Causes, symptoms, and treatment of vaginitis
Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina. It normally results from an infection. The patient typically has a discharge, itching, burning, and possibly pain.
It is a common condition, and most women will have it at least once at some time in their life.
The vagina is the muscular canal that runs from the cervix to the outside of the body, lined by a mucus membrane. It has an average length of about 6 to 7 inches.
The only part of the vagina that is normally visible from the outside is the vaginal opening.
Types
There are several types of vaginitis, depending on the cause.
The most common are:
Atrophic vaginitis: The endothelium, or lining of the vagina, gets thinner when estrogen levels decrease during the menopause, making it more prone to irritation and inflammation.
Bacterial vaginosis: This results from an overgrowth of normal bacteria in the vagina. Patients usually have low levels of a normal vaginal bacteria called lactobacilli.
Trichomonas vaginalis: Sometimes referred to as trich, it is caused by a sexually transmitted, single-celled protozoan parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis. It may infect other parts of the urogenital tract, including the urethra, where urine leaves the body.
Candida albicans: A yeast that causes a fungal infection, known as vaginal thrush. Candida exists in small amounts in the gut and is normally kept in check by normal gut bacteria.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of vaginitis include:
irritation of the genital area
discharge that may be white, gray, watery, or foamy
inflammation, leading to redness and swelling of the labia majora, labia minora, and perineal area, mainly due to an excess of immune cells
dysuria, which is pain or discomfort when urinating
painful sexual intercourse, known as dyspareunia
foul or fishy vaginal odor
Causes
Infection is the most common cause of vaginitis, including candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. After puberty, infectious vaginitis accounts for 90 percent of cases.
Less commonly, vaginitis may also be caused by gonorrhea, Chlamydia, mycoplasma, herpes, campylobacter, some parasites, and poor hygiene.
Vaginitis can occur before puberty, but different types of bacteria may be involved. Before puberty, Streptococcus spp is a more likely cause, sometimes because improper hygiene practices spread bacteria from the anal area to the genitals.
The proximity of the vagina to the anus, lack of estrogen, lack of pubic hair, and lack of labial fat pads may increase the risk of vulvovaginitis in before puberty. Vulvovaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina and vulva. It can affect women of all ages.
After puberty, infection is most often due to Gardnerella.
Sometimes, vaginitis can stem from an allergic reaction, for example, to condoms, spermicides, certain soaps and perfumes, douches, topical medications, lubricants, and even semen.
Irritation from a tampon can also cause vaginitis in some women.
Factors that increase the risk of vaginitis include:
pregnancy
douching and using vaginal products, such as sprays, spermicides, and birth control devices
using antibiotics
wearing tight pants or damp underwear
low estrogen levels during menopause
Women with diabetes are particularly prone to vaginitis.
Diagnosis
The doctor will carry out a physical examination and ask about medical history. A sample of discharge may be taken to try to determine the cause of the inflammation.
The cause of vaginitis may be diagnosed by checking the appearance of the vaginal fluid, vaginal pH levels, the presence of volatile amines (the gas that causes a bad smell), and the microscopic detection of specific cells.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause. It may include low-potency topical steroids, applied to the skin, topical or oral antibiotics, antifungals, or antibacterial creams.
Bacterial vaginitis (BV) is usually treated with antibiotics, such as metronidazole (Flagyl), or clindamycin.
Medications used to treat a fungal infection include butoconazole and clotrimazole.
Other options include:
Cortisone cream to treat severe irritation.
Antihistamines, if the inflammation appears to stem from an allergic reaction.
Topical estrogen cream, if the vaginitis is due to low estrogen levels.
If a woman is pregnant, she should make sure her doctor knows, because vaginitis can affect the fetus, and because some treatment options may not be suitable.
Prevention
The following best practices will help prevent vaginitis:
good hygiene, using a mild soap without irritants or scents
wear cotton underwear
avoiding douching and irritating agents, found in hygiene sprays, soaps, and other feminine products
always wiping from front to back to avoid spreading bacteria from the anus to the vagina
wearing loose clothing
practicing safe sex
use antibiotics only when necessary
You can learn more about vaginal yeast infections here.
Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina. It normally results from an infection. The patient typically has a discharge, itching, burning, and possibly pain.
It is a common condition, and most women will have it at least once at some time in their life.
The vagina is the muscular canal that runs from the cervix to the outside of the body, lined by a mucus membrane. It has an average length of about 6 to 7 inches.
The only part of the vagina that is normally visible from the outside is the vaginal opening.
Types
There are several types of vaginitis, depending on the cause.
The most common are:
Atrophic vaginitis: The endothelium, or lining of the vagina, gets thinner when estrogen levels decrease during the menopause, making it more prone to irritation and inflammation.
Bacterial vaginosis: This results from an overgrowth of normal bacteria in the vagina. Patients usually have low levels of a normal vaginal bacteria called lactobacilli.
Trichomonas vaginalis: Sometimes referred to as trich, it is caused by a sexually transmitted, single-celled protozoan parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis. It may infect other parts of the urogenital tract, including the urethra, where urine leaves the body.
Candida albicans: A yeast that causes a fungal infection, known as vaginal thrush. Candida exists in small amounts in the gut and is normally kept in check by normal gut bacteria.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of vaginitis include:
irritation of the genital area
discharge that may be white, gray, watery, or foamy
inflammation, leading to redness and swelling of the labia majora, labia minora, and perineal area, mainly due to an excess of immune cells
dysuria, which is pain or discomfort when urinating
painful sexual intercourse, known as dyspareunia
foul or fishy vaginal odor
Causes
Infection is the most common cause of vaginitis, including candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. After puberty, infectious vaginitis accounts for 90 percent of cases.
Less commonly, vaginitis may also be caused by gonorrhea, Chlamydia, mycoplasma, herpes, campylobacter, some parasites, and poor hygiene.
Vaginitis can occur before puberty, but different types of bacteria may be involved. Before puberty, Streptococcus spp is a more likely cause, sometimes because improper hygiene practices spread bacteria from the anal area to the genitals.
The proximity of the vagina to the anus, lack of estrogen, lack of pubic hair, and lack of labial fat pads may increase the risk of vulvovaginitis in before puberty. Vulvovaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina and vulva. It can affect women of all ages.
After puberty, infection is most often due to Gardnerella.
Sometimes, vaginitis can stem from an allergic reaction, for example, to condoms, spermicides, certain soaps and perfumes, douches, topical medications, lubricants, and even semen.
Irritation from a tampon can also cause vaginitis in some women.
Factors that increase the risk of vaginitis include:
pregnancy
douching and using vaginal products, such as sprays, spermicides, and birth control devices
using antibiotics
wearing tight pants or damp underwear
low estrogen levels during menopause
Women with diabetes are particularly prone to vaginitis.
Diagnosis
The doctor will carry out a physical examination and ask about medical history. A sample of discharge may be taken to try to determine the cause of the inflammation.
The cause of vaginitis may be diagnosed by checking the appearance of the vaginal fluid, vaginal pH levels, the presence of volatile amines (the gas that causes a bad smell), and the microscopic detection of specific cells.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause. It may include low-potency topical steroids, applied to the skin, topical or oral antibiotics, antifungals, or antibacterial creams.
Bacterial vaginitis (BV) is usually treated with antibiotics, such as metronidazole (Flagyl), or clindamycin.
Medications used to treat a fungal infection include butoconazole and clotrimazole.
Other options include:
Cortisone cream to treat severe irritation.
Antihistamines, if the inflammation appears to stem from an allergic reaction.
Topical estrogen cream, if the vaginitis is due to low estrogen levels.
If a woman is pregnant, she should make sure her doctor knows, because vaginitis can affect the fetus, and because some treatment options may not be suitable.
Prevention
The following best practices will help prevent vaginitis:
good hygiene, using a mild soap without irritants or scents
wear cotton underwear
avoiding douching and irritating agents, found in hygiene sprays, soaps, and other feminine products
always wiping from front to back to avoid spreading bacteria from the anus to the vagina
wearing loose clothing
practicing safe sex
use antibiotics only when necessary
You can learn more about vaginal yeast infections here.
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