Genito Urinary Infections (GUI's)

« Back to areas of concern main index

There are many genito-urinary infections going about. Some of these are transferred sexually and some are just bowel bugs, such as Klebsiella and Escherichia coli. There is also vaginal candida which is a fungal infection.

The one we hear the most about is Chlamydia. A national count up a few years ago found 22% of women of child-bearing age had Chlamydia. Others commonly found are ureaplasma, mycoplasma, gardnerella, B-strep, haem. strep, staph. Aureas and staph. millerii.

Any of these and indeed it is possible to have more than one at any time, will be bad news for fertility, and bad news for the baby even if he does manage to struggle through.

Fertility problems with chlamydia include blocked fallopian tubes caused by pelvic inflammatory disease and this can lead to the inability to conceive at all. Sometimes to an ectopic pregnancy when it is possible to lose the tube.

If a conception and implantation takes place there can be miscarriage or a very early birth when in some cases the baby might be lost.

If a baby is born to an infected mother it may have’inclusion conjunctivitis’ – infection of the eyes which could lead to impaired sight. It may have ‘pneumonitis’ which means the lungs are infected and this could lead to asthma later on. ‘Otis media’ is ear infection and this could lead to hearing loss and there can be ‘gastero-enteritis’ which will lead to problems with digestion and diarrhea. The baby could also suffer from urinary tract infection and little girls could have vulvitis.

Generally if the mother has an infection it can enter any orifice of the baby and the baby can be seriously ill and occasionally can be permanently disabled.

This is why we suggest that you visit your nearest ‘Genito-Urinary Clinic’, if both of you have had other partners as the risks are too heavy to be ignored and getting better is very easy.

The people who run the GUI clinics are extremely friendly and kind and are used to anything! You can find them through your Yellow Pages, where they may be called ‘the Sexual Health Clinic’ or by asking your nearest hospital if they have one. Details will also be found on the internet – we suggest Google ‘ Genito Urinary Clinic + your area’. This will then give you clinics local to where you live. They are often referred to as GUM Clinic, in which case you may well be confused and think they are something to do with dentistry!! Be forearmed!

When the clinic has looked at blood, urine and vaginal secretions, if you have a bug they will be able to give it a name. Both partners need to be tested as, if one has something the other will too, even if they appear to have no symptoms.

They may then provide an anti-biotic. If you use this it is best to take with some B-complex vitamins and either pro-biotics or (so long as you are not milk allergic) lots of organic yoghurt.

Alternatively you can go the homeopathic route. Homeopathic remedies are also effective and will be less rough on the gut. Either you can contact a local homeopath or you can ring up Ainsworth Homeopathic Chemists (tel number 0207 934 5330). Helios Pharmacy will also give advice (tel number 01892 537254). If you tell them exactly what you have they will almost always have the remedy. When you have completed your treatment return to the clinic to make sure everything has cleared up.

Many people feel much better when they have coped with their bug. Vaginal irritation, discharge, pain on intercourse, pelvic pain etc can disappear and more energy can return.

Genito Urinary Infections (GUI's)

Page Index