Vaginal Hygiene Flashcards
(46 cards)
What do Bartholin’s glands do
produce secretions in response to sexual stimulation
can become clogged/form cysts
How does the vagina become acidic
- during puberty, cells become stratified squamous and can store glycogen
- L. bacillus species use it to create lactic acid
- Vagina has more acidic pH (3.8 - 4.2)
What are factors that can affect vaginal ecosystem
Hormonal fluctuations - during menses, pH is higher
Drug Therapy - AB rid L. bacillus
Systemic Diseases - diabetes
Hygiene Measures - ex. vaginal douche
Number of sexual partners - introduces more organisms
Leukorrhea
- Normal vaginal discharge that varies in quantity, consistency and appearance throughout the menstrual cycle
- consists of endocervical mucus, serum transudate from vaginal capillary beds, endogenous vaginal flora, and
epithelial cells.
What is the normal amount of vaginal discharge
4 mL/24 hours
What can change amount of discharge
- Emotional stress
- Ovulation (egg white - sticky)
- Pregnancy (more)
- Exercise (runny)
- Sexual excitement (mixed with bartholin gland secretions)
- Certain medications (NuvaRing)
- Certain medical conditions (PCOS)
What colour is the discharge during:
- healthy discharge
- pregnancy
- ovulation
- hormonal imbalances
Clear
What colour is the discharge during:
- healthy discharge
- yeast infection
White
What colour is the discharge during:
- STI
yellow-green
What colour is the discharge during:
- menstruation
- cervical infection
- cervical polyp
- endometrial or cervical cancer
Red
What colour is the discharge during:
- cervical bleeding
- vaginal irritation
- implantation bleeding
- if you become pregnant during cycle
Pink
What colour is the discharge during:
- bacterial vaginosis
Gray
Odour of discharge?
should never have a bad or repulsive odour
Discharge in newborns
There may be a small amount of vaginal discharge +/- bleeding for up to 2 weeks after birth
Discharge during reproductive years
Amount and consistency varies partly due to cyclical estrogen and progesterone
Discharge during menopause
Amount of discharge decreases as estrogen levels fall
increase in pH and more prone to infection
Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge is a sign of which diseases
- cervical cancer
- ovarian cancer
- uterine cancer
- vaginal cancer
Red Flags
If presenting with vaginal discharge and…
- Pregnancy
- Prepubertal child
- Fever or pain in pelvis or abdomen
- Persistent and unusually strong vaginal odour
- Inflammation, pain, blisters or ulcers on the vagina or vulva
- Significant change in odour, viscosity, volume and/or colour of vaginal discharge
- Painful urination and/or sexual intercourse
- Suspected foreign object
- Have had a sexual partner with an STI (or if sexual partner is experiencing similar symptoms)
- Unusual bleeding
- Abnormally strong itching or burning sensation
What is S in SCHOLAR
- colour of discharge
- quantity/consistency
- odour
C in SCHOLAR
- irritation (burning/itching)
- changes compared to normal
H in SCHOLAR
- happened before
- past treatment
O in SCHOLAR
- onset
- chronic?
- did anything change when it started (ex. started AB)
L in SCHOLAR
- where is the itching
H in HAMS
- diabetes
- immunocompromised (HIV)
- menopause
