Foreign Body, Vagina (cont.)

Vaginal Foreign Body Symptoms

Common symptoms of a vaginal foreign body include the following:

• Vaginal discharge, generally foul-smelling and yellow, pink, or brown 



• Vaginal bleeding, especially light bleeding 



• Vaginal itching or foul odor 



• Urinary symptoms such as discomfort with urination 



• Vulvar discomfort due to vaginal discharge producing skin irritation 



• Abdominal or pelvic pain from placement of large objects or perforation of a foreign body into the peritoneal cavity

Symptoms accompanying the presence of a foreign body include the following:

• Skin redness (erythema) 



• Swelling of the vagina and introitus (entrance to vagina) 



• Rash in the vaginal area

The presence of a vaginal foreign body may alter the normal bacterial flora of the vagina, thus resulting in repeated efforts to treat a “vaginitis.” The presenting symptoms of a vaginal discharge may be interpreted as a vaginitis, a sexually transmitted infection or even a yeast infection by the patient or unaware healthcare provider. Repeated use of antibiotics or other medications will not remove the symptoms if a foreign body remains present.

Objects left in the vagina very rarely lead to serious complications. However, the medical literature has had several case reports of pelvic abscess and subsequent scarring.