Homework

December 28th,
Birth Control
I lost all my handouts, so all the information I gather for this assignment is from Planned Parenthood, which is the best source for birth control information.
I will first describe non hormonal birth control:
The Condom (male)- The condom is a sheath of latex, lambskin or polyurethane that is fitted over the penis. It acts as a barrier and prevents the exchange of bodily fluids, such as semen, blood and vaginal discharge. Besides preventing Pregnancy, this method will prevent STIs. Out of every 100 couple who use this method, 15 will get pregnant. The condom will not work if you put it on improperly, remove it during sex, or if it breaks. It can break if it is too old or if sharp fingernails or jewelry damage it.
The Condom (female)- The Female Condom is also a sheath of latex that acts as a barrier during sexual intercourse. It is inserted into the vagina and also protects the vulva. It may cause some irritation and it may slip during intercourse. 21 out of every 100 women who use it will get pregnant. 5 out of 100 will get pregnant if it is used perfectly.
The Sponge- Is made of a spermicide soaked flexible plastic. It has a little nylon ribbon loop to aid removal of the sponge. To insert it you should get it wet then fit it over the cervix. It acts as a barrier, blocking sperm from entering the uterus. It cannot be felt by either partner and can be worn for up to 30 hours. Some say it is difficult to insert or remove. If it used perfectly 9 out 100 women will get pregnant when using it. It can cause toxic shock syndrome.
Spermicides- Chemicals that kill sperm cells. They come in creams, jellies, foams, films and suppositories. They are not very effective if used by themselves. It is best to use a back-up method. Sometimes they are messy and cause irritation.
The Diaphragm- A rubber shield that is placed over the cervix and acts as a barrier to keep sperm out of the uterus. There are many variations, such as the Shield or The Femcap. They all work they same way. Spermicides aid the diaphragm's effectiveness. The diaphragm is not an over the counter device. You must go to a doctor to be fitted for one.
The Copper IUD- An IUD is a T-shaped device that is fitted into the Uterus and blocks the fallopian tubes and prevents pregnancy. The copper on this form of IUD repels the sperm. Why this is not known. It can be left in for 12 years. A doctor must insert The IUD. Rarely the device may perforate the uterus or be expelled or cause infection.
Hormonal Birth Control:
The Pill-
The birth control pill uses hormones to fool the body into thinking it's pregnant. This stops ovulation and thickens the cervical mucus. The sperm cannot release an unreleased egg nor can it get past the thick cervical mucus. It's 98 to 99% effective if used properly. However, antibiotics and anti-fungals can make them work less effectively. Some side effects include breast tenderness, nausea, headache, and spotting (bleeding between periods) Some advantages include clearing of acne, lighter periods and prevention of pelvic inflammatory disease.
The Patch- The patch is similar has hormones similar to the pill and works the same way. Only instead of receiving the hormones orally, the hormones soak through your skin directly into your bloodstream. This method works if you are not good at taking pills everyday. The patch should be changed monthly.
The Shot- Depo-Provera, is an injection of medroxyprogesterone acetate that prevents ovulation and regulates the period. You will only get your period 4 times a year when you use it. Some people experience bone-thinning or weight gain while using the pill.
The Ring- The Ring is a flexible ring of plastic that is inserted into the vagina and fitted over the cervix. It releases the same hormone as the patch and the pill and as similar side effects. It thins the lining of the uterus making implantation of the zygote difficult. However the ring should not be exposed to sunlight as it will damage it. It must stay in the vagina for exactly three weeks.
The Hormonal IUD- This Intrauterine device works the same way as the copper one but it can only remain inside the uterus for five years. It releases hormones like the pill, patch and ring.
The Implant- Is a small piece of plastic that contains hormones. It is inserted into the upper arm under the skin. It works the same way the pill. It is 99.9 effective for up to three years. You should not use it if you have had breast cancer or if you can't stand irregular bleeding and loss of period.
Permanent Birth Control:
Tubal Ligation- Tubal Ligation is a procedure when they perform to permanently sterilize a woman. A section of the fallopian tubes is either cut or tied blocking the sperm. This practice should only be used if someone is sure they do not want anymore children or if they state has ordered they be sterilized. One risk may be ectopic pregnancy, which is when a zygote implants inside the fallopian tubes.
Vasectomy- Is when the vas defrens are cut blocking sperm from leaving the body. It's cheaper and less risky than a tubal ligation.
Behavioral:
There are many "behavioral forms of protection. Continuous breast feeding may prevent pregnancy because hormones released during breast-feeding can stop ovulation. Some people plan their sex lives around the menstrual cycle, choosing to have sex on "Safe days". This is risky because many women have irregular periods. Some people choose to withdraw from the vagina before ejaculation. Also risky, because pre-ejaculate may contain sperm. Abstinence is very effective but very hard to follow through with.





Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer, is obviously the cancer of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that is connected to the vagina.
It is a well-known fact that Cervical Cancer is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus. Some strains of the virus cause Genital Warts, while a few cause Cervical cancer. The virus changes normal healthy cells into abnormal cancer cells.At first you may not notice any symptoms. But once you do, symptoms include vaginal bleeding during intercourse, heavy vaginal discharge and abdominal pain. You can be tested by getting a pap smear. A pap smear is similar to a standard pelvic exam. You will asked to lay down, feet in stirrups and the doctor will examine you. A speculum will be inserted into the vagina to keep it open and then the doctor will insert a small spatula or brush, to swab the cervix to collect the cells and send the sample to a lab. The procedure is painless, but it helps if you're relaxed.
More tests will follow if your pap test is abnormal. If you have cancer, the cancerous parts can be frozen off or removed with a laser. You can also get pelvic radiation (I learned this at the National Cervical Cancer Coalition).
You can prevent getting HPV that causes cervical cancer by getting the HPV vaccine Gardasil. Even so you should still get pap smears.

Testicular Cancer
Testicular Cancer is becoming fairly common. It is predominantly found in Caucasian (white) males, though there is a high incidence of testicular cancer in Maori Tribesman from New Zealand. It can run in families and males born with undescended testicles, or have suffered testicular torsion or hernia. It is not usually fatal because it is very easy to treat. It is treated with chemotherapy and like most cancers, easier to deal with if detected early.
Symptoms of testicular cancer can be swelling of the testicle, pain in the testicle or a painless lump. Sometimes there is abdominal pain. Men can screen themselves by feeling for lumps in their testicles. Many sexual health experts recommend doing this in the shower, because the heat from the water will cause the scrotum to loosen and pull the testicles further from the body, making examination easier. If there is a lump on both testicles it is probably a normal part of your testicles. If there is a lump in only one, then you should see a doctor. But if having lumps on both testes concerns you, see a doctor. The doctor will examine your testicles, if there is any concern, you will be sent to a specialist. The specialist may do an ultrasound, perform surgery to collect a sample of the lump and do a blood test.
The majority of testicular tumors are germ-cell tumors known as seminomas and teratomas.


October 8th,
Nicotine, is a chemical that naturally occurs in tobacco. Nicotine is named after Jean Nicot, who valued the medicinal properties of the herb and sent some to Queen Catherine de Medicis of France, to help cure her son's headaches. The treatment was successful and in homage tobacco was called Nicotania Tabacum, hence nicotine.
But all history aside, nicotine is as addictive as heroin or cocaine, is not more so (and certainly easier to obtain). A person can be physically and psychologically addicted to nicotine.
Nicotine creates a pleasant and calming affect that makes one want to smoke more. It interferes with the nerve system, slowing the flow of information between cells. Eventually, the smoker will up the amount tobacco smoked, increasing nicotine levels in the bloodstream. The body builds up a tolerant (as with most drugs) so the smoker will increase it's tobacco use even more. In time, a certain level of nicotine is reach and the addict will keep using tobacco to maintain that level. Nicotine reaches the system faster than drugs that are injected intravenously.
WHen the smoke is inhaled, the nicotine enters the lungs and is absorbed into the bloodstream. It can affect the heart, the blood vessels, the hormonal system, your metabolism and the brain. Nicotine can also be found in breast milk and the cervical mucous of smokers (which is why a woman should not smoke while nursing!) If you smoke while pregnant, the nicotine enters the placenta and can be found in amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood of newborns. The nicotine can cause birth defects, so it is beneficial to not smoke while pregnant.
Several factors related to Nicotine affect the metabolism and excretion systems. A smoker can have nicotine in their body three to four days after quitting.
Sources-http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_13X_Guide_for_Quitting_Smoking.asp




October 5th,
The Seven Most Common Sexually Transmitted Infections.

