Yeast Infection - Diagnosis

Vaginal Infections - updated: 14 April 2009

Laboratorium Vaginale flora

RP Vitamino

Veel vaginale klachten worden veroorzaakt door een verstoorde vaginale flora. Door vast te stellen wat er precies verstoord is kan er sneller een geschikte therapie voorgeschreven worden. In veel gevallen zal er ook sprake zijn van een verstoorde darmflora. Het zou dus kunnen zijn dat u geadviseerd wordt een darmtherapie te gaan volgen terwijl u met vaginale klachten bij uw arts of therapeut kwam!

Publication Types:

• Article

Vaginal Yeast Infections - Symptoms

WebMD

The symptoms of vaginal yeast infection include:

• Vaginal itching that is often severe.
• Vaginal discharge that is usually white, thick, clumpy, and odorless.
• Red, irritated skin around the opening to the vagina (labia).
• Pain while urinating when urine touches irritated skin.
• Pain in the vagina during sexual intercourse.

Publication Types:

• Article

Vaginal Wet Mount

WebMD

A vaginal wet mount (sometimes called a vaginal smear) is a test to find the cause of vaginitis, or inflammation of the vagina and the area around the vagina (vulva). See a picture of female genitalia . Vaginitis is often caused by an infection, but it may also be caused by a reaction to vaginal products such as soap, bath oils, spermicidal jelly, or douches. Vaginitis may cause symptoms such as vaginal itching, pain, or discharge. Infections that can cause vaginitis are common and include:

• Yeast infection. A vaginal yeast infection is caused by a type of yeast called Candida albicans. A yeast infection is also called a candida infection, or candidiasis. A vaginal yeast infection often causes itching and a white, lumpy discharge that looks like cottage cheese. It also causes pain with sexual intercourse. A yeast infection is not a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
• Trichomoniasis. Trichomoniasis is a disease caused by a parasite (Trichomonas vaginalis). It is sometimes called trichomonas infection, trichomonal infection, or simply trich (say "trick"). Trichomoniasis causes a vaginal discharge that is yellow-green, foamy, and bad-smelling. Pain with sex or urination may be present. Lower belly pain may also be present. Trichomoniasis is spread by sexual contact and is an STD. Bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis is a change in the balance of bacteria that are normally present in the vagina. The vaginal discharge is thin and milky with a strong fishy odor. Many women have no symptoms. Bacterial vaginosis is not an STD.
• Other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Infections such as chlamydia, genital warts, syphilis, herpes simplex, and gonorrhea can also affect the vagina. These diseases are found by doing other tests.

Publication Types:

• Article

Diagnosis of vaginitis

Am Fam Physician. 2000 Sep 1;62(5):1095-104

Egan ME, Lipsky MS.

Vaginitis is the most common gynecologic diagnosis in the primary care setting. In approximately 90 percent of affected women, this condition occurs secondary to bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis or trichomoniasis. Vaginitis develops when the vaginal flora has been altered by introduction of a pathogen or by changes in the vaginal environment that allow pathogens to proliferate. The evaluation of vaginitis requires a directed history and physical examination, with focus on the site of involvement and the characteristics of the vaginal discharge. The laboratory evaluation includes microscopic examination of a saline wet-mount preparation and a potassium hydroxide preparation, a litmus test for the pH of vaginal secretions and a "whiff" test. Metronidazole is the primary treatment for bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis. Topical antifungal agents are the first-line treatments for candidal vaginitis.

Publication Types:

• Article

Current evaluation and management of vulvovaginitis

Clin Obstet Gynecol. 1999 Jun;42(2):184-95

Haefner HK.

There are many problems in the diagnosis and treatment of vaginitis. Often, the patient is not examined (telephone treatment) or examined improperly with lack of attention to the wet prep. In patients with recurrent vaginitis, it should not be assumed that the current infection is the same as a previous infection without a thorough examination. At times, there is an overuse of topical steroids for all vulvar symptoms or use of antifungals for all vulvar symptoms. The various abnormalities in vulvovaginitis have unique physical findings, laboratory tests, and treatments. It should be remembered that unusual conditions of the vagina and vulva may resemble vulvovaginitis. Many vulvar conditions must be considered when a patient reports discharge and itching. It is important to remember that if the treatment is not working, reconsider the diagnosis.

Publication Types:

• Review

The diagnosis and treatment of infectious vaginitis

Dermatol Ther. 2004;17(1):102-10

Edwards L.

Inflammation of the vagina as a result of infectious agents is very common, both as an overgrowth of normal or common colonizers, or as a frank infection. The most common causes of infectious vaginitis are yeast, bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and parasites. Infections of the vagina produce an increase in vaginal secretion, vulvar symptoms of itching or irritation from contact with irritating vaginal fluid, and sometimes odor. A careful microscopic examination of vaginal secretions generally yields the correct diagnosis, but atypical or recalcitrant disease deserves a confirmatory culture, as noninfectious inflammatory processes can produce similar symptoms

Publication Types:

• Review

Treating vaginitis

Nurse Pract. 1999 Oct;24(10):46, 49-50, 53-8 passim; quiz 64-5

Cullins VA, Dominguez L, Guberski T, Secor RM, Wysocki SJ.

Vaginitis resulting from bacterial, fungal, or protozoal infections can be associated with altered vaginal discharge, odor, pruritus, vulvovaginal irritation, dysuria, or dyspareunia, depending on the type of infection. Bacterial vaginosis, which is primarily characterized by a malodorous discharge, is common in women with multiple sex partners and is caused by the overgrowth of several facultative and anaerobic bacterial species. Vulvovaginal candidiasis is characterized by pruritus and a cottage cheese-like discharge. Vaginal trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted disease caused by an anaerobic protozoan parasite, is associated with a copious yellow or green, sometimes frothy, discharge. Differential diagnosis of these infections requires a thorough history, vulvovaginal examination, and simple laboratory tests, including microscopy of the vaginal discharge. The information obtained from this workup should enable an accurate diagnosis. Topical or oral metronidazole is the treatment of choice for bacterial vaginosis; terconazole, or other antifungals, for vulvovaginal candidiasis; and oral metronidazole for trichomoniasis

Publication Types:

• Review

Publication Types:

• Review