Vulvovaginitis

Often trivialized by the medical profession, vaginitis in adult women is not only extremely common but the source of considerable stress, and it often results in marked suffering. Epidemiologic studies described in this article indicate the high prevalence of vaginitis and the large number of causes. Although the majority of infections in women are due to BV, VVC, and trichomoniasis, it is clear that many other causes exist, and we have yet to discover the cause of many clinical syndromes. Considerable progress in understanding the pathogenesis of the three common vaginitides has been made. Although excellent progress has been made by the pharmaceutical industry in providing new drugs for vaginitis, any further progress will require a better understanding of cause and pathogenesis. Vaginitis causes major symptoms and is more than a nuisance problem. Clinicians owe it to their patients to make efforts to make an accurate diagnosis and not to rely on empiric therapy.