Vaginitis and Cervicitis
Authors: Christine Laine
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2009)

In the Clinic1 September 2009Vaginitis and CervicitisChristine Laine, MD, MPH, Sankey Williams, MD, and Jennifer F. WilsonChristine Laine, MD, MPH, Sankey Williams, MD, and Jennifer F. WilsonAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-151-5-200909010-01003 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail The vagina has a squamous epithelium and is susceptible to bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and candidiasis. Vaginitis may also result from irritants, allergic reactions, or postmenopausal atrophy. The endocervix has a columnar epithelium and is susceptible to infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, or less commonly, herpes simplex virus. Vaginitis causes discomfort, but rarely has serious consequences except during pregnancy and gynecologic surgery. Cervicitis may be asymptomatic and if untreated, can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can damage the reproductive organs and lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, or chronic pelvic pain. Because vaginitis and cervicitis are common, clinicians should ...References1. Garnett GP, Anderson RM. Sexually transmitted diseases and sexual behavior: insights from mathematical models. J Infect Dis. 1996;174 Suppl 2:S150-61. [PMID: 8843245] Google Scholar2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2006. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2006;55:1-94. [PMID: 16888612] Google Scholar3. Larsson PG, Bergström M, Forsum U, et al. Bacterial vaginosis. Transmission, role in genital tract infection and pregnancy outcome: an enigma. APMIS. 2005;113:233-45. [PMID: 15865604] Google Scholar4. Merchant JS, Oh K, Klerman LV. Douching: a problem for adolescent girls and young women. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1999;153:834-7. 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Behavioral counseling to prevent sexually transmitted infections: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med. 2008;149:491-6, W95. [PMID: 18838729] Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Christine Laine, MD, MPH; Sankey Williams, MD; Jennifer F. Wilson PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byThe Prevalence, Antibiotic Resistance Pattern, and Associated Factors of Bacterial Vaginosis Among Women of the Reproductive Age Group from Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, EthiopiaThe Effect of Surveillance and Appreciative Inquiry on Puerperal Infections: A Longitudinal Cohort Study in India 1 September 2009Volume 151, Issue 5 Page: ITC3-1 Keywords Bacterial vaginosis Chlamydia Chlamydia infection Genital anatomy Gonorrhea Pelvic inflammatory disease Pregnancy Sexually transmitted diseases Trichomoniasis Yeast infections ePublished: 1 September 2009 Issue Published: 1 September 2009 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2009 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...