Abnormal vaginal discharge: what does and does not work in treating underlying causes.
Antifungal medications for intravaginal use have been available in the United States for more than a decade. Women may be inclined to self-diagnose yeast infections with any vaginal discharge or other vulvovaginal symptoms that they deem abnormal. As we saw in the first part of this article, "Abnormal vaginal discharge: Using office diagnostic testing more effectively" (J Fam Pract 2004; 53[10]:805-814), abnormal discharge is more likely to be bacterial vaginosis or no pathogen at all. Potential delay in diagnosis and treatment of a sexually transmitted disease is also a concern. Increasing resistance of Candida sp. to imidazoles is associated with indiscriminate use of over-the-counter products.
French
Linda
L
Department of Family Practice, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, B101 Clinical Center, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. Linda.French@ht.msu.edu
Horton
Jennifer
J
Matousek
Michelle
M
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D019522:Vaginal Discharge / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D016387:Women's Health
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D008795:Metronidazole; D002981:Clindamycin