Female Genital System

A sudden, profuse, odorous, colored, or painful discharge may indicate an infection that may not only affect the vaginal passage but could spread into the uterus, tubes, and ovaries. If such a discharge is accompanied by chills and fever, serious trouble may be developing. Such infections usually can be eradicated like magic by penicillin or other medicines, if you give a competent physician a chance to help you without delay.

 It is important to remember that infections that are readily curable with prompt, knowledgeable treatment can progress to cause sterility if neglected or if treated by a quack or on the advice of a well-meaning friend or neighbor. If they advance far enough, they may cause problems requiring surgery, including possible removal of a reproductive organ.

Remember, too, that gonorrheal vulvovaginitis in young girls can be contracted without sexual intercourse, so be certain not to neglect any discharge in a young daughter. What can a woman do to prevent venereal infection? While this is often regarded as too delicate a subject even for a book on health, the medical profession is pledged to treat and prevent disease in all people, regardless of moral status. For those women who for any reason are exposed to the risk of venereal disease, there is only one safe preventive measure to recommend: Insist that the male employ a condom during the entire time of the sexual act.

 Obviously, if the sheath is put on only just prior to male orgasm to prevent conception, there will be no protection from syphilis if the male organ has a syphilitic sore, nor will there be protection if the male has gonorrhea and his germs are present in the lubricating secretion produced at the earliest moments of male erection. In case of rape, see your doctor immediately, or go to a hospital emergency room. Prompt medical care can help prevent danger of pregnancy and also of venereal disease. It is important to note that vaginal discharge, leucorrhea, is not always serious.

Normally, a certain amount of fluid is produced to keep tissues moist. It is virtually odorless and colorless and nonirritating. Congestion, tension, and minor inflammations can increase the discharge. Germs far less dangerous than those responsible for syphilis and gonorrhea can produce infections which may become troublesome unless eradicated. Your physician must establish the cause of the infection before he can prescribe suitable treatment. That is why you should not use an anti- septic or germicidal solution as a douche unless you are under a physician's orders; you may be eradicating some, but the wrong, germs.

Tumors The female reproductive organs are subject to tumors and cancers and should be examined at regular medical checkups. At such times, your physician may well decide to take a "Pap smear," a simple, painless procedure that can establish the presence of early cancer and even a precancerous condition. Scores of thousands of women today owe their lives to the fact that their physician included this test as part of routine checkups. Any change in menstruation and any unexpected bleeding or dis- charge, especially after the menopause, should be reported immediately to your physician. These symptoms mayor may not stem from a malignant growth; when they do, the cure rate is very high if the growth is detected and treated early.