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. 2020 Oct;23(S1):S3-S12.
doi: 10.1089/pop.2020.0265.

Improving the Diagnosis of Vulvovaginitis: Perspectives to Align Practice, Guidelines, and Awareness

Haywood Brown  1 , Madeline Drexler  2
Affiliations

Improving the Diagnosis of Vulvovaginitis: Perspectives to Align Practice, Guidelines, and Awareness

Haywood Brown et al. Popul Health Manag. 2020 Oct.

Abstract

Vulvovaginitis is a frequent reason for women to see a health care provider and has been linked to adverse reproductive and psychosocial consequences. Accurate diagnosis is a cornerstone of effective treatment, yet misdiagnosis of this condition approaches 50%, raising the risk of recurrence. The past 3 decades have seen few improvements over the traditional means of diagnosing the 3 main causes of vaginitis: bacterial vaginosis, Candida infections, and trichomoniasis. Newer molecular tests, which are both more sensitive and specific, have introduced the potential to transform the diagnosis of vaginitis-ensuring more accurate diagnoses and timely interventions, while reducing health care costs and enhancing patients' quality of life. Clinical approaches and professional guidelines should be updated to reflect advances in molecular testing and improve the diagnosis and management of acute and recurrent vulvovaginitis.

Keywords: Candida infections; adverse reproductive consequences; bacterial vaginosis; guidelines; interventions; trichomoniasis; vulvovaginitis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Brown is a past president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and has served as a consultant to Hologic, Inc. He did not receive compensation for his contributions to this work.

Ms. Drexler is employed by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and received financial support from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers, to review the literature, consult with designated experts, and develop and write this article.

Figures

FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
Practice Guidelines for Diagnosing Vaginitis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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