What Causes Vaginitis?

Posted on Sat, 6 Sep 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 6 Sep 2014 Answered on

Mon, 29 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi,
I pretty much self diagnosed myself with a UTI 8 days ago due to the fact that I constantly had the urge to go bathroom & when I did it was only a little bit & burned me but 3 days later my vagina started hurting, come the 5th day I could not even touch my vagina due to the pain & when I went to use the bathroom it was so sore that when it trickled out my body would tense from the pain & I wasn't able to let it out. I was in constant tears ! so I went to the gp where I done a urine test & they said I had an infection & put me on some antibiotics.
6th day comes & I had a look at my vagina & noticed it was sooo swollen on one side & looked red raw & I have several ulcers on it. I went to the gp again where she had a look took a few swabs & sent them away. She said it doesn't really look like herpes at all. But ordered me to take a blood test also & I noticed on the form she put severe vaginitis ? Anyways I won't get my results back for another 4 days as it's the weekend here & I am stressing very bad & in constant tears as I'm not sure what's causing this. I have recently started having sex with my partner say the last month - month & a half
Before him I know I'm clear of any virus's & I know he got tested to when we got back from overseas & he was clear.
I don't know what this could be but it is causing me excruciating pain & I'm stressing to the point where I can't sleep. I am assuming the worse & thinking it's HSV Any advice or information you could give me would be greatly appreciated
Thank you so much

Also - I had reoccurring tonsillitis about 6 weeks ago if that can have anything to do with it

Answered by Dr. Som Biswas (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Dear XXXX

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.

Can you upload a picture so that i have a better idea?

There is an option for uploading pics on this website.

Your confidentiality will be maintained.

Tonsillitis has nothing to do with it.

Feel free to consult me directly
http://bit.ly/drsombiswas

Regards

Dr. Som Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Som Biswas (10 minutes later)

you can see when i open how swollen the right side is. Its red raw & causing extreme pain.
Take note of the other ulcers/blisters

Answered by Dr. Som Biswas (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It looks like a sexually transmitted infection

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX ,

It looks like a sexually transmitted infection though it is difficult to tell which one from this picture.

It does not look like herpes zoster but can be HSV (herpes simplex virus).

My advise:

1) Refrain from sex till reports come and get him tested also.

2) For symptomatic relief apply lot of neosporin cream and betamethasone jelly. It will not cure but will comfort and reduce the pain.

Also do not wear underpants and wear preferably long skirts to keep the area aerated and dry.

3) Also get a urine culture sensitivity if you have not already done as UTI will need the appropriate antibiotics not just the generic ones.

4) Also get the reports on HSV and CMV and pox virus ( it can be molluscum contagiosum or viral warts also.)

Once the report comes we can start appropriate anti virals.

5) If you have severe pain even after this then you will need to get admitted for Intra-Venous pain killers , antibiotics or antivirals.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar