Bacterial vaginosis and Candida vulvovaginitis

Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginal discharge in women of reproductive age,¹ implicated in 40–50% of cases, and is not associated with inflammation, hence the term vaginosis and not vaginitis.^2,3 Candida vulvovaginitis (CVV), accounts for 20–25% of cases of problematic vaginal discharge. Vulvovaginitis, or inflammation of the vulva and vagina,² is defined as any condition with symptoms of vaginal discharge, odour, irritation, or burning, and most commonly occurs secondary to infectious agents.^2,3 These two conditions have different characteristics and risk factors and need to be treated differently. This article will discuss the signs, symptoms, risk factors and treatment of BV and CVV.