How is vaginitis treated?

Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 06, 2024
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If you get vaginitis, you should first go to the hospital to have a vaginal discharge test, because there are many types of vaginitis, and the treatment methods and medications vary. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the pathogen causing the vaginitis before medicating. Treatment can include both topical and oral medications. For trichomonal vaginitis, metronidazole can be used, both topically and orally. For fungal vaginitis, clotrimazole vaginal tablets can be used topically, or fluconazole can be taken orally. Bacterial vaginitis requires the use of antibiotics for treatment.

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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.

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Written by Zhang Lu
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Does vaginitis affect pregnancy?

If a woman has vaginitis, it can affect her ability to become pregnant. First, during the period of preparing for pregnancy, vaginitis can interfere with the combination of sperm and egg, which can easily lead to unsuccessful fertilization. Second, if a woman has vaginitis after becoming pregnant, it is essential to treat it promptly. Otherwise, the inflammation of the vagina can easily lead to cervicitis, which can then spread upward, causing chorioamnionitis. If chorioamnionitis continues to spread to the interior of the uterine cavity, it can cause premature rupture of membranes and intrauterine infection. Therefore, if symptoms of vaginitis are present, it is necessary to promptly perform routine vaginal discharge tests to identify the type of inflammation and treat it accordingly, whether before or during pregnancy. Vaginitis is treatable with medication in both circumstances.

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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 Gan Hai Ying
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What should I do about yeast vaginitis?

Candidal vaginitis is an inflammation caused by a Candida infection in the vagina, leading to abnormal vaginal discharge and vulvar itching among other discomforting symptoms in women. Therefore, active treatment is generally necessary for candidal vaginitis. Fungi do not grow well in alkaline environments, thus washing the vulva with alkaline medicinal solutions can reduce symptoms of vulvar itching and aid in healing the disease. Additionally, local vaginal medications such as antifungal drugs like nystatin or clotrimazole vaginal tablets should be applied. In severe cases, oral treatment with drugs like fluconazole may also be necessary. Typically, symptoms of candidal vaginitis can be thoroughly alleviated after antifungal treatment. (Please follow medical advice regarding medication use.)

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Written by He Jing
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Early symptoms of fungal vaginitis

The early symptoms of candidal vaginitis primarily manifest as an increase in vaginal discharge, accompanied by itching of the vulva, and the discharge may appear curd-like or resembling cottage cheese. Since candidal vaginitis causes noticeable itching of the vulva, which can severely affect the patient's study and daily life, it is necessary to visit a hospital for a routine vaginal discharge examination when encountering these symptoms. Once diagnosed, under the guidance of a doctor, appropriate alkaline washes can be used to cleanse the vulva, followed by the placement of clotrimazole vaginal suppositories or nystatin vaginal soft capsules for symptomatic treatment. Typically, symptomatic treatment for about a week can lead to recovery. Note that during treatment, sexual intercourse should be avoided to prevent worsening of the condition.