Obstetrics & Gynecology

Answer 1 Normal discharge. The physiology of the normal vaginal ecosystem produces a vaginal discharge in all women. Abnormal discharges are associated with conditions such as bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and other types of vaginitis, the most common gynecologic problem encountered by physicians providing primary care to women. Assessing the impact of abnormal vaginal discharge is very important to the overall well-being and quality of life in women, so the ability to discern normal vaginal discharges from abnormal discharges is of utmost importance. The patient’s history usually will give clues to the etiology, and therefore diagnosis, of abnormal vaginal discharges; the case patientıs history offered no such clues. However, a physical examination and a few simple, inexpensive tests are required to clinically evaluate vaginal discharges. These tests include the Whiff test, vaginal pH test, examination of the discharge color and consistency, microscopic examination, and - infrequently - culture. Although antibiotics can lead to a candidal infection in women who have a proclivity for candidiasis, antibiotics do not always lead to these infections. Click here to return to the questions

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