Sexuality and Genetics Chapter II

Sexuality and Genetics

• Sexuality involves the physiological and psychological aspects of procreation and sexual pleasure, encompassing behavior, gender identity, orientation, attitudes, and activity.
• Genes are the hereditary biochemical units found on chromosomes, coding for physical characteristics (e.g., eye color) and psychological traits (e.g., intelligence).
• Sex-linked characteristics are influenced by genes on the sex chromosomes, particularly the X chromosome, which contains more genes than the Y chromosome.

Disorders of Sex Development

• Pseudohermaphroditism results in individuals having a singular chromosomal and gonadal sex, yet displaying external genitalia characteristics of both sexes.
• Female pseudohermaphroditism entails ovaries with male-like secondary sexual characteristics, while male pseudohermaphroditism involves testes with female-like characteristics.
• True hermaphroditism, a rare condition, presents both testicular and ovarian tissue, making diagnosis challenging; only a quarter of cases are identified before age 20.

Sexual Infections and Diseases in Males

• Male genital diseases affect reproductive structures, including testicles, epididymides, prostate, and penis.

Prostatitis

• Prostatitis is an inflammatory disorder of the prostate gland, causing painful urination, primarily due to bacterial infection.
• It is a common urinary problem in men under 50 and the third most common in men over 50.

Urethritis

• Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra, responsible for urine expulsion and sperm passage, often linked to STIs and categorized as gonococcal or non-gonococcal.
• Most prevalent in men aged 15 to 35.

Epididymitis

• Epididymitis involves inflammation of the epididymis, leading to pain and swelling in the testicles, primarily caused by bacterial infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.
• Most common in young men aged 19 to 35.

Orchitis

• Orchitis is testicular inflammation, which may occur unilaterally or bilaterally, often due to viral infections like mumps.
• Around 20% of prepubertal patients with mumps develop orchitis.

Genital Warts

• Genital warts are a common STI caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), affecting moist genital areas.
• They resemble small bumps or cauliflower, often unnoticed; about 80% of cases occur in individuals aged 17 to 33.

Sexual Infections and Diseases in Females

• Female genital diseases involve disorders of the reproductive system, affecting ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and vulva.

Syphilis

• Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum, known for its varied clinical manifestations and nicknamed the “great imitator.”
• It progresses through four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary, affecting multiple organ systems; most cases occur in urban areas, particularly among young adults aged 20 to 35.

Gonorrhea

• Gonorrhea is a prevalent STI manifesting with discharge and painful urination, but may also be asymptomatic, especially in women, leading to infertility.
• Common in young individuals aged 15-24 and can infect genitals, rectum, and throat.

Herpes Virus

• Herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes painful blisters or ulcers and is primarily spread through skin-to-skin contact; it is treatable but not curable.
• Two types of HSV exist, each with different implications for infection and management.