CAUSES OF FEMALE INFERTILITY

Haven’t  you ever wondered what causes a woman to be unable to conceive a child within a whole year of frequent unprotected sex? Here are some of the reasons.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF INFERTILITY

Infertility is invariably associated with psychological stress.When extreme, stress can contribute to infertility; for example, stress may impair hypothalamic control of ovulation.

OVULATORY DYSFUNCTION

Amenorrhea (absence of menses) or as irregular or short menstrual cycles may be taken very lightly but may be symptoms of an issue that is more grave.

You never know, maybe your ovary is dysfunct.

TUBAL DISEASE

Tubal disease may result from pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), appendicitis, endometriosis, pelvic adhesions, tubal surgery, and previous use of an intrauterine device (IUD). However, a specific cause is not identified in up to 50% of patients with documented tubal factor infertility.

Subclinical infection with Chlamydia trachomatis may be an underdiagnosed cause of tubal infertility and requires the treatment of both partners.

ENDOMETRIOSIS

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial glands or stroma outside the endometrial cavity and uterine musculature. Its presence is suggested by a history of dyspareunia (painful intercourse) and worsening dysmenorrhea that often begins before menses.

It could be another cause of infertility.

When should I see a doctor about my period?

See your doctor about your period if:

• You have not started menstruating by the age of 15.
• You have not started menstruating within 3 years after breast growth began, or if breasts haven't started to grow by age 13.
• Your period suddenly stops for more than 90 days.
• Your periods become very irregular after having had regular, monthly cycles.
• Your period occurs more often than every 21 days or less often than every 35 days.
• You are bleeding for more than 7 days.
• You are bleeding more heavily than usual or using more than 1 pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours.
• You bleed between periods.
• You have severe pain during your period.
• You suddenly get a fever and feel sick after using tampons.

STIs MANAGEMENT

THE 4 C's OF STI MANAGEMENT

Each and every treatment of STI must include the 4 C's:

1.      Compliance to the full drug course &

              follow−up

2.      Counselling: On safer sexual behaviour

3.      Condom: Ensure proper use

4.      Contact tracing, partner treatment and

Notification

Patient Education

·         Avoid multiple or anonymous partners, prostitutes or any other person with multiple sex

·         partners

·         Use condoms correctly

·         Avoid alcohol or drug abuse which may lead to irresponsible sexual behaviour.

·         Seek urgent medical attention when you suspect symptoms of S.T.I’s.

·         Observe high standard of hygiene – do not share private items such as sharp objects.

N/B. Sexually transmitted diseases can also be transmitted through other means other than sexual contact:

-          Infected panties

-          Blood products

-          Contact with infected body fluids

-          Contaminated instrument.

                       Common Conditions Occurring at Menopause

Cardiovascular system:  palpitations, high blood pressure, hot flashes (the major symptom)

Musculoskeletal:  aches and pains (not osteoporosis, as it is usually symptomless), but usually a form of arthritis.

Genital:  irregular bleeding, decreased libido, vaginal dryness

General:  dryness and wrinkling of the skin

Neurological:  nausea, dizziness, mood changes, irritability, depression, insomnia, numbness, tingling

Cause of Hot Flashes

Unknown but two theories merit mention.

1.      Inadequate breathing efforts. Lose weight, if necessary, to reduce the metabolic rate and to make each breath deeper.  Practice deep breathing daily.

2.        Blood vessel tone. Women with hot flashes tends to lack the normal tightening of blood vessels

DYSMENORRHEA

Painful menstruation is difficult to treat, not because the disorder will not yield to therapy, but because women have about the worst record of noncompliance to medical counsel with this disorder that with any other. The reason for noncompliance will become obvious as the causes of dysmenorrhea are discussed. 

One important cause of dysmenorrhea is that of wearing improper clothing. Tight bands around the waist, hips, or thighs impede the circulation to the pelvic organs and increase the likelihood of painful menstruation. Also, the clothing of the extremities must be proper. There should not be one inch of chilled skin on the extremities any time during the month, not only during the menstrual period itself. The extremities should be covered with as many layers of clothing as is the trunk. To fail to do so is to cause the circulation to be imbalanced, and increases the likelihood of pelvic congestion and painful menstruation.

Posture is also important as a cure for painful menstruation. The contracted ligaments give rise to compression of the nerves which increases the symptoms of painful menstruation.

Dietary measures can be of great benefit, particularly since many of the things that irritate the gastrointestinal tract reflexively irritate the genitourinary tract. All irritants in the gastrointestinal tract such as spices, alcohol, aspirin, other drugs, hot pepper, vinegar, overeating, failure to chew properly, and any other matter known to irritate the gastrointestinal tract should be eliminated. Constipation should be corrected, particularly just prior to the onset of the menstrual period.

Rest and regularity are mandatory for the sufferer from dysmenorrhea. After the age of 20, eight hours of sleep or bed rest daily should be obtained. From childhood a pattern of regular bedtime and rising time without weekend or seasonal variation is the ideal order of life. Such a person rarely has difficulty with relaxing or sleeping. Regularity in all things is essential. 

At least one bowel movement daily is ideal, two or more bowel movements being preferred. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are helpful in maintaining good bowel health. The avoidance of oil is advisable, particularly, since oil tends to cause red blood cell clumping, creating circulatory problems through the rich meshwork of tiny capillaries found in the reproductive organs. Fats also alter the platelet function of the blood, causing clotting of the blood to be improper, a condition which may lead to painful menstruation.

One should develop a good emotional outlook. A mature, vigorous, and healthy adult should be able to cope with any problems that are presented to her during a 24-hour day. With Divine aid and sympathetic understand of family and friends, the individual should have the emotional equilibrium to cope with all of life's trials.

When the painful menstruation occurs, a "hot half bath" in a bathtub, or a hot foot bath up to the upper portions of the calf muscles using a deep bucket, tub or trash can will very often provide complete relief. Warm or hot water as determined by experimentation are both acceptable for the hot water baths.

                   

Prostate Cancer

Definition: Cancer of the male reproductive system that affects the prostate (an exocrine gland, under the bladder and in front of the rectum). Prostate apart from producing fluid that forms part of semen, is involved in urine control (continence).

PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)

It is produced by the epithelial cells in the prostate gland. PSA helps keep the semen in liquid state. If a man’s PSA levels are high, it might be an indicator of either a prostate cancer or some kind of prostate condition.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

When symptoms do exist, they are usually one or more of the following:

·         The patient urinates more often

·         He may find it hard to start urinating

·         There may be blood in urine

·         Urination might be painful

·         Achieving or maintaining an erection may be difficult (less common)

Advanced Prostate Cancer

·         Bone pain, often in the spine

·         Leg weakness (if spinal cord has been compressed)

·         Urinary incontinence

·         Fecal incontinence

What are the causes of prostate Cancer?

Related but not limited to:-

·         Age, genetics, Diet, Obesity, STDs

Possible complications

·         Metastasis

·         Incontinence

·         Erectile dysfunction

Substance abuse among students in Public Universities in Kenya

Objective: To investigate the association between HIV/STI and substance abuse among students in Public Universities in Kenya.

 Males 69% and females 31%.

 Only 30.5% had ever used tobacco while 17.1% were current users. Males accounted for 75% of current users compared to 25% amongst females.

 Of the current users, 84% believed that tobacco was not harmful to health. Two important sources of introduction to tobacco use were friends that accounted for 81% and relatives 18%.

Use of tobacco amongst significant others were: friends 24%, fathers 11.0%, relatives 6.2% and mothers 0.2%. The most common sources of supply were nearby shop outlets 51.1% and friends 14.4%.

Gender multivariate analysis of associations with daily smoking (adjusted for age, University, leisure activities and gender, respectively), parental monitoring exhibited a consistently protective, dose response effect.

Attending a place of worship and going to the movies were protective for females as was watching sports, whereas playing team sport was protective for males and attending a movie was a risk factor for females.  

Median age at initiation of smoking was 17 years which did not vary according to Universities.

Research by:      Magu D, Mutugi MW, Ndahi LW, Wanzala P