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Vaginitis

Last reviewed: 10 Dec 2025
Last updated: 21 Mar 2025

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • vaginal discharge
  • dysuria
  • discharge adherent to vaginal mucosa
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • prior episodes
  • pruritus
  • vulvodynia
  • vaginal dryness
  • dyspareunia
  • erythema
  • pale epithelium
  • shiny epithelium
  • decreased elasticity
  • friable epithelium
  • fever
  • vaginal bleeding
  • abdominal pain
  • strawberry cervix
Full details

Risk factors

  • douching
  • poor or excessive hygiene
  • antibiotic use
  • change in feminine hygiene products and/or soap
  • HIV infection
  • diabetes
  • black women
  • intrauterine device
  • oral contraceptive pill use
  • latex condom/diaphragm
  • reproductive age
  • menopause
  • multiple or new sex partners
  • tobacco
  • increased frequency of intercourse
  • pregnancy
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • vaginal pH
  • amine "whiff" test of vaginal secretions
  • wet mount microscopy of vaginal secretions
  • Gram stain of vaginal secretions
  • HIV test
  • nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)
  • venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test
  • serum rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test
Full details

Tests to consider

  • culture of vaginal secretions
  • polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for trichomoniasis on vaginal secretions
  • rapid enzyme tests of vaginal secretions
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

nonpregnant: isolated acute episode

pregnant: isolated acute episode

atrophic vaginitis

irritant or allergic vaginitis

ONGOING

nonpregnant: persistent or recurrent symptoms

pregnant: persistent or recurrent symptoms

Contributors

Authors

Diego Illanes, MD, FACOG, FACS
Diego Illanes

Medical Director

Urogynecology

Milford Regional

Milford

MA

Disclosures

DSI is an advisor for Coloplast, Medtronic and Vicarious.

Peer reviewers

David Chelmow, MD

Chair

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond

VA

Declarações

DC declares that he has no competing interests.

Jonathon Solnik, MD

Director

Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Los Angeles

CA

Declarações

JS declares that he has no competing interests.

Créditos aos pareceristas

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Referências

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Principais artigos

Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al. Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021 Jul 23;70(4):1-187.Texto completo  Resumo

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Vaginitis in nonpregnant patients: ACOG practice bulletin, number 215. Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Jan;135(1):e1-e17. Resumo

Artigos de referência

Uma lista completa das fontes referenciadas neste tópico está disponível para os usuários com acesso total ao BMJ Best Practice.
  • Vaginitis images
  • Diagnósticos diferenciais

    • Gonorrhea
    • Chlamydia
    • Cervicitis
    Mais Diagnósticos diferenciais
  • Diretrizes

    • UK national guideline on the management of Trichomonas vaginalis​
    • UK national guideline on the management of Trichomonas vaginalis
    Mais Diretrizes
  • Folhetos informativos para os pacientes

    Bacterial vaginosis

    Menopause: should I take HRT?

    Mais Folhetos informativos para os pacientes
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