Important introduction
Studied in a symptomatological key, numerous genital infections are marked by very similar symptoms, easily confused: for this reason, the recognition of the pathogen involved in the condition is not always so immediate.
The patient's medical history, therefore the anamnesis, gives a general idea on the subject's health status, on possible alterations of the endocrine balance, on the effectiveness of the autoimmune system and on all previous pathologies: we remember, in fact, that the genital infections are heavily influenced by some factors, such as past pathogenic insults, stress, gynecological / urological diseases, etc. However, do not forget that incorrect diet, a sedentary lifestyle and the administration of some drugs can pave the way for infections, whether they are caused by bacteria, viruses, protozoa or fungi.
Symptoms
Precisely because of the poor specificity of the symptoms, it is unthinkable to immediately make a diagnosis, if not approximate, on the type of pathogen involved in genital infection; furthermore, the symptoms reported by the patient are often confusing and overlapping, which makes the type of infection even less clear. To give an example, the woman suffering from a common genital infection observes vaginal discharge, itching and burning, three elements that unite the vast majority of infectious genital diseases.
In humans, it is extremely complex to establish whether the irritation to the genitals is limited to the glans (balanitis) or even to the foreskin (postitis): for this reason, we tend to speak more often of balanoposthitis.
Clearly, some infectious forms are easier to diagnose, even with only medical supervision: this is the case of genital infections sustained by Thricomonas, whose characteristic vaginal discharge takes on a greenish color, a spongy appearance and a smell of spoiled fish.
Symptom table
To distinguish one form more easily from another, the following are the symptoms that characterize the most frequent genital infections.
| Pathogen involved in genital infection | Symptoms of genital infection in MAN | Symptoms of genital infection in WOMEN |
| Genital infections with Candida albicans | Balanitis, balanoposthitis, dyspareunia, erythema of the balano-preputial sulcus with itching and burning. It is often asymptomatic | Redness of the vaginal mucosa, local burning, formation of whitish plaques, itching, white vaginal secretions similar to ricotta |
| Genital infections from Chlamydia Trachomatis | Pain during urination, genital swelling (testicular), urethral leakage after squeezing the glans, proctitis | Cervicitis, pain during intercourse, pain during urination, abnormal menstrual losses, even outside the cycle (spotting) |
| Genital infections with Gardnerella vaginalis | Often asymptomatic. Symptoms: urethritis, smelly genital odor. Complications: impaired fertility | Typical bacterium involved in vaginosis, often asymptomatic. Burning, irritation, itching, white or gray vaginal discharge, pungent smell. Complications: PID, impaired fertility |
| Genital infections with Trichomonas vaginalis | Balanitis, balanoposthitis, dyspareunia, dysuria, urethral meatus erythema, pollakiuria, prostatitis, urethral itching, blood in the urine, bladder tenesmus, smelly urine | Increase in vaginal pH, dyspareunia, dysuria, pain during urination, greenish, foamy and odor-induced vaginal discharge, urinary frequency, ferocious local itching, blood in the urine, bladder tenesmus, smelly urine |
| Genital infections from Mycoplasma hominis | Infertility, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, urethritis | Spontaneous abortion, endometritis, infertility, chorionic-amniotic infections, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), salpingitis, poor development of the newborn, vaginitis |
| Herpes simplex genital infections | Appearance of roundish blisters on the skin and genital mucous membranes + burning, discomfort, itching and local redness | Appearance of round blisters on the skin and mucous membranes of the genital mucous + burning, discomfort, itching and local redness |
| Genital infections from Neisseria gonorrhoeae | Dysuria, urethral meatus hyperemia, purulent fluid emission from the urethral canal | Burning / pain during urination, redness of the urinary meatus, pelvic inflammatory disease, moderate vaginal discharge, salpingitis |
| Brucella abortus genital infections | Diarrhea, muscle aches, epididymitis, fever, orchitis with granuloma formation | Spontaneous abortion, diarrhea, muscle pain, low-grade fever, metritis (inflammation of the uterus), retention of the placenta |
| Genital infections with Treponema Pallidum (syphilis) | Balanitis, genital burning, pain during intercourse, enlargement of inguinal lymph nodes, lesions and genital ulcers, postites | Genital burning, cervicitis, dyspareunia, genital lesions, painless genital ulcers, vaginitis |
| Genital HPV infections (type 6 and 11) | Condylomata acuminata at the level of the glans, urethral meatus, frenulum, shaft of the penis and the balano-preputial sulcus + burning, pain, irritation and localized itching | Genital warts circumscribed at the level of the vulva, vagina and cervix + burning, pain, irritation and localized itching |
Care
Given the high risk of contracting a genital infection - which grows in proportion to the number of sexual partners - it is necessary to reiterate once again that prevention is, without doubt, the most effective weapon for avoiding a genital disease sustained by pathogens. The use of condoms, regular intimate hygiene with mild cleansers and intimate cotton clothing are three fundamental measures to minimize the risk of genital infection.
However, the pharmacological treatment is based on the administration of antifungal drugs for genital infections caused by fungi (eg Candida albicans ), of antibiotic drug products for the treatment of bacterial infections (eg chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc.) and of substances with an antiviral action for the treatment of viral infections (classic those supported by H. genitalis ). The treatment with these drugs can be completed by the application of other products, indicated to alleviate symptoms such as itching, burning, dryness: for this purpose, ointments with emollient and soothing action are indicated. In addition to these products, in the case of antibiotic therapy it is advisable to take also lactic acid tablets or vials to balance the bacterial flora, inevitably compromised by the administration of the antibiotic drug.
Briefly, the table summarizes the drugs most used in therapy to treat different genital infections.
Drug table
| Genital infection | Most used drugs |
| Candidiasis |
|
| Trichomoniasis |
|
| Gonorrhea |
|
| Chlamydia |
|
| Syphilis |
|
| Gardnerella |
|
| Brucellosis |
|
| Mononucleosis |
|
| Herpetic genital infections |
|
| Condylomata acuminata |
|
It is also recommended to subject the sexual partner to therapy to treat genital infections (even in the absence of symptoms) to reduce the risk of spreading the disease.
