The symptoms related to vaginitis is the most common reason for visiting a gynecologist. This article is an effort to explore the cause and management of vaginitis. Vaginitis refers to any vaginal discomfort associated with vaginal discharge, pruritus or odor. This broad terminology refers to vaginal disorders related to vaginal infection, inflammation or change in vaginal flora. Etiopathogenesis Over 90% of cases are caused by bacterial vaginosis, candida vulvo-vaginitis and trichomoniasis.
Other less common reason are atrophic vaginitis, foreign body, allergens or irritants. Pathogenesis The vaginal mucosa of premenopausal women is lined by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, which is rich in glycogen. This glycogen is substrate for Doderlein bacilli in vagina, which break glucose into lactic acid that changes vaginal pH to 7.2 to 7.0. This acidic pH helps in preventing…
