Definition

A medical condition characterized by inflammation of the external female genitalia and the vagina.

Example

The doctor diagnosed her with vulvovaginitis after she reported discomfort and irritation.

Conversation

I heard that vulvovaginitis can be quite common among women.

Yeah, I read that too; it can really be uncomfortable.

I wonder what the main causes of vulvovaginitis are.

Mostly infections or irritants, but it's good to talk to a doctor about it.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Vulvovaginitis** → It is formed from "vulva" (from Latin *vulva*, meaning the external female genitalia) and "vagina" (from Latin *vagina*, meaning sheath or scabbard, referring to the female reproductive tract) and "-itis" (from Greek *itis*, meaning inflammation). The word "vulvovaginitis" refers to the inflammation of both the vulva and the vagina.

Memory Tip

Think of the word as describing inflammation ('-itis') of both the external female genitalia ('vulva') and the internal reproductive tract ('vagina').

Visually Confused Words