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Vaginal discharge

MedGen UID:
65302
•Concept ID:
C0227791
•
Finding
Synonyms: Discharge, Vaginal; Discharges, Vaginal; Vaginal Discharge; Vaginal Discharges
SNOMED CT: Vaginal discharge (271939006)
 
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0002770

Definition

Normal or abnormal secretions from the vagina. Mucus produced by the cervical glands is discharged from the vagina naturally, especially during the childbearing years. Causes of abnormal vaginal discharge include infectious agents (e.g., Neisseria gonorrhea, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas, and Candida albicans), the presence of foreign bodies, and cervical or vaginal cancer. [from MONDO]

Term Hierarchy

CClinical test,  RResearch test,  OOMIM,  GGeneReviews,  VClinVar  
  • CROGVVaginal discharge

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Diagnosis and management of uterine fibroids: current trends and future strategies.
Ahmad A, Kumar M, Bhoi NR, Badruddeen, Akhtar J, Khan MI, Ajmal M, Ahmad M
J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2023 May 1;34(3):291-310. Epub 2023 Mar 30 doi: 10.1515/jbcpp-2022-0219. PMID: 36989026
Cystitis and Pyelonephritis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.
Kolman KB
Prim Care 2019 Jun;46(2):191-202. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2019.01.001. PMID: 31030820
Vaginitis: Diagnosis and Treatment.
Paladine HL, Desai UA
Am Fam Physician 2018 Mar 1;97(5):321-329. PMID: 29671516

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Infectious Vaginitis, Cervicitis, and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.
Shroff S
Med Clin North Am 2023 Mar;107(2):299-315. Epub 2022 Dec 26 doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2022.10.009. PMID: 36759099
Cervicitis: Etiology, diagnosis and treatment.
Ortiz-de la Tabla V, Gutiérrez F
Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin (Engl Ed) 2019 Dec;37(10):661-667. Epub 2019 Jan 7 doi: 10.1016/j.eimc.2018.12.004. PMID: 30630634
Probiotics in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Griffin C
Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2015 Jun;55(3):201-9. Epub 2015 Jun 5 doi: 10.1111/ajo.12303. PMID: 26052924
Acute uncomplicated cystitis in women. The essentials of first-line management.
Prescrire Int 2015 Jan;24(156):22-4. PMID: 25729836
Vaginal discharge--causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
Mitchell H
BMJ 2004 May 29;328(7451):1306-8. doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7451.1306. PMID: 15166070Free PMC Article

Diagnosis

Infectious Vaginitis, Cervicitis, and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.
Shroff S
Med Clin North Am 2023 Mar;107(2):299-315. Epub 2022 Dec 26 doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2022.10.009. PMID: 36759099
Vaginal discharge.
Spence D, Melville C
BMJ 2007 Dec 1;335(7630):1147-51. doi: 10.1136/bmj.39378.633287.80. PMID: 18048541Free PMC Article
Vaginal discharge--causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
Mitchell H
BMJ 2004 May 29;328(7451):1306-8. doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7451.1306. PMID: 15166070Free PMC Article
Does this woman have an acute uncomplicated urinary tract infection?
Bent S, Nallamothu BK, Simel DL, Fihn SD, Saint S
JAMA 2002 May 22-29;287(20):2701-10. doi: 10.1001/jama.287.20.2701. PMID: 12020306
Endometrial amoebiasis.
Othman NH, Ismail AN
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 1993 Dec 15;52(2):135-7. doi: 10.1016/0028-2243(93)90240-d. PMID: 8157142

Therapy

Impact of Lactobacillus crispatus-containing oral and vaginal probiotics on vaginal health: a randomised double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial.
Mändar R, Sõerunurk G, Štšepetova J, Smidt I, Rööp T, Kõljalg S, Saare M, Ausmees K, Le DD, Jaagura M, Piiskop S, Tamm H, Salumets A
Benef Microbes 2023 Apr 18;14(2):143-152. Epub 2023 Mar 1 doi: 10.3920/BM2022.0091. PMID: 36856121
Vaginal discharge: evaluation and management in primary care.
Sim M, Logan S, Goh LH
Singapore Med J 2020 Jun;61(6):297-301. doi: 10.11622/smedj.2020088. PMID: 32754764Free PMC Article
Probiotics in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Griffin C
Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2015 Jun;55(3):201-9. Epub 2015 Jun 5 doi: 10.1111/ajo.12303. PMID: 26052924
Hypothalamic hamartoma.
Topff L, Gelin G
JBR-BTR 2013 Nov-Dec;96(6):362-4. doi: 10.5334/jbr-btr.461. PMID: 24617179
Vaginal discharge.
Spence D, Melville C
BMJ 2007 Dec 1;335(7630):1147-51. doi: 10.1136/bmj.39378.633287.80. PMID: 18048541Free PMC Article

