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.
