Makindo Medical Notes.com |
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Cause | Diagnostic Tests | Management |
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Vaginal Dryness (Atrophic Vaginitis) |
- Clinical diagnosis based on symptoms such as dryness, itching, and burning
- Pelvic exam: Shows thinning of vaginal tissues - Hormone levels: May be tested in postmenopausal women |
- Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants: For symptom relief
- Topical oestrogen: For postmenopausal women - Systemic hormone replacement therapy: In severe cases |
Vulvodynia |
- Diagnosis based on exclusion of other causes
- Pelvic exam: Cotton swab test to identify areas of tenderness - STI testing: To rule out infections |
- Topical anesthetics (lidocaine): For pain relief
- Antidepressants or anticonvulsants: For neuropathic pain - Physical therapy: Pelvic floor exercises |
Endometriosis |
- Pelvic ultrasound: To detect endometriomas
- Laparoscopy: Gold standard for diagnosis, confirms presence of endometrial tissue - MRI: In complex cases to evaluate extent of disease |
- Hormonal therapy: Oral contraceptives, GnRH agonists to suppress endometrial growth
- Surgical excision: Laparoscopy to remove endometrial tissue - Pain management: NSAIDs or opioids for severe pain |
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) |
- Pelvic exam: Cervical motion tenderness, adnexal tenderness
- Cervical swabs: To test for chlamydia, gonorrhoea - CBC: Elevated WBCs indicating infection |
- Antibiotic therapy: Broad-spectrum antibiotics to treat infection
- Partner treatment: To prevent reinfection - Hospitalization: In severe or complicated cases |
Vaginismus |
- Diagnosis based on history of involuntary muscle spasms during intercourse
- Pelvic exam: Attempted examination may be painful or impossible |
- Pelvic floor physical therapy: To relax vaginal muscles
- Behavioural therapy: Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), desensitization techniques - Vaginal dilators: To gradually expand vaginal muscles |
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) |
- Cervical swabs: To test for gonorrhoea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis
- Urinalysis: To identify urinary tract infections associated with STIs - Blood tests: For syphilis, herpes, or HIV |
- Antibiotic or antiviral therapy: Based on the type of infection
- Partner treatment: To prevent reinfection - Safe sexual practices education: To prevent future infections |
Uterine Fibroids |
- Pelvic ultrasound: To identify fibroids
- MRI: For further evaluation of large or complex fibroids - Hysteroscopy: To visualize fibroids within the uterine cavity |
- Hormonal therapy: GnRH agonists to shrink fibroids
- Myomectomy: Surgical removal of fibroids for symptom relief - Hysterectomy: Definitive treatment in severe cases |
Interstitial Cystitis (Bladder Pain Syndrome) |
- Urinalysis and urine culture: To rule out infection
- Cystoscopy: To examine the bladder lining and rule out other conditions - Pain diary: To track symptoms and identify triggers |
- Bladder training: To reduce urgency and frequency
- Oral medications: Pentosan polysulfate, tricyclic antidepressants - Intravesical therapy: Bladder instillations with lidocaine or heparin |
Ovarian Cysts |
- Pelvic ultrasound: To visualize the cyst and assess size and type
- CT or MRI: For further evaluation of complex cysts - CA-125: To rule out ovarian cancer in certain cases |
- Observation: For small, asymptomatic cysts
- Surgical removal: For large, persistent, or symptomatic cysts - Hormonal therapy: To prevent recurrence of functional cysts |
Lichen Sclerosus |
- Clinical diagnosis based on the appearance of white, thin patches on the vulva
- Biopsy: To confirm diagnosis and rule out malignancy |
- Topical corticosteroids: High-potency steroids to reduce inflammation
- Moisturizers: To maintain skin hydration - Regular follow-up: To monitor for precancerous changes |