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For women with vaginal symptoms of odorous discharge and/or vulvar itching and burning to distinguish between yeast vaginitis and possible bacterial vaginitis.

pHEM-ALERT is an easy, convenient, single-use device for vaginal pH testing. This test may help you decide if your vaginal symptoms are likely caused by an infection.

Indications for use:

* Vaginal discharge
* Vaginal odor
* Vulvar itching
* Vulvar burning (vulvodynia)

This test is composed of a 2 inch (5cm) device. A pH paper that tests vaginal acidity is attached to one side near the tip of the device while the other end is a textured handle. The device is inserted into the vagina with one hand while the other hand holds the lips of the vagina apart. It is touched to the vaginal wall inside the vagina to moisten the pH paper. The device is then withdrawn and and a number is determined by comparing the color of the pH paper to a color chart.

A normal vaginal pH of 4.5 or less is important to vaginal health.

Vaginal infections can be due to a variety of causes. The pHEM-ALERT does not identify specific causes of vaginal infections. However in general, both a physiologic discharge and a yeast infection does not raise the vaginal pH to above 4.5 . Other types of infection such as bacterial vaginosis due to hemophilus vaginalis, E. coli, or strep or a trichomonas infection will all generally elevate the vaginal pH to 5.0-7.5.

In one study premenopausal women who had elevated vaginal pH values all had bacterial vaginal infections. Sometimes, however, lack of estrogen can also raise the vaginal pH so this test is not indicated for perimenopausal women or menopausal women who are not on estrogen replacement therapy.

Thus this test can be useful to distinguish between a yeast vaginitis (or no infection) versus a bacterial vaginosis or trichomonas. If the test shows a pH of 5.0 or above you should seek treatment with your physician for a possible bacterial vaginal infection rather than just treating yourself with over-the-counter anti-yeast medicine. Remember that women who self treat for yeast infections are wrong about 50% of the time (Reference). Many times the infection may have a bacterial infection component.

If you are having problems with recurrent yeast vaginitis or especially if you have to frequently take antibiotics for other reasons, our pharmacy can compound Boric acid vaginal suppositories for you.