Time tested remedies | Most affordable prices

Vaginitis

Condition Overview:

Vaginitis is described medically as an irritation and/or inflammation of the vagina. Vaginitis is a very common disease affecting millions of women each year. The three most common vaginal infections are bacterial vaginosis (BV), candida vaginitis (yeast infection) and trichomonas vaginitis (“trich”).

Vaginal infections can produce a variety of symptoms, such as abnormal or increased discharge, itching, fishy odor, irritation, painful urination or vaginal bleeding. When you have vaginitis, you may have some or all of these symptoms. If you have any of these symptoms, discuss them with your doctor or nurse so you can be tested. Vaginitis has various causes. It may result from bacterial infections, fungal infection, protozoan infection, contact dermatitis or even an allergic reaction. Vaginitis affects millions of women and is one of the primary reasons women visit their doctor. Trichomonas is sexually transmitted, but other vaginitis infections are not usually sexually transmitted.

Bacterial vaginosis occurs when the natural balance of organisms in the vagina is changed. The healthy vagina normally contains a variety of bacteria. One type of “good” bacteria, Lactobacillus, is particularly important because it keeps the vagina slightly acidic to reduce the growth of potentially harmful organisms. When these bacteria are replaced with different kinds of “bad” bacteria, called anaerobic bacteria, an unpleasant vaginal odor develops and an infection (vaginitis) occurs.