Additional Sexual Health Issues
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Two disorders of the female reproductive system are toxic shock syndrome and endometriosis. Toxic shock syndrome is caused by superabsorbent tampons or other devices that block the vagina or cervix during menstruation, which lead to an overgrowth of Staphylococcus aureus bacterium. It is recommended that all women who use tampons reduce the already low risk by carefully following the directions for insertion, choosing the lowest-absorbing one for their flow, changing the tampon more frequently, and using tampons less regularly. Toxic shock syndrome can be treated if detected early but if not, it can be fatal. Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological diseases. It involves the growth of endometrial tissue outward into the organs surrounding the uterus. Symptoms of endometriosis include intense pelvic pain, very painful cramps or periods, heavy periods, intestinal pain, pain during or after sex, and infertility. There is currently no cure for endometriosis, but there are ways to minimize the symptoms caused by the condition, and endometriosis-related fertility can be treated successfully using hormones and therapy.