ABSTRACT
DEFINITION Vulvovaginitis is defined as inflammation of the vulva and vagina, which may result in vaginal discharge. Itching, vulval soreness, and an offensive smell may also be present.
ETIOLOGY AND EPIDEMIOLOGY Vulvovaginitis may be caused by bacterial, fungal, or protozoan infections. The three diseases most commonly associated with vaginal discharge and vulvovaginitis are
bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and trichomoniasis. These will be looked at separately within each section of the chapter. The National Disease and Therapeutic Index data showed that in 2009 in the USA there were over 3 million initial visits to physicians’ offices with vaginitis, excluding trichomoniasis1. Figure 11.1, from the USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), shows the visits for trichomoniasis and other vaginitis for the years 1966-2009.
