What causes vaginitis?

Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 07, 2024
00:00
00:00

The most common cause of vaginitis is due to sexual activity because sexual intercourse can cause changes in the pH level of the vagina, leading to a reduction in local resistance and the proliferation of pathogens. This can result in various types of vaginitis, such as fungal vaginitis, trichomonal vaginitis, and bacterial vaginitis, all of which are related to sexual activity. Therefore, it is essential to maintain hygiene during sexual activities, have a fixed sexual partner, maintain good lifestyle habits, avoid overwork and staying up late, as a stronger immune system can also reduce the likelihood of contracting vaginitis.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
58sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of trichomonal and fungal vaginitis?

Trichomonal vaginitis primarily presents with symptoms such as vulvar itching, yellow purulent vaginal discharge, and a foul odor; severe cases can cause vaginal congestion and edema. If it is candidal vaginitis, the main symptom is severe vulvar itching, sometimes accompanied by vulvar edema. Scratching may reveal scratch marks on the vulva. The discharge in this type of vaginitis typically resembles cottage cheese and usually does not have an odor, but a foul smell may occur if there is a bacterial co-infection. In terms of treatment, these two types of vaginitis require different approaches. Trichomonal vaginitis can be treated with metronidazole or tinidazole, whereas candidal vaginitis can be treated with clotrimazole vaginal tablets. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
51sec home-news-image

Can you get pregnant with vaginitis?

Vaginitis is a very common gynecological issue among women, occurring countless times in every woman's life. Thus, the ability to get pregnant while having vaginitis indicates that there are no major issues with your body. Vaginitis itself does not affect the development of the fetus, however, during childbirth, it may lead to infections in the fetus. For instance, fungal vaginitis may cause oral thrush in children, and bacterial vaginitis may lead to infections of the uterine lining. In other words, vaginitis could potentially trigger infections during childbirth, affecting both the mother and the fetus. Throughout the pregnancy, it does not cause developmental deformities in the fetus.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Qu Chun Yao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
56sec home-news-image

What should I do about acute vaginitis?

Acute vaginitis refers to acute inflammation caused by some kind of pathogen infection, clinically characterized by an increase in vaginal discharge and changes in the nature of the discharge. Symptoms also include itching of the vulva, a burning sensation of the vulva, pain during intercourse, and frequent urination and urgency. Acute vaginitis disrupts the female immune system and damages the reproductive system, affecting the sexual life of couples. For acute inflammation, a vaginal secretion test should be given to understand and identify the pathogen, thereby treating the pathogen specifically. If necessary, bacterial culture may be conducted, and treatment can be administered orally or applied directly to the vagina to treat the vaginitis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 9sec home-news-image

How is yeast vaginitis caused?

Yeast vaginitis, also known as candidal vaginitis, generally forms due to improper care. Normally, the vaginal environment is acidic. If a person is particularly hygienic and uses cleansing solutions or water to wash the vagina daily, it can disrupt the vaginal microbiota, leading to recurrent episodes of yeast vaginitis. Additionally, long-term use of large doses of anti-inflammatory drugs can also cause an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota, resulting in recurrent yeast infections. Furthermore, patients with poorly controlled diabetes may also experience recurrent yeast infections. Pregnant women, 30%-40% of whom, may also develop yeast vaginitis due to microbial imbalance. Moreover, in households where someone has athlete's foot, washing socks and shorts together can also lead to yeast infections. Therefore, in addition to treatment, the precautions mentioned earlier should also be taken seriously.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
57sec home-news-image

The Harm of Candidal Vaginitis

The harm of yeast vaginitis manifests as severe itching of the vulva, which can significantly affect a patient's daily life. Therefore, yeast vaginitis has a substantial impact on the body, affecting work and studies, and must be actively treated. Clinically, yeast vaginitis presents with curd-like or cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge, which is itchy but odorless. At this time, treatment requires going to a hospital to obtain a secretion sample for testing. After confirming the diagnosis of yeast vaginitis, appropriate medication is selected based on the test results to treat the condition symptomatically. If not treated actively, yeast vaginitis may recur around the time of the next menstrual period and can worsen before and after menstruation. Thus, it is crucial to actively seek symptomatic treatment for yeast vaginitis.