Vaginitis - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment - Avicenna Health

Definition of the illness

Vaginitis is inflammation in the area of ​​the vagina. Up to a third of women will have symptoms of vaginitis at some point in their life. This disease affects women of all ages but is most common in the reproductive years. It is often and generally treatable.

Symptoms

1_ abnormal discharge with change in odor

2_ burning feeling outside of the canal throughout urination

3_ itch round the outside of the vagina

4_ Discomfort during intercourse

Risk factors

 1_ Hormonal changes: such as those associated with pregnancy, birth control pills, or menopause.

 2_ Sexual activity: having a sexually transmitted infection

 3_ Medicines: such as antibiotics and steroids

 4_ Use of spermicides, IUDs, or high estrogen contraceptives for birth control

 5_ Uncontrolled diabetes

 6_ Use of products for hygiene: as a bubble bath, vaginal spray, or vaginal deodorant

 7_ douching

 8_ Wearing damp or tight clothes

 9_ Pregnancy

 10_ Immune system disorders: such as HIV and organ transplantation

 11_ Thyroid or endocrine disorders

When to see a doctor

 You should see a doctor if:

 1_ you are having symptoms of vaginitis for the first time

 2_ you have had vaginitis before, but the symptoms are bothering you a lot, are different from the usual or do not seem not improving

 3_ you have vaginal discharge that is unusual for you

 4_ you have symptoms of vaginitis after having sex with a new partner

 5_ you have other symptoms such as feeling hot and chills or pain in the lower abdomen (pelvic pain)

Diagnosis

There are many procedures the doctor tend to perform after asking the patients about the medical history of vaginal or sexually transmitted infections:

 1_ Perform a pelvic exam by the doctor to look inside the vagina to see if there is any inflammation and abnormal discharge

2_ Perform pH testing: because an elevated pH can indicate either bacterial vaginosis or Trichomoniasis

3_ Collect a sample for lab testing: the doctor will take a sample of the discharge from the vagina and send it to a laboratory for checking.

Management

Treatment for vaginitis depends on the type of causative, so hygiene detergents should be controlled. Women have to avoid anything that leads to irritations; some medications treat Yeast infections, Trichomoniasis, and Bacterial vaginosis.

For example, you may need:

1_ antifungal medicine for thrush

2_ antibiotics for a sexually transmitted infection

3_ vaginal moisturizer, lubricant, or hormone treatment for menopause symptoms

4_ steroid medicine for skin disorders

Differential diagnosis

·     Candidiasis

·     Cervicitis

·     Chlamydia (Chlamydial Genitourinary Infections)

·     Gonorrhea

·     Herpes Simplex

·     Trichomoniasis

·     Vaginal Candidiasis

·     Vaginitis

References

·     Mayo clinic

·     Medscape

·     ACOG

·     NHS

·     Cleveland Clinic