1. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Menopause Quiz
3. What's Causing Your Pelvic Pain Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

View Full Profile

In this Article

• Vaginitis facts
• What is vaginitis?
• What causes vaginitis?
• What are the risk factors for vaginitis?
• What are the symptoms of vaginitis?
• What about vaginitis in children?
• What about vaginitis during pregnancy?
• How is vaginitis diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for vaginitis?
• What home remedies are available to treat vaginitis?
• Can vaginitis be prevented?
• What is the prognosis for vaginitis?
• Patient Comments: Vaginitis - Causes
• Find a local Obstetrician-Gynecologist in your town
• Vaginitis Index

Rick factors for the development of vaginitis vary according to the type of vaginitis. Risk factors for STDs such as gonorrhea, Chlamydia, or Trichomonas include unprotected intercourse and multiple sexual partners.

Risk factors for yeast vaginitis (yeast infection) include the use of oral antibiotics (which may upset the balance of bacteria normally present in the vagina) and having a suppressed immune system, either due to a condition such as cancer or due to taking medications that affect immune function. Women who have diabetes, who are pregnant, and who take oral contraceptives may also have an increased risk for developing yeast vaginitis. Douching or using perfumed vaginal hygiene sprays may also increase a woman's risk of developing yeast vaginitis.

Factors that have been identified that increase a women's risk for developing bacterial vaginosis include multiple or new sexual partners, intrauterine devices for contraception, recent antibiotic use, vaginal douching, and cigarette smoking.

While some cases of vaginitis do not produce symptoms, the characteristic symptoms of vaginitis include:

• Discomfort or pain in the vaginal area
• Vaginal itching
• Vaginal discharge
• Pain or burning upon urination
• Vaginal odor

Certain signs and symptoms are suggestive of vaginitis from a particular source. For example, the vaginal discharge present in a yeast infection is described as thick, whitish, and having a cottage-cheese-like appearance. Trichomonas infection commonly produces a discharge that is thin, frothy, and has a greenish-yellow tint. Bacterial vaginosis is characterized by a thin, greyish discharge with a prominent fishy odor.