A woman's healthy vagina is a moist place with a delicate balance of microorganisms. At best, vaginitis can lead to a distracting level of discomfort, and at worst, serious health problems.
Vaginitis occurs because the ecosystem has been altered.
The types of vaginitis, the many causes, and the over-lapping symptoms have lead to much confusion for women. Certain classic signs of infection, like discharge or itching, may be nothing more than your menstrual cycle, a change in the weather, or a new laundry detergent. A woman's vagina changes with age, too, and the dryness that many experience after menopause can cause symptoms like itching and burning or painful intercourse. Worse, a survey of gynecologists by the Institute for Epidemiological Research found that more than 40 percent of patients had incorrectly treated themselves with anti-yeast medicines. Such mistakes leave the actual infections untreated and could lead to severe complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease.