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JAMA Insights
Women's Health
June 14, 2022

Common Causes of Vaginitis

Author Affiliations
  • 1Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
JAMA. 2022;327(22):2238-2239. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.6375

Vaginitis is defined as infection or inflammation of the vagina. More than 70% of cases of vaginitis are attributed to vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), bacterial vaginosis (BV), or trichomoniasis.1 Symptoms include abnormal discharge, malodor, vulvovaginal pruritus, irritation, and dyspareunia. Some individuals with VVC present primarily with vulvar pruritus without vaginal discharge. However, none of these symptoms correlate well with specific diagnoses.2 Self-diagnosis, medical history, or both are insufficient for accurate diagnosis, and it is recommended that diagnostic testing be performed.1

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