Various studies have set that vagi...

Various studies have set that vaginal pH in the absence of vaginal infection is 45 or les during the reproductive years. This pH flat is maintained because of the action of estrogen onward the vaginal mucosa, which supports the development of normal vaginal bacteria that show metabolic byproducts. The latter cause the vaginal mucosa to stay acidic. In the absence of vaginitis, elevated pH values may indicate soft circulating estrogen levels or a poor replication to estrogen replacement therapy.

In the past, measuring for vaginal pH consisted of pressing pH paper against the vaginal wall using the fingers or forceps or placing the paper in vaginal loch secretions from the vaginal fornix. Contamination with cervical mucus, vital fluid or semen, however, could spring in elevated pH values. To obtain a more accurate reading of the vaginal pH flat a vaginal pH device was perform the operations indicated ined that holds Nitrazine Paper against the vaginal wall for five next to the firsts and determines the pH value at comparing the color change in the paper with a colorimetric chart. Roy and associates compared vaginal pH with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) horizontals in establishing the menopause status of women

They reviewed 16 studies that assessed vaginal pH before and after estrogen administration, sum of two units epidemiologic studies that evaluated FSH or vaginal pH and menopause, and a inquiry from one practice that had recorded the vaginal pH of women who had not menstruated for more than 12 month Vaginal pH FSH and serum estradiol evens the absence or presence of hormone therapy, and material part mass index were evaluated to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values.

The weighted average of vaginal pH was 60 in menopausal women not receiving estrogen therapy and 45 after estrogen therapy was initiated. FSH values of 15 mIU through mL or greater had a sensitivity of 65 percent while FSH values of 20 mIU by mL or greater had a sensitivity of 68 percent undivided study found that a pH value of more than 5 had a sensitivity of 64 to 67 percent A vaginal pH greater than 45 in women with no estrogen therapy had a positive predictive value of 89 percent and a sensitivity of 74 percent The 95 percent confidence interval sensitivities and positive predictive values of vaginal pH and FSH to diagnose menopause overlapped.

The authors terminate that a vaginal pH greater than 45 indicates menopause in women who are without vaginitis and are not receiving estrogen therapy. They add that vaginal pH is similar to FSH evens in establishing the diagnosis of soft estrogen levels or menopause, and that a vaginal pH of 45 or les can be used to monitor adequate answer to estrogen replacement therapy.

Roy s et al. Vaginal pH is similar to follicle-stimulating hormone for menopause diagnosis. Am J Obstet Gynecol May 2004;190:1272-7

COPYRIGHT 2005 American Academy of Family Physicians

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