A 22-year-old female presents with a yellow-green vaginal discharge with a strong odor, along with vaginal itching and irritation. She is sexually active with multiple partners and inconsistently uses protection. What might be the cause, and what are the next steps?
This patient's symptoms and sexual history suggest bacterial vaginosis (BV) or possibly a sexually transmitted infection such as trichomoniasis. A pelvic exam and testing of the vaginal discharge should be done to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment for both BV and trichomoniasis is antibiotics. She should also be advised on the importance of consistent protection use to prevent STIs.