^

Health

Vaginoscopy

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 17.10.2021
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Colposcopy is the method of endoscopic examination of the vagina during gynecological examination of sexually mature women, and such a diagnostic procedure as vaginoscopy can be performed on girls and girls with an intact hymen - the hymen surrounding the vaginal opening.

Indications for the procedure

Endoscopic examination of the vagina - vaginoscopy for children: pre-pubertal girls and adolescent girls after  menarche  - is rarely prescribed. [1] These cases concern:

  • vaginal bleeding;
  • vaginal discharge;
  • chronic  vulvovaginitis in girls  (especially if the infection does not respond to treatment);
  • recurrent genital infections, for example, vaginoscopy in children with gonorrhea is necessary to assess the state of the mucous epithelium, including that covering the vaginal part of the cervix;
  • pain in the pelvic area of unknown etiology;
  • diagnostics of malformations of the vagina and uterus  with symptoms of congenital vaginal anomalies (for example, vaginal stenosis or transverse vaginal septum) - when a visual examination of the vaginal vestibule and transabdominal ultrasound are not informative enough;
  • suspicion of the presence of a foreign body in the vagina or its traumatic injury with possible sexual abuse. [2], [3]

Read also -  Features of gynecological examination of children and adolescents

Preparation

Parents (in particular, the girl's mother) should be informed about the purpose of this diagnostic procedure, as well as that during its implementation, the hymen will not be injured.

And the preparation of the patient consists in cleansing the intestines (using an enema, which is done in the morning before the examination) and emptying the bladder.

Before the procedure - for the prevention of infections - a broad-spectrum antibiotic is administered.

Who to contact?

Technique of the vaginoscopy

Vaginoscopy for girls is performed on an outpatient basis or in a day hospital of a medical institution - under general anesthesia.

The technique eliminates the need to use conventional gynecological instruments (dilator mirrors). Equipped with a miniature video camera at the end, a flexible fiber optic vaginoscope (pediatric cystoscope or flexible irrigation endoscope) of small diameter is gently inserted into the vagina through the natural hymen opening (the intact hymen almost never covers the entire vagina) - without damaging it. [4]

When the camera captures the inside of the vagina, the doctor sees everything on the monitor.

Contraindications to the procedure

Contraindications for vaginoscopy can be severe inflammation of the genital tract, fever, a general infectious disease.

Complications after the procedure

As a rule, there are no negative consequences of vaginoscopy, but discomfort is possible, as well as injury to the mucous membrane of the vaginal cavity. In this case, during the first few days, minor pains above the pubis may occur, and there may be a small amount of blood in the urine. Nausea and vomiting after anesthesia are also possible. [5]

Complications occur when the vagina and urinary tract are infected or due to damage to the hymen.

Care after the procedure

After coming out of anesthesia, children are taken home. Increase your water intake and empty your bladder regularly. It is better to use boiled water for the toilet of the external genitals for several days.

Reviews

According to the reviews of pediatric gynecologists, the use of diagnostic vaginoscopy - a painless and safe method for assessing the state of the lower genital tract - is advisable for the correct diagnosis and adequate treatment of gynecological diseases in childhood and adolescence.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.