods, and are often mistaken for other infections.
– Rectal infection may cause discharge, itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements.
– Pharyngeal infection may cause a sore throat, but is usually asymptomatic.
– Untreated gonorrhea can lead to serious health problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease in women, which can cause abdominal pain, fever, abscesses, chronic pain, infertility, and increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.
– Gonorrhea can cause epididymitis and potentially infertility in men.
– Untreated gonorrhea can also spread to the blood and cause disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI), which can be life-threatening.
– Gonorrhea can increase the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV.
– Pregnant women with gonorrhea can pass the infection to their baby during delivery, leading to complications such as blindness or blood infection.
– Testing for gonorrhea is recommended for sexually active individuals, especially those with symptoms or who have a partner with gonorrhea.
– The recommended treatment is a single 500 mg intramuscular dose of ceftriaxone, although alternative regimens are available.
– Antimicrobial resistance in gonorrhea is a growing concern.
– Individuals treated for pharyngeal gonorrhea should undergo a test-of-cure 7-14 days after treatment.
– Men and women with gonorrhea should be retested three months after treatment, regardless of their partner’s treatment status.
– Suspected gonorrhea treatment failure or reduced cephalosporin susceptibility can be reported through the Suspected Gonorrhea Treatment Failure Consultation Form.
– It is advised that individuals inform their recent sex partners about their diagnosis so they can seek treatment.
– It is recommended to avoid sexual activity until completing treatment and being symptom-free.
– Latex condoms can reduce the transmission risk of gonorrhea.
– Abstaining from sex or being in a monogamous relationship with a tested and uninfected partner is the most effective way to prevent gonorrhea transmission.
– Genital symptoms such as discharge, burning during urination, sores, or rash should prompt immediate medical attention.
– People who have recently had a sexual partner diagnosed with an STD should seek evaluation.
– Yearly gonorrhea screening is recommended for sexually active women younger than 25 years and older women with risk factors.
– Urogenital gonorrhea can be diagnosed using urine or genital specimens with nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) or gonorrhea culture.
– CDC recommends a single 500 mg intramuscular dose of ceftriaxone for the treatment of gonorrhea.
– Alternative regimens are available if ceftriaxone cannot be used.
– Antimicrobial resistance in gonorrhea is a growing concern.
– It is important for individuals who are treated for gonorrhea to return to a healthcare provider for reevaluation and a test-of-cure 7-14 days after treatment for throat infections.
– Both men and women should be retested three months after treatment, regardless of their partners’ treatment outcomes.
– Suspected treatment failure can be reported through a consultation form.
– It is important for individuals to inform their recent sex partners so that they can also seek treatment.
– It is advised to refrain from sexual activity until completion of treatment and symptoms have resolved.
– Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can help reduce the risk of gonorrhea transmission.
– Abstinence or being in a mutually monogamous relationship with a non-infected partner are recommended for preventing STD transmission.
– HELLP syndrome is a condition that can occur during pregnancy
– Symptoms of HELLP syndrome include abdominal or chest pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, bleeding, changes in vision, swelling, and difficulty breathing
– It is often confused with preeclampsia
– The most common reasons for serious complications or death from HELLP syndrome are liver rupture or stroke
– Approximately 15% of pregnant women with preeclampsia develop HELLP syndrome
– HELLP syndrome can occur in patients with no risk factors as well
– HELLP syndrome is classified based on the severity of certain blood test values, with higher classifications indicating a more dangerous situation
– LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) levels in the blood can indicate tissue damage or disease
– Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are colorless blood cells that form clots and stop bleeding
– Thrombocytopenia, a low blood platelet count, is one of the defining characteristics of HELLP syndrome
– Signs of HELLP syndrome include high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and abnormalities in blood work
– 5 to 8% of pregnant women in the US develop preeclampsia, and 15% of those develop HELLP syndrome, amounting to approximately 45,000 women per year
– Patients with preeclampsia or eclampsia are at higher risk of developing HELLP syndrome
– HELLP syndrome is classified into Class I (severe thrombocytopenia), Class II (moderate thrombocytopenia), and Class III (mild thrombocytopenia) based on certain blood test values indicating the condition of the mother’s blood vessels, liver, and other organ systems