He Vaginal discharge Is a test performed on the vagina and cervix to determine if a woman has certain types of infections or check for the presence of foreign organisms.
It is generally used in gynecological diagnostic procedures. A doctor or other health care professional can use it to investigate for example a possible sexually transmitted disease (STD).
To perform this test, a medical professional uses a cotton swab and collects a small amount of fluid from the inside of the vagina. Usually the swab is sealed inside a collection container for laboratory analysis.
This type of test is also used to analyze the organisms that are present inside the vagina. For example, a woman may have harmful or harmful bacteria in her vagina, and this test makes it possible to identify them.
It is also often useful to identify the presence of fungal organisms in the vagina, such as when a woman has a yeast infection.
How to perform vaginal exudate
To take a vaginal exudate, a health professional usually begins with washing his hands and putting on gloves.
With the patient on an examination table with legs in the stirrups, the doctor uses a device called a speculum to gently separate the walls of the vagina. This allows you to see inside the vagina, if necessary, and also makes it easier to complete the test.
When the speculum is in place and the medical professional is ready to perform the vaginal exudate, he removes a swab from a sealed container that has kept it sterile.
The doctor then gently cleanses the walls of the vagina to obtain a sample of the fluid that is there, and then places the swab in a small tube. This tube is sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Diseases Found in Vaginal Exudate
There are a number of reasons for which a medical professional can perform a vaginal exudate. For example, to detect Bacterial vaginosis Or trichomoniasis. You can also carry it out to check the yeast overabundance, which may mean that a woman has a yeast infection.
Similarly, the medical professional could even make the exudate to detect the presence of harmless bacteria in the vagina or other diseases.
Candidiasis
The Candidiasis Is an infection caused by the fungus Candida. This fungus is associated with the sensation of intense itching, swelling and irritation.
About 3 out of 4 women experience thrush at some point in their lives. Once you get this infection is more likely to get another.
Vaginal yeast infections can spread through sexual contact, but are generally not considered a sexually transmitted infection. Treatment for candidiasis is relatively simple, depending on its severity.
Causes
Most fungal infections are caused by a specific type of yeast called Candida albicans. These yeast infections are easy to treat.
If the patient is having recurrent yeast infections or problems getting rid of a yeast infection with conventional treatment then it may be a different version of Candida. A lab test can tell the doctor what type of Candida is.
The imbalance that allows overgrowth of yeast can happen because of: uncontrolled diabetes, weak immune system, poor eating habits (including a lot of sugary foods), hormonal imbalance near your menstrual cycle, stress, lack of sleep, Antibiotics (decrease the amount of good bacteria in the vagina), and / or pregnancy.
symptom
Common symptoms include: itching, burning, pain during sex, rash, large or small amounts of vaginal discharge that is often whitish and thick gray (although there are times that discharge may be watery), among others.
Treatment
Each yeast infection is different, so the treatments are usually determined based on the severity of an infection.
For simple infections, the treatment is usually the application for some days of an antifungal cream, ointment, or suppository. Common antifungal medicines are miconazole, butoconazole, monistat and terconazole.
The doctor may also prescribe a single dose of oral medications, such as fluconazole. A follow up will also be necessary.
On the other hand, for complicated infections where the candida does not respond to a normal treatment, a more aggressive treatment is required.
Candida is considered"complicated"when redness is severe, and swelling and itching lead to sores or tears in vaginal tissue. Also if you have had more than four yeast infections in a year, if you are pregnant, if the patient is HIV positive, or you have uncontrolled diabetes.
Possible treatments for severe or complicated yeast infections include creams, ointments, tablets, 14-day suppositories, two to three doses of fluconazole, long-term prescription of fluconazole, or the long-term use of a topical antifungal drug. The treatment for the sexual partner is the use of condoms.
Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis is an alteration in the balance of bacteria within the woman's vagina. This can result in vaginal discharge or an unpleasant odor, although in many cases, it may be present without symptoms.
Causes
Doctors are not sure what the causes of bacterial vaginosis are, but research suggests that there are some common factors in this condition, such as the use of contraceptive and intrauterine devices, and smoking cigarettes.
There is essentially a collection of good and bad bacteria inside the vagina, and good bacteria prevent bad ones from growing too much, and usually this balance is achieved and none of them grow in abundance.
But bacterial vaginosis is characterized by an increase in certain types of bacteria, such as anaerobic bacteria, and a decrease in bacteria producing hydrogen peroxide.
It is estimated that one-third of women suffer from this infection, and the risk of contracting it (other than those already mentioned) is that they are sexually active, have recently taken antibiotics or have had vaginal douches. Although these are not definitive causes, they do increase the risk of developing it.
symptom
Symptoms include itching, burning, painful urination, and vaginal discharge. You may notice an overgrowth of yeast that normally occurs in the vagina as a thick discharge of flow.
Treatment
The doctor should be consulted in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis and discuss possible side effects of medications to combat bacterial vaginosis.
Bacterial vaginosis is usually treated with antifungal medications, although in some cases it goes away on its own without any medical treatment.
Women who need treatment are usually prescribed metronidazole or clindamycin, which are two types of antibiotics. Both come in pill form or in the form of creams that are inserted into the vagina.
Most bacterial vaginosis infections usually subside within two to three days after antibiotic treatment begins, but doctors usually advise taking or applying them for at least a week, even if the symptoms stop.
Trichomonas vaginalis
Trichomonas vaginalis, or T. vaginalis, is a single-celled organism that causes trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted and respiratory disease that affects both men and women.
Trichomoniasis is one of the most common infections in developed countries, and more than 180 million new cases are reported annually worldwide.
It most commonly infects the vagina, but can also infect the urinary tract and fallopian tubes, as well as structures in the airways, causing pneumonia .
Infection occurs when the pH balance of the vagina changes from acid to slightly basic and allows the growth of Trichomonas vaginalis cells.
These cells can survive up to 24 hours in urine, semen or water, as well as in a series of materials for a few hours, meaning that a person can become infected by coming into contact with the infected material.
symptom
Vaginal infection can cause itching and abnormal secretions. It can also cause what is known as a"strawberry cervix"or vagina, which is the result of tissue damage inflicted by Trichomonas vaginalis.
Treatment
Trichomoniasis is usually treated successfully with oral antibiotics. Once it has been diagnosed it is important to notify current and past sexual partners to instruct them to get tested.
In addition, it is important that you seek treatment, as you may be an asymptomatic carrier able to re-infect new partners. If left untreated, it increases the risk of other sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
Prevention measures
- Good personal hygiene is important as well as avoid wearing tight pants or spandex
- Do not use sprays or perfumed soaps in the vaginal area. These can cause irritation.
- Practice safe sex to reduce the risk of a sexually transmitted infection. You should also be screened for sexually transmitted infections.
- If you are being perimenopausal or menopausal, you may experience symptoms related to lack of estrogen. This can also occur if the ovaries have been removed. Lack of estrogen can cause vaginal dryness and irritation.
- Regular gynecological exams are important for maintaining vaginal health.
References
- Jeanne Morrison (2015). Vaginitis Test. Healthline Media. Retrieved from: healthline.com.
- Denis Grosz (2012). Vaginal Swab. Wise Geek. Retrieved from: wisegeek.org.
- Karyn Maier (2014). Cures for Bacterial Vaginosis. Wise Geek. Retrieved from: wisegeek.org.
- Patricia Geraghty (2016). Vaginal Yeast Infection. Healthline Media. Retrieved from: healthline.com.