Vaginitis: Beyond the Basics

Abstract

Vaginal complaints are one of the most common reasons women seek the advice of a health care provider. Uncomplicated infections such as vulvovaginal candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, or trichomoniasis are easy to diagnose and treat. However, about 8% of patients will have a more complicated course with failure to respond to treatment or rapid recurrence of symptoms. Understanding the need for a methodical, diagnostic approach to help these women with recurrent or refractory cases of vaginal symptoms will aid the clinician achieve successful patient outcomes.

Keywords: Atrophic vaginitis; Bacterial vaginosis; Candida; Desquamative inflammatory vaginitis; Trichomoniasis; Vaginitis; Vulvovaginal candidiasis.