The main goal of treating all forms of vaginitis is symptom relief. Treatment of vaginitis depends on its type as well as the patient’s preference. For instance:

• Bacterial vaginosis (BV) can be treated with oral antibiotics, vaginal creams or vaginal gels prescribed by a physician. Treatment for BV is effective in most cases. If symptoms disappear, follow-up visits are not usually necessary. For recurrent cases, a more powerful antibiotic may be prescribed.
  
  During treatment for BV, women may be advised to refrain from sexual intercourse or ask male partners to use condoms. Routine treatment of male sexual partners is not usually necessary. Pregnant women who are symptomatic for BV, or have previously delivered a premature baby, should be screened and tested for the condition during their first prenatal visit. Pregnant women with symptomatic BV should be treated in the beginning of the second trimester with oral medication only. There is controversy regarding the treatment of pregnant women with nonsymptomatic BV.
  
  
• Yeast infections can be treated with antifungal creams, vaginal suppositories or oral antifungal medication. Creams and suppositories can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC). However, a physician must prescribe oral medication. Patients should seek medical advice before using OTC products if they:
  
  
• Have not previously had a yeast infection
  
  
• Have abdominal pain and/or fever
  
  
• Are pregnant or nursing
  
  
• Have diabetes or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  
  
• Used an OTC treatment but symptoms did not disappear or returned immediately
  
  
Women may be advised to refrain from sexual intercourse while being treated for a yeast infection. Treatment can last anywhere from one to 14 days. Yeast infections generally respond to treatment within a few days. Routine treatment of male sexual partners is generally not recommended.


• Trichomoniasis is typically treated with oral medication (antibiotics) prescribed by a physician. Routine treatment of male sexual partners is advisable otherwise reinfection will likely occur. A follow-up visit is not necessary if symptoms were not evident before treatment or disappear afterward.
  
  
• Atrophic vaginitis can be treated with estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in oral form, or in the form of a transdermal patch, vaginal rings, tablets or creams. ERT is prescribed by a physician.
  
  
• Noninfectious vaginitis can be treated by identifying and avoiding the source of the irritation (e.g., perfumed soaps, deodorized tampons).

In addition, vaginitis caused by chlamydia infection is also treated with antibiotics. Viral vaginitis caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) or the human papillomavirus (HPV) cannot be cured. However, both types of viral vaginitis can be controlled with medications. Treatment varies according to the type of vaginitis and the method of delivery. However, individuals are instructed to complete the entire course of treatment, even if symptoms subside before treatment has concluded.