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Vaginitis is a term used to describe conditions that cause irritation, inflammation or infection of the vagina, which can affect women throughout their lives. Vaginitis symptoms, including itching, burning, painful urination, vaginal discharge and pain during sex (dyspareunia).
You shouldn’t feel embarrassed about discussing these symptoms with your provider. Vaginitis is very common, and there are many options for treating it.
There are many different types of vaginitis. The most common include bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, trichomoniasis, non-infectious vaginitis and vaginal atrophy. You can also get vaginitis from an allergic reaction to perfumed soaps, laundry detergents and even your partner’s semen.
The most common form of vaginitis in women ages 15 to 44, bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the vagina. Although you can develop bacterial vaginosis for unknown reasons, it can be caused by sexual contact, douching and using vaginal deodorants, all of which can change your vagina’s bacterial balance. It’s also common during pregnancy.
Bacterial vaginosis doesn’t always cause symptoms, but when it does, you may notice:
Bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted infection, but it can increase your chances of getting one. In pregnant women, it can increase the risk of early delivery or of having a low-birth-weight baby, so never hesitate to see your doctor if you think you may have it.
Vaginal yeast infections are fungal infections caused by a type of yeast called candida. Your vagina has naturally low levels of candida all the time, but certain things, such as changes in hormone levels (related to your period or birth control), antibiotics, sex, diabetes and pregnancy, can cause candida to multiply and cause a yeast infection.
Symptoms of yeast infections include:
Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite called trichomonas vaginalis. This infection primarily affects the urogenital tract, including the vagina, urethra and bladder in women, and the urethra in men. Trichomoniasis can be diagnosed through laboratory tests and is typically treated with antibiotics.
Trichomoniasis doesn’t usually cause symptoms for men. In women, common symptoms of trichomoniasis include:
Non-infectious vaginitis is a type of vaginal irritation or inflammation that occurs without the presence of an infection. Common causes of non-infectious vaginitis include an allergic reaction or irritation from vaginal sprays, douches or spermicide products. It can also be caused by sensitivity to fragrances in detergents, soaps or fabric softeners.
Hormonal imbalances or hormonal changes during menopause, pregnancy or birth control use can also lead to vaginal dryness and irritation, causing non-infectious vaginitis to occur.
Symptoms of non-infectious vaginitis include:
Vaginal atrophy (also called atrophic vaginitis) is a condition where the tissue in your vagina becomes dry, thin and less elastic. These changes occur because of dropping estrogen levels. Estrogen keeps your vagina and genitals healthy and lubricated, and lack of estrogen can cause your vaginal tissue to become inflamed, which, in turn, can cause the following symptoms:
Vaginal atrophy is often associated with menopause. It primarily occurs during perimenopause and postmenopause, whether naturally or surgically induced by the removal of the ovaries. However, breastfeeding and taking medications for certain conditions, such as endometriosis, can also lead to declining estrogen levels and vaginal atrophy.
Symptoms of vaginitis vary according to the type you have, and some may not cause any symptoms at all. Keep in mind it’s also possible to have more than one type of vaginitis at the same time.
Common vaginitis symptoms include:
All forms of vaginitis can be treated, so visit your doctor as soon as you experience symptoms. Treating these conditions means you can find relief from your symptoms, and it can prevent the conditions from coming back or from causing complications if you’re pregnant.
The causes of vaginitis vary depending on the specific type you have. The most common causes of vaginitis include:
Your provider will take a thorough medical history, perform a physical exam and perform a pelvic exam. Be sure to inform them of any history of STIs.
During the pelvic exam, your provider may swab the inside of your vagina to collect a sample of discharge, which will be sent to a lab for infection testing. Additionally, your provider may check the pH levels of your vaginal fluid to aid in the diagnosis.
Some providers may ask you to avoid sex or inserting anything into your vagina for at least 24 hours before your appointment.
Many women can find relief from vaginitis with over-the-counter products, antibiotics and other therapies.
Your provider can treat bacterial vaginosis with antibiotics or topical treatments applied directly to your vagina. For recurrent cases, discuss probiotics with your provider to help maintain a healthy bacterial balance.
You can often treat a vaginal yeast infection with over-the-counter antifungal creams, tablets or suppositories.
Consult your provider before use to ensure correct diagnosis, as these products may not be effective for conditions like bacterial vaginosis. If you have more than four infections a year or if over-the-counter treatments are ineffective, your provider can prescribe regular antifungal medication for candida overgrowth.
Trichomoniasis is usually treated with a prescription antibiotic like metronidazole or tinidazole. Your provider may prescribe a single oral dose or recommend you continue the antibiotic over the course of several days, depending on the severity of the infection.
Treatment for non-infectious vaginitis focuses on determining and addressing the source of the irritation. For vaginitis triggered by an irritant such as soap or perfumed personal care products, switching to a hypoallergenic or fragrance-free option can help. If the vaginitis is related to hormonal changes, your provider may recommend a topical estrogen cream to relieve dryness. Maintaining proper vaginal hygiene without over-washing or using harsh chemicals can help relieve dryness or irritation due to non-infectious vaginitis, as can using moisturizers or lubricants.
Vaginal atrophy can be treated, so discuss your symptoms with your provider. Treatments include lubricants and moisturizers to ease dryness, itching and burning; hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to address symptoms related to declining estrogen levels; and low-dose estrogen therapy through vaginal creams, tablets or rings, which may be more effective than HRT. Regular sex can also help prevent vaginal tissue from becoming thin and dry, reducing symptoms.
There are many ways to prevent bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections.
We help you get care at a location that fits your needs. We offer several locations for your care, including specialized women’s health centers in North and Central Texas.
