Human Anatomy and Physiology: Male and Female

Female Anatomy and Physiology

• External structures include the vulva, labia majora and minora, clitoris, vestibule and vestibular glands, hymen, and vaginal orifice.
• Internal structures include ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina, and female hormones: estrogen and progesterone.

Male Anatomy and Physiology

• External structures include scrotum, penis.
• Internal structures include testes, epididymis, vas deferens, urethra, seminal vesicles, bulbourethral and prostate glands.

Common Signs and Symptoms (Female)

• Abdominal and pelvic pain
• Fever and malaise
• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Burning and/or itching of genitals
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Any change in breast tissue
• Abnormal discharge from nipple

Common Signs and Symptoms (Male)

• Urinary disorders (frequency, dysuria, nocturia, incontinence)
• Pain in pelvis, groin, or reproductive organs
• Lesions on external genitals
• Swelling of reproductive organs
• Abnormal penile drainage
• Burning, itching of the genitals

Diagnostic Tests (Female)

• Bimanual examination
• Hysterosalpingogram
• Pap smear of cervix
• Cervical biopsy
• Cone biopsy
• Dilatation and curettage
• Laparoscopy
• Mammography
• Blood tests

Diagnostic Tests (Male)

• Digital rectal examination
• Cystoscopy
• Biopsy
• Laboratory tests (including PSA tests)

Female Reproductive System Diseases

• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): Symptoms before menstruation (headache, nausea, back pain, edema, weight gain, breast tenderness, sleep disturbances, irritability, mood swings, depression). Individualized treatment (dietary changes, avoiding caffeine, chocolate, nicotine, alcohol).
• Menstrual abnormalities: amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, metrorrhagia.

Female Reproductive System Diseases

• Menopause: Natural cessation of menstruation typically between ages 40 and 50 (physiological change). Symptoms: hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, psychological symptoms in some cases. Diagnosis: FSH blood tests. Treatment: MHT (menopausal hormone therapy).
• Vaginitis: Inflammation of the vagina, usually caused by bacteria, yeast, or other factors. Symptoms: vaginal burning, itching, swelling, white discharge. Diagnosis: testing vaginal fluid pH, culture, antigen detection. Treatment: addressing the cause and abstaining from sex until healed.

Female Reproductive System Diseases (continued)

• Endometriosis: Abnormal growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus (ovaries, fallopian tubes, abdominal wall, intestines). Symptoms: dysmenorrhea, low back, vaginal, and pelvic cramping, heavy menses, dyspareunia. Treatment: hormones, remission with pregnancy, nursing, and menopause, panhysterectomy.
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Inflammation of pelvic reproductive organs (cervicitis, endometritis, salpingitis, oophoritis). Causes: often sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Symptoms: fever, chills, pelvic pain, leukorrhea. Treatment: antibiotics, analgesics, rest. Prevention: safe sex practices with condom use.

Female Reproductive System Diseases (continued)

• Ovarian cyst: Benign fluid-filled sac(s) on or near the ovary. Symptoms: low back pain, pelvic pain, dyspareunia, nausea, vomiting. Treatment: depends on type and size, may resolve by itself or require laparoscopy.
• Fibroid tumor: Benign tumors of smooth uterine muscle; common tumor of the reproductive system in women. Symptoms: abnormal uterine bleeding, excessive menstrual bleeding, pain. Treatment: depends on age and desire for children, surgical removal (hysterectomy).

Male Reproductive System Diseases

• Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate gland. Symptoms include dysuria, pyuria, fever, low back pain. Treatment: antibiotics, warm sitz baths, increased fluid intake, analgesics.

Male Reproductive System Diseases (continued)

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): Enlargement of prostate gland due to normal cells growing and enlarging, usually affects males over age 50. Symptoms: nocturia, inability to start urination, weak urinary stream, inability to empty bladder. Treatment: prostatic massage, sitz baths, catheterizations, regular sexual intercourse, surgery.
• Prostatic carcinoma: Cancer of the prostate gland. Frequently affects males over age 50; is second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in men. Symptoms similar to BPH. Treatment depends on age, physical condition and degree of metastasis.
• Epididymitis/Orchitis: Inflammation of epididymis/testes (viral or bacterial infection). Symptoms: swelling, pain, tenderness, fever, malaise. Treatment (depends on cause): antibiotics (if bacterial), rest, analgesics, antipyretic, scrotal support.

Male Reproductive System Diseases (continued)

• Testicular tumor: Testicular cancer, commonly found between ages 20 and 35. Symptoms: painless mass in testicle. Treatment: orchiectomy, chemotherapy, radiation.
• Cryptorchidism: Undescended testicle. Treatment: surgery.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

• Overview of various STDs (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), Hepatitis, Genital herpes, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Trichomoniasis, Genital warts).

Pregnancy-Related Disorders

• Ectopic pregnancy: Fertilized ovum attaches outside the uterus, often in fallopian tubes. Symptoms: acute pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, positive pregnancy test. Treatment: prompt surgery.
• Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage): Natural termination of pregnancy before viability. Symptoms: vaginal bleeding, cramping/pelvic pain. Treatment: bed rest.
• Morning sickness/Hyperemesis gravidarum: Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, possibly excessive vomiting creating dehydration, weight loss, and electrolyte imbalance. Treatment: not necessary unless severe, light meals, dry foods before drinking, avoid fatty foods, rest. (Hyperemesis: IV fluids, withhold foods.)
• Toxemia: Often appears in third trimester, characterized by hypertension, sudden weight gain, proteinuria, edema in face, hands and feet. Treatment: monitoring blood pressure, weight, and urine protein.
• Abruptio placentae: Separation of placenta from uterus, symptoms range from asymptomatic to severe pain and bleeding. Treatment: prompt delivery (vaginal or cesarean), blood replacement.
• Placenta previa: Abnormal positioning of the placenta in the lower uterus. Symptoms: painless vaginal bleeding during third trimester. Treatment: vaginal delivery if mild/asymptomatic, Cesarean section if severe bleeding or fetal distress.

Other Disorders

• Dyspareunia: Pain/discomfort during intercourse. Multiple causes; treatment depends on cause.
• Female arousal-orgasmic dysfunction: Difficulty experiencing sexual arousal or orgasm.
• Erectile dysfunction (ED): Inability to obtain or maintain erection sufficient for intercourse. Treatment varies including medications, psychological counseling, surgery, and internal/external devices.
• Premature ejaculation: Ejaculation before, during, or soon after intercourse. Multiple causes; treatment: based on cause, including sex therapy.
• Infertility: Inability to achieve pregnancy. Female and male causes (hormonal problems, reproductive organ abnormalities, infections, antibodies that kill sperm, structural abnormalities). Treatment: addressing specific cause.
• Rape/Trauma
• Rare Diseases (vaginal cancer, puerperal sepsis, hydatidiform mole)
• Effects of Aging on Females/Males

Diseases of the Breast

• Mastitis: Inflammation of breast tissue. Symptoms: redness, heat, swelling, pain, bloody nipple discharge. Treatment: antibiotics, heat application, analgesics, supportive bra.
• Breast cancer: Adenocarcinoma of breast ducts. Risk factors include age, family history. Symptoms: nontender lump, often in upper outer quadrant. Treatment: lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation.
• Fibrocystic disease: Most common breast disorder in premenopausal women (ages 30-55). Associated with estrogen levels. Treatment: decreasing breast pain—reducing caffeine, salt, and using mild diuretics, mild analgesics.