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Cytolytic Vaginosis - Yet Another Pesky Vaginal InfectionAny woman who has an undiagnosed vaginal discharge should consider Cytolytic Vaginosis as a possible culprit. It is not as common as bacterial vaginosis or yeast infection (candida) but is sometimes confused with them. Members of the Lactobacilli family make up the usual vaginal microflora, although recent studies have found apparently healthy women with a quite different vaginal microflora. Lactobacilli are normally a wonderful bacteria to have in the urogential area. They repel pathogens such as e coli, candida, Gardnerella vaginalis and Mobilincus species by producing H²O² and other inhibitory substances such as acidolin, and also by competing for nutrients.¹ But occasionally, the Lactobacilli get a taste for power and an overgrowth of them results in a destruction of vaginal cells.
Diagnosis of CVA vaginal swap taken by your doctor will show no signs of yeast infection but will show too many Lactobacilli and epithelial vaginal cells. Vaginal pH will be low 3.5-4.5Treatment of CVHow to handle too much Lactobacilli - this is usually achieved by raising the pH of the vagina which will make it a slightly less desirable place for all those Lactobacilli. Your doctor will probably suggest something like taking a Sitz bath. Check out that link for a good recipe for CV. Douching may be suggested by your doctor. This always carries the risk of introducing further bacteria into the upper reproductive tract, so don't go down this road unless your doctor advises it. Stop taking/using antifungals - they can not help Cytolytic Vaginosis because it is not caused by a fungi. According to several studies Lactobacilli build up a barrier against candidal overgrowth (yeast infection) by blocking the adhesion of yeasts to epithelial cells through competition for nutrients.² This is a good thing. Unfortunately, some women within the reproductive age group may get an overgrowth of Lactobacillus strains and develop CV. A 2004 study³ looking into the diagnosis of CV came to this conclusion: 1. The rate of Cytolytic Vaginosis cases among women with suggestive vulvovaginal candidiasis was found to be 7.1%. 2. The results of this study, much like the previous studies in the literature, illustrate the importance of (doctors) being careful when evaluating women with presumed vaginal candidiasis. A misdiagnosis can lead to the patient pestering their gynecologist again and again in order to resolve their complaint, and means that they are originally treated with drugs that are useless for CV. Goodness! I do hope you're not one of those women "pestering their gynecologist again and again in order to resolve their complaint." Maybe, if the doctors got it right the first time, you wouldn't have to! REFERENCES 1. Sharp HC, Kronh MA, Klebanoff SJ, et al. The relationship of hydrogen peroxide producing lactobacilli vaginosis and genital microflora in pregnant women. Obstet Gynecol 1992;79:369 – 73 2. Sobel JD. Pathogenesis and treatment of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. Clin Infect Dis 1992;14(Supp 1):48 – 53 3. Cytolytic vaginosis: misdiagnosed as candidal vaginitis. Nilgun Cerikcioglu1 and M. Sinan Beksac2Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol 2004;12:13 – 16 TOP of Cytolytic Vaginosis
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