How often should breast and testicular examinations be performed.
A number of medical conditions can affect the female reproductive system. Caring for the female reproductive system involves cleanliness, sexual abstinence, prompt treatment for infections, self-exams, and regular medical checkups.
Daily washing of the external vaginal area. Especially important during menstruation. Feminine hygiene sprays and deodorized tampons should be avoided. If washing does not get rid of normal body odors, or if any unusual discharge is noted, seek medical attention.
The only way to eliminate your risk of sexually transmitted infections is to abstain from sexual activity.
Extremely important for women to monitor their own bodies for signs of possible medical problems. Symptoms of vaginitis, sores on the genitals, or any unusual pain in the abdomen require a medical exam. For early detection of breast cancer, all women, including teens, should perform a monthly breast self-examination.
A yearly checkup of the reproductive system is recommended for all females who have reached puberty. During the exam the doctor may perform a pap smear, where a sample of cells is taken from the cervix and examined under a microscope. Pap smears can detect cancer of the cervix.
By age 40, it is important for women to begin getting mammograms, an X-ray of the breast that can help detect breast cancer. A mammogram may detect cancers that are too small for a woman or her doctor to detect in a breast exam.
Ovarian Cysts growths on the ovary. Large ones may be painful and need to be surgically removed. Endometriosis condition in which tissue from the lining of the uterus-the endometrium- grows outside the uterus, in the pelvic cavity. Can be painful and is treated with hormones or surgery. Infertility caused by blocked fallopian tubes and problems with ovulation.
Section 3 Review