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Vaginitis

Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina and/or the vulva manifesting with one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Profuse discharges 

  • Discharges with or without odor

  • Pain

  • Itch

  • Dryness

  • Burning sensation

  • The vulva can be normal or red, swollen, and /or with sores. 
     

A clear or white vaginal discharge is normal in a changing amount according to the menstrual cycle, therefore not every discharge is a sign of inflammation, a discharge that is causing any discomfort is not normal. 


The most common causes of vaginitis are:

  • Overgrowth of bacteria causing white/greyish/yellowish foul-smelling discharges

  • Yeast infection (candidiasis) causing mainly severe itch, could be with thick white discharges not necessarily profuse.

  • Trichomoniasis, a parasite transmitted by sexual intercourse, causing a yellow, grey, green and/or red cloudy foamy discharges. Pain, discomfort and itch may also occur.

  • Vaginal atrophy: reduced estrogen levels may cause vaginitis with vaginal dryness, pain in sexual intercourse, itch, and burning.

  • Other organisms transmitted by sexual intercourse as herpes, HPV, and chlamydia

  • Allergic reaction or irritation by noninfectious causes as soaps, creams, washing powders, fabric softeners, chemical (regular) pads and tampons, medical treatments, food, etc.


Medical treatment can be quite aggressive and must be used with caution! over the counter treatments as well. It should only be prescribed according to a positive vaginal smear because even though each cause has typical symptoms there are exceptions that the human eye cannot recognize. 


Chinese medicine’s diagnosis is systemic according to signs and symptoms. not by recognizing a precise pathogen in a certain body area, therefore the way to get read of pathogens is mainly by changing its surroundings, and treating the reason that it made vaginitis possible to develop, which is why it is best to treat vaginitis caused by sexually transmitted infections with western medicine in parallel to acupuncture, herbal treatment, and diet changes.

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