Constipation presenting as recurrent vulvovaginitis in prepubertal children

Vulvovaginitis is the most common gynecologic problem in premenarcheal girls. We describe 3 patients with recurrent vulvovaginitis caused by bacterial infection who responded to treatment of constipation with resolution of the vulvovaginitis. There were no recurrences during the follow-up period of 15 to 36 months. We propose that underlying constipation should be added to the list of possible causes of recurrent vulvovaginitis.