Vaginitis

“Although vaginitis, or inflammation of the vagina, can result from estrogen-related vaginal atrophy, it can also be caused by a yeast or bacterial infection or by irritation from…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Vaginitis Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Atrophic Vaginitis
  • Inflammation of the Vagina
  • Vaginal Inflammation
  • Vaginal Yeast Infection
  • Vaginitis
  • Vulvovaginitis

Vagina

What is the vagina?

DotS the definition of the vagina may vary. The (United States) MedlinePlus’ definition is:

“The vagina is the female body part that connects the womb (uterus) and cervix to the outside of the body”.2

Vaginitis

What is vaginitis?

DotS the definition of vaginitis may vary. In Vaginitis the (United States) Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s definition is:

“Vaginitis is an inflammation or infection of the vagina that can cause itching, burning, pain, discharge, and bad odor. Vaginal symptoms are a common reason women seek medical care. There are many types of vaginitis, each with its own cause, symptoms, and treatment”.3

Signs and Symptoms

What can vaginitis signs and symptoms include?

In Vaginitis: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Vaginitis signs and symptoms can include:

  • Change in color, odor or amount of discharge from your vagina
  • Vaginal itching or irritation
  • Pain during sex
  • Painful urination
  • Light vaginal bleeding or spotting”.4

In Vaginitis: Check If You Have Vaginitis the (United Kingdom) NHS elaborate on:

“Symptoms of vaginitis include:

  • An itchy or sore vagina
  • Vaginal discharge that’s a different colour, smell or thickness to usual
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Pain when peeing or having sex
  • Light vaginal bleeding or spotting
  • Sore, swollen or cracked skin around your vagina

You might not have all these symptoms”.5

Vaginal Discharge

Is there an association between vaginal discharge and the type of vaginitis?

The Mayo Clinic explain:

“If you have vaginal discharge, the characteristics of the discharge might indicate the type of vaginitis you have. Examples include:

  • Bacterial vaginosis. You might develop a grayish-white, foul-smelling discharge. The odor, often described as a fishy odor, might be more obvious after sex
  • Yeast infection. The main symptom is itching, but you might have a thick white discharge that resembles cottage cheese
  • Trichomoniasis. An infection called trichomoniasis (trik-o-moe-NIE-uh-sis) can cause a greenish-yellow, sometimes frothy discharge”.6

Vaginitis Cause

What may cause vaginitis?

In Vaginitis: Symptoms & Causes – Causes the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

Vaginitis “The cause is usually a change in the balance of vaginal bacteria or an infection. Reduced estrogen levels after menopause and some skin disorders also can cause vaginitis”.7

The North American Menopause Society note:

“Although vaginitis, or inflammation of the vagina, can result from estrogen-related vaginal atrophy, it can also be caused by a yeast or bacterial infection or by irritation from soaps or hygiene products. Symptoms include vaginal discharge, itching, burning, and swelling of the vagina and vulva, sometimes accompanied by pain during urination. Once the cause is determined, vaginitis can be treated with medication or by stopping use of the irritating product”.8

Bacterial Vaginosis

What is bacterial vaginosis (BV)?

DotS the definition of BV may vary. In Bacterial Vaginosis the NHS’s definition is:

“Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of unusual vaginal discharge. BV is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but it can increase your risk of getting an STI such as chlamydia”.9

In Bacterial Vaginosis: What Are the Symptoms of BV? the Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov elaborate on:

“Many women have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may include:

  • Unusual vaginal discharge. The discharge can be white (milky) or gray. It may also be foamy or watery. Some women report a strong fish-like odor, especially after sex
  • Burning when urinating
  • Itching around the outside of the vagina
  • Vaginal irritation

These symptoms may be similar to vaginal yeast infections and other health problems. Only your doctor or nurse can tell you for sure whether you have BV”.10

Treatment

How is vaginitis treated?

According to the NHS:

“Treatment for vaginitis depends on the cause.

