Vaginitis: Types, Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
What is Vaginitis?
Vaginitis meaning is explained as vaginal inflammation. This simply means an irritated vagina, or when your vagina catches an infection. In this situation, you might feel itching in the genitals. Your vaginal discharge could also be affected.
There are different types of vaginitis. These types depend on the root cause of developing the condition. Certain day-to-day actions can worsen the situation, and some chemicals can trigger it too. Vaginitis is a very common condition. In fact, about one out of every three women deals with vaginitis at some point in their life.
What are the Symptoms of Vaginitis?
Below are some vaginitis symptoms. Even if you have vaginitis, it does not mean you will experience all of these symptoms.
- If you notice your vaginal discharge feels different, it could be a sign of vaginitis. For example, the usual clear or whitish discharge might change to white or gray. It could become watery or even foamy. These changes are often how your body signals that something isn’t quite right.
- Any noticeable change in the typical vaginal odor is also something to pay attention to. For example, if your vaginal discharge gives off a fishy odor, it could be due to an allergic reaction.
- Irritation in the vulva or a burning sensation in vagina could be a sign of vaginitis.
- Pelvic pain is also sometimes related to vaginitis. Pain during peeing or during sex could be caused by an allergic reaction.
- Observe if you see any spotting between periods. This could be because of vaginitis.
Causes of Vaginitis
Some common vaginitis causes include:
- Vaginitis can happen when the good microorganisms become unbalanced. This situation leads to yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis (a type of vaginitis).
- Taking antibiotics can also mess up the good bacteria that live in the vagina. This, in turn, causes a yeast infection.
- Sometimes, parasites, bacteria, and viruses can pass from one person to another during sex. This can happen during vaginal, anal, or even oral sex. These infections can cause vaginitis. Therefore, having unprotected sex with too many sex partners is not safe.
- Products like lotions, soaps, and sprays may contain chemicals that can cause irritation. This could, over time, develop into vaginitis.
- High blood sugar can supply too much sugar in your pee and vagina. This can lead to vaginitis. It’s like having a sugary environment in which some “bad” microbes like to live and grow.
- When the estrogen level (a hormone) goes down, it can harm your vaginal balance. This can lead to vaginitis. Now, this can happen during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause. It’s like the vagina losing some of its natural protection due to less of this hormone.
What are the Types of Vaginitis?
Among the different types of vaginitis, these are the few common ones:
- Bacterial vaginosis (BV): This is a very common type of vaginitis. This condition happens when vaginal bacteria (the normally occurring ones) grow too much. It can cause a thin, gray, or white discharge with a fishy odor. It’s linked to being sexually active (although it is not sexually transmitted).
- Yeast infections (Thrush): Another common issue is a fungal infection. This can cause itching and soreness around the vagina. Sometimes, a thick, white discharge that looks like cottage cheese appears.
- Trichomoniasis (“Trich”): This is a sexually transmitted infection. It is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis (a parasite). It can lead to a yellow-green vaginal discharge that is sometimes bubbly in texture. The discharge may also smell unusual.
What are the Risk Factors for Vaginitis?
There are a few things that can make it easier to get vaginitis.
- Antibiotics, steroids, and some high-estrogen birth control can upset your vaginal balance.
- IUDs (birth control devices) can sometimes cause issues.
- Pregnant and diabetic women are more prone.
- Not maintaining hygiene, like wearing wet or tight clothes, adds to the risk.
How is Vaginitis Diagnosed?
During diagnosis, A doctor will ask about your health and sex life and do a check-up. This includes looking inside your vagina. They might take a sample of the vaginal discharge to see what’s causing the problem. The aim is to check for infections or imbalances.
They might also check how acidic things are down there. Try not to have sex or put anything in your vagina for a day before your visit. And once you get some experience, you might be able to treat it yourself.
Management and Treatment
Vaginitis treatment is based on the cause that triggered it in the first place. These treatments and management include:
- Bacterial Vaginitis (BV): Usually, doctors treat BV with antibiotic medicine. You can take these pills by mouth. Sometimes, you put a gel or cream around your vagina. It depends on how bad the situation is or on your preference.
- Fungal Infections (Yeast/Thrush): For yeast infections, doctors usually give antifungal medication. This can be a cream you put in your vagina or just one pill you swallow. Make sure to take all of the prescriptions, even if you start feeling better.
- Trichomoniasis and Other STIs: Parasite infections and STIs (including chlamydia or gonorrhoea) can be treated by taking antibiotic pills. It is suggested to treat these issues quickly so that you avoid future problems.
- Viral Infections or Allergic Reactions: For viral infections, antiviral medicine is given. If it’s an allergy, you must stop using what’s irritating it. Then use an allergy or mild steroid cream over the affected area.
Prevention
Since prevention is better than a cure, take these steps to stay clear of vaginitis.
- Wear loose, light clothes like cotton underwear. To maintain hygiene, change out of wet or sweaty clothes quickly.
- Don’t wash your vagina and vulva with strong-smelling soaps or sprays. In fact, Don’t douche either. It can cause an imbalance in vaginal bacteria.
- Always wipe front to back after using the toilet so poop doesn’t get near the genital area. Also, wash anything like sex toys or fingers before putting them in your vagina.
- Getting regular checkups is a smart move. If you have more than one sexual partner, ask your doctor about getting tested for STIs.
Outlook
So you see, vaginitis can be caused by many reasons. However, their solutions are also varied. Either vaginitis medication or lifestyle changes can help a lot. Although the condition is common, it is treatable.
What you do need to look out for is maintaining hygiene and avoiding irritants. And even if you catch a vaginal infection or experience symptoms, consult a doctor. At Archish IVF, we provide complete guidance and treatment to address your concerns. Reach out to us for any questions you may have.
FAQs
Yes, vaginitis does affect the nature of vaginal discharge. It can change the texture, color, and odor of the discharge. This is one of the prominent symptoms of vaginitis.
Not always, but some types of vaginitis (particularly STIs) can spread through sexual contact.
In certain cases, vaginitis can go away without any treatment. However, it is not advised to wait for it to cause any complications.
If vaginitis is not treated for a long time, it can increase your risk of getting STIs (sexually transmitted infections). It creates a higher chance of developing pelvic inflammatory disease. Vaginitis may also cause problems during pregnancy.
Vaginitis is not an STD (sexually transmitted disease). However, it can increase the chances of getting an STD.