Vaginitis

What is vaginitis?

Vaginitis is an inflammatory condition that affects your vagina and causes symptoms such as thick, foul-smelling discharge, painful intercourse, and vaginal pain and itching. You can develop vaginitis at any age, but the team at Women’s Health Services diagnose it most frequently in women in their reproductive years.

What causes vaginitis?

Bacterial, fungal, and viral infections can cause vaginitis. For example, a Candida yeast infection is a common cause of vaginitis. A variety of factors contribute to your risk of developing vaginitis, including:

• Antibiotics
• Hormonal changes
• Spermicidal birth control
• Sexual intercourse
• STDs
• Douching
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Irritants such as soaps, tampons, pads

Your risk of vaginitis also increases as you approach menopause. As your hormone levels decline, your vaginal tissue can become dry, weak, and more vulnerable to infection. Additionally, the change in your hormones can affect the pH of your vaginal, which can allow an infection to thrive.

You can reduce your risk of vaginitis by avoiding baths, hot tubs, and jacuzzis. Should also always wipe from front to back after using the bathroom to reduce the risk of introducing bacteria into your vagina or urethra.

How is vaginitis diagnosed?

If you have any vaginitis symptoms, you should make an appointment with the doctors at Women’s Health Services. They diagnose the cause of your symptoms with a pelvic exam and a vaginal swab. They send your swab to a medical lab, where it’s tested to determine the specific type of infection.

It’s critical to get a professional diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms. If you have an STD or an issue like bacterial vaginosis (BV), your symptoms will only worsen, and in some cases, eventually interfere with your fertility and long-term health, if left untreated.

How is vaginitis treated?

The team at Women’s Health Services offer customized treatments for vaginitis depending on the condition causing the inflammation. In most cases, your doctor prescribes medication to help your body fight off the infection and restore your vaginal health. They may also recommend a topical cream to soothe your symptoms while the medicine does its work.

If you’re concerned about vaginitis, call Women’s Health Services, or make an appointment online today.