Prognosis

Case 308.
Kandasamy D, Malik R, Sharma R, Jana M
Radiology 2022 Aug;304(2):485-487. doi: 10.1148/radiol.211118. PMID: 35877547
Cystitis and Pyelonephritis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.
Kolman KB
Prim Care 2019 Jun;46(2):191-202. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2019.01.001. PMID: 31030820
Dequalinium for bacterial vaginosis.
Drug Ther Bull 2017 May;55(5):54-57. doi: 10.1136/dtb.2017.5.0478. PMID: 28495833
Bacterial vaginosis: an update.
Majeroni BA
Am Fam Physician 1998 Mar 15;57(6):1285-9, 1291. PMID: 9531911
Laser miniconization procedure.
Békássy Z
Int J Gynaecol Obstet 1996 Dec;55(3):237-46. doi: 10.1016/s0020-7292(96)02767-1. PMID: 9003949

Clinical prediction guides

Impact of Lactobacillus crispatus-containing oral and vaginal probiotics on vaginal health: a randomised double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial.
Mändar R, Sõerunurk G, Štšepetova J, Smidt I, Rööp T, Kõljalg S, Saare M, Ausmees K, Le DD, Jaagura M, Piiskop S, Tamm H, Salumets A
Benef Microbes 2023 Apr 18;14(2):143-152. Epub 2023 Mar 1 doi: 10.3920/BM2022.0091. PMID: 36856121
Bacterial Vaginosis: What Do We Currently Know?
Abou Chacra L, Fenollar F, Diop K
Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021;11:672429. Epub 2022 Jan 18 doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.672429. PMID: 35118003Free PMC Article
Cystitis and Pyelonephritis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.
Kolman KB
Prim Care 2019 Jun;46(2):191-202. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2019.01.001. PMID: 31030820
Evidence-based mixture containing Lactobacillus strains and lactoferrin to prevent recurrent bacterial vaginosis: a double blind, placebo controlled, randomised clinical trial.
Russo R, Karadja E, De Seta F
Benef Microbes 2019 Feb 8;10(1):19-26. Epub 2018 Dec 10 doi: 10.3920/BM2018.0075. PMID: 30525953
Vaginal infection.
Eschenbach DA
Clin Obstet Gynecol 1983 Mar;26(1):186-202. doi: 10.1097/00003081-198303000-00023. PMID: 6340892

Recent systematic reviews

Aetiology of vaginal discharge, urethral discharge, and genital ulcer in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-regression.
Michalow J, Walters MK, Edun O, Wybrant M, Davies B, Kufa T, Mathega T, Chabata ST, Cowan FM, Cori A, Boily MC, Imai-Eaton JW
PLoS Med 2024 May;21(5):e1004385. Epub 2024 May 20 doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004385. PMID: 38768094Free PMC Article
Risk factors for premature rupture of membranes in pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Lin D, Hu B, Xiu Y, Ji R, Zeng H, Chen H, Wu Y
BMJ Open 2024 Mar 29;14(3):e077727. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077727. PMID: 38553068Free PMC Article
Imiquimod for Cervical and Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Inayama Y, Takamatsu S, Hamanishi J, Mizuno K, Horinouchi N, Yamanoi K, Taki M, Murakami R, Yamaguchi K, Kosaka K, Efthimiou O, Kawakami K, Furukawa TA, Mandai M
Obstet Gynecol 2023 Aug 1;142(2):307-318. Epub 2023 Jul 5 doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005256. PMID: 37411024
Are Probiotics and Prebiotics Safe for Use during Pregnancy and Lactation? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Sheyholislami H, Connor KL
Nutrients 2021 Jul 13;13(7) doi: 10.3390/nu13072382. PMID: 34371892Free PMC Article
Pessaries (mechanical devices) for managing pelvic organ prolapse in women.
Bugge C, Adams EJ, Gopinath D, Stewart F, Dembinsky M, Sobiesuo P, Kearney R
Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020 Nov 18;11(11):CD004010. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004010.pub4. PMID: 33207004Free PMC Article

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