Vaginitis

Vaginitis is an inflammation caused by an upset in the natural balance of bacteria or by an infection.

What is Vaginitis?
Vaginitis is not a single disease, but a general term for inflammation of the vagina. It results in discharge, itching, and pain.

The Cause: Usually a disruption in the normal balance of healthy bacteria (microbiome) or an infection.

The "Discharge Decoder"

The type of discharge is your biggest clue. Use this guide to help identify what might be wrong:

Symptoms	Color/Texture	Smell	Likely Cause
Intense itching, burning.	Thick, White (Like Cottage Cheese)	None (or yeasty/bread-like).	Yeast Infection (Candida)
Mild itching, burning.	Thin, Gray or White	Fishy Odor (Worse after sex).	Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Painful urination, redness.	Yellow-Green (Frothy/Bubbly)	Foul / Unpleasant.	Trichomoniasis (Parasite)
Dryness, pain during sex.	None / Slight spotting	None.	Atrophy (Low Estrogen)

🛑 STOP DOUCHING
Myth: "I need to clean inside to get rid of the infection."
Fact: Douching flushes out healthy bacteria (Lactobacillus) that fight infection. It upsets the pH balance and makes Vaginosis worse. Your vagina is self-cleaning; leave the internal cleaning to your body.

The Main Causes

1. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

The most common vaginal infection. It happens when "bad" bacteria outnumber the "good" bacteria. It is not technically an STD, but it is linked to new sexual partners.

2. Yeast Infections (Candida)

[Image of candida albicans under microscope]

Caused by a fungus causing an intense itch. Common triggers include antibiotic use (which kills good bacteria), pregnancy, or uncontrolled diabetes.

3. Trichomoniasis ("Trich")

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a microscopic parasite. Unlike BV or Yeast, this requires partner treatment.

4. Non-Infectious (Allergies/Atrophy)

Caused by scented soaps, detergents, or a drop in estrogen during menopause (thinning walls).

Diagnosis

Doctors use a simple swab test to check pH levels and look at cells under a microscope.

• Whiff Test: Checking for a fishy odor when a special solution is added to the sample (indicates BV).
• pH Test: Normal vaginal pH is 3.8–4.5. Higher pH suggests BV or Trich.

Treatment & Partner Care

Note: Using leftover medication from a previous infection is dangerous because treating the wrong thing (e.g., using yeast cream for BV) can make it worse.

Condition	Treatment	Does Partner Need Meds?
Yeast	Antifungal Cream (Monistat) or Oral Pill (Diflucan).	No (Unless they have symptoms).
BV	Antibiotics (Metronidazole) Gel or Pills.	Generally No (For male partners).
Trichomoniasis	Antibiotics (Metronidazole).	YES. Must be treated to prevent reinfection.

Prevention Tips

• Cotton Underwear: Breathable fabric prevents moisture buildup (yeast loves moisture).
• Skip Scented Products: Avoid scented pads, tampons, and soaps.
• Wipe Front to Back: Prevents transferring rectal bacteria to the vagina.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician regarding any medical condition.