Methods for monitoring pathological conditions in a female subject

A method of identifying a pathological condition in a subject which comprises:

• positioning a secretion-monitoring article to receive a biological fluid secreted from the subject, the secretion-monitoring article comprising a body that includes an absorbent material for absorbing the biological fluid and an indicator system having a hydrophobic chemical composition comprising at least one indicator agent and at least one ion-balance reagent which is a quaternary amine, wherein the indicator system provides an indication of physiological conditions associated with a pH or a buffer capacity of the biological fluid, which indication is stable and remains indicative for at least 48 hours;
• and
• viewing the article within the at least 48 hour period to identify the pathological condition based on the indication determined by the indicator system,
• wherein the at least one ion-balance reagent and the at least one indicator agent are present in amounts sufficient to provide a molar ratio that is within the range of 3:1 to 10:1.