I Might Have Some What In My Where!?!? - Microbial Diseases of the Genitalia

by Sonia Massie (Assistant Professor of Biology)

☢ ☣ ☢ ☣ ☢ ☣ Sex Ed Diseases #1: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease WARNING: DISHEARTENING! Women with gonorrhea and/or chlamydia often show NO SYMPTOMS! However, these curable bacterial infections can wreak havoc in the Fallopian tubes causing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which could lead to ectopic pregnancies or infertility. Scar tissue builds up over time which narrows or even blocks off the Fallopian tubes. Since fertilization typically occurs in the Fallopian tubes, this could mean that sperm are small enough to reach and fertilize the egg, but the fertilized egg/embryo is too large to pass through the Fallopian tube to the uterus for implantation. This is now called an ectopic pregnancy, which is not viable for the embryo and could harm the mother. In the case of infertility, both Fallopian tubes have been closed off due to scarring from PID to the point that the tubes are even too narrow to allow the passage of tiny sperm cells. :-( Remember, it is possible to have NO IDEA that this is occurring inside your body! Once PID has done its damage, it’s too late. However, both gonorrhea and chlamydia are treatable with antibiotics. So, if you're sexually active, GET TESTED, whether you feel alright or not!

☢ ☣ ☢ ☣ ☢ ☣ Sex Ed Diseases #2: HPV Cancers WARNING: DISTURBING! The HPV (Human Papillomavirus Virus) vaccine, Gardasil, was originally designed for young females to help prevent cervical cancer. There are many strains of HPV, some of which are associated with cancer and/or genital warts. (If you like feeling horrified, google images of “genital cauliflower warts” and thank me later.) Because HPV can be transmitted by contact, and not only sexual contact, it is assumed that older females have already been exposed to the virus one way or another. This is the reason the vaccine is only recommended for females who are between the ages of 13 and 26. The Gardasil HPV vaccine is now being recommended for young men, as well, within the 13 – 21-year age range. This is because the same viruses that cause cervical cancer are now being linked to other cancers, such as throat cancer and… penile cancer. :-o

☢ ☣ ☢ ☣ ☢ ☣ Sex Ed Diseases #3: Vaginal Discharges - Vaginosis versus Vaginitis WARNING: DISGUSTING! There are three "vajayjay disorders" (technical term!) that involve discharges. The term vaginosis indicates an infection, whereas the term vaginitis is used when inflammation accompanies the infection. Vaginosis is typically caused by one or more species of bacteria, one of which is usually Gardnerella vaginalis. Vaginitis can be caused by the yeast Candida albicans (Kingdom: Fungi) or the protozoa Trichomonas vaginalis (Kingdom: Protista). Diagnosis may be based on texture and ODOR of the discharge! :-/ Bacterial vaginosis can produce a thin but ample discharge with a FISHY odor! The discharge of candidiasis, better known as yeast infection, can best be described as looking like cottage cheese and smelling like beer or bread = YEASTY! Lastly, the trichomoniasis discharge can appear frothy, like your latte (you're welcome), and smell FOUL. In all the world of science, with so many words to choose from, FOUL is the word you will find in textbooks to describe this odor. Note: Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease, but yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis may occur independently of sexual activity. However, women with multiple sex partners seem to be at greater risk of developing bacterial vaginosis.