August 2005 · Vol. 17, No. 8Practical strategies for acute and recurrent vaginitis
Self-diagnosis and treatment are out, and meticulous, in-office diagnosis is in—and there is new hope for women with chronic candidiasis: maintenance fluconazole.
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Fast Track
Self-diagnosis is not as helpful as we thought. Even with a prior diagnosis, only a third of women identified it
Bacterial vaginosis recurs in up to 30% of women within 3 months, and greatly disrupts well-being
6 months of maintenance fluconazole is recommended
Microscopy can have low sensitivity for trichomoniasis—further testing may be necessary
Twice-weekly intravaginal metronidazole greatly reduces relapse
For some women, recurrent vaginitis is an inescapable a fact of life, but we can choose therapies that control symptoms
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Paul
Nyirjesy,
MDProfessor, Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Drexel University College of
Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa Jack
D.
Sobel,
MDProfessor and Chief,
Division of Infectious Diseases,
Department of Internal Medicine,
Wayne State University College
of Medicine, Detroit, Mich
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