Vaginitis: Types, causes, and treatment

Vaginitis – “Vaginitis” refers to a variety of illnesses that cause inflammation or infection of the vagina. Vaginitis can be caused by germs, yeast, insufficient estrogen, or chemical irritants such as spray or spermicides. It is a common and curable condition, however, the therapy depends on the underlying reason. In this article, we will explore everything about it.

What is Vaginitis?

Sometimes it doesn’t feel right “down there.” A common cause is it. This indicates that your vagina (birth canal) is irritated. It may be bloated, itchy, or painful. It may even smell weird or have an unexpected discharge (liquid). Vulvovaginitis is a condition that affects the exterior area of your genitals, including the labia and clitoris.

There are several forms of it, which can be caused by a variety of factors. You might be infected with bacteria, yeast, or viruses. Chemicals in soaps, sprays, or even clothes may irritate the vagina’s sensitive skin. It might also be caused by vaginal dryness due to hormone abnormalities.

Causes & Types of vaginitis

There are the following types of vaginitis and its diagnosis methods:

Bacterial vaginosis: It is a bacterial infection, that can be diagnosed by three out of four positive Amsel criteria:
1. Vaginal discharge: thin, milky discharge
2. Positive whiff test: adding potassium hydroxide, gives a fishy odor.
3. pH imbalance: It should be greater than 4.5 pH which is slightly acidic.
4. Clue cells: the presence of clue cells at least 20%.
Yeast infection: It can be figured out by vaginal swelling, itching, pain during copulation and vaginal discharge. It can also be without symptoms, such as normal pH and no clue cells. Its diagnostic methods are rapid yeast infection tests i.e., Savyon diagnosis or Polymerase chain reaction testing (it is quite expensive).
Trichomoniasis: It doesn’t have major signs and symptoms but can be diagnosed by a positive whiff test and greater than 5.4 pH.
Non-infectious vaginitis: It is due to an allergic reaction to vaginal hygiene products or contraceptives that are inserted in the vagina or cervix. It can be diagnosed by history and physical usage of chemicals for the vagina, whiff test, and pH testing.
Atrophic vaginitis: Due to a decrease in estrogen level, vaginitis happens. It generally occurs during or after menopause due to low levels of estrogen at that phase.

Management and prevention from vaginitis

Some ways that can manage and prevent it, are:

Ways of management after diagnosis of it.
1. Avoid sexual intercourse during the medication under a medical supervisor.
2. Pregnant women have to take extra care because it may result in premature delivery with low low-weight birth children.
3. Avoid Multiple sexual partners because STDs and HIV can worsen the vaginitis further. Transmission of infection from another infected individual to uninfected individuals can occur.
Prevention methods
1. Cotton underwear: wearing cotton underwear can prevent wet and moisture in the groin region because it can absorb the moisture and sweat.
2. Loose-fitting clothes: At times, you put on loose-fitting dresses that may facilitate some air exchange.
3. Don’t douche: douching alters the pH of the vagina: it is done with the help of a liquid solution to wash the vagina.
4. Soap and other irritants: Don’t use perfumed sprays and soap for the vagina. Because it contains many harmful chemicals that lead to the vaginal infectious diseases.
5. Water: Avoid putting water inside the Vagina. It can also wipe off the good bacteria that live inside the vagina.

Regular check-ups with the doctor can also help in preventing it. In females, urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases are more likely to happen due to their opening being near to each other.

How to diagnose vaginitis?

If you notice any changes in your discharge or other symptoms, see your doctor to determine the best course of action. They will inquire about your past medical background, including sexual history. They’ll also ask whether you’ve used anything that might be triggering your vaginitis, such as a new detergent or spermicide.

Your doctor will also collect a sample of your discharge and send it to a lab to be analyzed under a microscope to determine the type of vaginitis you have.

Vaginitis Treatment

Treatment is determined by the underlying cause. It may consist of low-potency topical steroids administered to the skin, oral antibiotics, antifungals, or antibacterial lotions.

Bacterial vaginitis (BV) is often treated with medicines like metronidazole (Flagyl) or clindamycin.
Clotrimazole and butoconazole are two medications used to treat fungal infections.

Additional choices include:

Cortisone cream is used to treat severe inflammation.
Antihistamines, if the inflammation looks to be caused by an allergic response.
If vaginitis is caused by low estrogen levels, apply a topical estrogen cream.

If a woman is pregnant, she should inform her doctor, because it can harm the fetus and some treatment methods may not be appropriate.

Conclusions

Vaginitis occurs when the vagina gets itchy, swollen, or inflamed. You may also notice a discharge that appears, smells, or seems different from usual. It can be a result of infections, chemical irritation, vaginal flora imbalances, or hormonal changes. If you develop vaginal discomfort or unusual discharge, contact your doctor straight once. However, determining what’s going on isn’t always straightforward. You’ll probably need your doctor’s assistance to figure it out and pick the best remedy.

Some Additional Doubt

Question: What is vagina?
Answer: It is a female reproductive organ that connects cervix to vulva (external of females) from the uterus.

Question: Does every vaginal discharge mean vaginitis?
Answer: No

Question: Why is vaginal discharge normal?
Answer: It is normal because it helps in providing lubrication and protection from vaginal infections.

Question: If protection is there, why does vaginitis occur?
Answer: It is caused by hormonal imbalance along with pH imbalance in the vaginal area. There is a limit of protection, if infection increases.

Question: What are clue cells?
Answer: It is the vaginal epithelium cells that appear to be supported by vaginal bacteria i.e., coccobacilli (rod and round-shaped bacteria). It is visible and darker in color than normal vaginal epithelium cells under a microscope

Reference Links
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=vaginitis&btnG=#d=gs_qabs&t=1724666228777&u=%23p%3DYu4Thcw8dT4J
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9131-vaginitis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542319/#:~:text=The%20Amsel%20criteria%20are%20useful,prep%2C%20and%20potassium%20hydroxide%20solution.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2011/0401/p807.html#bacterial-vaginosis