With yeast infections, discharge is usually thick, white, and odorless. You may also have a white coating in and around your vagina. With bacterial vaginosis, you may have vaginal discharge that's grayish, foamy, and smells fishy. (But it's also common for BV to have no symptoms.)
A thick, white vaginal discharge with the consistency of cottage cheese. Redness and swelling of your vagina and vulva. Small cuts or tiny cracks in the skin of your vulva because of fragile skin in the area.
Difference #1: The bacterial vaginosis discharge color can be white, gray, yellow or greenish and is typically thin. Difference #2: There is not typically redness or inflammation around the vaginal opening or on the vulva, as with a yeast infection. Difference #3: BV tends to be uncomfortable rather than painful.
The typical symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are itching, an unpleasant burning feeling and pain. The membranes lining the vagina become red and have a whitish coating. The symptoms may get worse a few days before your period starts.
STIs and BV require different treatments than yeast infections and, if left untreated, can cause serious health problems. Using treatment when you do not actually have a yeast infection can cause your body to become resistant to the yeast infection medicine.
Bacterial vaginosis is a condition in which there is an overgrowth of certain bacteria that normally live in the vagina. It's usually a mild problem that may go away on its own. But it can lead to more serious problems. So it's a good idea to see your doctor and get treatment.
Symptoms - The primary symptom of BV is an abnormal, odorous vaginal discharge. The fish-like odor is noticeable especially after intercourse. Women with BV also may have burning during urination or itching around the outside of the vagina, or both.
BV results from an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the vagina, while an overgrowth of Candida fungus causes a yeast infection. Both infections cause changes in vaginal discharge. BV causes thin discharge with a fishy odor, while a yeast infection causes discharge that is thick and odorless.
Sometimes, yeast infections might go away on their own. If they're going to do so, the infection should resolve itself within a week. But you might want to get it checked out anyway. Untreated yeast infections can cause the Candida bacteria to spread throughout your bloodstream.
Itching and irritation in the vagina and vulva. A burning sensation, especially during intercourse or while urinating. Redness and swelling of the vulva. Vaginal pain and soreness.
The main cause of a yeast infection is the overgrowth of yeast on an area of the body. The yeast species Candida albicans causes common yeast infections, but other species of Candida can also cause an infection. They may need different treatment.
Douching upsets the vagina's healthy balance of bacteria. It can lead to an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria, causing bacterial vaginosis. Natural lack of lactobacilli bacteria. If your vagina doesn't produce enough lactobacilli, you're more likely to develop bacterial vaginosis.
BV is responsible for the fishy smell most commonly associated with unpleasant vaginal odors. The fishy smell may be especially strong after sex. Another common symptom to look out for with BV is a gray or grayish-white discharge.
The symptoms can range from a fishy or unpleasant odor to itching, discomfort, and inflammation (1). Research has found about 3 in 10 people in the US have BV at any given time, though around 84% of participants had no vaginal symptoms (2).
To test for bacterial vaginosis at home, you take a sample of your own vaginal fluid by inserting a swab into your vagina. You seal the sample in a container, then mail it to a lab. It may take the lab a few days to a week to process the sample and get results, depending on the kit you choose.
While bacterial vaginosis may go away on its own, most doctors use antibiotics to treat it. You may have been prescribed pills or vaginal cream. With treatment, bacterial vaginosis usually clears up in 5 to 7 days.
Any change in your immune health—like stress—can impact your vaginal pH level, making a yeast infection and/or bacterial vaginosis more common.
If you don't really have a yeast infection, antifungals won't help you get better. They can actually prolong the real problem, because while you'll think you're treating the issue, the real cause will continue to develop.
Infections might be the cause. You may have bacterial vaginosis, a yeast infection, or an STI. Menopause-related hormonal changes, diabetes, or skin conditions are other possible causes. Or irritation from and allergic reactions to detergents and other products could be at work.
If you are using a vaginal medicine, don't have sex until you have finished your treatment. But if you do have sex, don't depend on a latex condom or diaphragm for birth control. The oil in some vaginal medicines weakens latex. Don't douche or use powders, sprays, or perfumes in your vagina or on your vulva.