Patient education: Vaginitis in adults (The Basics)

What is vaginitis? — Vaginitis is when the vagina and vulva become red and swollen (figure 1). (The vulva is the area around the opening of the vagina.) It is sometimes called "vulvovaginitis."

Many different things can cause vaginitis. These include:

●Infection – There are 3 main infections that can cause vaginitis in adults. These are bacterial vaginosis, "Candida" or "yeast "infection, and trichomoniasis. Other types of infections can also cause vaginal discharge and irritation. These include some sexually transmitted infections ("STIs").

●Skin irritation – This can be caused by soaps, bubble bath, douches, detergents, perfumes, toilet paper, or sanitary pads.

●Hormone changes – For example, these can be related to puberty, pregnancy, or menopause.

●Certain medicines – Examples include antibiotics or medicines that weaken the immune system.

●Certain health problems – Some medical conditions increase the risk of infection. These include uncontrolled diabetes or HIV infection.

What are the symptoms of vaginitis? — Symptoms of vaginitis include:

●A change in color, odor, or amount of vaginal discharge

●Itching or irritation in or around the vagina

●Redness, swelling, or cracks in the skin around the vagina

●Pain during sex

Should I see a doctor or nurse? — Yes. If you have the symptoms listed above, see a doctor or nurse.

If possible, avoid using medicines that go in your vagina for a day or 2 before your appointment. If you have recently used vaginal medicine, it can be harder for the doctor or nurse to find the cause of abnormal discharge.

Will I need tests? — Probably. First, your doctor or nurse will ask questions and do an exam. They will often do tests to check for infection.

If tests are needed, they might include:

●pH and microscopy – The doctor or nurse looks at a sample of vaginal discharge under a microscope and checks the "pH level." This is done in the doctor's office.

●Lab tests – The doctor or nurse collects a sample of vaginal discharge. Then, the sample is sent to a lab for testing. These tests can show if you have an infection and, if so, what type.

●STI tests – These include tests to check for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.

Some pH test kits are sold over the counter for use at home. But these are not recommended. That's because they only check the pH and cannot show the cause of infection.

How is vaginitis treated? — Treatment depends on what is causing the vaginitis. It might include:

●Medicines – Medicines are mainly used to treat vaginitis caused by infections. These include pills that you take by mouth, creams or gels that you put in your vagina, or "suppositories." Suppositories are tablets that are inserted into the vagina to dissolve.

●Avoiding causes of irritation – For example, if the vaginitis was caused by using bubble bath, avoiding bubble bath will help.

Can vaginitis be prevented? — To lower your chances of getting vaginitis, you can:

●Get out of wet clothing quickly – Change out of wet swimsuits or gym clothes as soon as you can. Avoid fabrics that hold moisture, like nylon or polyester.

●Wear loose-fitting clothing – Tight clothing, such as pantyhose, can trap moisture and make infection more likely.

●Clean the area around the vagina with water – Rinse the area with water only. If you must use soap, choose a mild soap and rinse well. Do not use bubble bath or a douche. Do not use perfume or other fragrance sprays around the vagina.

●Practice good genital hygiene – Wipe from front to back after using the toilet, and urinate after you have sex.

●Use condoms during sex – This can lower your chances of getting bacterial vaginosis or an STI.

What problems should I watch for? — If you have been diagnosed with vaginitis, call for advice if:

●Your symptoms are not getting better or are getting worse after treatment.

●Your vaginitis comes back after getting better.

More on this topic

Patient education: Vaginitis in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Vaginal discharge (The Basics)
Patient education: Vulvovaginal yeast infection (The Basics)
Patient education: Bacterial vaginosis (The Basics)
Patient education: Trichomoniasis (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use vaginal medicines (The Basics)

Patient education: Vaginal discharge in adult women (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Bacterial vaginosis (Beyond the Basics)