U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination

Vaginal discharge

MedGen UID:
65302
•Concept ID:
C0227791
•
Finding
Synonyms: Discharge, Vaginal; Discharges, Vaginal; Vaginal Discharge; Vaginal Discharges
SNOMED CT: Vaginal discharge (271939006)
 
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0002770

Definition

Normal or abnormal secretions from the vagina. Mucus produced by the cervical glands is discharged from the vagina naturally, especially during the childbearing years. Causes of abnormal vaginal discharge include infectious agents (e.g., Neisseria gonorrhea, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas, and Candida albicans), the presence of foreign bodies, and cervical or vaginal cancer. [from MONDO]

Term Hierarchy

CClinical test,  RResearch test,  OOMIM,  GGeneReviews,  VClinVar  
  • CROGVVaginal discharge

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Diagnosis and management of uterine fibroids: current trends and future strategies.
Ahmad A, Kumar M, Bhoi NR, Badruddeen, Akhtar J, Khan MI, Ajmal M, Ahmad M
J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2023 May 1;34(3):291-310. Epub 2023 Mar 30 doi: 10.1515/jbcpp-2022-0219. PMID: 36989026
Cystitis and Pyelonephritis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.
Kolman KB
Prim Care 2019 Jun;46(2):191-202. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2019.01.001. PMID: 31030820
Vaginitis: Diagnosis and Treatment.
Paladine HL, Desai UA
Am Fam Physician 2018 Mar 1;97(5):321-329. PMID: 29671516

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Infectious Vaginitis, Cervicitis, and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.
Shroff S
Med Clin North Am 2023 Mar;107(2):299-315. Epub 2022 Dec 26 doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2022.10.009. PMID: 36759099
Bacterial vaginosis and surgical site infections.
Soper DE
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020 Mar;222(3):219-223. Epub 2019 Sep 6 doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.09.002. PMID: 31499057
Cervicitis: Etiology, diagnosis and treatment.
Ortiz-de la Tabla V, Gutiérrez F
Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin (Engl Ed) 2019 Dec;37(10):661-667. Epub 2019 Jan 7 doi: 10.1016/j.eimc.2018.12.004. PMID: 30630634
Probiotics in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Griffin C
Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2015 Jun;55(3):201-9. Epub 2015 Jun 5 doi: 10.1111/ajo.12303. PMID: 26052924
Vaginal discharge--causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
Mitchell H
BMJ 2004 May 29;328(7451):1306-8. doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7451.1306. PMID: 15166070Free PMC Article

Diagnosis

Infectious Vaginitis, Cervicitis, and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.
Shroff S
Med Clin North Am 2023 Mar;107(2):299-315. Epub 2022 Dec 26 doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2022.10.009. PMID: 36759099
Vaginal discharge.
Spence D, Melville C
BMJ 2007 Dec 1;335(7630):1147-51. doi: 10.1136/bmj.39378.633287.80. PMID: 18048541Free PMC Article
Does this woman have an acute uncomplicated urinary tract infection?
Bent S, Nallamothu BK, Simel DL, Fihn SD, Saint S
JAMA 2002 May 22-29;287(20):2701-10. doi: 10.1001/jama.287.20.2701. PMID: 12020306
Vaginal discharge.
Murtagh J
Aust Fam Physician 1991 Feb;20(2):207-8, 212-3. PMID: 2039404
Vaginal infection.
Eschenbach DA
Clin Obstet Gynecol 1983 Mar;26(1):186-202. doi: 10.1097/00003081-198303000-00023. PMID: 6340892

Therapy

Impact of Lactobacillus crispatus-containing oral and vaginal probiotics on vaginal health: a randomised double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial.
Mändar R, Sõerunurk G, Štšepetova J, Smidt I, Rööp T, Kõljalg S, Saare M, Ausmees K, Le DD, Jaagura M, Piiskop S, Tamm H, Salumets A
Benef Microbes 2023 Apr 18;14(2):143-152. Epub 2023 Mar 1 doi: 10.3920/BM2022.0091. PMID: 36856121
Pessary Plus Progesterone to Prevent Preterm Birth in Women With Short Cervixes: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Pacagnella RC, Silva TV, Cecatti JG, Passini R Jr, Fanton TF, Borovac-Pinheiro A, Pereira CM, Fernandes KG, França MS, Li W, Mol BW; P5 Working Group
Obstet Gynecol 2022 Jan 1;139(1):41-51. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004634. PMID: 34856583
Vaginal discharge.
Spence D, Melville C
BMJ 2007 Dec 1;335(7630):1147-51. doi: 10.1136/bmj.39378.633287.80. PMID: 18048541Free PMC Article
Vaginal discharge.
Murtagh J
Aust Fam Physician 1991 Feb;20(2):207-8, 212-3. PMID: 2039404
Vaginal infection.
Eschenbach DA
Clin Obstet Gynecol 1983 Mar;26(1):186-202. doi: 10.1097/00003081-198303000-00023. PMID: 6340892

