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Vaginitis is an inflammation or infection of the vagina and is among the most common reasons that women visit a healthcare provider. Common nonspecific symptoms of vaginitis include abnormal, malodorous vaginal discharge, vaginal irritation (burning, itching), dysuria, and dyspareunia. The most common causes of vaginitis include bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis (yeast infection), and trichomoniasis, which can occur as coinfections. Vaginitis may also result from diseases such as gonorrhea and chlamydia or other noninfectious causes such as feminine hygiene products, perfumed soap, or spermicidal products.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginitis and is characterized by a shift in the vaginal microbiota. , Vaginitis can also be caused by yeasts such as Candida. Risk factors such as antibiotic use, estrogen therapy, or pregnancy can be responsible for Candida overgrowth. Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomoniasis causes cervicitis, vaginitis, and urethritis in women, and urethritis (mostly asymptomatic) in men.
Misdiagnosis of vaginitis can lead to inappropriate treatment or prolongation of symptoms that increase the risk of developing serious complications, such as pelvic floor inflammatory disease or adverse pregnancy outcomes. Because of the potentially serious complications of vaginitis, proper diagnosis is important. Physical examination findings and office-based or laboratory test results should be used in conjunction with clinical history to determine the diagnosis.
Quick Answers for Clinicians
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of abnormal discharge and vaginitis and results from an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria and a decrease in normal lactobacilli. It is important to note that BV itself is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI). By definition, an STI is caused by a source that is not endogenous to the vaginal flora. Because BV results from an overgrowth of normal vaginal bacteria, it does not meet the definition of an STI. However, BV is associated with risk factors such as changes in sexual activity, particularly in individuals with new or multiple sex partners (male or female).
Vulvovaginal candidiasis is also not considered an STI because it is not contagious and is not spread from person to person through sexual contact. However, sexual contact may lead to vulvovaginal candidiasis by causing overgrowth of vaginal flora.
Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) has several benefits over other methods such as microscopy, culture, and probe-based assays. One benefit is that NAAT has increased sensitivity compared to more traditional methods. Because of this increased sensitivity, the CDC recommends NAAT over probe-based assays for the diagnosis of trichomoniasis. In the case of bacterial vaginosis, NAAT is specific and useful in determining the ratio of Lactobacilli (“good” bacteria) to several bacterial vaginosis-associated (“bad”) bacteria.
In the investigation of potential vulvovaginal candidiasis, NAAT can be used to detect multiple species of Candida simultaneously and can identify species of Candida glabrata that may be resistant to current azole therapies. Additionally, NAAT can detect multiple targets simultaneously and help in diagnosing coinfections using one patient sample.
Vaginal candidiasis that recurs, is resistant to treatment, or presents severely may require vaginal culture to confirm clinical diagnosis or identify unusual species such as Candida glabrata. Azole resistance is becoming more common; susceptibility testing is generally not warranted but may be useful in certain circumstances.
Indications for Testing
Laboratory testing for the diagnosis of vaginitis is appropriate in women experiencing one or more of the following nonspecific symptoms:
- A change in vaginal discharge (amount, color, odor)
- Pruritus
- Pain
- Burning
- Irritation
- Erythema
- Dyspareunia
- Dysuria
Signs and symptoms that may indicate BV-specific testing include thin, off-white vaginal discharge, a fishy vaginal odor, and presence of clue cells (signs and symptoms included in BV diagnostic criteria referred to as the Amsel criteria).
Vulvovaginal candidiasis symptoms are generally nonspecific but may include a thick, white “cottage cheese-like” discharge, with vaginal pruritus.
Trichomoniasis is associated with profuse, malodorous, yellow-green frothy discharge with a strawberry cervix (inflamed tissue and small hemorrhagic spots). In addition to vaginitis, trichomoniasis may also cause cervicitis and urethritis.
Laboratory Testing
Screening for vaginitis includes clinical assessment (ie, applying the Amsel criteria of pH, vaginal discharge, clue cells, and “whiff test”) and laboratory diagnosis (Gram stain, fungal culture, and nucleic acid probe and amplification assays). Diagnosis of vaginitis is made using a combination of symptoms, physical examination, and office- or laboratory-based testing.
Screening
Screening tests are performed on vaginal secretions obtained during a routine pelvic examination in a primary care setting.
| Vaginitis Type | Population | Screening Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| BV | Women | There are no screening recommendations for asymptomatic women |
| Pregnant individuals | Despite the elevated risk of preterm delivery in pregnant individuals, the CDC and USPSTF recommend against screening for BV in asymptomatic pregnant individuals who are not at increased risk for preterm delivery | |
| Vulvovaginal candidiasis | Women | There are no screening recommendations for asymptomatic women |
| Trichomoniasis | Women | Screening is not recommended for asymptomatic women but may be considered in women receiving care in high-prevalence settings or at high risk for STIsa |
| Persons with HIV | The CDC recommends routine screening of asymptomatic persons with HIV infection for T. vaginalis | |
aFor example, those with multiple sex partners or history of exchanging sex for payment, illicit drug use, or history of an STI. USPSTF, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force | ||
Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis is important to determine appropriate treatment and medical management of vaginitis. Recent increasing evidence shows that nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) better facilitates accurate detection of vaginitis compared with traditional methods (eg, culture or DNA probes) because it is highly sensitive and can be used to detect multiple targets simultaneously on a single patient specimen. NAAT can be used for the diagnosis of vaginitis due to BV, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and trichomoniasis. Gram stain and culture may be useful in certain situations. Determination of a laboratory testing strategy should be informed by clinical assessment. For example, panel testing may be useful in patients with general symptoms, whereas organism-specific testing may be more useful in patients with characteristic symptoms.
Additional Testing
Once a patient has been diagnosed with BV, vulvovaginal candidiasis (yeast infection), and/or trichomoniasis, additional testing or medical management may be indicated. For example, people with BV or trichomoniasis are at increased risk for contracting or spreading STIs such as HIV, gonorrhea, and herpes simplex virus (HSV). Furthermore, BV may increase the risk of complications after gynecologic surgery as well as complications of pregnancy, and BV recurrence is common.
ARUP Laboratory Tests
Qualitative Transcription-Mediated Amplification
Qualitative Transcription-Mediated Amplification
Qualitative Transcription-Mediated Amplification
Qualitative Transcription-Mediated Amplification
References
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StatPearls- Vaginitis
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CDC - Sexually Transmitted infections Treatment Guidelines - Screening Recommendations
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