Vaginitis is any inflammation or infection of the vagina. It's common in women of all ages. About 1 in 3 women have vaginitis at some time in their lives.

Bacteria, yeast, viruses, parasites, and chemicals in creams or sprays, and even clothing can cause vaginitis. Sometimes it comes from germs that are passed between sexual partners. And many things can affect the health of your vagina. They include your overall health, your personal hygiene, medicines, hormones (especially estrogen), and the health of your sexual partner. Changes in any of these can cause vaginitis.

These are the most common types of vaginitis:

• Candida (yeast) infection. This is caused by one of the many types of fungus known as candida. They normally live in the vagina in small numbers. Infection happens when something upsets the vagina's normal balance of yeast. For example, antibiotics can kill bacteria that normally balance the amount of yeast in the vagina. If too much yeast grows, an infection may result. Another cause can be pregnancy or some health problems, such as diabetes.
• Bacterial vaginosis (BV). This occurs when certain types of normal vaginal bacteria grow out of control and cause inflammation. BV is linked to sexual activity. But it's not a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
• Trichomoniasis (trich). This STI is caused by a parasite. The parasite passes between partners during sexual intercourse. Most men with trichomoniasis don't have symptoms. So the infection is often not diagnosed until a woman has vaginitis symptoms.
• Viral vaginitis. Herpes is most commonly spread through sexual contact. The herpes simplex virus (HSV) can cause viral vaginitis.
• Noninfectious vaginitis. This is vaginal irritation without an infection. It's most often caused by an allergic reaction or irritation. Chemicals in vaginal sprays, douches, or spermicidal products can cause it. It may also be caused by perfumed soaps, detergents, or fabric softeners. Even chemicals in clothing can cause symptoms. A type of noninfectious vaginitis called atrophic vaginitis happens when your body makes too little of the hormone estrogen. This can result from menopause, surgical removal of the ovaries, or radiation therapy. It can even happen after childbirth, especially in breastfeeding women. Lack of estrogen dries and thins the vaginal tissue.

You may be more at risk for vaginitis if you:

• Have recently taken antibiotics.
• Have changes in hormone levels from pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menopause.
• Have diabetes that is not well-controlled.
• Are using high-estrogen contraceptives.
• Are sensitive to chemicals in things like perfumes, body sprays, laundry soap, spermicides, or douches.
• Have poor personal hygiene.
• Have multiple sexual partners.
• Have a weak immune system. For example, certain diseases like HIV or medicines that weaken your immune system (such as corticosteroid therapy) can increase your risk for vaginitis.

The symptoms of vaginitis can be like other health conditions and can be different for each woman. Make sure to see your doctor for a diagnosis.

Yeast infection symptoms include:

• A thick, white, odorless vaginal discharge that is like cottage cheese.
• Itching and redness of the vulva and vagina.
• Pain with urination or sex.

Bacterial vaginosis symptoms include:

• A thin, white fluid from the vagina.
• A thick, gray or green fluid from the vagina.
• Fishy smell to the fluid.

Trichomoniasis symptoms include:

• Frothy, greenish-yellow fluid from the vagina that smells musty.
• Itching or burning in and around the vagina and vulva.
• Swelling or redness at the opening of the vagina.
• Light bleeding, especially after sex.
• Burning when you urinate.
• Pain in the lower belly (abdomen).
• Pain during sex.
• No symptoms, in some cases.

Viral vaginitis symptoms include:

• Pain in the genital area from sores, if the cause is human papillomavirus (HPV).
• Painless warts on the vagina, rectum, vulva, or groin, if the cause is HPV. But HPV can be present without visible warts.

Noninfectious vaginitis symptoms include:

• Vaginal itching, soreness, burning, or dryness.
• Fluid from the vagina.
• Uncomfortable, even painful, sex.
• Spotting after sex with atrophic vaginitis.

Your doctor will review your health history and do a physical and pelvic exam. They may also examine the vaginal discharge with a microscope to find the cause.

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on the cause of your vaginitis and how severe it is. If medicines are prescribed, talk with your doctor about the risks, benefits, and possible side effects of all medicines.

Treatment may include:

• Antifungal vaginal creams and suppositories.
• Vaginal tablets.
• Antifungal medicines that are taken by mouth (oral).

Antibiotics are used to treat this.

Oral antibiotics are used to treat this. All sexual partners need to be treated. This is to prevent the infection from happening again.

Treatment depends on the virus:

• Antiviral medicines may be used for genital herpes (HSV). They don't kill HSV. But they can reduce the pain and shorten the length of the outbreak.
• Treatment for HPV may include medicines applied to the warts. Or procedures may be done to remove the warts, including freezing, heat, lasers, or surgery.

The key to treating noninfectious vaginitis is finding out what irritant caused the reaction and removing it from use. For atrophic vaginitis, your doctor may recommend products to relieve vaginal dryness. They may include vaginal creams, lotions, lubricants, or hormone therapy.

Without treatment, vaginitis caused by bacterial vaginosis (BV) or trichomoniasis (trich) can increase the risk of more serious health problems such as:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
• Giving birth to a baby early if you're pregnant (preterm delivery).
• HIV and certain other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

A common cause of viral vaginitis is HPV. Certain types of HPV can cause cell changes that increase the chance of getting cervical cancer. An HPV vaccine can prevent infection by the types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers. But it works only if it's given before exposure to HPV.

Follow these tips to help prevent vaginitis.

• Stay away from chemicals. Don't use vaginal sprays. Don't use scented toilet paper or scented tampons. Sprays and scents have chemicals that can irritate your vagina.
• Don't douche unless you are told to by your doctor. Douching is rarely needed. And it upsets the normal balance in the vagina.
• Wash yourself well. Wash the outer vaginal area (vulva) every day with mild, unscented soap. Keep it as dry as possible.
• Wipe correctly. Make sure to wipe from front to back after a bowel movement. This helps keep from spreading bacteria from your anus to your vagina.
• Change your tampon often. During your period, make sure to change your tampon as often as directed on the package. This allows the normal flow of vaginal discharge and blood.

• Limit your number of sexual partners. The more partners you have, the greater your risk of infection. Using condoms helps reduce your risk.
• Get enough sleep. Sleep helps keep your body's immune system healthy. It helps you fight infection.
• Lose weight, if needed. Excess weight can reduce air circulation around your vagina. This can increase your risk of infection.
• Exercise regularly. Regular activity helps keep your body healthy.
• Take antibiotics only as directed. Antibiotics can change the normal chemical balance in the vagina.

• Don't sit in wet clothes. Yeast thrives when it's warm and damp.
• Don't wear tight pants. And don't wear tights, leggings, or hose without a cotton crotch. These types of clothing trap warmth and moisture.
• Wear cotton underwear. Cotton lets air flow around the vagina. Change your underwear every day.

• Vaginitis is any inflammation or infection of the vagina. It's common in women of all ages.
• Causes can include infections, chemicals, hormone changes, and poor personal hygiene.
• Symptoms can include pain, itching, burning, sores, and vaginal discharge.
• Treatment may include medicines. The type of medicine depends on the cause.
• Bacterial vaginosis, herpes, candida, and trichomoniasis, can all cause vaginitis. Treating these conditions is important to prevent other serious health problems.

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your doctor:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your doctor tells you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your doctor gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose of that visit.
• Know how you can contact your doctor if you have questions.