Vaginitis

What is Vaginitis?

When a women’s vagina is inflammed it is calledvaginitis. The fluid that passes out of a healthy vagina is clear or cloudy and whitish. The healthy vagina keeps a normal balance of many organisms which can be affected by several factors:

  • Antibiotics
  • Changes in the body’s normal hormone levels, such as those that occur with pregnancy, breast-feeding, or menopause
  • Douches
  • Spermicides
  • Sexual intercourse
  • Sexually transmissible diseases

Vaginitis results in a change in the normal balance of a healthy vagina. 

How is Vaginitis diagnosed and treated?

Your doctor takes a sample of the discharge from your vagina and studies it under a microscope to diagnose vaginitis. Other tests may also be used.

Depending on the cause of the vaginitis, treatment may be by pill or by applying a cream or gel to the vagina. Follow all doctor’s instructions and if symptoms recur a different treatment may be needed.

Types, Causes, Symptoms, & Treatments of Vaginitis

Yeast Infection
One of the most common type of vaginitis is candidiasis. It is also known as yeast infection. 

It is caused by a fungus called candida. It is found in small numbers in a healthy vagina but may overgrow and cause infection. 

Women who take antibiotics, are pregnant or have diabetes is more likely to get yeast infections. When the body’s immune system is not working well yeast in the vagina will often overgrow and also cause yeast infections. Causes not always known. Itching and burning of the vagina and vulva is the most common symptom. An increase or change in discharge occurs in many women. Some women have no symptoms. 

Treatment consists of placing a medication into the vagina or a single dose taken by month. Over-the-counter medications may be purchased but see your doctor if:

  • This is the first time you’ve had a vaginal infection
  • Your symptoms do not go away after treatment
  • Your vaginal discharge is yellow or green or has a bad odor
  • There is a chance that you have a STD

Bacterial Vaginosis
A second type of vaginitis is Bacterial Vaginosis. It is caused by a overgrowth of bacteria naturally found in the vagina.

An increased discharge with a strong fishy odor is the main symptom of bacterial vaginosis. The discharge is thin and dark or dull gray. Itching is not common. No symptoms may occur in some women.

One treatment for bacterial vaginosis is a drug called metronidazole taken by mouth or as a gel applied to the vagina. A second drug, clindamycin, may also taken by mouth or as a cream. Side effects such as mausea, vomiting, and darkening or urine may occur when metronidazole is taken by mouth.

Trichomonas Vaginitis
A third type of vaginitis is Trichomonas. It is a parasite spread through sex.

A yellow-gray or green vaginal discharge is signs of trichomoniasis. The discharge may have a fishy odor. Burning, irritation, redness, and swelling of the vulva and vagina may occur. Sometimes urination may be painful.

A single dose of metronidazole taken by the mouth is the normal treatment for trichmonas vaginitis. Sexual partners must be treated at the same time.

Atrophic Vaginitis
Atrophic Vaginitis is caused by not having enough estrogen. 

Dryness and burning are the usual symptoms.

Treatment of atrophic vaginitis is by taking estrogen either by mouth or applied as a vaginal cream. 

Vaginitis can almost always be treated successfully once the cause has been found.