Vaginitis

Mark A. Turrentine, Mildred M. Ramirez, and Susan M. Ramin

Vaginitis is a frequent condition during pregnancy. The most common symptom of vaginitis is a vaginal discharge. The three most common causes of vaginitis are candidal, trichomonas, and bacterial. Trichomonas vaginalis infection and bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy have been associated with an increased risk of spontaneous preterm delivery. However, routine screening and treatment of bacterial vaginosis in asymptomatic pregnant women is not recommended. Treatment of vaginitis is targeted at the etiologic agent.  Vaginitis is often difficult to eliminate and recurrences are frequent.