1. Chlamydia-
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that is contracted from engaging in oral, anal or vaginal intercourse with someone who has it.
Sometimes, when someone has it, they don't show any symptoms, but when they do:
In Women- Pelvic pain, Vaginal discharge, Vaginal bleeding after intercourse and painful urination.
In Men- Painful urination and discharge from the penis.
To be sure you have chlamydia, you can go to a clinic and get tested. They test for it, either with a urine sample or a sample of the discharge. If you have chlamydia, it can be treated with antibiotics. While taking the antibiotics DO NOT have any form of sexual contact because the infection is still contagious.
If untreated, chlamydia can have dangerous long term effects. It can cause infections of the reproductive organs ine both sexes and infertility in both sex. It can also be passed from mother to child, if a woman is pregnant or giving birth.
2. Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection similar to chlamydia, that is contracted from sexual contact with an infected person.
Like chlamydia, sometimes you can have no symptoms, but when you do they are:
In Women- Pelvic pain, painful urination, vaginal discharge, blood and pus from the anus, unexplained fever and sore throat.
In Men- Painful urination, bleeding and pus from the anus, unexplained fever and sore throat.
To know for sure, you would need to have a test done from a urine sample or a sample of the discharge. If you have it, it can be treated with antibiotics. If it goes untreated, it could lead to Pelvic Inflammatory disease (in women), infertility in both sexes, skin and heart problems and can be passed from mother to child causing eye damage in the infant.
3.Syphlilis
Syphilis is another bacterial infection which is conracted from sexual activity with an infected person. There are three stages to the disease. In the first stage, you will notice painless sores on the genitals or elsewhere. If you go to the doctor and get tested, either by examination of the sores or a blood test and are positive, they will give antibiotics, in some cases, the sufferer of the infection is hospitalized, especially if they are in the later stages.
If you don't get it treated right away syphilis can go into the second stage. The symptoms of the second stage include- New sores, a rash, a sore throat, swollen glands and hair loss.
If you don't get it treated at that point it can go into the third stage. The third stage can cause permanent damage to the heart and brain, pelvic inflammatory disease (which can lead to cancers fo the female reproductive organs), death, and the damage and even death of a fetus.
4.HIV/AIDS
HIV is a Virus that attacks the immune system, which will cause you to have AIDS, an immune defiency disorder. It is contracted from sexual contact, blood to blood contact, and sharing contaminated with someone who is HIV positive. It can also be passed from mother to child through breast milk, if the mother has HIV.
Sometimes there are no symptoms. WHen there are, they consist of fever, chills, night swears, swollen glands, raised purple blotches on the skin, diarrhea, white spots in the mouth and a dry cough with shortness of breath.
TO know if you have HIV for sure you can get a blood test, but they also do oral swabs called "Orasure". If you are HIV positive you can take care of yourself by taking medications to boost your immune system. If you do not take care of it, your immune system will shut down and you can contract life-threatening deadly illnesses. A mothe can also pass it to her child, either through blood or breastmilk.
5.Genital Herpes
Genital Herpes is an infection cause by the Herpes Simplex Virus. It can be contract through sexual contact or skin to skin contact with an infected person. It can be contracted even if no sores are present. The symptoms include painful blisters that burst into sores, then dry up and swollen glands. Once you get herpes you can't get rid of it. You can find out wether or not you have herpes through a medical exam or a blood test. If you have it you can use medicinal creams to soothe and heal the sores and medications to prevent future outbreaks of the sores.
If it goes untreated it will be uncomfortable and you can spread it to others. A mother can pass it to her child during childbirth causing brain damage, illness and death.
6.Genital Warts
Genital Warts is an infection caused by the HPV, the Human Papilloma Virus. You can get it from skin to skin contact or ssexual contact with someone who is infected. The syptoms consist of cauliflower like bumps in or on the genitals and some itching. To know for sure you can get a medical exam or a pap smear. A Pap Smear is when a woman goes to the gynecologist, they place a speculum in her vagina (to keep it open) and gently brush the cervix with a long Q-tip, to collect some cervical cells to be tested.
Genital Warts is treated with surgical removal of the warts, but the virus will remain in your body. If the virus remains untreated, the warts will become larger and be more painful. If sufferer is female, cervical cancer may result and like all most STI's the virus can be passed from mother to child during birth.
7. Pubic Lice "crabs"
Pubic lice, is of all 7 STI's the least dangerous, although very unpleasant. Pubic Lice are small parasites that live in the pubic hair around the genitals. You can get them from sexual contact with someone who has them, or simply from sharing towels, bedding and clothes with an infected person.
The symptoms include severe itching, dots of blood in the underwear and most frightening, seeing the lice themselves. You can find out whether or not you have them by getting a visual examination (just like when you get your head checked for lice). You can treat the lice with a special shampoo and washing your bedding and clothes. If they go untreated the itching will get wprse and you will get a bacterial infection from all that scratching.