Lab

Vaginal pH

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Vaginal pH

  • Indications
  1. Vaginitis Evaluation
  • Technique
  1. Standard pH paper is too broad (not useful)
  2. Use special Vaginal pH paper (made by 3M)
    1. Vaginal pH paper 4.3 to 4.9
  • Causes
  • Normal Vaginal pH
  1. Acidic pH: 3.8 to 4.5
  • Causes
  • Increased Vaginal pH (pH >4.5)
  1. Non-infectious Causes
    1. Menses
    2. Cervical Mucus increased (e.g. Ovulation)
    3. Semen in vagina following intercourse
    4. Rupture of Membranes in pregnancy
    5. Estrogen deficiency (Hypoestrogenism)
  2. Infectious Causes
    1. Trichomoniasis
    2. Bacterial Vaginosis
    3. Infection associated with Retained Foreign Body
  3. Rare Infectious Causes
    1. Group A Streptococcal Vaginitis
    2. Inflammatory Vaginitis with Desquamation
  • References
  1. Nyirjesy (2001) Am Fam Physician 63(4):697-702 [PubMed]