Infections can cause conditions in which the human body’s functions are impaired. Genital tract infections are caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses, these agents infect the reproductive parts or organs of the genital tract. In both males and females, the infection can affect various reproductive organs such as the testis and epididymis in males and the vagina, fallopian tube, and uterus in females and untreated severe infections can cause infertility and morbidity. These infections can both be prevented and treated. Let us take a closer look at it.
Infection of the genital tract or the reproductive tract can occur in one of three ways.
- Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD): The pathogen is transmitted through sexual contact, resulting in infection. Infection is caused by pathogens such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and the human immunodeficiency virus.
- Endogenous Infection: This type of infection is caused by organisms that are already present in the genital tract, known as genital flora. Bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis are two common endogenous infections.
- Iatrogenic Infection: It occurs as a result of medical procedures that are not properly performed or managed, such as surgery, abortion, or poor delivery. Medical procedures that are performed in an unsafe manner can lead to the spread of bacteria that can cause infection.
Types of genital tract infections:
- Upper Genital Tract Infection: The infection occurs in the upper genital tract. Organs such as the endometrium, uterine wall, fallopian tube, ovaries, and others become infected in females. In males, the causative organism can travel from the lower tract (urethra) to the reproductive part epididymis and cause infection.
- Lower Genital Tract Infection: The infection affects the vulva, vagina, and cervix, which are the lower organs of the genital tract. Sexual transmission of the pathogen or direct contact is the most common way to become infected. Infection can also occur when an organism in the gastrointestinal tract multiplies, causing infection. Prostatitis, pyelonephritis, cystitis, and urethritis can all occur in men.
When it’s difficult to identify which organ has been infected, the condition is known as a pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Sexual contact, instrumentation, or irritation that causes the organism to grow is the route of transmission for genital infections.
It can also be passed down the birth canal from mother to child. During sexual intercourse, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, trichomonas vaginalis, human immunodeficiency virus, treponema pallidum, herpes simplex virus, and other infections can be acquired. Syphilis, herpes simplex virus (HSV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) are all infections that are passed down from mother to child.
If you are concerned about the contraction of an infection, you should make an appointment and get tested as soon as possible. You should not wait until the end of the year to take the exam.
