Vaginitis (or colpitis) is the inflammation of the vaginal mucosa. The most frequent causes of vaginitis do not belong to sexually transmitted infections:
Overgrowth of Candida fungi
Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria frequently found in the vagina in small amounts
Both Candida and bacteria that cause bacterial vaginosis are typically present in the vagina in small amounts. Normally, they are kept under control by lactobacilli, beneficial bacteria that live in the vagina. Sometimes this defense system may fail to prevent the overgrowth of fungi and/or bacteria, which leads to vaginitis.
Less common causes of vaginitis are:
– Common potentially pathogenic flora (intestinal bacteria, staphylococci, and streptococci, among others)
– Sexually transmitted infections or STIs (chlamydia, trichomonas, ureaplasmas, mycoplasmas, gonococci)
The main symptoms of vaginitis are:
– Vaginal burning and itching
– Tingling in the lower abdomen
– Heavy vaginal discharge, which can have an unpleasant odor and atypical consistency
– Redness of the external genitalia
– Pain during intercourse
If you detect any signs of vaginitis, it’s best to consult a doctor. The treatment will largely depend on the type of germs that caused the inflammation. If not treated in a timely manner, vaginitis may cause complications, including fertility problems and chronic treatment-resistant inflammation.