Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- vaginal discharge
- dysuria
- discharge adherent to vaginal mucosa
Other diagnostic factors
- prior episodes
- pruritus
- vulvodynia
- vaginal dryness
- dyspareunia
- erythema
- pale epithelium
- shiny epithelium
- decreased elasticity
- friable epithelium
- fever
- vaginal bleeding
- abdominal pain
- strawberry cervix
Risk factors
- douching
- poor or excessive hygiene
- antibiotic use
- change in feminine hygiene products and/or soap
- HIV infection
- diabetes
- black women
- intrauterine device
- oral contraceptive pill use
- latex condom/diaphragm
- reproductive age
- menopause
- multiple or new sex partners
- tobacco
- increased frequency of intercourse
- pregnancy
Diagnostic tests
1st tests to order
- vaginal pH
- amine "whiff" test of vaginal secretions
- wet mount microscopy of vaginal secretions
- Gram stain of vaginal secretions
- HIV test
- nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)
- venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test
- serum rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test
Tests to consider
- culture of vaginal secretions
- polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for trichomoniasis on vaginal secretions
- rapid enzyme tests of vaginal secretions
Treatment algorithm
nonpregnant: isolated acute episode
pregnant: isolated acute episode
atrophic vaginitis
irritant or allergic vaginitis
nonpregnant: persistent or recurrent symptoms
pregnant: persistent or recurrent symptoms
Contributors
Authors
Diego Illanes, MD, FACOG, FACS

Medical Director
Urogynecology
Milford Regional
Milford, MA
Disclosures
DSI is an advisor for Coloplast, Medtronic and Vicarious.
Peer reviewers
David Chelmow, MD
Chair
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
Declarações
DC declares that he has no competing interests.
Jonathon Solnik, MD
Director
Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
Declarações
JS declares that he has no competing interests.
Créditos aos pareceristas
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Declarações
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Referências
Principais artigos
Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al. Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021 Jul 23;70(4):1-187.Texto completo Resumo
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice bulletin no. 215: vaginitis in nonpregnant patients. Jan 2020 [internet publication].Texto completo
Artigos de referência
Uma lista completa das fontes referenciadas neste tópico está disponível para os usuários com acesso total ao BMJ Best Practice.

Differentials
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- Cervicitis
Mais DifferentialsGuidelines
- Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021
- UK national guideline on the management of Trichomonas vaginalis
Mais GuidelinesPatient information
Bacterial vaginosis
Yeast infection
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