The blue waffle disease or blue waffle is a term that began to circulate on the Internet referring to a supposed incurable sexually transmitted disease, which affects only women and which apparently produces a blue or bluish-green coloration of the vagina.
Undoubtedly, this term generated panic, although unfounded, since neither the ICD-9 nor the ICD-10 -compendiums that include the description of all known diseases to date- include this term or any description that resembles it..
So more than a disease, it is possible that it is a viral content that spread through the Internet like wildfire, but that did not really endanger anyone's life. The term "blue waffles disease" came to rank first in Google searches.
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The international medical community, especially gynecology specialists, have not reported a single clinically well substantiated case that supports the existence of this disease.
On the other hand, there is no description of any entity that resembles it neither in the compendia of diseases such as the ICD (International Classification of Diseases) nor in the semiology texts. Nor is there any publication in serious scientific journals that suggests that it is a real disease.
Considering the above, the answer to whether it is a real disease is a categorical no..
The most common symptoms of vaginal infections (which are not necessarily sexually transmitted diseases) are pathological vaginal discharge, pain during intercourse, and, in some cases, bad odor..
On the other hand, there are sexually transmitted infections such as HPV, syphilis and gonorrhea, which in most cases are asymptomatic and go undetected unless special tests are done..
Regarding vaginal discharge, the classic description includes three main types of discharge:
- White, lumpy discharge, like cut milk and no odor.
- Dark brown to brown discharge, with a rotten fish odor.
- Yellow-green discharge, usually itchy.
At this point, one falls into the terrain of speculation, given that since no case has been documented in a serious way and adhering to the rules of clinical research, it is not very clear what is being described. So determining a cause is almost an exercise in empirical guessing for a fictitious nosological entity..
The truth is that there are no descriptions to date that the vagina takes a blue color due to any type of infection.
However, it is not unreasonable to think that due to trauma, very energetic sexual relations, rape or some other type of aggression in the genital area, a woman may present bruises in the area of the vagina and perineum..
Even so, if this were the case, it is hard to believe that an experienced doctor has mistaken a bruise for a new infectious disease..
There is the possibility that a genital wart has been stained with gentian violet, which would explain this type of coloration; Yet once again we fall into the territory of speculation.
And the flow? Between 40 and 50% of women have abnormal vaginal discharge, so it is not surprising that the presumed disease is associated with pathological vaginal discharge, although this is most likely due to well-known infections such as vaginal yeast infection, trichomoniasis or even bacterial vaginosis.
Depending on the characteristics of the flow, a diagnostic approach to the etiologic agent can be made:
This discharge is usually a consequence of vaginal yeast infection. Candida is a fungus that lives in the vagina without causing discomfort, but in certain conditions it grows more than normal, generating a fungal infection. In these cases the cardinal symptom is the presence of abnormal flow.
This type of discharge is usually due to an infection with a protozoan known as vaginal trichomonads, which causes an infection called trichomoniasis..
The discharge is usually very annoying and the smell is penetrating, in some cases being associated with dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse).
Sometimes cervical cancer can also generate dark discharge, with traces of blood and a bad smell, although in those cases it is not more penetrating and does not remember the smell of decomposed fish.
This type of flow is usually due to bacterial infections of the polymicrobial type (multiple causative agents).
Once known as nonspecific vaginosis and today as bacterial vaginosis, this infection is quite common. Although the characteristics of the flow can be alarming, it does not represent any danger to the life of the affected person.
In the case of the blue coloration of the vaginal mucosa, there is no well-established nosological entity where a discharge with such characteristics is described..
However, it cannot be ruled out that some topical treatment such as gentian violet or staining the vaginal mucosa with methylene blue for some study results in a bluish discharge due to the residual pigment..
Regarding bruises, it is almost impossible, even for an untrained eye, to confuse a bruise with another medical condition, especially since there is usually a cause-effect relationship with a previous traumatic event, which makes the diagnosis very simple. to perform.
Since it is not a confirmed disease, there is no recommended treatment for it. However, what can be recommended is regular consultation with the gynecologist, so that he or she indicates the treatments that are necessary according to the clinical findings..
On the other hand, the prevention of vaginal infections as well as sexually transmitted diseases through the use of barrier methods (male or female condoms) is recommended, especially if you have sporadic sexual relations with strangers..
Importantly, cervical cancer, a real and potentially fatal disease, remains the second leading cause of female mortality in many regions of the world. This one should cause a real alarm.
For this reason, consultation with a gynecologist once or twice a year and a cervical cytology investigation is recommended for all women of childbearing age or with an active sexual life..
By doing this, it will be possible to identify not only cases of cervical cancer, but also women at risk, which will help reduce deaths from this very real and dangerous disease, for which if it is justified to be concerned.
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