Women experience a variety of unique sexual health issues that are often under appreciated by the general public and even by healthcare providers. Compared to other populations, cisgender women are disproportionately impacted by sexually transmitted infections. Due to their anatomy and potential for pregnancy, the impacts of such infections can also have devastating impacts, especially if they go undiagnosed and untreated. Vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis can not only lead to unpleasant symptoms such as vaginal discharge, odor, and irritation, but also have been associated with increased risk of HIV acquisition and adverse birth outcomes. Vulvovaginal candidiasis, which not linked to these specific outcomes, is extremely common and can negatively impact the quality of life of the women who experience it.

Research plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of vaginal health. By conducting thorough research and utilizing specialized tests, scientists can investigate various aspects of vaginal health, such as the presence of specific pathogens, imbalances in the vaginal microbiota, or the effectiveness of certain treatments. This research helps in developing evidence-based guidelines, improving diagnostic accuracy, and ultimately enhancing the overall management and care of vaginal health conditions.

In this talk, we will discuss the epidemiology and clinical features of the three most common vaginal infections faced by women. Two of these are thought to be sexually transmitted or sexually associated (BV and trichomoniasis). These three clinical entities overlap in many ways in their presenting signs, symptoms and diagnostic findings, so we will discuss an approach to ascertaining the correct clinical diagnosis using a combination of physical exam, point of care testing, and laboratory diagnostics that are currently on the market.

Learning Objectives:

1. Distinguish between the clinical features of common causes of infectious vaginitis (e.g., bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, vulvovaginal candidiasis).

2. Evaluate a patient presenting with vaginal symptoms through physical exam, point-of-care tests and laboratory assessments.

3. Review the molecular diagnostics that are currently available for the evaluation of vaginal symptoms.