Medical examination for vaginal discharge does not have to be a stressful experience for young girls, says Dr Yasmin Tan
Vaginal discharge is a common problem among pre-pubescent females, but examination does not have to be a stressful experience, says Dr Yasmin Tan.
The condition is usually related to vulvovaginitis due to poor hygiene practices, but obviously dermatological conditions and sexual abuse must be excluded.
“I think you do need to examine them but it doesn’t have to be a horrible experience for the young girls,” says Dr Tan, a gynecologist at the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney.
“I would get them to sit on their parent’s lap in a frog leg position and get the parent’s hands to expose the area so you don’t even have to touch the patient.
“And then if you can, it is a good idea to get a swab of the area because often there is a bug that is contributing to this.”
Treatment is usually about educating the patient and the parent about better hygiene practices, including washing their hands and wiping front to back.
[media_embed]https://player.vimeo.com/video/196545238 [/media_embed]
This video covers:
How should GPs approach vaginal discharge in pre-pubescent females?
These groups of girls are often shy. Do you need to examine them?
How do you treat it?
