Abnormal vaginal discharge

Select language:
Permalink
On this page

    Last updated: August 2022

     

    Abnormal vaginal discharge is defined as discharge that is different from usual with respect to colour/odour/consistency (e.g. discoloured or purulent or malodorous).

     

    Abnormal discharge is often associated with vulvar pruritus or pain with intercourse (dyspareunia), or painful or difficult urination (dysuria) or lower abdominal pain. Routinely check for abnormal vaginal discharge in women presenting with these symptoms.

     

    Abnormal vaginal discharge may be a sign of infection of the vagina (vaginitis) and/or the cervix (cervicitis) or upper genital tract infection.
    Abnormal discharge must be clinically confirmed: inspection of the vulva, speculum exam checking for cervical/vaginal inflammation or discharge.
    Abdominal and bimanual pelvic examinations should be performed routinely in all women presenting with vaginal discharge to rule out upper genital tract infection (lower abdominal pain and cervical motion tenderness).

     

    The principal causative organisms are:

    • In vaginitis: Gardnerella vaginalis and other bacteria (bacterial vaginosis), Trichomonas vaginalis (trichomoniasis) and Candida albicans (candidiasis).
    • In cervicitis: Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhoea) and Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia).
    • In upper genital tract infections: see Upper genital tract infections.

    Case management

    Algorithme Vaginal discharge

     

    Cervicitis may be difficult to diagnose. When in doubt, administer treatment for cervicitis to women with abnormal vaginal discharge and any of the following risk factors:

    • Urethral discharge in the partner
    • Context of sexual violence or prostitution
    • New partner or more than one partner in the preceding 3 months

    Laboratory

    • Xpert molecular (PCR) tests are recommended for the detection of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoea
    • Microscopic examination of a fresh wet smear may show mobile T. vaginalis, yeast cells and hyphae in candidiasis, and “clue cells” in bacterial vaginosis. 
    • Identification of N. gonorrhoeae by Gram-stained smear is not sensitive in women and is not recommended. 

    Treatment of the patient

    Cervicitis

    Treat for both chlamydia AND gonorrhoea.

     

    Treatment for chlamydia   Treatment for gonorrhoea
    Non-pregnant women

    azithromycin PO: 1 g single dose
    or
    doxycycline PO: 100 mg 2 times daily
    for 7 days

    PLUS

    ceftriaxone IM: 500 mg single dose 
    or, if not available,
    cefixime PO: 400 mg single dose

    Pregnant women
    azithromycin PO: 1 g single dose
    or
    erythromycin PO: 1 g 2 times daily
    or 500 mg 4 times daily for 7 days
    PLUS ceftriaxone IM: 500 mg single dose
    or, if not available,
    cefixime PO: 400 mg single dose

     

    Bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis

    tinidazole PO: 2 g single dose
    or metronidazole PO: 2 g single dose

     

    In the case of treatment failure:
    tinidazole PO: 500 mg 2 times daily for 5 days
    or metronidazole PO: 400 to 500 mg 2 times daily for 7 days

    Vulvovaginal candidiasis

    clotrimazole (500 mg vaginal tab): 1 tablet inserted deep into the vagina at bedtime, single dose

     

    If the patient has extensive vulvar involvement, miconazole 2% cream (one application to the vulva 2 times daily for 7 days) may be used in combination with the intravaginal treatment above. Miconazole cream may complement, but does not replace, treatment with clotrimazole.

    Treatment of the partner

    When the patient is treated for vaginitis or cervicitis, the partner receives the same treatment as the patient, whether or not symptoms are present.

     

    In the case of vulvovaginal candidiasis, the partner is treated only if symptomatic (itching and redness of the glans/prepuce): miconazole 2% cream, one application 2 times daily for 7 days.