Reproductive system Flashcards
changes with the reproductive system with aging
- decrease in sex hormones (estrogen,
progesterone, testosterone)
female: - menopause; may have “hot flashes”
- atrophy of uterus, vagina, genitalia
- thinning vaginal walls and vaginal dryness
what is syphilis
an infection caused by bacteria. Most often, it spreads through sexual contact. The disease starts as a sore that’s often painless
what are the 3 stages of syphilis
Primary syphilis
* 10 – 90 days after exposure
* painless sore on genitals or elsewhere on body,
wherever the bacterium entered the body
secondary syphilis
* approx. 2 mos. later
* lasts up to 1 year
* skin rash (rough, red/brown spots) on palms and
soles; patchy hair loss may disappear even without
treatment
latent period
* no longer contagious, no symptoms
* damage occurring to organs/body systems
tertiary syphilis
* appears 3-15 yrs after infection
* degenerative lesions to cardiovascular system,
internal organs incl eyes liver, skin, bones, joints, CNS
what is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or
Hypertrophy (BPH)
- “enlarged prostate”
- causes not well understood
- may cause difficulties with urination → UTIs,
kidney infections
Care/treatment
– low fat diet may be helpful
– prevent UTIs
what is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
- impotence
- inability to attain and/or maintain erection
sufficient for intercourse
causes of ED
- anything which interferes with the normal
processes leading to erection - may be psychological, e.g. stress
- physical causes, e.g. disease processes which
affect vascular or nervous system - side effect of some meds
