Vaginitis--%20trichomoniasis,%20candidiasis,%20bacterial%20vaginosis Patient Education
Patient Education
- Patient needs to be informed about the nature of the infection and the importance of taking full course of the medication
- Counsel patients on possible complications of vaginitis and therapy
- Bacterial vaginosis is associated with post-procedure pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), IUD insertion or other instrumentation, vaginal cuff cellulitis, and pregnancy-related problems (eg late miscarriage, preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes, chorioamnionitis, postpartum endometritis); patients with bacterial vaginosis are also at increased risk of HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and herpes infection
- Trichomoniasis is associated with increased HIV transmission and adverse pregnancy outcomes (eg preterm delivery, premature rupture of membranes, low birth weight)
- Inform patients with bacterial vaginosis to avoid vaginal douching, use of shower gel and antiseptic agents or shampoo in the bath tub
- Advise patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis to avoid tight fitting synthetic clothes and use of local irritants
- Antifungal vaginal creams used for vulvovaginal candidiasis treatment can damage latex condoms, cervical caps, and diaphragms
- Consider alternative contraceptive method in women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis who are utilizing combined hormonal contraception
- Advise trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis patients on how to lower their risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections
- Tailor counseling to the patient’s specific risk factors
- Abstinence, condom use
- Careful selection of partners