Vaginitis is caused by what?

Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 05, 2024
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There are many causes of vaginitis, most of which are due to sexual activity. During sexual activity, the normal environment of the vagina can be altered. The vagina contains normal bacteria and has a relatively high acidity. If there is sexual activity, the pH balance inside the vagina can change, allowing pathogenic bacteria to proliferate, thus making it easy to develop vaginitis. Additionally, poor personal hygiene can also lead to vaginitis, such as using damp sanitary products and not changing underwear promptly. Therefore, it is essential to maintain hygiene during sexual activities and to keep the external genital area clean, wearing breathable, cotton underwear.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How long does it take for acute vaginitis to heal?

Acute vaginitis is primarily characterized by purulent discharge or cottage cheese-like discharge, with patients experiencing severe itching in the vulva. Additionally, some may feel a contracting sensation during urination; these are all manifestations of acute vaginitis. The treatment duration for acute vaginitis generally requires seven days, so most can be cured after completing one treatment course. Some individuals might still experience symptoms after one course of medication and may need two courses. Common types of acute vaginitis include yeast vaginitis, bacterial vaginitis, and trichomonal vaginitis. These types of vaginitis must be treated promptly when they acutely manifest to avoid progressing to chronic vaginitis, which is more problematic to treat.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What should I do if I have vaginitis?

Vaginitis requires a hospital examination. Because the bacteria responsible for vaginitis vary, the clinical manifestations and medications used also vary. If the vaginal discharge appears like curds or cottage cheese, it suggests yeast vaginitis, and it should be treated with medication specific for yeast infections. In the case of yeast vaginitis, if the discharge becomes watery and has a fishy smell, it generally indicates a trichomonas infection, for which medications such as metronidazole or tinidazole can be used topically. If the discharge is yellow, thick, and abundant, caused by bacteria or cervical erosion, it should be treated as bacterial vaginitis accordingly. Therefore, it is essential to have a laboratory test of the secretions at a hospital to determine the type of infection and treat it accordingly.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What is the best medicine for vaginitis?

What kind of medicine is best for vaginal inflammation depends primarily on the type of bacteria causing the infection and the nature of the vaginal inflammation. Since different bacteria cause different clinical symptoms, the treatment and medications vary accordingly. Generally, if the treatment is symptomatic, whether using common medications or specific ones, it will certainly be effective as long as it matches the symptoms. If treatment is not based on the correct diagnosis, and medication is used blindly without a clear diagnosis of vaginal inflammation, this will definitely not be appropriate. Generally, in cases of trichomonas infection, the vaginal discharge appears watery and has a foul smell, and treatment must be specifically targeted against trichomonas infection. If the discharge is curdy or cheese-like, these are typical symptoms of fungal vaginitis, and treatment must be conducted with effective medications specifically for fungal infections. Therefore, the type of medication for vaginal inflammation must be determined after an examination and based on the results, appropriate treatment should be administered.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to completely cure vaginitis?

There are many causes of vaginitis, and the treatments vary depending on the type. For fungal vaginitis, which is prone to recurrence, there are both simple and recurrent forms. Simple fungal vaginitis can be treated with medication over two treatment courses, whereas recurrent fungal vaginitis requires longer treatment, needing 3-6 months to heal completely. For trichomonal vaginitis, it is necessary to complete a course of medication, then stop the medication for a week before re-examination. If two consecutive re-examinations are negative, it indicates that the trichomonal vaginitis is cured. For bacterial vaginitis, after it is cured, probiotics must be placed in the vagina. As long as the probiotics proliferate normally, the bacterial vaginitis will also be cured. However, most bacterial vaginitis is caused by frequent sexual activity and relationships within the vagina, so it is essential to change these unhealthy lifestyle habits.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to treat vaginitis with medication

Vaginitis can be treated with oral medication and vaginal medication. For trichomoniasis vaginitis and yeast vaginitis, vaginal medications are quite effective, but these types can also be treated with oral medications. If it is bacterial vaginitis, it is best to use oral medication. Vaginitis is mainly related to sexual activity, so it is essential to maintain hygiene during sexual activity. It is important to wear breathable, cotton underwear and to expose sanitary products to sunlight to reduce the occurrence of vaginitis. It is advisable to have a steady sexual partner and avoid frequent sexual activity; generally, two to three times a week is most suitable.