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Illustration of the female reproductive system

Symptoms such as vaginal itching, burning, pain and discharge are some of the most common reasons that women seek medical care. Often, the problem is vaginitis, an inflammation of the vagina. In women of childbearing age, the most common cause is a bacterial infection. The main symptom is a smelly vaginal discharge, but some women have no symptoms. The treatment is antibiotics.

Other infections that can cause vaginitis include trichomoniasis and yeast infections. Some other causes of vaginal symptoms include sexually transmitted diseases, vaginal cancer and vulvar cancer.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

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