What is vaginitis? How common is it? How is it transmitted? Symptoms Testing/Diagnosis Treatment What does it mean for my health? How can you reduce your risk? Should you talk to your partner about vaginitis? How do I learn more about vaginitis?

What is vaginitis?
Vaginitis is a name for swelling, itching, burning or infection in the vagina that can be caused my several different germs. The most common kinds of vaginitis are bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast, a fungus. Sometimes trichomoniasis (or trich, pronounced "trick") is called vaginitis too. Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasitic protozoa called Trichomonas vaginalis.

How common is it?
Vaginitis is very common. If you are like most women, you will have some kind of vaginitis at least once in your life.

How is it transmitted?
The healthy vagina has a balance of many different kinds of bacteria. "Good" bacteria help keep the vagina a little-bit acidic. This keeps "Bad" bacteria from growing too fast. A healthy vagina makes a mucus-like discharge that may look clear or a little milky, depending on the time of a woman's monthly cycle. When the balance between the "Good" bacteria and the "Bad" bacteria is upset, "Bad" bacteria grow too fast and cause infections. Discharge may have a funny color or a bad smell. Sometimes these "Bad" bacteria and other germs that cause vaginitis can be spread through sex. Other things that can upset the balance of the vagina are:

• antibiotics (medicines)
• pregnancy
• douching
• damp underwear
• tight pants
• poor diet
• vaginal products (sprays, lubricants, birth control devices)

Symptoms
The signs or symptoms of vaginitis are different, depending on the germ that you have. Signs or symptoms of:

Bacterial Vaginosis

• A pastry vaginal discharge that may appear white or gray with a fishy odor that is a common symptom that may be observed during a BV infection.
• Many women may be asymptomatic, or have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed.

Yeast
Women:

• Abnormal discharge, itching, irritation and redness of vulva
• Possible burning upon urination due to urine passing over inflamed vulva
• Discomfort and inconvenience may vary considerably
• Other STIs such as HSV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea may cause similar symptoms (such as vaginal discharge)

Men:

• Often asymptomatic
• Possible slight irritation, itching or redness on penis (balanitis)
• Other STIs such as HSV, chlamydia and gonorrhea may cause similar symptoms

Trichomoniasis
Women:

• Nearly one-third of asymptomatic women will become symptomatic within 6 months.
• Profuse, "frothy" discharge that may be either yellowish/greenish or gray in color with strong odor; tiny spots of blood may be seen in discharge.
• Vaginal itching, irritation and inflammation.
• Inflamed cervix with ulcerations (called "strawberry" cervix).
• Some women may experience pain during vaginal intercourse or painful urination.
• Less commonly, women experience abdominal pain or increased frequencey of urination.
• Though trichomoniasis may be self-resolving in men, it would be considered extremely rare for it to self-resolve in women.
• Symptoms are reported to be more severe during or immediately following menstrual period.
• Symptoms may vary from an asymptomatic state to profound, acute inflammation. Changes in the vaginal environment (e.g., menstrual blood, hormonal levels, other organisms, etc.) may contribute to the development of symptoms.
• Other STIs can cause similar symptoms, such as HSV, chlamydia and gonorrhea (vaginal or urethral discharge).

Men:

• Often asymptomatic
• Slight urethral irritation
• Small amount of abnormal and possibly intermittent discharge
• Itching, redness inside or on penis
• Urethritis (a possible cause of NGU)
• Genital sores
• Rarely, frequent and/or painful urination
• Trichomoniasis in men is often self-resolving (possibly the result of certain properties found in fluid from the prostate). This may take many weeks, and therefore, there is continued risk of transmission to partners until infection clears.
• Other STIs can cause similar symptoms, such as HSV, chlamydia and gonorrhea (vaginal or urethral discharge).

Testing/Diagnosis
If you have symptoms of vaginitis, see your health care provider for a correct diagnosis. To help your
provider find out what you have:

• Schedule the exam when you're not having your monthly period.
• Don't douche 24 hours before your exam.
• Don't use vaginal sprays 24 hours before your exam.
• If you have sex less than 24 hours before the exam, use condoms.

Treatment
The treatment will depend on which germ is causing the infection.


What does it mean for my health?
These infections are usually treated with a prescription from your health care provider. With trichomoniasis, if your partner does not receive treatment as well, re-infection can occur.

Having bacterial vaginosis has been associated with an increased risk in developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is a serious infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes.

BV and trichomoniasis increase a woman's risk of getting HIV if she is exposed to a partner with HIV. Having trichomoniasis or BV may also increase the chance that an HIV-infected woman passes HIV to her partner(s).

Having BV or trichomoniasis while pregnant may put a woman at increased risk for some complications of pregnancy, including potentially having a baby born early or with low birth weight. Treatment of BV and/or Trich might help reduce the risk of these complications. On the other hand, having a yeast infection during pregnancy does not typically pose any risk to the baby or the pregnancy.

We encourage you to speak with your health care provider about any questions or concerns you may have.

How can you reduce your risk?

• Wash your vaginal area every day. Use mild soap. Rinse well and pat dry.
• Wipe your vagina and anus from front to back.
• Don't douche, this can upset the natural balance of the vagina.
• Take antibiotics only when needed. Antibiotics can kill "good" bacteria.
• Limit the number of your sex partners. Always use latex condoms with a new partner or with multiple partners.
• Wear cotton or cotton-lined underpants.
• Don't wear tight pants and don't wear panty hose in hot weather.
• See your healthcare provider if you have any unusual discharge or smell.

How do I learn more about vaginitis?
To learn more about vaginitis and other STIs:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
800-232-4636
Hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Information is available in Spanish as well

For Information for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing call
1-888-232-6348