With an M.D. from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. Maureen Muoneke served as a chief resident of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Maryland Medical Systems. For eight years, Dr. Maureen Muoneke operated her private medical practice, Women's Care LLC, where she provided infertility treatment and care for various gynecologic conditions such as vaginitis and endometriosis.
An inflammation of the vagina, vaginitis can either be infectious or non-infectious. Infectious vaginitis is caused by microbes, such as yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, viral vaginitis, and gonorrhea. Non-infectious vaginitis, on the other hand, can be caused by excessive use of antibiotics or allergic reactions in vulvar or vaginal tissues from perfumed soaps, vaginal sprays, scented detergents, and antibiotics. Other non-infectious vaginitis are caused by a low level of estrogen, which can result from menopause, certain contraceptives, or a surgery that involves removal of the ovaries (bilateral oophorectomy).
Vaginitis symptoms may include painful urination, uncomfortable sex, heavier vaginal discharge with irregular odor and color, vaginal itching or irritation, and swelling around or outside the vagina.
Some of the microbes that cause vaginitis are bacteria and fungi that are normally present in a healthy vagina but a much lower amount. When a person uses antibiotics in excess, this can destroy a large number of other microbes in the vagina that help maintain the normal population of the causative microorganisms, allowing the causative microorganisms to grow in excess and cause irritation. Some other causative microorganisms, like the ones responsible for gonorrhea or trichomoniasis, can be contracted through sex.
