Vulvovaginitis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Female perineal anatomy

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Vulvovaginitis

Alternative Names:

Vaginitis; Vaginal inflammation; Inflammation of the vagina

Symptoms:

irritation and/or itching of the genital area
inflammation (irritation, redness, and swelling caused by the presence of extra immune cells) of the labia majora, labia minora, or perineal area
vaginal discharge
foul vaginal odor
discomfort or burning when urinating

Signs and tests:

A pelvic examination may reveal red, tender vulvar or vaginal skin. Any lesions or sores should be inspected. A wet prep (microscopic evaluation of vaginal discharge) is usually done to identify a vaginal infection or overgrowth of yeast or bacteria. In some cases, a culture of the vaginal discharge may identify the organism causing the infection.

Trying to diagnose the condition by symptoms alone is very inaccurate in determining the cause of vulvoginitis. Furthermore, self-diagnosis and treatment with over-the-counter medications (such as yeast infection creams) is unwise and may lead to incorrect and ineffective use of these products. For this reason, vulvovaginitis should be diagnosed by a health care provider.

Review Date: 7/8/2004
Reviewed By: Bryan R. Hecht, M.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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