The genitals
Numerous different diseases can affect the genital area, which are primarily the known sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea (gonorrhea), chlamydia, condyloma (condylomata acuminata), fungal infections, infections with human papillomaviruses or herpesviruses. However, non-infectious inflammations, such as acornitis or balanitis or inflammation of the vulva (vulvitis) are among the possible complaints in the pubic area. In addition, some parasites, such as pubic lice, preferentially affect the genital area. Last but not least, cancers of the external genital organs, such as penile carcinomas or vulvar cancers occur.
Illnesses in the pubic area are often associated with irritation of the skin and an itchy penis or Scheuchjucken. In addition, there is often an increased discharge from the vagina or a secretion discharge from the penis, which speaks for a simultaneous involvement of the internal genital organs. With the help of a laboratory smear test, many forms of infectious diseases affecting the genital area can be determined relatively reliably. Blood tests also provide important information on existing infectious diseases. Other diseases, such as a non-infectious inflammation, are mainly identified on the basis of the clinical picture. Imaging procedures such as sonography (ultrasound), X-ray or computed tomography are used, for example, to detect malignant tissue changes, although it is not uncommon to require the removal of a tissue sample (biopsy) for unambiguous determination.
For most diseases of the external genitalia, modern medicine has a therapeutic answer ready for successful treatment. However, the therapy in the advanced stage of the disease usually turns out to be much more difficult, which makes the delays in determining the diagnosis, which are often caused by shame, appear particularly problematic. In case of complaints in the pubic area general medical help should be requested as soon as possible, not least in order to avoid a transfer to sexual partners. (Fp)