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Chapter 23 - Recurrent Vulvovaginitis

from Section 4 - Contraception and STIs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 November 2021

By
Eman Toeima
Edited by
Tahir Mahmood ,
Charles Savona-Ventura ,
Ioannis Messinis  and
Sambit Mukhopadhyay
Tahir Mahmood
Affiliation:
Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy
Charles Savona-Ventura
Affiliation:
University of Malta, Malta
Ioannis Messinis
Affiliation:
University of Thessaly, Greece
Sambit Mukhopadhyay
Affiliation:
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, UK
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Summary

Recurrent vulvovaginitis (RVV) is a common gynaecological condition affecting women in all age groups. Different aetiological factors can present with similar symptoms and signs. It is important to identify the cause to provide the appropriate treatment.

The three main causes include Candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, and Trichomonas vaginalis. This is in addition to dermatological and hormone-dependent conditions such as erosive lichen planus, atrophic vaginitis and desquamative inflammatory vaginitis.

Some risk factors for RVV have been identified; for example, diabetes, sex attitudes and hypoestrogenic state.

Management of RVV may represent a challenge to healthcare professionals. It is important to realize the effect of the condition on the woman’s physical and psychological wellbeing, and the impact on their quality of life.

Keywords

vulvovaginitisinflammatory skin conditions of the vulvacytolytic vaginosislichen planusbacterial vaginosis
Type
Chapter
Information
The EBCOG Postgraduate Textbook of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Gynaecology
 , pp. 182 - 185
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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