Aetiology and management of non-specific vaginitis

In a study of 100 women with non-specific vaginitis, characterised by a vaginal discharge which was malodorous and pruritic in most cases and caused dyspareunia and dysuria in some, Gardnerella vaginalis was isolated in 46% of patients. When present, G vaginalis was significantly associated with Mycoplasma hominis and Bacteroides species. Isolation of G vaginalis was unrelated to the presenting symptoms. Treatment with povidone-iodine pessaries for two weeks produced no pronounced benefit, either clinically or microbiologically, compared with a placebo. Nevertheless, 68% of all patients followed reported improvement four weeks after the start of treatment. The findings suggest that G vaginalis is one cause of non-specific vaginitis, which is more likely to be seen in women using oral contraceptives and is usually cured spontaneously.