For example, you may need:

  • Antifungal medicine for thrush
  • Antibiotics for a sexually transmitted infection
  • Vaginal moisturiser, lubricant or hormone treatment for menopause symptoms
  • Steroid medicine for a skin condition”.11

Genital Hygiene

How can women keep their genital area clean and dry when they have vaginitis?

In Vaginal Itching and Discharge – Adult and Adolescence: Home Care the MedlinePlus elaborate on:

“Keep your genital area clean and dry when you have vaginitis. Make sure to seek help from health care provider for the best treatment.

  • Avoid soap and just rinse with water to clean yourself. Using a spray bottle to wash with water after urination may be helpful
  • Soaking in a warm but not hot bath may help your symptoms. Dry thoroughly afterward. Rather than using a towel to dry, you may find that gentle use of warm or cold air from a hair dryer may result in less irritation than the use of a towel

Avoid douching. Many women feel cleaner when they douche, but it may actually worsen symptoms because it removes healthy bacteria that line the vagina. These bacteria help protect against infection.

Avoid current popular trends like vaginal steaming which may increase risk of vaginal infections”.12

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have vaginitis?

If you think you have vaginitis, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. The Mayo Clinic explain:

“While not all vaginal problems can be prevented, regular checkups can help ensure that problems affecting the vagina are diagnosed as soon as possible. Don’t let embarrassment prevent you from talking to your health care provider about concerns you have about vaginal health”.13

In Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not – What Are Signs or Symptoms of Vaginal Problems? the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Consult your health care provider if you notice:

  • A change in the color, odor or amount of vaginal discharge
  • Vaginal redness or itching
  • Vaginal bleeding between periods, after sex or after menopause
  • A mass or bulge in your vagina
  • Pain during intercourse”.14

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to the Vaginitis?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Vaginitis?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

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  65. Vaginal Yeast Infections
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  86. Vulvovaginitis
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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Vaginal Discomfort: Discomfort Not Directly Related to Menopause – Vaginitis. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/causes-of-sexual-problems/vaginal-discomfort Accessed: 12 December 2023
  2. Vaginitis. Last Reviewed Date: 11 February 2022. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/vaginitis Accessed: 12 December 2023
  3. Vagina: Information. Review Date: 04 November 2021. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002342.htm Accessed: 12 December 2023
  4. Vaginitis: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms. 22 December 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354707 Accessed: 12 December 2023
  5. Vaginitis: Check If You Have Vaginitis. Page Last Reviewed: 27 February 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaginitis/#symptoms-of-vaginitis Accessed: 12 December 2023
  6. Vaginitis: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms. 22 December 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354707 Accessed: 12 December 2023
  7. Vaginitis: Symptoms & Causes – Causes. 22 December 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354707 Accessed: 12 December 2023
  8. Vaginal Discomfort: Discomfort Not Directly Related to Menopause – Vaginitis. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/causes-of-sexual-problems/vaginal-discomfort Accessed: 12 December 2023
  9. Bacterial Vaginosis. Page Last Updated: 27 October 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/ Accessed: 12 December 2023
  10. Bacterial Vaginosis: What Are the Symptoms of BV? Page Last Updated: 31 May 2022. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/bacterial-vaginosis Accessed: 12 December 2023
  11. Vaginitis: Treatments for Vaginitis From A Doctor. Page Last Reviewed: 27 February 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaginitis/#treating-vaginitis Accessed: 12 December 2023
  12. Vaginal Itching and Discharge – Adult and Adolescent: Home Care. Review Date: 23 August 2023. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003158.htm Accessed: 12 December 2023
  13. Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not – What Can I Do To Keep My Vagina Healthy? 06 December 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/vagina/art-20046562 Accessed: 12 December 2023
  14. Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not – What Are Signs or Symptoms of Problems? 06 December 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/vagina/art-20046562 Accessed: 12 December 2023
Topic Last Updated: 12 December 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 12 December 2023

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