Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Vulvovaginitis LooksHow Vulvovaginitis FeelsSelf-Care and Symptom Treatment at HomeWhat Conditions Cause Vulvovaginitis?Prescriptions for Vulvovaginitis DiscomfortManaging Cyclic Vulvovaginitis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Vulvovaginitis Looks
How Vulvovaginitis Feels
Self-Care and Symptom Treatment at Home
What Conditions Cause Vulvovaginitis?
Prescriptions for Vulvovaginitis Discomfort
Managing Cyclic Vulvovaginitis
Vulvovaginitis will look different from person to person based on the underlying cause and symptoms. Below are the different characteristics seen when someone has vulvovaginitis.
Atrophy
Someone with vulvovaginitis may haveatrophy of the vulva. The vulva will look pale and thin with narrowing of theintroitus, the entrance to the vaginal canal. The skin will not be elastic and can easily bleed.
Redness
Vulvovaginitis typically looks red. The vulva skin will beredderthan the surrounding skin. It can beswollenas well.
Sores
Swelling
The vulva can beswollen.The skin will appear red and can look larger than normal.
Discharge
An abnormalvaginal dischargecan be a symptom of vulvovaginitis. Thedischarge appearancewill vary based on the underlying cause. They can include:
Vulvovaginitis will feel differently based on what’s causing it and the severity of the symptoms. Below are the various ways vulvovaginitis can feel.
Itching
Burning/Stinging
Based on the underlying cause, some cases of vulvovaginitis can be managed at home with simple lifestyle changes and home treatments. Below are ways to treat vulvovaginitis symptoms and tips for properly caring for the vulva and vagina.
It’s important to properly care for the vulva and skin around the genitals. This skin is sensitive and prone to irritation. Only was the exterior genital skin and do not douche. Just use warm water to clean the area and pat dry.
Asitz bathin warm (not hot) water for 10 to 15 per day can help to relieve vulvovaginitis symptoms. When finished pat the skin completely dry. Other self-care and symptom treatments include:
Infection
Bacterial vaginosis(BV) is a common vaginal infection. It is caused when unwanted bacteria outgrows the desirable types of bacteria. This generates an unhealthy bacterial infection causing inflammation, redness, and a thin, gray discharge with a fishy odor.
Yeast infections, also called vulvovaginal candidiasis are the most common cause of vulvovaginitis.There is normally a small amount of yeast in the vagina. When something disrupts the normal microbial balance, yeast can overgrow. A common example of this is when someone takes antibiotics for an infection. The antibiotics also kill the normal bacteria that grow in the vagina which then allows yeast to overgrow causing a yeast infection.
Hormone Changes
After menopause, women have lowerestrogenlevels. These hormone changes cause vaginal dryness and thinning of the vulva and vaginal skin creating many of the vulvovaginitis symptoms. This condition is calledgenitourinary syndrome of menopause(GSM), previously termed atrophic vaginitis.
Unknown Causes
Many times the exact cause of vulvovaginitis cannot be determined. This is called nonspecific vulvovaginitis. It is often linked tostool bacteriaand may be due to poor hygiene or wiping from back to front. Nonspecific vulvovaginitis can happen to anyone but is more common in younger people beforepuberty.
Vulvovaginitis: Which Age is Most Susceptible?Vulvovaginitiscan happen at any age. In females who have not yet reached puberty, the skin that lines the vulva and vagina is very thin, making vulvovaginitis more common in females during this time. However, infectious vulvovaginitis like BV and yeast infections do not typically happen until a female reaches puberty.
Vulvovaginitis: Which Age is Most Susceptible?
Vulvovaginitiscan happen at any age. In females who have not yet reached puberty, the skin that lines the vulva and vagina is very thin, making vulvovaginitis more common in females during this time. However, infectious vulvovaginitis like BV and yeast infections do not typically happen until a female reaches puberty.
Prescriptions for vulvovaginitis are typically reserved for infections. A healthcare provider will perform an examination to determine the underlying cause and if a prescription is necessary.
Yeast infectionswill need an antifungal cream or suppository. These can be prescription or found over-the-counter.
Trichomoniasis is treated with an antibiotic. It is usually one dose ofmetronidazoleor tinidazole. If the initial treatment is not effective follow-up antibiotics will be prescribed.
BV is also treated with an oral or topical antibiotic like metronidazole, clindamycin, or tinidazole.
Steroid creams or antihistamine pills are also used to relieve general vulvovaginitis discomfort.
Cyclic vulvovaginitis is when someone has recurring vulva or vaginal itching and burning during the same phase of theirmenstrual cycle.
Those who have cytolytic vaginosis, an overgrowth of lactobacilli bacteria should not use antifugals but a sitz bath to find relief.
A healthcare provider can help determine the exact cause of cyclic vulvovaginitis and suggest a treatment plan for the specific cause.
Summary
Vulvovaginitis is a condition that causes pain, swelling, and itching of the vulva and vagina. It is seen in females of all ages. Females who are prepubescent are prone to vulvovaginitis due to the thinner skin that surrounds the vagina. Females who have reached puberty are more prone to infectious vulvovaginitis causes.A healthcare provider should be seen to determine the cause and guide treatment.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Vulvovaginitis.Goje O, Munoz JL.Vulvovaginitis: find the cause to treat it.CCJM. 2017;84(3):215-224. doi:10.3949/ccjm.84a.15163Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis.Nemours KidsHealth.Vaginitis in children.DermNet.Cyclic vulvovaginitis.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Vulvovaginitis.Goje O, Munoz JL.Vulvovaginitis: find the cause to treat it.CCJM. 2017;84(3):215-224. doi:10.3949/ccjm.84a.15163Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis.Nemours KidsHealth.Vaginitis in children.DermNet.Cyclic vulvovaginitis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Vulvovaginitis.Goje O, Munoz JL.Vulvovaginitis: find the cause to treat it.CCJM. 2017;84(3):215-224. doi:10.3949/ccjm.84a.15163Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis.Nemours KidsHealth.Vaginitis in children.DermNet.Cyclic vulvovaginitis.
MedlinePlus.Vulvovaginitis.
Goje O, Munoz JL.Vulvovaginitis: find the cause to treat it.CCJM. 2017;84(3):215-224. doi:10.3949/ccjm.84a.15163
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis.
Nemours KidsHealth.Vaginitis in children.
DermNet.Cyclic vulvovaginitis.
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