Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina and the vulva marked by pain, itching and discharge. It occurs when the normal balance within the vagina is upset, allowing an excess of organisms to produce an excess of waste. Women get vaginitis, but can pass it sexually to their male partner. Only gardnerella and monilia are found in the vagina of healthy women.
Mothers can pass monilia and trichomoniasis to their babies at birth.
A male having unprotected sex with a female that has vaginitis can become infected. Gardnerella is a bacteria and is caused when the bacterial balance that normally exists in a vagina is upset. Monilia is a fungus which is normally present in small and harmless quantities in the mouth, digestive tract and vagina. When the balance of the vagina is upset or when additional monilia organisms are introduced into the vagina, the fungus grows very quickly. Trichomoniasis is caused by a protozoal organism that is usually passed from one person to another during sex.