In vaginitis (Latin) or colpitis (Greek. ) – colloquially called vaginitis – (plural: colpitides; synonyms: Bacterial vaginitis; bacterial vulvovaginitis; bacterial fluor; chronic colpitis; candidiasis of the vagina; genital dermatosis; colpitis; soorkolpitis; vaginal mycosis; vaginal thrush; vulvitis; vulvitis allergica; vulvitis with vaginitis; vulvocolpitis; vulvovaginal candidiasis; vulvovaginal candidomycosis; vulvovaginal ulceration; vulvovaginitis; vulvovaginitis candidomycetica; colpitis; vaginal candidiasis; ICD-10 N76. -: Other inflammatory disease of the vagina and vulva) is an infection of the vagina (vagina).
Colpitides (vaginitis) very often occur in association with vulvitis (inflammation of the external female genitalia) and vice versa. It is often not clear which is the primary cause. For this reason, vulvitis and vaginitis are named together in the ICD 10 as the generic term “vulvovaginitis”, so to speak, and then further differentiated. Clinically, symptoms and clinical pictures in the area of the external genitalia, i.e. vulvitides, are much more frequent than colpitides. For this reason, the two clinical pictures – although they frequently occur together – are presented separately (see section on vulvitis). Since the basic principles of colpitis/vaginitis are in part very complex, some basic principles will be presented (see in this chapter under the sub-topic “Anatomy – Physiology”).
Transmission of the pathogen (route of infection) often occurs during sexual intercourse. Poor hygiene can also cause colpitis.
The incubation period (time from infection to outbreak of the disease) depends on the pathogen. In bacterial vaginitis, the incubation period is usually less than one week.
The prevalence of colpitis/vaginitis is 10% in the general population and 10-35% in pregnant women (in Germany). Almost every woman has colpitis once in her life.
Course and prognosis: Up to 40% of women with colpitis/vaginitis are asymptomatic (they have no symptoms). Characteristic is increased fluor vaginalis (discharge from the inflamed vagina (vagina)). Therapy depends on the causes. The prognosis of colpitis or vaginitis is good with adequate and consistent therapy. An unfavorable course may lead to complications such as cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix), endometritis (inflammation of the uterus) and adnexitis (inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries). In the context of gravidity (pregnancy), colpitis can lead to an increased risk of premature birth and/or amniotic infection syndrome (AIS; infection of the egg cavity, placenta, membranes and possibly the unborn child during pregnancy or birth with risk of sepsis (blood poisoning) for the child).
Vaccination: a vaccine against nonspecific bacterial vaginitis and candidiasis is available (Gynatren vaccine).
