ACOG PRACTICE BULLETIN SUMMARY

Clinical Management Guidelines for Obstetrician–Gynecologists

NUMBER 215 (Replaces Practice Bulletin Number 72, May 2006)

For a comprehensive overview of these recommendations, the full-text Scan this QR code
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Committee on Practice Bulletins—Gynecology. This Practice Bulletin was developed by the American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists’ Committee on Practice Bulletins—Gynecology in collaboration with Catherine M. Leclair, MD.

Vaginitis in Nonpregnant Patients

Vaginitis is defined as inflammation or infection of the vagina and is associated with a spectrum of symptoms, including
vulvovaginal itching, burning, irritation, dyspareunia, “fishy” vaginal odor, and abnormal vaginal discharge. Vaginal symp-
toms are some of the most frequent reasons for patient visits to obstetrician–gynecologists (1) and may have important con-
sequences in terms of discomfort and pain, days lost from school or work, sexual functioning, and self-image (2). Distinguishing
vaginal from vulvar symptoms is important to direct evaluation and treatment. The purpose of this document is to provide
updated evidence-based guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of the common causes of vaginitis in nonpregnant patients.
Information on the treatment of vaginitis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is covered elsewhere (3).
Guidelines are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information on vaginitis diagnosis and treatment, see the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Sexually Transmitted Diseases webpage, which is available at https://www.cdc.gov/std/.

Clinical Management Questions

< What is the recommended initial evaluation for patients with symptoms of vaginitis?
< How is bacterial vaginosis diagnosed and treated?
< How is trichomoniasis diagnosed and treated?
< How is vulvovaginal candidiasis diagnosed and treated?
< When is it appropriate to provide treatment for vaginitis without an examination?
< Are there adverse effects of nonprescription antifungal use?
< What is the appropriate management of findings consistent with vulvovaginal candidiasis, bacterial
vaginosis, or trichomoniasis on a cervical cytology report in an asymptomatic patient?
< Are probiotics or nonmedical approaches effective for the treatment or prevention of vaginitis?
< Should the sex partners of patients with confirmed vaginitis be treated as well?

VOL. 135, NO. 1, JANUARY 2020 OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY 243

© 2019 by the American College of Obstetricians

and Gynecologists. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Recommendations
Recommendations based on good and consistent scien-
tific evidence (Level A)
< The use of Amsel clinical criteria or Gram stain with
Nugent scoring is recommended for the diagnosis of
bacterial vaginosis.
< Oral or intravaginal metronidazole or intravaginal
clindamycin is recommended for the treatment of
bacterial vaginosis. Alternative treatments include
oral secnidazole, oral tinidazole, or oral
clindamycin.
< Nucleic acid amplification testing is recommended
for the diagnosis of trichomoniasis.
< Oral nitroimidazoles are recommended for the
treatment of trichomoniasis.
< In a symptomatic patient, diagnosis of vulvovaginal
candidiasis requires one of the following two find-
ings: 1) visualization of spores, pseudohyphae, or
hyphae on wet-mount microscopy or 2) vaginal
fungal culture or commercial diagnostic test results
positive for Candida species.
< Extended antifungal treatment is recommended for
patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis to
reduce the likelihood of persistent symptoms.
Recommendations based on limited or inconsistent sci-
entific evidence (Level B)
< Patients should be retested within 3 months after
treatment for T vaginalis because of the high rates of
infection recurrence.
< Pap tests are not reliable for the diagnosis of vagi-
nitis. Diagnostic confirmation is recommended for
incidental findings of vulvovaginal candidiasis,
bacterial vaginosis, or trichomoniasis on a Pap test.
Recommendations based primarily on consensus and
expert opinion (Level C)
< A complete medical history, physical examination of
the vulva and vagina, and clinical testing of vaginal
discharge (ie, pH testing, a potassium hydroxide
[KOH] “whiff test,” and microscopy) are recom-
mended for the initial evaluation of patients with
vaginitis symptoms.
< Intravaginal azole therapy or oral fluconazole is
recommended for the treatment of uncomplicated
vulvovaginal candidiasis.
< Self-diagnosis of common vaginitis is not recom-
mended because of its limited accuracy and the
nonspecific nature of vulvovaginal symptoms.
244 Practice Bulletin No. 215 Summary
© 2019 by the American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
< Probiotics (vaginal or oral) and nonmedical therapies
are not recommended for the treatment or prevention
of vaginitis.
< Whenever trichomoniasis is confirmed, current
sex partners should be referred for presumptive
therapy and counseled to refrain from sexual
activity until they have completed therapy and are
asymptomatic.
References
1. Anderson MR, Klink K, Cohrssen A. Evaluation of
vaginal complaints. JAMA 2004;291:1368–79. (Level III).
2. Zhu YX, Li T, Fan SR, Liu XP, Liang YH, Liu P. Health-
related quality of life as measured with the Short-Form 36
(SF-36) questionnaire in patients with recurrent vulvova-
ginal candidiasis. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2016;14:65.
(Level II-3).
3. Gynecologic care for women and adolescents with human
immunodeficiency virus. Practice Bulletin No. 167. Amer-
ican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Obstet
Gynecol 2016;128:e89–110. (Level III).
Studies were reviewed and evaluated for quality
according to the method outlined by the U.S.
Preventive Services Task Force. Based on the highest
level of evidence found in the data, recommendations are
provided and graded according to the following
categories:
Level A—Recommendations are based on good and
consistent scientific evidence.
Level B—Recommendations are based on limited or
inconsistent scientific evidence.
Level C—Recommendations are based primarily on
consensus and expert opinion.
Full-text document published online on December 19, 2019.
Copyright 2019 by the American College of Obstetricians and
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American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
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Official Citation
Vaginitis in nonpregnant patients. ACOG Practice Bulletin No.
215. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Obstet Gynecol 2020;135:e1–17.
OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
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VOL. 135, NO. 1, JANUARY 2020 Practice Bulletin No. 215 Summary 245

© 2019 by the American College of Obstetricians

and Gynecologists. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.