Black vaginal discharge

The female vagina is a private part of the female body. Even among friends, few people will talk directly about topics related to the vagina. However, when it comes to vaginal health issues, female friends need to pay attention to them at all times, even if they don’t talk about it often. We all know that the vagina will have secretions. Generally speaking, the vagina may secrete leucorrhea. As long as there is no odor, this is normal. But what is the cause of black vaginal discharge?

Black vaginal discharge may be a sign of vaginitis.

Vaginitis, or inflammation of the vagina, is a group of conditions that cause vulvovaginal symptoms such as itching, burning, irritation, and abnormal discharge. The vagina of a normal healthy woman has a natural defense function against the invasion of pathogens due to the characteristics of its anatomical tissue. For example, the closure of the vaginal opening, the close contact of the anterior and posterior walls of the vagina, the proliferation of vaginal epithelial cells and the keratinization of surface cells under the influence of estrogen, and the balance of vaginal acidity and alkalinity inhibit the reproduction of alkaline-adapted pathogens. The cervical mucus is alkaline. When the natural defense function of the vagina is destroyed, pathogens can easily invade and cause vaginal inflammation.

diagnosis

1. Bacterial vaginosis

(1) Vaginal discharge is milky and homogeneous with a foul odor.

(2) Vaginal pH > 4.5.

(3) Amine test is positive.

(4) Clue cell positive (>20%).

A clinical diagnosis can be made if 3 of the above 4 items are positive, and the 4th item is the gold standard for diagnosis.

2. Candidal vaginitis

For women with symptoms or signs of vaginitis, the diagnosis can be confirmed by finding spores or pseudohyphae of Candida albicans in vaginal secretions. pH determination has differential significance: pH 4.5 indicates mixed infection, especially mixed infection of bacterial vaginosis.

3. Trichomonas vaginitis

(1) The diagnosis can be confirmed by finding Trichomonas in vaginal secretions. Hanging drop method (accuracy 80% to 90%); culture method (accuracy 98%).

(2) Avoid washing, using medicine, or examining the specimen 24 to 48 hours before sampling. Keep the specimen warm and send it for examination promptly after sampling.

4. Senile vaginitis

The diagnosis is generally not difficult based on the history of menopause, ovarian surgery, pelvic radiotherapy or drug-induced amenorrhea and clinical manifestations, but other diseases should be excluded before diagnosis.

5. Vaginitis in young girls

Infants and young children have poor language expression ability, so collecting medical history often requires detailed questioning of the girl's mother, and also asking the mother whether she has a history of vaginitis. A preliminary diagnosis can usually be made based on symptoms and physical examination findings.

Generally, the drug treatment for vaginitis is mainly external use. Patients with pelvic inflammatory disease or recurrent vaginitis can take oral medications. If necessary, couples can be treated together. Note that long-term oral antibiotics may inhibit normal flora and cause secondary fungal infection.