Sexual Health Flashcards
What is bacterial vaginosis?
overgrowth of predominately anaerobic organisms such as :
GARDNERELLA VAGINALIS..
leads to fall in lactic acid producing aerobic lactobacilli (friendly bacteria in vagina) = raised vaginal ph.
not STI
features of bacterial vaginosis
vaginal discharge: fishy offensive
asx in 50%
no itching irritation or pain.
what is the criteria for bacterial vaginosis?
amsels criteria
3 of 4 needed
thwin white homogenous discharge
clue cells on microscopy: stippled vaginal epithelial cells
vaginal ph over 4.5
positive whiff test (addition of potassium hydroxide = fishy odour)
how would you manage bacterial vaginosis?
if asx: no tx unless if women undergoing termination of pregnancy
if sx:
oral metronidazole 5-7 days.
70-80% initial cure but relapse over 50% within 3 months
if adherence issue: single oral dose metronidazole 2g
topical metronidazole or topical clindamycin alternative
in pregnancy how can bacterial vaginosis affect it?
increased risk of preterm labour,
low birth weight
chorioamnionitis,
late miscarriage
postpartum endometritis
premature rupture of membranes
how to tx bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy?
oral metronidazole
if asx: discuss if needed
if sx: oral metro 5-7 or topical metro/clinda
NOT STAT DOSE OF METRO
examples of anaerobic bacteria associated with BV
gardnerella vaginalis -= mc
mycoplasma hominis
prevotella
risk factors of bv
multiple sex partners but not sti
smoking
recent abx
copper coil
excessive vaginal cleaning - douching - cleaning products, vaginal washes
what examination could be done to confirm bv
normal vaginal ph
speculum exam
confirm typical discharge.
high vaginal swab - exclude others.
vaginal ph : swab and ph paper.
normal vaginal ph - 3.5-4.5
what to avoid whilst bv tx and why?
alcohol.
alcoholl + metro = disulfiram like raction = nausea and vomiting, flushing
sometimes severe sx of shock and angioedema
comps of bv
increase the risk of catching sti like chlamydia gonorrhoea and hiv
what is trichomonas vaginalis?
trichomoniasis
highly motile flagellated protozoan parasite.
trichomoniasis - STI
features of trichomoniasis?
vaginal discharge: offensive, yellow/green, frothy
itching
dysuria
dyspareunia
balanitis - men
vulvovaginitis
strawberry cervix
ph over 4.5
men asx but could be urethritis
how would you investigate trichmoniasis?
miscropy of wet mount: motile trophozoites
how would you manage trichomoniasis?
oral metro 5-7 days
or one off dose of 2g metron
how would you diagnose trichomoniasis?
take swab from where?
and for men ?
standard charcoal swab with microscopy
swab taken from posterior fornix of vagina (behind cervix)
self taken low vaginal swab alternative
urethral swab/first catch urine : men
trichomonas can increase the risk of?
contracting hiv - because it damages vaginal mucosa
bv
cervical cancer
pelvic inflammatory idsease
pregnancy related comps: preterm delivery
how is trichomonas spread?
lives in urethra of men and women
vagina of women
sexual activity
what is vaginal candidasis? - thrush ?
mc yeast.
when can it happen?
vaginal infection with yeast from candida family.
mc : candida albicans
can colonise without sx.
can progress to infection during like pregnancy or after tx with broad spec abx that alter vaginal flora
risk factors of vaginal candidiasis?
increase oestrogen - pregnancy m lower prepuberty, post menopause
poorly controlled diabetes
immunosupression - using corticosteroids
broad spec abx - alter vaginal flora
features of vaginal candidiasis/
cottage cheese - non offensive discharge
vulvitis; superficial dysparenia, dysuria
itch
vulval eryhthema, fissuring, satellite lesions
excoriation
how would you investigate for vaginal candidiasis?
test vaginal ph : swab and ph paper. - ph under 4.5
charcoal swab with microscopy - to confirm
how would you manage vaginal candidiasis?
oral fluconazole 150 mg - single dose - 1st line
clotrimazole 500mg intravaginal pessary- single dose - if oral ci;d
if vulval sx: add topical imidazole as adjunct
if pregnant: only local tx cream or pessary used.
what would be considered reucrrent vaginal candidiasis?
tx
4 or more a yr
check compliance
high vaginal swab for microscopy and culture
do bg test exclude dm
exclude diff like lichen sclerosus
consider induction-maintenance regime:
induction - oral fluconazole - every 3 days for 3 doses
maintenance: oral fluconazole weekly for 6 weeks