Vulvovaginal Health & Infections Flashcards
Why might menopause place one at a higher risk for UTIs?
Menopause is marked by a time of lower-potency estrogen (estrone - E1). Low estrogen levels lead to a thinner, less active vaginal epithelium with scant lactobacilli, increasing the pH (6-8). Increasing pH and relative lack of lactobacilli increase risk for infection
Priority goal of vulvovaginal care
keep the vulva dry and free from irritants
Patient education regarding routine vulvovaginal care
wash with warm water; avoid douches, wipes, sprays, and powders; wear cotton underwear and avoid thongs; use unscented cotton menstrual hygiene products; avoid scented detergent, bubble baths, and scented oils; avoid shaving and waxing; wipe front to back after voiding and defecation
Normal appearance of the vaginal on physical exam
pink, rugaeted, moist vaginal muscosa (“well-estrogenized”)
Normal vaginal pH
3.5-4.5
Normal vaginal discharge
clear to cloudy, white, flocculent (loosely clumped). Minimal to small in amount
Normal wet mount findings
numerous lactobacilli, normal squamous epithelial cells
Menstrual Cycle: vaginal discharge is egg white - clear, viscous
mid-cycle
Menstrual Cycle: vaginal discharge is thick, pasty, sometimes yellow-ish
luteal phase
Estrogen promotes the growth of this bacteria as part of the healthy vaginal flora
lactobacilli
Alkaline pH of the vagina
> 4.5
KOH stands for….
potassium hydroxide
What is the purpose of having a separate KOH wet mount? (2)
- whiff/amine test for bacterial vaginosis
2. lyses the WBCs and trich making the candida easier to see
INTERPRET: Perineal laceration affecting the skin and subcutaneous tissue, with perineal muscles intact
1st degree
INTERPRET: Perineal laceration extending into the fascia and muscles of the perineal body, with the anal sphincter intact
2nd degree
INTERPRET: Perineal laceration extending through the fascia/musculature and some or all of the external anal or internal anal sphincters
3rd degree
INTERPRET: Perineal laceration involving the perineal muscles, external and internal anal sphincters, and the rectal mucosa
4th degree
1st degree perineal lacerations after vaginal childbirth can be expected to heal….
within a few weeks
INTERPRET: FGM/C involving partial or total removal of the clitoris
Type 1 (clitordectomy)
INTERPRET: FGM/C involving partial or total removal of the clitoris and labia minora, with or without the labia majora
Type 2 (excision)
INTERPRET: FGM/C involving narrowing of the vagina with the creation of a covering seal by repositioning either labia, with or without excision of the clitoris
Type 3 (Infibulation)
Vaginitis vs. Vaginosis
ITIS = inflammation OSIS = abnormal increase or production of
Generally, name for increased inflammation of the vagina with increased discharge and WBCs
vaginitis
Generally, name for increased discharge from the vagina, without inflammation or WBCs
vaginosis
(3) most common causes of vulvovaginitis
bacterial vaginosis, candidal infections, trichomoniasis
Causes of Bacterial Vaginosis (1)
An alkaline environment leading to the overgrowth of anaerobes
DIAGNOSE: Pt presents with CC of vaginal itching and irritation. Endorses postcoital spotting, dyspareunia, and urinary discomfort. On speculum exam, you note a fishy odor and increased thin, gray-white milky discharge that is homogenous and adherent to the vaginal walls.
Bacterial vaginosis
Amsel Criteria for Bacterial Vaginosis
3 out of the 4 must be present:
- thin, white adherent vaginal discharge
- pH >4.5
- positive whiff or amine test
- > 20% of epithelial cells must be clue cells
INTREPRET: You prepare a wet mount slide and conduct pH testing for cc of vaginal discharge. You note a positive whiff test on your KOH slide. pH is 4.5. On saline mount, >20% of epithelial cells are clue cells.
Bacterial vaginosis
Priority patient education when prescribing metronidazole
NO alcohol during therapy and for 24 hours after completion of therapy
Drugs of choice for treatment of symptomatic BV (2)
metronidazole or clindamycin vaginal or oral