Vaginitis

BACKGROUND

Vaginitis is inflammation of the vagina.

Causes

Infections

•	Yeast infection — whitish itchy discharge with little smell — increased by antibiotics or excess sugar intake
•	Bacterial — often with a fishy smell
•	Trichomoniasis
•	Other infections

Hormonal deficiencies

Hormonal (estrogen) deficiencies during menopause.

Irritating substances

TREATMENT

Therapies & Advice

Check for STD's

To rule out a sexually transmitted disease, it is best that vaginitis be evaluated by a gynecologist.

If yeast vaginitis

If yeast vaginitis, avoid antibiotics and sugar. Adding a teaspoon of plain yogurt with LIVE bacterial culture vaginally daily can help restore healthy balance and may help eliminate an acute infection as well. Tea tree oil suppositories (irritating) may also help, but frankly the OTC Monistat (miconazole) or Mycelex (Clotrimazole) vaginal creams are safer and more reliable. Also see Candida. Probiotics by mouth may decrease recurrence as well.

Check for infections

For other infections, consult your gynecologist.

Check for hormonal deficiencies

For hormonal deficiencies, consider bioidentical estrogen (see Menopause).

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