Vaginal pH Measurement

[Guest guest]

Here is a bunch more info. To see all the results of a search on vaginal pH

measurement use this link.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=Display & DB=PubMed

Here are a few of the resulting abstracts.

****************************************************

[A new method for self assessment of the pH value of vaginal secretions using

an indicator-coated panty

liner--initial preliminary report].

[Article in German]

Saling E.

Institut fur Perinatale Medizin, Berlin-Neukolln.

BACKGROUND: The measurement of the pH-value in the

secretions of the vagina is one of the most important early diagnostic

methods to recognize disturbances of the vaginal

milieu in order to prevent the very early premature deliveries. Up to now,

within the

framework of a prenatal care program, the acidity of

the vagina was assessed by the women themselves " invasively " by introduction

of

a special indicator device (pH-strips or disposable

pH-measuring gloves). Now we have developed a possibility to assess the

pH-value just by simple inspection of an indicator

coated panty liner, which is worn for a couple of hours. The results can be

assessed

by comparing the color of the indicator with a

standard scale. RESULTS: It was possible to assess the pH in 77% of 133

parallel

measurements comparing the pH of the vagina and of the

indicator coated panty liner in 19 pregnant women. An agreement of the two

methods for pH-determination was found in 66%.

CONCLUSIONS: These results are encouraging and further investigation in larger

series of cases are in progress.

PMID: 10909162 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

******************************************************************************

********

Vaginal fluid pH as a screening test for vaginitis.

Thinkhamrop J, Lumbiganon P, Thongkrajai P,

Chongsomchai C, Pakarasang M.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Khon Kaen

University, Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: To assess how effective the pH test can

detect infectious vaginitis. METHODS: Ambulatory gynecological patients

attending the gynecological out-patient department of

Srinagarind Hospital from May 1 to July 31, 1997 were assessed for vaginitis

by

history, overall physical examination and vaginal

examination. Specimens were collected for microbiological examination and

measurement of pH level. RESULTS: Among 422 women

recruited, a vaginal fluid pH level greater than 4.5 was found in 149

(35.3%) cases. The vaginal fluid pH as a screening

test for infectious vaginitis showed a sensitivity of 49.7% (95% C.I.:

42.6-56.9).

When using vaginal fluid pH combined with clinical

symptoms and signs to screen for vaginitis the sensitivity was 67.5% (95%

C.I.:

60.4-73.9). If a pH test was used to screen for BV,

its sensitivity was 73.4% (95% C.I.; 60.7-83.3). Using a pH test in

combination

with clinical symptoms and signs of vaginitis to

screen for BV, its sensitivity was 81.3% (95% C.I.: 69.2-89.5). CONCLUSION:

Vaginal fluid pH combined with clinical symptoms and

signs had a considerably high sensitivity to screen for BV.

PMID: 10468337 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

******************************************************************************

***********

Vaginal pH as a marker for bacterial pathogens and menopausal status.

Caillouette JC, Sharp CF Jr, Zimmerman GJ, Roy S.

Loma University, Pasadena, CA, USA.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to confirm the elevation of

vaginal pH expected in patients with bacterial pathogens in premenopausal

women and to examine the relationship of serum

follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol levels to vaginal pH in menopausal

patients

without and with hormone replacement therapy. STUDY

DESIGN: Vaginal pH was determined by phenaphthazine (Nitrazine) pH

paper in 253 patients seen in a solo private practice

for routine speculum examination. None of the patients were pregnant.

Measurements were made of serum levels of

follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol for 172 patients and vaginal

cultures were taken

from 82 patients. Vaginal pH was correlated with

vaginal cultures and serum follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol levels

by use of

statistical analysis. RESULTS: Vaginal pH was elevated

in all premenopausal patients with documented bacterial pathogens. Serum

estradiol levels showed an inverse and serum

follicle-stimulating hormone levels a direct statistical correlation with

vaginal pH in

menopausal patients. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of

vaginal pH is useful, effective, and inexpensive for screening purposes. A

vaginal pH of 4.5 is consistent with a premenopausal

serum estradiol level and the absence of bacterial pathogens. An elevated

vaginal

pH in the 5.0 to 6.5 range suggests a diagnosis of

either bacterial pathogens or decreased serum estradiol. In patients with an

elevated

pH, vaginal culture should establish the diagnosis. In

the absence of bacterial pathogens, a vaginal pH of 6.0 to 7.5 is strongly

suggestive of menopause. Titration of estradiol level

by vaginal pH during estrogen replacement therapy may help menopausal women

avoid side effects or cessation of therapy.

PMID: 9215184 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

******************************************************************************

***************

Vaginal and cervical pH in bacterial vaginosis and cervicitis during

pregnancy.

Sagawa T, Negishi H, Kishida T, Yamada H, Fujimoto S.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkadio

University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.

The purpose of our study is to see whether vaginal and

cervical pH are helpful to screen for bacterial vaginosis and cervicitis

during

pregnancy. One hundred and seven pregnant women

underwent prospectively both vaginal pH and cervical pH measurement and

screening for microbial infections of the lower

genital tracts at 10, 20 and 30 gestational week between February 1993 and

August

1993. The value of vaginal pH significantly elevated

in bacterial vaginosis (P < 0.05). Vaginal pH values also significantly

elevated in

patients who had had sexual intercourse 2 days before

the dates of examinations (P 0.01). Cervical pH value exhibited no

significant

change in bacterial vaginosis and cervicitis. Vaginal

pH is a valid indicator for screening of bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy.

However, vaginal pH might be influenced by the

presence of semen. Cervical pH is not a useful parameter for screening of

cervicitis

during pregnancy.

Publication Types:

Clinical trial

PMID: 8582707 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

****************************************************************************

Vaginal physiology during menstruation.

Wagner G, Ottesen B.

We studied 18 young healthy women on the second,

fourth, and 14th day of their menstrual cycle. Vaginal fluid was collected for

measurement of oxygen and carbon dioxide tension (PO2

and PCO2) and specimens were collected for bacteriologic examination.

The vaginal pH was measured at four different sites

and the redox potential was measured in the top of the vagina. Staphylococcus

aureus was found in three women. The PO2 ranged from 0

to 77 mm Hg on day 2; 0 to 76 mm Hg on day 4; and 0 to 53 mm Hg on

day 14. The mean PCO2 (+/- SE) was 46 +/- 2 mm Hg on

day 2; 62 +/- 4.5 mm Hg on day 4; and 50.6 +/- 8.5 mm Hg on day 14.

The mean vaginal pH (+/- SE) was significantly higher

on day 2 (6.6 +/- 0.3) compared with day 4 (5.3 +/- 0.3) and day 14 (4.2 +/-

0.2). The redox potential was significantly higher on

day 14 compared with day 2 and day 4. No differences were found in values of

women who took birth control pills and those of the

women who did not.

PMID: 6807162 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]