Vaginitis causes

Vaginitis Main Page
Patient Information
Overview
Classification Bacterial Vaginosis Candida vulvovaginitis Trichomonas infection Atrophic Vaginitis
Differential Diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Causes

Vulvovaginitis can affect women of all ages and is very common. Specific forms of vaginitis are:

Infection

Infectious vaginitis accounts for 90% of all cases in reproductive age women and is represented by the triad:

• Candidiasis: vaginitis caused by Candida albicans (a yeast),
• Trichomoniasis: vaginitis caused by Trichomonas vaginalis (a protozoan),
• Bacterial vaginosis: vaginitis caused by Gardnerella (a bacterium).

Other less common infections are caused by gonorrhea, chlamydia, mycoplasma, herpes, campylobacter and some parasites. Women who have diabetes frequently develop vaginitis, often Candida Candida albicans more often than women who do not.

Hormonal

Hormonal vaginitis includes atrophic vaginitis usually found in postmenopausal or postpartum women. Sometimes it can occur in young girls before puberty. In these situations the estrogen support of the vagina is poor.

Irritation/allergy

Irritant vaginitis can be caused by allergies to condoms, spermicides, soaps, perfumes, douches, lubricants and semen. It can also be caused by hot tubs, abrasion, tissue, tampons or topical medications.

Foreign body

Foreign Body Vaginitis: Foreign bodies (most commonly retained tampons or condoms) cause extremely malodorous vaginal discharges. Treatment consists of removal, for which ring forceps may be useful. Further treatment is generally not necessary.

Role of STI's

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) can be a cause of vaginal discharge. Chlamydia and gonorrhea testing should be done whenever a sexually active adolescent complains of vaginal discharge even when the cervix appears normal.