Disorders of the

Reproductive System
Disorders of the Female
Reproductive Organs
• The female reproductive organs are the ovaries, fallopian
tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina, and vulva. Since the combined
primary function of these organs is reproduction, disorders
affecting them can result in infertility and should be treated as
soon as possible, particularly if children are planned. Such
disorders may be caused by infections, physical damage, or
hormonal imbalances.
Myoma (Fibroids)
Myomas are benign tumors
composed partly of muscle
tissue. They seldom develop
in the cervix, the lower part
of the uterus. When they
do, they are usually
accompanied by myomas in
the larger upper part of the
uterus. Myomas in this part
of the uterus are also called
fibroids.
• Cervical myomas are smooth, benign tumors in the cervix. A
myoma may bleed, become infected, interfere with urinating,
or cause pain during sexual intercourse. Doctors can see or
feel most myomas during a pelvic examination. Myomas that
cause symptoms can be removed surgically.
• If you have fibroids, you may still be able to get pregnant. ...
However, if thefibroid is treated, fertility may be
restored. Fibroids can also cause pregnancycomplications,
such as miscarriage, preterm delivery, abnormal position of
the fetus, and the need for cesarean (C-section or surgical)
delivery.
Cancer of the Ovary
• A cancerous tumour
that can develop in one
or both ovaries
• Most common between
the ages of 50 and 70;
rare under the age of
40
• Sometimes runs in
families
• Not having had children
is a risk factor
Early symptoms of ovarian cancer can
include:
• Fatigue.
• Upset stomach.
• Back pain.
• Pain during sex.
• Constipation.
• Menstrual changes.
• Abdominal swelling with weight loss.
• The risk of developing ovarian cancer gets higher with age.
Ovarian cancer is rare in women younger than 40. Most
ovarian cancers develop after menopause. Half of all ovarian
cancers are found in women 63 years of age or older.
Menstrual and Hormonal Problems
Irregular Periods
• A menstrual cycle that has wide variations in the length of
time between periods
• Most common just after puberty and just before the
menopause
• Stress, excessive exercise, and being underweight or
overweight are all risk factors
• Genetics is not a significant factor
• Periods start at puberty and continue until the menopause.
The average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, but periods may
occur as often as every 24 days or as infrequently as every 35
days or more. After puberty, most women develop a regular
menstrual cycle with a relatively consistent length of time
between periods. In some women, however, periods remain
irregular. Menstrual bleeding normally lasts between 2 and 7
days, with the average length of bleeding being 5 days.
Amenorrhoea
• The absence of menstruation for at least 3 months in women
who would otherwise be having periods
• Occurs between puberty and the menopause
• In some cases, due to a chromosomal abnormality
• Stress, excessive exercise, and being underweight are all risk
factors
• There are two types of amenorrhoea: primary and secondary.
If a girl has not started to menstruate by the age of 16, she is
said to have primary amenorrhoea. Once menstruation has
become established during puberty, it is normal for periods to
stop during pregnancy, for a few months following childbirth,
while breast-feeding, temporarily after ceasing to take oral
contraceptive pills, and permanently at the menopause. If
menstruation stops at any other time for at least 3 months,
the condition is known as secondary amenorrhoea.
Dysmenorrhoea
• Lower abdominal pain and discomfort experienced just before
or during menstruation
• Age, genetics, and lifestyle as risk factors depend on the type
• Up to three-quarters of women have period pain, also known
as dysmenorrhoea, at some time. In about a fifth of these
women, the pain is severe and can seriously disrupt normal
activities. Pain is usually experienced in the 24 hours before
menstruation or over the first 1 or 2 days of the period.
• There are two types of dysmenorrhoea: primary, which has no
obvious cause; and secondary, which is the result of a disorder
of the reproductive organs.
• The symptoms of dysmenorrhoea begin either just before or
at the start of menstruation and are worst when bleeding is
heaviest. The pain may be described as either or both of the
following:
• Cramping lower abdominal pain that comes in waves,
radiating to the lower back and down the legs.
• Dragging pain in the pelvis.
• This pain may be accompanied by any of the symptoms of
premenstrual syndrome, such as headache.
Premenstrual Syndrome
• Varying symptoms that may affect women in the days leading
up to menstruation
• Usually develops in late adolescence; may occur in all
menstruating females
• Stress and certain foods may aggravate symptoms
• Genetics is not a significant factor
The symptoms of PMS may include:
• Tenderness or generalized lumpiness of the breasts.
• A feeling of bloating caused by the retention of fluid.
• Mood changes, including feeling tense, irritability, depression,
and anxiety.
• Tiredness.
• Difficulty concentrating and making everyday decisions.
• Headaches, including migraine.
• Backache and muscle stiffness.
• Disruption of normal sleep patterns.
• Unusual food cravings.
• Less commonly, nausea, vomiting, cold sweats, dizziness, and
hot flushes may also be experienced.
Pregnancy
Preterm labor
• Preterm labor is defined
as regular contractions of
the uterus resulting in
changes in the cervix
that start before 37
weeks of pregnancy.
Changes in the cervix
include effacement (the
cervix thins out) and
dilation (the cervix opens
so that the fetus can
enter the birth canal).
• Preterm birth, also known
as premature birth, is the
birth of ababy at fewer
than 37 weeks gestational
age. These babies are
known as preemies or
premmies. Symptoms
of preterm labor include
uterine contractions which
occur more often than
every ten minutes or the
leaking of fluid from the
vagina.
Amillia Taylor is the world’s youngest premature baby ever to survive
Disorders of the Male
Reproductive Organs
Testicular trauma
• Testicular trauma is an injury to one or both testicles. Types
of injuries include blunt, penetrating and degloving. Because
the testes are located within the scrotum, which hangs
outside of the body, they do not have the protection of
muscles and bones.
Testicular cancer
• Testicular cancer is cancer that develops in the testicles, a part
of the male reproductive system. Symptoms may include a
lump in the testicle, or swelling or pain in the scrotum.
Treatment may result in infertility. Risk factors include an
undescended testis, family history of the disease, and previous
history of testicular cancer.
Epididymitis
• Epididymitis is an inflammation of the epididymis. The
epididymis is a tube located at the back of the testicles that
stores and carries sperm. When this tube becomes swollen, it
can cause pain and swelling in the testicles. Epididymitis can
affect men of all ages, but it's most common in men between
ages 14 and 35.
Sexual disorders of
both sexes
Sexual dysfunction
• Sexual dysfunction (or sexual malfunction or sexual disorder)
is difficulty experienced by an individual or a couple during any
stage of a normal sexual activity, including physical pleasure,
desire, preference, arousal or orgasm.
• Sexual desire disorders
• Sexual arousal disorders
• Erectile dysfunction
• Premature ejaculation
• Orgasm disorders
Sexual diseases of both sexes
• HIV, human immunodeficiency virus
• Syphilis
• Viral Hepatitis
Keep your Reproductive System Healthy!