Chronic genitourinary diseases

Genitourinary diseases are different medical conditions that may affect the urinary and the genital organs. The name “genitourinary” is actually derived with two different terms used to describe this part of the body. The word “genito” described genital region of the body, while the world “urology” designates the branch of medicine that deals with the urinary tract in both genders and the genital tract of the reproductive system in males. Genitourinary diseases are often transmitted during the sexual intercourse but may also occur as a result of bacterial or yeast infection. Sometimes these diseases are caused by bacteria that are normally present on human body, but may overgrow or migrate from one place to another, due to the various external factors. Here is an overview of some of the most common genitourinary diseases.

Chlamydia infection

Chlamydia infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease. It is caused by bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, and affects human genital and eye region. About 1 million individuals in the United States are infected with Chlamydia. This infection can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and passed from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal childbirth. In most women, the disease causes no symptoms. In men it causes a white discharge from the penis with or without pain on urinating. Symptoms in women may include pain in the abdomen, painful sexual intercourse, painful urination and fever.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea, also known as the clap, is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The symptoms of the infection include burning with urination and penile discharge. In women, the disease is typically asymptomatic and causes only vaginal discharge and pelvic pain. If left untreated may last months with higher risks of complications. The most severe complication is systemic dissemination resulting in skin pustules or petechia, septic arthritis, meningitis or endocarditis.

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is a genital infection by Herpes simplex virus. In most cases, the infection is asymptomatic. If any of the symptoms occur they typically include clusters of genital sores consisting of inflamed papules and vesicles. These changes are observed on the outer surface of the genitals, and they pretty much resemble cold sores. In males, lesions appear on the shaft of penis and other parts of genital region, including inner thigh, buttocks and anus. In females changes are observable on or near pubis, labia, clitoris, vulva, buttocks or anus.

Non-gonococcal urethritis

This is an inflammation of the urethra that is not caused by gonorrheal infection. The infection is caused by different organisms living in the urinary tract, most commonly Chlamydia trachomatis. Symptoms include pain and burning sensation upon urination and white, cloudy discharge.