What does vaginosis mean?
Vaginosis is a medical noun referring to inflammation of the vagina. Its best-known form is bacterial vaginosis, a condition associated with a disturbance in the balance of microorganisms normally found in the vagina. It can produce a thin or unusual discharge, an odor, irritation, or no noticeable symptoms at all. Vaginosis is not simply another term for every vaginal infection or every episode of vaginal irritation, and symptoms that overlap with other conditions may require professional assessment. In writing, the word is most often encountered in the established phrase bacterial vaginosis, including discussions of diagnosis, treatment, and recurrence. Related terms such as vaginitis and vulvovaginitis overlap with it but are broader or differently focused. The word is useful because it gives a precise medical name to a condition involving both inflammation and the vaginal microbial ecosystem.
nounA condition involving inflammation of the vagina, most commonly referring to bacterial vaginosis, in which the balance of vaginal microbes is disturbed and symptoms such as unusual discharge or odor may occur.
- Inflammation or disease of the vagina, especially the imbalance and inflammation associated with bacterial vaginosis; symptoms may include unusual discharge and odor.
"Her clinician diagnosed bacterial vaginosis after examining her symptoms and discharge."
"Her clinician diagnosed bacterial vaginosis after examining her symptoms and discharge."
"The article discusses recurrent bacterial vaginosis and the factors that can contribute to relapse."
The plural is uncommon in ordinary clinical writing; the term is normally used in the singular or as a mass noun, especially in the phrase bacterial vaginosis.
"Cases of vaginoses were reviewed during the study."
Behind the clinical-sounding name is a common health concern, best known in its form as bacterial vaginosis.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How vaginosis is actually used
This is a formal medical term and is normally used in clinical or health-related contexts. In modern usage, it most often appears as part of the phrase bacterial vaginosis; it should not be used as a general label for every type of vaginal discharge or vulvar irritation.
Easily confused with vaginosis
Vaginitis is a general term for inflammation of the vagina, whereas vaginosis is used especially for bacterial vaginosis and related disturbances of the vaginal microbial balance.
Vulvovaginitis denotes inflammation involving both the vulva and the vagina, while vaginosis refers specifically to the vagina.