Vaginitis

What is vaginitis?

Vaginitis is an infection of the vagina that causes inflammation, discomfort, itching, and sometimes discharge. It can come from bacteria, fungus, or irritation from chemicals. The three most common types are:

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis comes as the result of a bacterial infection. While it isn’t a sexually transmitted disease (STD), it comes from any change to the normal bacterial flora in your vagina and often occurs after sexual intercourse. 

Yeast infections

Yeast is a type of fungus called Candida albicans. Yeast infections also commonly develop after sexual contact, and nearly three-quarters of women get one at some point in their lives. 

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis develops because of a parasite transmitted through sexual contact.

How is vaginitis diagnosed?

When you first come in for a diagnosis of possible vaginitis at Akachi Primary and Urgent Care, the team asks you to provide details about your symptoms and elaborate on when and how they started. 

The team also performs a pelvic examination and might collect a discharge sample for lab testing if the discharge is present. 

You might get a vaginitis diagnosis if your symptoms at the time of your visit include:

• Itching
• Odorous discharge
• Changes in the color of your discharge
• Painful urination
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting

In some cases, the team also provides pH testing for your vaginal walls using a testing strip or stick. While a high pH measurement could indicate a vaginitis infection, a pH test alone is not conclusive enough to be the only diagnostic test.

How is vaginitis treated?

Although the symptoms may come as a surprise and seem to be highly concerning, vaginitis of all kinds is highly treatable with simple solutions from the team at Akachi Primary and Urgent Care. Once they confirm a diagnosis, they can prescribe medication or recommend treatment based on the type of vaginitis you have. 

Prescription medications are available for infectious types of vaginitis including bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and yeast infections. Be sure to follow your provider’s instructions carefully while taking any medications for any variety of vaginitis. 

If you have a noninfectious form of vaginitis from a product or chemical irritant, you should do your best to identify the underlying cause and stop using the product immediately for relief. 

Symptoms of vaginitis can catch you off guard and leave you wondering if the infection is serious. To book vaginitis testing and treatment consultations, schedule online or call Akachi Primary and Urgent Care for an appointment now.