Healthy vaginal microbiota consists of species which neither cause symptoms or infections, nor negatively affect pregnancy. It is dominated mainly by Lactobacillus species.<unk>  is defined by the disequilibrium in the vaginal microbiota, with decline in the number of lactobacilli. While the infection involves a number of<unk>  it is believed that most infections start with Gardnerella vaginalis creating a biofilm, which allows other opportunistic<unk> to thrive. One of the main risks for developing<unk>  is douching, which alters the vaginal microbiota and predisposes women to developing<unk> . Douching is strongly discouraged by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and various medical authorities, for this and other reasons.<unk>  is a risk factor for pelvic inflammatory disease, HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and reproductive and obstetric disorders or negative outcomes. It is possible for sexually inactive persons to develop<unk> .<unk>  may sometimes affect women after menopause. Also, subclinical iron deficiency may correlate with<unk>  in early pregnancy. A longitudinal study published in February 2006, in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, showed a link between psychosocial stress and<unk>  persisted even when other risk factors were taken into account. Exposure to the spermicide nonoxynol-9 does not affect the risk of developing<unk> . Having a female partner increases the risk of<unk>  by 60%. The<unk> associated with<unk>  have been isolated from male genitalia.<unk>  microbiota has been found in the penis, coronal sulcus, and male urethra, in the male partners of infected females. Partners who have not been circumcised may act as a 'reservoir' increasing the likelihood of acquiring an infection after sexual intercourse. Another mode of transmission of the<unk> -associated microbiota is to a female sexual partner via skin-to-skin transfer.<unk>  may be transmitted via the perineal enteric<unk> from the microbiota of the female and male genitalia.
Bacterial vaginosis
Trichomoniasis
Atrophic vaginitis
Vaginal yeast infection
Aerobic vaginitis
Prelabor rupture of membranes
Cryptomenorrhea
Leukorrhea