Vaginal discharge: evaluation and management in primary care
M Sim, Susan Logan, Lay Hoon Goh
Abstract
Vaginal complaints account for approximately 10 million primary care visits annually in the United States alone. It is the most common gynaecological complaint seen by primary care doctors, yet rates of misdiagnosis are high. Vaginal discharge may be a normal physiologic occurrence or a pathological manifestation. In Singapore, we are likely to be underdetecting the number of women with abnormal vaginal discharge in primary care, as it is often viewed as a taboo complaint or embarrassing in Asian cultures. rmal vaginal discharge Normal physiological discharge changes with the menstrual cycle. The character of the discharge tends to be clearer with a stretchable consistency around ovulation, then may be thicker and slightly yellow during the luteal phase. Normal healthy discharge should not be associated with symptoms such as itching, redness and swelling, and does not have a strong odour. Normal vaginal discharge is found in 10% of those who present with vaginal discharge.