Short-term use of a medicated douche preparation in the symptomatic treatment of minor vaginal irritation, in some cases associated with infertility.
Fifty-six women with minor vaginal irritation, some associated with infertility, and with negative wet mount examination for common vaginal pathogens, used a disposable povidone-iodine-containing preparation (Betadine Medicated Douche) in a one-week trial. Of the 185 patient complaints, which included discharge, odor, pruritus, erythema, burning, and discomfort, 94 percent cleared completely and 4 percent were partially relieved. Odor cleared completely in 97 percent of affected cases and pruritus, discharge and chafing in 96, 91, and 100 percent, respectively. In all, 98 percent of the patients responded favorably. Those who became asymptomatic included women with past histories of repeated vaginal infections or on oral contraceptives, as well as a diabetic and patients with intrauterine devices. The douche caused no adverse effects and was well accepted by the patients. The present results favor short-term trial of the povidone-iodine douche in minor vaginal irritation of unknown etiology, before full laboratory investigation is undertaken.