Vaginitis is one of the common gynecological diseases, but most people have limited understanding of it. In addition to causing stinging, burning and abnormal secretions, vaginitis may also affect the health of the unborn baby or the other half.

What is vaginitis?

Vaginitis is a general term for vaginal infection. Generally, there are 6 different bacteria in the vagina of premenopausal women. These bacteria will maintain the pH value of the vagina in an acidic environment of 4~4.5 to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

There are many reasons that affect the pH value of the vagina, including sexual behavior, pregnancy, contraceptives, estrogen, sexually transmitted diseases, improper or excessive cleaning, etc.; if the pH value of the vagina is damaged and invaded by bacteria, viruses or parasites, it will Cause vaginitis.

What are the causes of vaginitis? There are two types of vaginitis

According to the Taiwan Academy of Family Medicine, 90% of the causes of vaginitis are infectious vaginitis, including bacterial vaginitis, candida vaginitis and trichomoniasis vaginitis.

1. Bacterial vaginitis: It is the most common type of vaginitis and is more likely to occur in women who have frequent sexual intercourse. The cause is an increase in the number of anaerobic bacteria that replace the lactobacilli responsible for maintaining acid-base balance in the normal vagina.
   
2. Candida vaginitis: It is the second most common type of vaginitis and is caused by the mold called Candida. Low immunity, pregnancy, medication, diabetes or poor hygiene habits may cause the fungus to overgrow. Cause vaginitis.
   
3. Trichomonas vaginitis: Caused by a parasite called Trichomonas, it may be transmitted directly through sex or indirectly in a bath or swimming pool.

Non-infectious vaginitis

1. Allergic vaginitis: Lubricants, lotions, private cleaning solutions, sex toys, foreign objects or irritating bath products, etc., may irritate the vagina and cause allergic reactions.
   
2. Atrophic vaginitis: Common in postmenopausal women. Due to declining ovarian function and insufficient estrogen secretion, vaginal dryness, atrophy, decreased resistance, and inflammation due to bacterial invasion.