Smoking increases risk of ectopic pregnancy
Scottish scientists have found that a chemical in cigarette smoke increases the risk of having an ectopic pregnancy. The research has shown that cotinine found in cigarettes causes a reaction to take place which increases a protein (PROKR1) found in the fallopian tubes. They found that this protein increased the risk of a fertilised egg implanting itself on the outside of the womb.The protein is what allows a fertilised egg to implant as it should inside the womb, but if it is present in the fallopian tubes it raises the risk of the pregnancy developing outside the womb.
The research found that the women who smoked and had an ectopic pregnancy had double the amount of the PROKR1 protein in their fallopian tubes, compared to women who didn’t smoke and who had a healthy pregnancy. The studies conclude that women who smoke are four times more likely to suffer an ectopic pregnancy than those who don’t.
Medical experts believe that having an excess of the protein hinders the contracting of the muscles in the walls of the fallopian tubes, which inhibits the transfer of the egg to the womb.
This research has shown the effect that smoking has on the health of a smoker’s reproductive system. It also shows the degree to which cigarette smoke and the chemicals it contains have on the presumably unaffected parts of the human body.
Every year in the UK there are over 30,000 cases of ectopic pregnancy with the majority of cases involving the egg implanting into the fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancy can cause the fallopian tube to rupture, causing internal bleeding and even future fertility problems. An ectopic pregnancy is the primary cause of maternal death within the first trimester of pregnancy, making it vital for women who are planning to conceive to quit smoking. Women who are exposed to second hand smoke are also advised to avoid being around anyone who is smoking, to reduce thier risk of having an ectopic pregnancy.
How is Impotence Diagnosed?
Impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction, is defined as the inability to achieve or sustain an erection that is satisfactory for the purpose of sexual intercourse. This is a common sexual condition that affects most men at some point of time in their lives. It can become a problem, however, if it persists over a long period of time. Your doctor will be able to diagnose erectile dysfunction based on the following information.
Medical history
Your medical as well as sexual history helps to determine the nature and degree of impotence you suffer from. A detailed medical history can reveal the diseases that might have contributed to erectile dysfunction. Disclosing your previous and current sexual history will help your doctor to determine whether your problem is associated with libido, erection, ejaculation or orgasm. If you have a history of taking prescription or recreational drugs, there might be a chemical cause of your erectile dysfunction. The effects of medications are responsible for about 25% of impotence cases. This can be resolved by asking your doctor to prescribe alternative medications or altering the dosage to a safer level.
Laboratory testing
Lab tests are often used to diagnose impotence. You might be required to get tested for systemic diseases such as urinalysis, blood count, lipid as well as measuring liver enzymes and creatinine. If you suffer from low libido, measuring testosterone levels in the blood can reveal problems in your endocrine system.
Physical examination
Systemic problems can be detected by a simple physical examination. For instance, if your penis is unable to respond normally to certain kinds of touching, there might be a problem in the nervous system. You have a hormonal problem if there are secondary sex characteristics including hair pattern. If there is an aneurysm in your abdomen, a problem in the blood circulatory is the most likely cause of erectile dysfunction.
Psycho-social examination
A psycho-social examination for diagnosing erectile dysfunction consists of a questionnaire and interview. Your sexual partner might also be interviewed to allow your doctor to understand the perceptions and expectations involved in your sexual experiences. Psychological factors such as guilt, stress, depression, low self esteem, anxiety and fear of failure in bed account for about 10-20% of impotence cases.
Erectile dysfunction treatment usually consists of prescription medications and/or therapeutic counselling with a qualified psychologist.