Not all Vaginal Infections are Yeast
Normal and Abnormal Vaginal Discharge
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Diagnosis of Vaginal Infections Many women think that if they have a vaginal infection their health care provider will find it during their pelvic exam or Pap smear even if they don't talk about their symptoms. You need to know that routine Pap smears and speculum examinations alone are unreliable for diagnosing vaginal infections. Also, many health care providers do not automatically test you for vaginal infections if you don't mention any symptoms. There are simple tests a health care provider can use to diagnose bacterial vaginosis and other vaginal infections. First, he or she will take a sample of vaginal discharge and then:
What is Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)? What is Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)? BV is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age.20 Although the exact cause of BV is not known, BV occurs when the natural balance of organisms in the vagina changes, allowing for potentially harmful bacteria to grow. BV may be associated with serious health problems including pelvic inflammatory disease, post-surgical infections and abnormal Pap smears. That is why it's important to treat BV as effectively as possible. Top Complications of BV BV may be associated with serious health complications.4 That's why it is important to treat BV as effectively as possible.
How is Bacterial Vaginosis Treated? Since BV is a bacterial infection, antibacterial medicines are used for treatment. These medicines are available only with prescriptions from your health care provider. The most commonly used medicine is metronidazole. It is available as tablets and as a vaginal gel. MetroGel-Vaginal® (metronidazole vaginal gel, 0.75%) is the #1 prescribed brand.8 Over-the-counter medicines you can buy at a drugstore just don't work against bacterial infections like BV. So don't be tempted to try these medicines before seeing your health care provider. You may end up doing more harm than good. You should also avoid products like douches or feminine hygiene sprays. They may mask unpleasant odor, but they don't treat the infection, and they may make it more difficult for a health care provider to diagnose BV. These products may actually contribute to the development of BV. If you think you have a vaginal infection, see your health care provider so the cause of your vaginal infection can be determined and the correct treatment can be prescribed. Top Health Care Providers Don't Always Check for BV in Annual Exams Don't assume that you will automatically be tested for vaginal infections during your annual exam. Routine Pap smears and speculum exams are unreliable for diagnosing vaginal infections. Many health care providers will only test you for vaginal infections if you tell them you have symptoms. If you have any symptoms of vaginal infections, it is important to let your health care provider know, even if he or she doesn't ask you about it. Top Recurrent BV BV is the most common vaginal infection.20 Unfortunately, it is an infection which also seems to come back frequently after treatment. The reason for this is unclear. Some health care providers think that it may be due to the failure of the vagina to populate itself with normal, helpful bacteria called lactobacilli after treatment. If you have been diagnosed with BV in the past and you think it has come back, you need to see your health care provider for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Top Vaginal Health Action Plan If you think you have a vaginal infection, you need a plan of action:
Treating Male Partners BV is not considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD), although it may be associated with sexual intercourse. Most health care providers will not treat sexual partners routinely because studies have shown no benefits of doing so. However, if the infection returns, a health care provider may recommend it. Top |
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 The most commonly reported side effects for MetroGel-Vaginal (metronidazole vaginal gel, 0.75%) include vaginal discharge (12%), Candida cervicitis/vaginitis (6-10%), vulvovaginal irritation (9%), gastrointestinal discomfort (7%), and headache (5%). Bacterial vaginosis (BV) was formerly known as Gardnerella vaginitis, nonspecific vaginitis, Haemophilus vaginitis, anaerobic vaginosis, and Corynebacterium vaginitis. A clinical diagnosis of BV is usually defined by the presence of a homogeneous vaginal discharge that (a) has a pH >4.5, (b) emits a "fishy" amine odor when mixed with a 10% KOH solution, and (c) contains clue cells on microscopic examination. Gram's stain results consistent with a diagnosis of BV include (a) markedly reduced or absent Lactobacillus morphology, (b) predominance of Gardnerella morphotype, and (c) absent or few white blood cells. Other pathogens commonly associated with vulvovaginitis (eg, Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Candida albicans, and herpes simplex virus) should be ruled out. |
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