Infection of the lower genital tract with two organisms called Candida and Trichomonas causes distressing symptoms like itching of the private parts and white discharge. It is quite simple to cure this. One time administration of two medicines cures both of these infections. But it is not that simple to maintain the cured state if the sexual partner of the woman is not treated at the same time, as he transfers the organisms to the woman during intercourse. An understanding husband takes the treatment when explained the need for it. But a number of them don't understand the need, and refuse to take the medicines since they themselves have no symptoms. I had a patient in my last outpatient clinic that had this infection. She typically had recurrent infections, and on inquiry said that her husband would not take any treatment. “You have the disease, you take the treatment," he would say. “I have no disease. I will not take any medicines."
"Does he understand that he transmits the infection to you during sex?"
"Yes, I told him so. Still he won't take the medicines."
She needed a solution to the problem.
"Tell him there will be no sex if he does not take treatment" I suggested.
She kept quiet. That probably was not a workable solution. A lot of husbands force sex on their wives in a male dominant society. She needed some solution that was more effective in convincing him. I suddenly had an idea.
"Tell him he will keep harboring the germs if he does not take the treatment. Even if he does not have any symptoms, he can develop cancer of his organ."
