Vaginitis is a vaginal infection or vaginal inflammation.
It can cause itching, pain, burning, or bleeding.
This condition may be due to a variety of non-infectious and infectious conditions, includingSTDs.
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A diagnostic test (such as a culture) can identify the cause of vaginitis.
Treatment is tailored to the cause of vaginitis and can include prescription antibiotics, antifungals, or lotions.
This article discusses what vaginitis is, as well as its causes and symptoms.
It also covers how the condition is diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms of Vaginitis
Vaginitis can affect anyone with a vagina at any age.
It can begin suddenly, and the symptoms are often intermittent.
The effects of vaginitis are usually bothersome and uncomfortable, and they can be painful as well.
If untreated, complications can occur, prolonging treatment and recovery.
Common symptoms of vaginitis include:
You may have any or all of these symptoms with vaginitis.
Vaginal fluid or discharge differs depending on the cause of vaginitis.
The vagina is the opening to the birth canal.
With vaginitis, the labia can be involved as well.
Causes of Vaginitis
Vaginitis has several different causes.
Inflammation of the vagina can occur after abrasion or trauma, including normal sexual intercourse.
Yeast infectionsare a fairly common cause of vaginitis.
They occur as a result of candida, a fungus that is normally present in the body.
Sexually Associated Infections
Yeast infections andbacterial vaginosisare two common causes of vaginitis.
These conditions are infections, but they’re not transmitted through sex.
These infections can be sexually-associated infections because they occur more frequently in women who are sexually active.
You may have a physical examination, which includes a pelvic and vaginal examination.
With this evaluation, your healthcare provider may visualize the labia and vagina.
A vaginal swab test or a sample of your discharge may be sent to a laboratory for further testing.
Awet mountis often used to grow a culture in a lab that can identify infectious organisms.
These tests can help identify the cause of your vaginitis so that it can be treated effectively.
Treatment of Vaginitis
Most of the time, vaginitis symptoms are treatable.
However, the treatment has to be tailored to the cause.
The wrong treatment won’t do any good, and it could make things worse.
Treatment for infectious bacterial vaginitiscan include prescription oral (by mouth) antibiotics.
Yeast infections are treated with prescription topical (on the skin) antifungal creams.
There are also prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications used for the treatment of pinworm.
Steroid creams may help reduce inflammation.
Maintaining proper hygiene is important.
Does Vaginitis Go Away on Its Own?
Depending on the cause, vaginitis can sometimes go away on its own.
While some types of vaginitis can be treated using OTC medications, other types may require prescription medication.
Summary
Vaginitis is an infection or irritation of the vagina.
Most of the time, the condition is easily treated.
However, some people are prone to recurrent episodes.
Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about risk factors andpreventionif you experience recurrent or frequent vaginitis.
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