Active clinical trials for "Vaginal Discharge"

This is a research study to determine whether bacterial vaginosis (BV) changes the cervico-vaginal tissue (skin covering the cervix and vagina) and makes women at higher risk for getting HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). Vaginal and cervical tissue biopsies from women with BV will be obtained and infected OUTSIDE the body (ex vivo) with HIV. BV is a vaginal infection that develops when there is an imbalance in the normal bacteria found in a woman's vagina. It is the most common cause of vaginal discharge among women of child-bearing age. BV infections potentially harm the safety of the tissue surrounding the cervico-vaginal region. When the cervico-vaginal tissue is not well protected, the risk of acquiring HIV from an infected partner might increase significantly. Studies have shown that HIV is more common in women with BV than in women with normal vaginal bacteria. Treatment of BV typically involves the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics kill harmful bacteria and provide a temporary relief from the symptoms caused by the infection. Women participating in this study will use the generic antibiotic metronidazole, also known as Flagyl. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends Flagyl for the treatment of BV. The study will evaluate HIV infection and safety of cervico-vaginal tissue in women at 3 different time periods: During a BV infection Approximately 1 week after completing a 7-day course of metronidazole therapy Approximately 1 month after completing the 7-day course of metronidazole therapy You will not come in contact with HIV during this study - only your samples (after we have removed them from your vagina/cervix) come in contact with HIV.

Previous research has shown that semen deposition in the vagina after intercourse leads to dripping, discomfort, and vaginal odor. This study is evaluating a hygiene device designed to be inserted into the vagina after intercourse to absorb semen deposited into the vaginal canal to determine if there is a reduction in dripping and odor, and to determine the amount of fluids absorbed.

Purpose/Objectives: To compare wet mount findings for clue cells, yeast, trichomonads and white blood cells per high-power field in self-collected vaginal specimens, compared to clinician-collected specimens, among symptomatic women visiting the San Antonio Metropolitan Health sexually transmitted disease clinic. Research Design/Plan: Prospective, non-randomized, non-blinded trial Methods: Obtain informed consent and specimens from 40 symptomatic adult females (eg abnormal discharge, odor and/or itching). Calculate concordance between clinician- and patient-collected samples using a Wilcoxon Matched-Pair test. Calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the patient-collected wet mount, using the clinician-collected specimens as the "gold standard." Clinical Relevance: A "wet mount," or microscopic examination, is commonly used to diagnose trichomoniasis and yeast in females, and constitutes one diagnostic element for bacterial vaginosis. While patient-collected vaginal swabs are acceptable for nucleic acid probe tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea and nucleic acid probe tests for trichomoniasis little information about patient-collected wet mounts exists in the literature. Self-collection by women before being seen by a clinician can increase the speed and efficiency of the visit. The method is highly acceptable to women. In the investigators' clinic, women routinely collect their own gonorrhea and chlamydia swabs, so adding an additional swab would not be burdensome.

Vaginitis among women of childbearing age is well acknowledged as a public health concern due to its high occurrence. Vulvovaginitis is a disorder of the vulva and/or vagina caused by infection, inflammation, or changes in the flora. There are many types of infections that affect the vagina, the most common three types of infection: bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and candidiasis. Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age causing thin and milky vaginal discharge with a fishy odor. Trichomoniasis causes a frothy, greenish-yellow discharge with a foul smell. Vaginal Candidiasis is one of the most common fungal infections of the female genital tract and the second most common vaginal infection affecting women of reproductive age (after the bacterial infection worldwide. It affects more than 75% of women at least once in their lifetime, with approximately 50% of them also suffering a single recurrence. About 75% of patients suffering from candidiasis are asymptomatic, but it may be symptomatic with clinical picture characterized by itching, vaginal pain, vulvar burning sensation, dyspareunia, dysuria and mildly unpleasant odor, erythema and vulvar edema, white-yellowish plaques on the walls of the vagina and cervix and cheesy vaginal discharge. The risk of vulvo-vaginal candidiasis increases by 30% during pregnancy also in pregnancy, the presence of vaginitis is related to abortion, intrauterine infection, fetal growth retardation, premature rupture of membranes, preterm birth, low birth weight, puerperal infection, and other adverse pregnancy outcomes.