ER III

DISEASES OF THE FEMALE ORGANS

So much of the suffering among women is unnecessary, being due to the
neglect of the little things, so much ill health can be relieved by
attention to a few simple hygienic measures, that I think it wise to
describe some of the most common disorders of the female organs, and to
explain their symptoms so that you would not ignorantly neglect them, if
you should be so unfortunate as to contract any.

The most common diseases of the female organs may be classed as
displacements, inflammations and tumors.

On account of its lack of strong attachment, the womb is very easily
displaced. When from any cause the womb is congested and heavy the extra
weight stretches the supporting muscles and ligaments, which then allow
it to fall out of place. It also may be displaced by a sudden fall, by
jumping or other strenuous exercise. As the womb normally is heavier at
the menstrual period than at any other time and as there is a natural
congestion then, it is more easily displaced at that time than during
any other part of the month. This is one reason why one should be
careful not to take strenuous exercise at the menstrual period.

The most common displacement, or the most common way for the womb to
tip, is backwards and at the same time it usually falls downward. You
remember, the rectum is directly back of the womb, so, if the womb is
tipped backwards, it presses against the rectum. This tends to prevent
the feces, or bowel movement, from passing out naturally and helps to
produce constipation. The womb, pressing against the rectum, also
presses on the blood vessels which are very numerous there. This
pressure on the blood vessels prevents the blood from leaving them. If
it is held there, it causes the blood vessels to dilate in order to be
large enough to contain it. We call this enlarged portion of the vein a
blood tumor. These tumors or dilated blood vessels of the rectum are
called hemorrhoids or piles. I will explain these more thoroughly when
I talk to you about constipation.

The womb may tip forward, pressing on the bladder and causing a frequent
desire to urinate. More rarely it is tipped to one side. It then tends
to pull on the ovaries and produce pain and various nervous symptoms.

The womb may fall downward, pressing against both the bladder and rectum
and dragging the ovaries and tubes out of their natural positions.
Sometimes it even protrudes from the vagina. Any falli