May 2019 · Volume 8 · Issue 5 Page 1999 International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology Mahur J et al. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2019 May;8(5):1999-2002 www.ijrcog.org pISSN 2320-1770 | eISSN 2320-1789 Original Research Article A clinicoetiological study of vulvovaginitis in a tertiary care hospital Jayalaxmi Mahur, Aisha Humera* INTRODUCTION Vulvovaginitis since decades is an underexplored subject. 1 It is a common gynecological problem faced by women of reproductive age group. Vulvovaginitis, also called as vaginitis, is inflammation and infection of vagina and vulva. 2 The normal vaginal secretions is mainly from sebaceous glands, sweat glands, bartholin glands and skene glands. 3 The vaginal discharge may be physiological or pathological. The normal vaginal flora with lactobacilli, colonize the vaginal epithelium and plays a role in defence against pathogens or infections, thereby maintaining the vaginal acidic pH between 3.8 - 4.5.4 Changes in the vaginal environment like imbalance in the normal vaginal flora or vaginal pH, unhygienic practices, improper menstrual hygiene, pregnancy, oral contraceptive pill use, immunodeficiencies and sometimes allergic or hormonal factors cause vaginitis. 5 Vaginitis is most commonly caused by bacteria, fungi or protozoa and is associated with altered discharge, odour and vulval itching. 4 Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is characterized by foul smelling, thin, greyish homogenous discharge. Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is associated with thick, curdy white discharge, and trichomoniasis presents with greenish, frothy discharge. These infections can lead to complications like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, pregnancy complications, ABSTRACT Background: Vulvovaginitis is a common unavoidable health problem encountered in a woman’s life. Because of its recurrent and persistent symptoms, it leaves a negative impact on the quality of woman’s life and its management poses a challenge. This study is aimed to analyse the clinical profile, clinical symptoms - presentations and various etiological agents in vulvovaginitis. Methods: A study of 125 cases of vulvovaginitis in the age group of 18-50 years was done. This study was based on the data collected like - age, parity, symptoms, clinical presentations and cytological findings. Speculum examination was done with the given consent and high vaginal swabs were taken for cytological study. Based on Amsel’s criteria bacterial vaginosis was confirmed, trichomoniasis by wet mount examination and candidiasis by culture study were confirmed. Results: The present study showed maximum incidence of vaginitis 63.2% among 21-30 years age group, more common in multiparous women 44.8% and vaginal discharge was the commonest symptom 88%. Cytological study showed 53.6% bacterial vaginosis {BV), 27.2% vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), 2.4% trichomoniasis and remaining 17% mixed infections like BV + VVC 15.2% and 1.6% BV + VVC + Trichomoniasis. Conclusions: All women of reproductive age should have mandatory regular evaluation for early detection and proper management of vulvovaginitis. Creating awareness among women improves their quality of life. Keywords: Bacterial vaginosis, Candidiasis, Trichomoniasis, Vulvovaginitis Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, KBN Institute of Medical Science, Kalaburgi, Karnataka, India Received: 01 March 2019 Accepted: 02 April 2019 *Correspondence: Dr. Aisha Humera, E-mail: dr_aisha210@yahoo.com Copyright: © the author(s), publisher and licensee Medip Academy. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20191957