Symptoms associated with the reproductive system and organs

The female reproductive system is within the internal part by ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus, within the external part by the vagina, which is closed externally by the labia minora and majora. In the male, the internal part consists of the testes, epididymis, seminiferous tubes, seminal vesicles, the foreskin, and the external scrotum and sex organ. In females, the breasts, i.e. the mammary glands, may be included among the parts of the genital system, as they are very important for providing nourishment to the new-born individual.

The internal parts of the genital system are usually located in the pelvis or in areas under the abdomen, which is why many of the problems that can occur with them manifest themselves in these areas, for example with pain or discomfort. In diseases and health problems of the external parts of the genital system, symptoms are often visible, and as these parts are in many ways connected to the urinary system, many symptoms may be common.

In addition to diseases of the genital organs and glands themselves, sexually transmitted diseases often attack the human body. These are usually infectious viral or bacterial diseases that manifest themselves in pain, itching or other unpleasant symptoms, many times extending to infect not only the genital tract itself, but also other systems. The most dangerous STDs are those that cause long-term health complications.

Symptoms related to breasts

A very common problem in women is feeling a lump in the breast. Of course, this is a typical example of a tumour in the breast, but there is no need to panic immediately, because some harmless cysts, or swelling or inflammation of the mammary gland, also manifest themselves in a similar way. The latter is sometimes also manifested by breast discharge, although nipple discharge alone may also indicate thyroid disorders or mastopathy, which is a benign disease of the breast. But most often it is a mastitis problem.

An enlargement of one breast in a woman usually means carcinoma, or breast cancer, and women over the age of 40 are the most at risk. In this case, it is a unilateral enlargement, but sometimes it can also be a symptom of an abscess in breastfeeding women. In the case of breast enlargement in men, it may be gynaecomastia, which is caused by a hormonal imbalance. In rare cases, this phenomenon may be associated with cirrhosis of the liver.

Discharges from the vagina

The vagina is made up of an inner mucous membrane that is very vulnerable and so very often there are various problems, especially with vaginal discharge. White vaginal discharge, for example, may not always be a sign of a pathological event, but if it is abnormal and deviates from the normal discharge, it is a sign of a yeast infection. Similarly, a purulent vaginal discharge that is whiter is a sign of yeast infection. Sometimes it can also indicate urinary tract inflammation or cervical cancer.

If the vaginal discharge is purulent, it is quite often vaginitis, caused by either herpes or papilloma virus. Also gonorrhoea or trichomoniasis, which in men are asymptomatic, are manifested in this way. If the vaginal discharge smells, it is most often an infectious or inflammatory disease. A typical example is a yeast infection of the vagina and also trichomoniasis. But it can also be a manifestation of inflammatory diseases of the female organs, whether uterus or ovaries.

Bleeding problems

Women often have problems with bleeding during or even outside menstruation. For example, bleeding outside the menstrual cycle may be associated with menopause, which may not yet be a symptom of disease, but may also be a sign of ovarian inflammation, uterine inflammation, or ovarian cysts or even a uterine tumour, as this is usually the manifestation of cervical cancer. Some venereal diseases, such as gonorrhoea, can have a similar symptom.

Minor bleeding during menstruation is usually associated in young women, especially with the use of hormonal contraceptives, which can cause abnormal hormone levels that in turn affect the amount of bleeding during menstruation. However, it also occurs, for example, with anorexia, but also with the occurrence of ovarian cysts. It is quite natural in women in transition and also in women in the final phase of adolescence. If bleeding is also present during sexual intercourse, this is already a more serious symptom.

This is how infectious diseases such as gonorrhoea or chlamydial infection usually manifest themselves, but also sometimes inflammation of the ovaries, fallopian tubes or uterus. Long menstrual bleeding is also associated with infectious diseases of the reproductive system in women, for example, yeast infections. At the same time, however, it can also be a symptom of the presence of polyps or fibroids in the body, or a symptom of thyroid or other hormonal disorders.

Excessive and heavy menstrual bleeding, which in its peak strength lasts more than 5 days, should also be a reason for a professional gynecological examination. Although it can also be the result of high blood pressure, it is often a symptom of, for example, endometriosis, which should be addressed as soon as possible. Similarly, the appearance of a cyst on the ovary is also a symptom, but of course this is also accompanied by other symptoms. This symptom can also sometimes be related to clotting or platelet disorders.

Menstruation disorders

Menstrual cycle disorders are most often associated with diseases of the female reproductive system, such as the uterus, which may be affected by cancer or other tumors. Also, when hormones fluctuate, various disorders of regularity or bleeding during the menstrual cycle occur, for example, in hypothyroidism. Also cysts on the ovaries can affect the regularity of menstruation. Some disorders of the digestive system, such as bulimia or cirrhosis, also affect menstruation.

The complete absence of menstruation is called amenorrhoea and is typical for the period of transition in women, i.e. at menopause. This is usually over the age of 50, so if this symptom occurs at an earlier age, it very often has a pathological cause. This can be, for example, ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cysts, but also, for example, eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia. Sometimes the absence of menstruation is only temporary, other times unfortunately permanent.

Fertility problems

Problems with fertility occur already with a decrease in libido. This symptom can afflict both women and men, but it occurs at different times in both sexes. Typically in women, a decrease in sex drive comes with hormonal changes, especially during menopause. In men, psychological factors, overwork or depression may also play a part. Regardless of gender, a decrease in libido is also manifested, for example, by diabetes or Cushing's syndrome associated with overproduction of cortisol.

Infertility is already the loss of the ability to procreate, even after a year of trying and during unprotected intercourse. It can be either problems directly in the reproductive system, either with potency in men or with poor quality sperm, or in women based on endometriosis or with ovarian cysts. Also some hereditary diseases are unfortunately accompanied by infertility or infectious diseases such as chlamydial infection and this is the case if treatment is neglected.

Burning and itching of the genitals

Genital burning troubles both men and women. Most often it is various inflammations, whether of the urinary tract or urethra, or sometimes even urinary stones, which disrupt the inner lining and mucous membrane of the genital organ. Very often, various sexually transmitted diseases and infections, whether yeast infection, gonorrhoea or chlamydial infection, are also manifested in this way. In women, however, it can also be vaginitis or, in a more serious case, direct inflammation of the uterus.

Vaginal itching in women also most often means some kind of infection or inflammation, usually either caused by yeast or chlamydia, both of which are also sexually transmitted diseases. However, inflammation can also affect the uterus, when it is already manifested by pain and also bleeding problems outside the normal menstrual cycle. In case of vaginal discharge, it is necessary to see a doctor as soon as possible and to start antibiotic treatment.

Typically male problems

Typically male problems include, in particular, erectile dysfunction. In this case, it does not always have to be a more serious disease, sometimes the cause can be, for example, from excessive psychological stress or physical exhaustion. Sometimes, however, male impotence is caused by a neurological or, more often, a vascular problem. Also, some diseases unrelated to the reproductive system, such as pituitary adenoma or hemochromatosis, are also manifested by erectile dysfunction.

Problems with the penis also plague men very often, and a typical symptom is its redness. It can be either gonorrhoea, which is a sexually transmitted disease, or directly a disease of the genital organ, either balanitis or balanoposthitis, i.e. inflammation of the glans penis and prepuce. Both gonorrhoea and chlamydial infection also present with swelling of the testicles, but with this symptom more care should be taken as it may also be testicular inflammation, testicular torsion or an incipient testicular tumour.