Vaginal discharge
Alternative names:
discharge from the vagina, vaginitis
Home care:
Good hygiene can help prevent some of the causes of abnormal
discharge as well as help get rid of it if it occurs. Sometimes
a little bit of extra patience is needed.
Ask your health care provider or gynecologist about the advisability
of using a douche. Frequent douching may remove the healthy
bacteria lining the vagina
(normal flora) that help protect you from infection. Douche
recommendations may include: douche daily (and following intercourse)
with a Betadine solution (two TABLESPOONS to one quart of
warm water), baking soda solution (one teaspoon to one quart
of warm water), or with white vinegar (2 TABLESPOONS to one
quart of warm water). Do not douche for 24 hours prior to
seeing the doctor.
For vaginitis, multipurpose
medications (such as AVC creams) may help.
For yeast infections, medications such as Monistat can now
be purchased over the counter. Prescription drugs may be necessary
for some cases. Use these only if you KNOW that the discharge
is caused by a yeast infection (if you have had identical
symptoms that were diagnosed by the health care provider as
a yeast infection).
If the discharge is caused by a sexually transmitted disease,
the sexual partner must also be treated, even if there are
no symptoms. Many organisms can harbor themselves without
producing symptoms. Failure of the partner(s) to accept treatment
can cause continual reinfection which may eventually (if not
taken care of) lead to more extensive problems, possibly limiting
future reproductivity and effecting overall health.
Call your health care provider if:
- the discharge is associated with abdominal
discomfort or pain.
- the problem occurs in a child who has not reached puberty.
- the discharge may be caused by taking a drug.
- the problem persists for longer than two weeks or becomes
worse.
- a sexually transmitted disease is suspected.
What to expect at your health care provider's office:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical
examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting the vaginal discharge
in detail may include:
- time pattern
- When did this begin?
- Does the discharge remain constant throughout the
month?
- quality
- What does the discharge look like (color and consistency)?
- Is there an odor?
- Is there pain, itching,
or burning?
- aggravating factors
- Does your sexual partner have a penile discharge?
- Do you have multiple sexual partners or sexual partners
that you do not know very well?
- relieving factors
- Is there anything that relieves the discharge?
- Does frequent bathing help?
- Have over-the-counter creams been tried?
- Has douching been tried? What kind?
- other
- What other symptoms are present?
- other important information
- What medications are being taken?
- What is the frequency of sexual activity?
- Do you use condoms?
- Do you have any allergies?
- Have you changed the detergents
or soaps that you use?
- Do you frequently wear very tight panties or pants?
The physical examination may include a pelvic examination.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:
- a culture of the mouth of the womb (cervix)
(if venereal disease is suspected)
- microscopic examination of vaginal discharge specimen
Intervention:
Suppositories or creams may be ordered and antibiotics may
be prescribed. Oral medication for fungus or Trichomonas may
be used in difficult cases. The sexual partner(s) may also
need treatment.
After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to an abnormal vaginal
discharge to your personal medical record.
Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
editorial
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