OB | Female Reproductive Alterations

https://statstitch.etsy.com Breast Alterations: Benign breast diseases (BBD) account for 90% of clinical visits, including fibrocystic disease (FCD) and fibroadenomas. FCD features cyclical tenderness linked to hormones, while fibroadenomas are common solid masses. Breast infections like mastitis present with erythema and fever, requiring antibiotics. Conversely, breast cancers present as painless, irregular masses and are linked to genetic mutations like BRCA1 and BRCA2. Diagnosis relies on mammography, ultrasound, and biopsies.Uterine & Vaginal Alterations: Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) involves the descent of pelvic organs (bladder/cystocele, rectum/rectocele, or uterus) into the vagina. First-line treatments include pelvic floor physical therapy and vaginal pessaries. Benign anomalies include ovarian cysts, endometrial polyps, and leiomyomas (fibroids), causing pelvic pain and bleeding. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent metabolic disorder causing insulin resistance and ovulatory dysfunction. Gynecological cancers primarily affect the endometrium (most common), ovaries (highest mortality), and cervix (strongly linked to HPV).Menstrual Alterations: Key disruptions include amenorrhea (absence of menses), dysmenorrhea (severe cramping managed with NSAIDs and contraceptives), and Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB). Endometriosis, where endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, causes extreme pain and infertility. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe luteal phase mood disorder. The transition to menopause involves a sharp drop in estrogen, presenting with hot flashes and bone density loss, sometimes managed with hormone replacement therapy.Infertility: Infertility affects all genders. Male infertility is predominantly caused by spermatogenesis defects. Female infertility stems from ovarian dysfunction, fallopian tube obstruction, or uterine anomalies. Treatments range from ovulation induction (clomiphene citrate, letrozole) to Assisted Reproductive Technology like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI). A life-threatening complication of induction is Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). Alternative family-building options include surrogacy or adoption.Reproductive Infections: Bacterial STIs (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis) are curable with antibiotics, but if untreated, can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), leading to tubal scarring and infertility. Viral infections (HIV, HSV, HPV) are chronic; notably, the HPV vaccine prevents cervical cancer. Protozoal/fungal infections like trichomoniasis and candidiasis require targeted antimicrobial therapy. TORCH infections (Toxoplasmosis, Rubella, CMV, HSV) cross the placenta, causing severe congenital fetal defects.