What is Acute Vaginitis? - MD. Suzan Gencsoy

In the physiological vaginal environment, vaginal discharge is clear or white, odorless, and acidic. The acidic environment provided by the immune system and lactobacilli in the normal flora prevents the proliferation of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Vaginitis, which normally affects 15-40% of women, is defined as an infection of the vagina.

Vaginal discharge (color, amount and smell different from normal discharge)

vaginal burning

vaginal itching

Vaginal irritation and stinging.

The most common types of acute vaginitis are:

Bacterial vaginosis 40-45%

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (fungal) 20-25%

Trichomoniasis 15-20%

Less common types include allergic vaginitis, viral vaginitis, and foreign body vaginitis.

Lactobacilli in the normal vaginal environment provide an acidic environment thanks to the lactic acid they produce and prevent the proliferation of bad bacteria.

When the vaginal balance is disturbed, pathological bacteria begin to multiply and clinical complaints occur. The diagnosis is made according to the type of vaginal discharge, the complaints and the culture result of the sample taken from the vaginal discharge, and the necessary treatment plan is prepared.

How is acute vaginitis treated?

Depending on the type of vaginitis during treatment, sometimes simultaneous treatment may be required. The role of probiotics in the treatment of vaginitis has increased in recent years. Probiotics can be used vaginally and orally as an adjunct to treatment and especially in recurrent cases.

Vaginitis is often seen in cases where another disease is accompanied by pregnancy, diabetes, obesity, or when there is the use of drugs such as birth control pills, cortisone, antibiotics.

Especially in recurrent infections, a chronic disease or factor can be detected. Women should stay away from tight, airtight clothing, and cut back on the drugs they use, especially antibiotics and cortisone. Cleaning with soap, vaginal douching or drugs used with the advice of friends, which most women apply for hygiene concerns, make the situation even more difficult. Treatment is different and individual for each patient.

As a result of common vaginitis, no difference was observed in the frequency of gynecological cancers, but since an increase in vaginal discharge is observed in cervical cancer complaints, it is useful to perform a pap-smear test in routine controls.