gynecology and obstetrics
Overview of Vaginitis
Symptoms and Signs of Vaginitis
Vaginitis causes a Vaginal Itching and Discharge that must be distinguished from normal (physiologic) discharge. In children, normal discharge is common whenestrogenlevels are high—eg, during the first 2 weeks of life because maternalestrogencrosses the placenta during pregnancy (slight vaginal bleeding often occurs in infants asestrogenlevels abruptly decrease because exposure to maternalestrogenceases) and during the few months before menarche, whenestrogenproduction increases. Normal vaginal discharge is commonly milky white or mucoid, odorless, and nonirritating. The overall volume is small, but it can result in vaginal wetness that dampens underwear. Normal vaginal discharge may occur daily or intermittently. Many women have a clear, sticky discharge during ovulation, which is ovulatory cervical mucus. Discharge due to vaginitis is accompanied by pruritus, erythema, and sometimes burning, pain, or mild bleeding. Volume may be small or may increase and even be copious. Pruritus may be severe, even interfering with sleep. Dysuria or dyspareunia may occur. In atrophic vaginitis in postmenopausal women or other patients with inflammatory vaginitis, discharge is scant, dyspareunia is common, and vaginal tissue appears thin and dry. Although symptoms vary among particular types of vaginitis, there is much overlap (see table). Vulvitiscan cause erythema, pruritus, and sometimes tenderness and discharge from the vulva. 