women s health issues
Overview of Vaginitis (Vaginal Infection or Inflammation)
Introduction
Vaginal infections are one of the most common reasons women see their doctor, accounting for millions of visits each year. Vaginal infections are caused by infectious organisms (such as bacteria or yeast). Infections usually cause a vaginal discharge with itching, redness, and sometimes burning and soreness of the vagina and vulva (labia). Doctors examine a sample of fluids from the vagina or cervix to check for infectious organisms. Treatment depends on the cause. Vaginitis is a term that usually refers to vaginal infections but may also be used to describe inflammation of the vagina or vulva (labia), without infection. Vaginitis can cause Vaginal Discharge , discomfort, itching, or vaginal odor, and sometimes irritation, redness, itching, or swelling of the vulva. Inflammation of the vulva is called vulvitis. When both the vulva and vagina are inflamed, the disorder is called vulvovaginitis. Vaginal infections include Yeast infections ( Vaginal Yeast Infection (Candidiasis) ) Trichomonal Vaginitis None Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a change in the balance or overgrowth of the normal bacteria in the vagina. It is not considered a vaginal infection, but can cause similar symptoms. Vaginal discharge may also be caused by an infection that affects other reproductive organs, rather than the vagina. For example, a discharge can result if the cervix (the lower, narrow part of the uterus that opens into the vagina) is infected with certain sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia and Other Nongonococcal Infections or Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infections , which can cause blisters on the vulva (the area around the opening of the vagina), in the vagina, and on the cervix, can also cause a vaginal discharge. However, vaginitis symptoms do not necessarily indicate an infection. Instead, they may result from other conditions that affect the vagina or vulva. For example, chemicals or other materials (such as hygiene products, bubble bath, laundry detergents, contraceptive foams and jellies, and synthetic underwear) can irritate the vagina and cause a discharge and discomfort. The inflammation that results is called noninfectious (inflammatory) vaginitis. Another form of noninfectious vaginitis is atrophic vaginitis, which can occur in women after menopause because the vaginal tissue becomes dry and prone to irritation due to a decreased level ofestrogen. 