Vaginitis

What is vaginitis?

Vaginitis is a term for many disorders of the vagina, all of which cause inflammation. While many of them are infections and come from viruses or bacteria, you can also get vaginitis from various irritants like chemicals in certain products.

Not all cases of vaginitis come from sexual contact, but some do. In fact, some forms of vaginitis are STIs. A few of the most common examples are:

• Yeast infections
• Bacterial vaginosis
• Herpes
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Trichomoniasis vaginitis

The teams at Cermak Immediate Care explore the possibilities using a vaginal swab test. They evaluate the fluid swab by checking the pH and the cells. After that, they can give you an accurate diagnosis.

What are the symptoms of vaginitis?

Vaginitis symptoms can vary based on your exact diagnosis, but many are consistent across the board. You should give the team at Cermak Immediate Care a complete description of your symptoms and advise them of any infections or similar symptoms you’ve had in the past.

Some of the most common vaginitis symptoms are:

• Itching or irritation
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Spotting or bleeding between periods
• Foul-smelling discharge
• Painful urination
• Pain during sex

While some of these symptoms can occur shortly after sex, whether due to friction or an infection, there are other possible causes of vaginitis symptoms too.

Changes in your hormones can alter the pH levels of your vagina too.

How is vaginitis treated?

The treatments for vaginitis depend on several factors, like whether or not there’s an infection and what your symptoms are. While some types can go away without any intervention, it’s always a good idea to get an accurate diagnosis so you can avoid the potential complications of long-term infection. Bacterial infections are treatable with antibiotics. For yeast infections, there are over-the-counter medications that come in several different varieties. It’s important to take any medication for vaginitis according to its exact instructions and to stop having sexual contact until any infections are cleared. Schedule your visit to Cermak Immediate Care over the phone or online for vaginitis testing and treatment today.