Lecture Notes

Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an overabundance of Gardnerella bacteria. It is a disruption of the normal balance of vaginal bacteria. It is sometimes accompanied by discharge, odor, pain, itching, or burning and is most common among women of childbearing age. The risk factors include new sex partners or multiple sex partners, and douching. It can be spread between female sex partners. It can be diagnosed in a lab test done on vaginal fluid, and it sometimes can clear without treatment. Male partners do not need treatment for bacterial vaginosis, and it is treated with antibiotics. Genital candidiasis is also known as a yeast infection. It is the overgrowth of fungus. Many factors contribute to the infection, and men and women can carry the organism, however men are not treated. Symptoms include itching, burning with or without a cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge and males may have an itchy rash on their penis. It is treated with antifungal drugs taken orally or applied directly to the affected area or used vaginally. Over-the-counter treatments are becoming more available due to self-diagnosis, but two-thirds of women using over-the-counter drugs are without the disease, and this may lead to resistant infections. Trichomoniasis is the most common curable STI in young women. Men and women can carry the organism. It is transmitted sexually during penile and vaginal intercourse and vulva to vulva contact. Symptoms are more common in women than men. They can have a frothy yellow-green vaginal discharge with a strong odor, as well as discomfort during intercourse and urination. There may also be itching and irritation of the female genitalia and lower abdominal pain. Men may have irritation inside the penis and a mild discharge with slight burning after urination or ejaculation. Trichomoniasis is diagnosed usually with a physical exam and lab tests. Treatment includes prescription drugs.