Vaginitis

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• What is vaginitis?
• What are the symptoms of vaginitis?
• Yeast infections
• Bacterial vaginosis
• Trichomoniasis
• Non-infectious vaginitis
• What are the treatments for vaginitis?
• How can I prevent vaginitis?

What is vaginitis?

Vaginitis is a term for any infection or inflammation of the vagina.

What are the symptoms of vaginitis?

In general, vaginitis may cause itching, irritation, or abnormal vaginal discharge.

There are a several different kinds of vaginitis, each with their own causes and symptoms:

Yeast infections

Candida or "yeast" infections - Yeast infections of the vagina are probably the most familiar form of vaginitis. They occur when too much of the fungus Candida grows in the vagina.

Yeast infections produce a thick, white discharge from the vagina that can look like cottage cheese. The discharge can be watery and often has no smell. Yeast infections usually cause the vagina and vulva (the area outside the vagina) to become itchy and red.

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis - Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age. It is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria that are usually present in the vagina.

Bacterial vaginosis will often cause a thin, milky vaginal discharge that may have a "fishy" odor. Many women with bacterial vaginosis have no symptoms and only discover they have it during a routine gynecologic exam.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis - Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by a single-cell parasite. It can cause vaginal itching, burning, and soreness of the vagina and vulva, as well as burning during urination. Many women with trichomoniasis do not develop any symptoms.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Birth Control Pills (Oral Contraceptives) - Read about the different types of birth control pills (oral contraceptives) such as monophasic, biphasic, and triphasic. Find out which birth control pill may be the best for you.
• Douching (Vaginal Douche) - Learn why doctors do not recommend vaginal douching. Douching increases the risk for vaginal infections, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, and other conditions.
• Yeast Infection - Learn about vaginal yeast infection symptoms like vaginal burning, itching, soreness discharge, and pain during sex and urination. Treatment information is included in the information.

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