Vaginitis 101: What’s up down there?

Let’s explore a topic that’s very common but often too taboo to chat about: vaginitis. If you’ve ever felt itchy, uncomfortable, or noticed unusual changes ‘down there’ you’re not alone. Despite being common, many Australian women don’t fully understand what causes vaginitis, how to recognise it, or what treatments are available – so lets break it down.

What is vaginitis?

Vaginitis is a common condition, characterised by the inflammation of the vagina, often resulting in symptoms such as itching, burning, discomfort and/or abnormal discharge.

The two most common types of vaginitis are:

1. Bacterial Vaginosis or BV

BV is caused by an imbalance of the bacterial floral in the vagina. It can be triggered by sexual intercourse², douching or even using a copper intra-uterine device (IUD)¹. Although bacterial vaginosis can be triggered by sexual activity², it is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI). However, it can be spread between female sexual partners.

About half of bacterial vaginosis cases don’t experience symptoms, but if they do, they might include:

• A thick white or grey discharge
• An unpleasant or ‘fishy’ smell
• Mild irritation around the vagina and vulva
• A burning sensation when urinating

It’s important to treat BV because it can increase your chances of other health issues like pelvic inflammatory disease, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), complications with your IUD and may increase your risk of contracting STIs such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea³. If untreated during pregnancy it may lead to serious complications such as a miscarriage or premature birth⁴.

2. Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis on the other hand is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. It’s spread through unprotected sex, or by sharing wet towels, as the parasite can survive for several hours outside of the body.

Symptoms usually appear after 4-20 days from infection and can include:

• Frothy, yellow or green discharge
• An unpleasant or ‘fishy’ smell
• Itching or burning in the vaginal area
• Bleeding after sex or in between periods
• A burning sensation when urinating
• Pain during sex

If left untreated trichomoniasis can stay in your system for a long time and can put you at a higher risk for developing HIV₅.

How to reduce the risk of vaginitis:

• Use only water to clean your vagina
• Practice safe sex (use barrier contraception)
• Avoid douching
• Avoid using perfumed talcum powder or deodorants around your vagina

Talking openly about vaginal health can help reduce stigma and empower women to prioritise their well-being. If you’re experiencing any symptoms of vaginitis, or notice changes in your vaginal discharge, it’s important to speak to a doctor for personalised advice. Book an appointment or join the queue to speak with an experienced and discreet Australian-registered doctor at a time that suits you.

References 

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8326546/#:~:text=In%20this%20prospective%20cohort%20analysis,levels%20following%20Cu%2DIUD%20discontinuation         `
2. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/bacterial-vaginosis
3. https://www.mshc.org.au/health-professionals/treatment-guidelines/bacterial-vaginosis-treatment-guidelines  
4. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/bacterial-vaginosis
5. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/trichomoniasis