sexual health Flashcards
what is the most common cause of vaginal discharge in women of child-bearing age
bacterial vaginitis
why is the normal pH of the vagina is 4.5?
presence of lactobacilli and so it makes it 4.5 to reduce the presence of other pathogens
what are the causes of vaginal discharge generally
non-infective
- pyhsiological
- cervical ectopion
- foregin body
infective
- Non-STI - Bacterial vaginitis, candida
- STI - Trichomonas vaginitis
- STI (endocervical) - chlamydia and gonorrhoea
what is the normal vaginal discharge
1-4 ml per 24 hours
usually watery or white
non-offensive odour
varies with the menstrual cycle
what is the pH of the vagina if BV present
4.5-6.0
RF for bacterial vaginosis
douching Receptive cunnilingus (female receptive oral sex) a recent change of partner smoking present of STI black ethnicity
symptoms of bacterial vaginosis
inc discharge - white/watery, thin
fishy smelling vaginal discharge
not assoc with soreness, itching
signs of bacterial vaginosis
under speculum - white, thin, haemogenous discharge
no signs of inflammation
complications of bacterial vaginosis
PID inc BV chacnes
cellutlitis/abscess formation following TV hysterectomy
late miscarriage, preterm birth, PROM, postpartum endometritis
investigation for BV
outpatient/GP - low vaginal swab in transport medium to lab
GUM clinic - low vaginal swab (VVS), Gram stain veginal smear- shows purple if gram +ve
what does the gram staining of BV show?
purple
eggs with salt and pepper
management of BV
general advise - don’t douch, avoid antiseptic agents/bath products
Metronidazole (500mg BD for 7/7) /Clindamycin - oral or topical - can use in pregnancy/breast feeding but alter taste of the milk
only treat if symptomatic
what is the causative agent for candida
candida albicans 80-92%
RF for genital candida
immune suppression
antibiotic use
elevated oestrogen
symptoms of candida
vulval itch, soreness
thick white vaginal discharge
superficial dyspareunia
external dysuria - pain when urine touches skins
signs of candida
erythema fissuring dicharge oedema satellite lesions excoriations - skin coming off
Ix for candida
often treated without investigation on typical symptoms
if not responsive to treatment then investigate
- MC of gram stained vaginal slide in GUM
- MC+S of low vaginal swab (VVS)
- long purple bit - fungal hyphi
Mx of candida
general advise - routine use of soap substitute, regular emollient, avoid tight fitting synthetic clothing, local irritants
Clotriamzole perssary 500mg stat
fluconazole 150mg PO stat (not in pregnancy)
no need to treat asymptomatic male partners
What is the causative agent of trichomonas vaginalis
flagellated protozoon
almost exlcusively transmitted via sexual intercourse
what are the symptoms of TV
10-50% asymptomatic inc vaginal discharge vulval itch dysuria lower abdo pain
signs of TV
classical frothy yellow discharge in 10-30%
vulvitis
vaginitis
2% strawberry cervix
Ix for TV
high vaginal swab and wet mount - so the flagellated TV can swim
VVS NAAT
GP - test for pH which will be elevated