Vaginitis is a common condition involving inflammation or infection of the vagina. It can cause itching, burning, pain, discharge, and bad odor.
There are many types of vaginitis, but most aren't contagious. Pregnant women with some types of vaginitis may be at higher risk of birth complications.
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Vaginitis is an inflammation or infection of the vagina — the passage connecting the opening of the uterus to the opening on the outside of the body that's sometimes called the birth canal.
Vaginitis often affects the vulva — the external lips, clitoris, and urethral opening where urine leaves your body — as well as the vagina.
There are several types of vaginitis, each with its own cause, symptoms, and treatments.
Vaginitis is very common. Each year, 8% of White women and 18% of Black women report symptoms of vaginal discharge, odor, itch, and discomfort.
Vaginitis may be caused by an infection passed through sexual contact or by a change in the balance of organisms normally found in the vagina. You can also have multiple causes of vaginitis at the same time.
For most people, one of these infections causes vaginitis:
Other causes of vaginitis include:
Some types of vaginitis can increase a person’s risk of other health problems.
For instance, bacterial vaginosis can cause complications in pregnancy, including miscarriage or having a low birth weight baby, preterm delivery, or your water breaking early. It’s important to treat BV if you're pregnant.
BV also increases your risk of getting other STIs, including HIV, and is associated with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious condition that can impair fertility. People who have BV also are more likely to get an infection after having surgery such as an abortion or hysterectomy.
Trichomoniasis also increases a person's risk of contracting or spreading other STIs, including HIV. Trichomoniasis also may cause preterm birth.
Tell your doctor about your symptoms of vaginitis if you're pregnant because they can cause complications. In addition, some STIs can be passed from a mother to her baby before, during, or after birth.
There are steps you can take to help prevent vaginitis.
They include:
Your vaginitis symptoms will depend on the type you have.
Common types of vaginitis and their symptoms are:
If you notice a change in discharge or any other symptoms, contact your doctor — especially if you're pregnant.
To find out the cause of your symptoms, your health care provider will:
Your doctor may need to order lab tests to diagnose vaginitis.
To ensure the results of these tests are accurate, don't use any vaginal medications for at least three days before you see your provider. Also, don't douche, have sex, or use spermicides before your visit.
Without treatment, symptoms of vaginitis can worsen.
The treatment your doctor recommends will depend on the type of vaginitis a person has.
Prescription antibiotics are needed to treat bacterial vaginosis, and you must complete your prescription to help prevent a recurrence. (BV often recurs.) During treatment, you should either wear a condom during sex or not have sex.
Over-the-counter (OTC) topical creams, gels, or suppositories you insert into your vagina are common vaginal yeast infection treatments. (But these OTC medicines won't cure other types of vaginitis.) Your doctor can also prescribe fluconazole, which is a single dose you take orally.
Even though OTC treatments for yeast infections are often effective, you should see your health care provider to confirm the cause of your vaginal symptoms, or if an OTC treatment doesn't work.
Trichomoniasis is an STI that needs to be treated immediately. Both you and your partner will need a single-dose antibiotic to prevent its spread.
Your health care provider may prescribe a medicated cream to relieve symptoms until the itching or burning sensations clear up. Stop using scented products in your intimate area to prevent vaginitis from recurring.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-09-05.
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