At any age, conditions that cause vaginal epithelial damage or increased exposure to pathogens predispose to vaginal or vulvar infection, including Fistulas between the intestine and genital tract, which allow intestinal flora to seed the genital tract Pelvic radiation or tumors, which break down tissue and thus compromise normal host defenses Symptoms and Signs of Vaginitis Vaginitis causes a vaginal discharge that must be distinguished from normal (physiologic) discharge.