

Foreign objects, such as tissue paper or forgotten tampons, in the vagina can also irritate vaginal tissues. Vaginal sprays, douches, perfumed soaps, scented detergents and spermicidal products may cause an allergic reaction or irritate vulvar and vaginal tissues. It also increases a women's risk of getting other sexually transmitted infections. In women, trichomoniasis typically infects the vagina, and might cause symptoms. In men, the organism usually infects the urinary tract, but often it causes no symptoms. This organism spreads during sexual intercourse with someone who has the infection. This common sexually transmitted infection is caused by a microscopic, one-celled parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis.
ITCHY VAG SKIN
albicans also causes infections in other moist areas of your body, such as in your mouth (thrush), skin folds and nail beds. These occur when there's an overgrowth of a fungal organism - usually C. This type of vaginitis seems to be linked to sexual intercourse - especially if you have multiple sex partners or a new sex partner - but it also occurs in women who aren't sexually active. If anaerobic bacteria become too numerous, they upset the balance, causing bacterial vaginosis. Usually, bacteria normally found in the vagina (lactobacilli) are outnumbered by other bacteria (anaerobes) in your vagina. This most common cause of vaginitis results from a change of the normal bacteria found in your vagina, to overgrowth of one of several other organisms. The cause depends on what type of vaginitis you have:īacterial vaginosis. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Causes

Seeing your doctor can establish the cause and help you learn to identify the signs and symptoms. You have a particularly unpleasant vaginal odor, discharge or itching.See your doctor if you develop unusual vaginal discomfort, especially if: An infection called trichomoniasis (trik-o-moe-NIE-uh-sis) can cause a greenish-yellow, sometimes frothy discharge. The main symptom is itching, but you might have a white, thick discharge that resembles cottage cheese. The odor, often described as a fishy odor, might be more obvious after sexual intercourse. You might develop a grayish-white, foul-smelling discharge.

If you have vaginal discharge, which many women don't, the characteristics of the discharge might indicate the type of vaginitis you have.