Prognosis

Case 308.
Kandasamy D, Malik R, Sharma R, Jana M
Radiology 2022 Aug;304(2):485-487. doi: 10.1148/radiol.211118. PMID: 35877547
Prepubertal and Adolescent Vulvovaginitis: What to Do When a Girl Reports Vaginal Discharge.
Lanis A, Talib HJ, Dodson N
Pediatr Ann 2020 Apr 1;49(4):e170-e175. doi: 10.3928/19382359-20200317-01. PMID: 32275761
Cystitis and Pyelonephritis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.
Kolman KB
Prim Care 2019 Jun;46(2):191-202. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2019.01.001. PMID: 31030820
Dequalinium for bacterial vaginosis.
Drug Ther Bull 2017 May;55(5):54-57. doi: 10.1136/dtb.2017.5.0478. PMID: 28495833
Emphysematous vaginitis.
Lima-Silva J, Vieira-Baptista P, Cavaco-Gomes J, Maia T, Beires J
J Low Genit Tract Dis 2015 Apr;19(2):e43-4. doi: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000092. PMID: 25551590

Clinical prediction guides

Impact of Lactobacillus crispatus-containing oral and vaginal probiotics on vaginal health: a randomised double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial.
Mändar R, Sõerunurk G, Štšepetova J, Smidt I, Rööp T, Kõljalg S, Saare M, Ausmees K, Le DD, Jaagura M, Piiskop S, Tamm H, Salumets A
Benef Microbes 2023 Apr 18;14(2):143-152. Epub 2023 Mar 1 doi: 10.3920/BM2022.0091. PMID: 36856121
Bacterial Vaginosis: What Do We Currently Know?
Abou Chacra L, Fenollar F, Diop K
Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021;11:672429. Epub 2022 Jan 18 doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.672429. PMID: 35118003Free PMC Article
Cystitis and Pyelonephritis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.
Kolman KB
Prim Care 2019 Jun;46(2):191-202. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2019.01.001. PMID: 31030820
Evidence-based mixture containing Lactobacillus strains and lactoferrin to prevent recurrent bacterial vaginosis: a double blind, placebo controlled, randomised clinical trial.
Russo R, Karadja E, De Seta F
Benef Microbes 2019 Feb 8;10(1):19-26. Epub 2018 Dec 10 doi: 10.3920/BM2018.0075. PMID: 30525953
Vaginal infection.
Eschenbach DA
Clin Obstet Gynecol 1983 Mar;26(1):186-202. doi: 10.1097/00003081-198303000-00023. PMID: 6340892

Recent systematic reviews

Imiquimod for Cervical and Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Inayama Y, Takamatsu S, Hamanishi J, Mizuno K, Horinouchi N, Yamanoi K, Taki M, Murakami R, Yamaguchi K, Kosaka K, Efthimiou O, Kawakami K, Furukawa TA, Mandai M
Obstet Gynecol 2023 Aug 1;142(2):307-318. Epub 2023 Jul 5 doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005256. PMID: 37411024
Are Probiotics and Prebiotics Safe for Use during Pregnancy and Lactation? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Sheyholislami H, Connor KL
Nutrients 2021 Jul 13;13(7) doi: 10.3390/nu13072382. PMID: 34371892Free PMC Article
Pessaries (mechanical devices) for managing pelvic organ prolapse in women.
Bugge C, Adams EJ, Gopinath D, Stewart F, Dembinsky M, Sobiesuo P, Kearney R
Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020 Nov 18;11(11):CD004010. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004010.pub4. PMID: 33207004Free PMC Article
The Performance of the Vaginal Discharge Syndromic Management in Treating Vaginal and Cervical Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Zemouri C, Wi TE, Kiarie J, Seuc A, Mogasale V, Latif A, Broutet N
PLoS One 2016;11(10):e0163365. Epub 2016 Oct 5 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163365. PMID: 27706174Free PMC Article
Vaginal health in contraceptive vaginal ring users - A review.
Lete I, Cuesta MC, Marín JM, Guerra S
Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care 2013 Aug;18(4):234-41. Epub 2013 Jun 24 doi: 10.3109/13625187.2013.801954. PMID: 23790132

Supplemental Content

Table of contents

    Clinical resources

    Practice guidelines

    • PubMed
      See practice and clinical guidelines in PubMed. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.
    • Bookshelf
      See practice and clinical guidelines in NCBI Bookshelf. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.

    Consumer resources

    Reviews

    Related information

    • MeSH
      Related Medical Subject Headings
    • PMC Articles
      Related information in PubMed Central Links
    • PubMed
      Related literature resources in PubMed

    Recent activity

    Clear Turn Off Turn On

    Your browsing activity is empty.

    Activity recording is turned off.

    Turn recording back on

    See more...