Abnormal Vaginal Discharge(AVD) Flashcards
What is vaginal discharge and which hormone is it under the influence of?
Vaginal discharge is fluid/mucus that keeps the vagina moist, clean, lubricated and acts as a defense mechanism-normal.
Estrogen
How are the causes of abnormal vaginal discharge grouped?
Infectious or Non infectious
What are the infectious causes of vaginal discharge?
Vaginal :Bacterial Vaginosis, Candida Albicans and Trichomonas Vaginosis
Cervical: Neisseria gonorrhea, Chlamydia Trachomatis ,Herpes Simplex Virus
What are the non-infectious causes of vaginal discharge? And explain them.
-Physiological changes: atrophic vaginitis (menopausal changes), postpartum (e.g. RPOC).
-Mechanical/chemical irritation: —Foreign Bodies, IUCD, douching, hygiene products, contact dermatitis.
-Malignancy and structural abnormalities: endometrial and cervical cancer, polyps, fistulas.
-Systemic: diabetes mellitus, psoriasis, dermatitis
What is the approach taken for a patient with AVD?
-A good gynecological history, physical exam and laboratory diagnosis
What are the Risk Factors of AVD?
Douching
Multiple sexual partners
Poor hygiene practices
Systemic conditions
Antibiotic/Oral contraceptive use
What are some of the important his history taking points to pay attention to in a patient with AVD? And explain why?
Age, LNMP, period cycle(regularity and timing of cycle)
Hormone status(Pre- or postmenopausal)
Birth control methods.
Pregnancy
Duration (acute, chronic ,frequently recurrent)
Pruritus, dysuria(external or internal),Dyspareunia
Colour and consistency, odour
Systemic symptoms e.g. Fever, abdominal pain
Sexual history: number of partners, new partners, partner symptoms, Hx of STIs.
Hygiene practices, recent medications (systemic or otherwise).
What kind of physical exam in a patient who presents with AVD?
Systemic signs of illness: fever, nutritional status, stigmata of systemic disease, abdominal pain.
Vaginal examination: discharge, herpetic vesicles, contact dermatitis, bimanual palpation may reveal cervical motion tenderness.
Speculum: visualization of cervix: strawberry cervix, collection of a sample, friability or easy bleeding, erythema of the vaginal walls/cervix.
What is the most infectious cause of AVD?
Bacterial Vaginosis
What is the causative agent of BV? And how?
Gardnerella Vaginalis
Occurs when there an alteration of normal vaginal flora resulting in leading to overgrowth of organisms
What are the risk factors of BV?
Douching, Antibiotic use and low estrogen levels
What are the general symtoms of BV?
Increased discharge-gray and milky
Fishy odor
How do you diagnose BV?
Diagnosis is confirmed if 3/4 of the Amsel criteria is met.
-pH of > 4.5
-Clue cells
-Grey/white discharge that adheres to vaginal walls
-A positive whiff/amine test
Describe the Amine /Whiff test?
1-2 drops of potassium hydroxide is added to a sample of infected vaginal discharge and emit a characteristic amine odor
Treatment for BV?
Metronidazole.