Vaginitis: Causes & Treatments

Feeling like your vagina just isn’t quite right? Vaginitis is a general term for infection, inflammation or changes in the normal flora of the vagina. There are several symptoms that may show up as vaginitis including itching, burning, pain with intercourse, change in discharge, spotting or an odor. Often the infectious organism causing these symptoms are either yeast, a bacteria (causing bacterial vaginosis) or trichomonas (a sexually transmitted organism).

Whatever the cause of your vaginitis, we can help you get to the root cause and provide at-home tips for prevention and treatment

How to support a healthy vagina at home:

• Air out the vulva (the outer part of the genital area) by not wearing any undergarments or by wearing loose fitting, breathable clothes to bed (cotton is great)
• Always wipe from front to back after voiding
• Wear pads/pantyliners only when necessary (the vulva needs more airflow than what a constant pad allows)
• Clean your vagina regularly
• Avoid using irritating feminine products – deodorant sprays and powders
• Take a probiotic daily

How to avoid yeast infections:

• See general vaginal support 
• Avoid tight fitting clothes
• Limit sugar intake
• Stay dry – change clothes in a timely fashion if they are wet or moist
• Find over the counter support with a topical vulva cream and internal vaginal cream or oral medication prescribed by your provider

How to treat Bacterial Vaginosis:

• See general vaginal support
• Seek oral medication prescribed by your provider
• Abstain from intercourse while treating BV in order to prevent any potential back and forth with your partner 

How to treat Trichomoniasis:

• Use condoms consistently
• Treatment includes an oral medication prescribed by your provider
• You and your partner should be treated before intercourse resume