Girl talk: yeast infection or Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)?

Wondering the difference between yeast infections and BV (bacterial vaginosis)? You’re in the right place. If you’re dealing with some uncomfortable symptoms, I’m so sorry! We really care about you feeling your best. Every woman deserves confidence in her health.

If you’re finding it a little confusing figuring out what’s happening with your body, that’s totally normal. Experiencing some itching? Pain? Ladies, you don’t have to put up with discomfort. There’s help! Here, we’re all women — and we get it. That’s what makes our center so unique; because we’re women supporting women, we’re a super safe space. And our blog section is a great resource for women’s health information, including how to treat BV and yeast infections.

So, two common causes of vaginal discomfort are yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis (BV). While both conditions share some similarities, they have different causes, symptoms, and treatments, so it’s important to know how to tell the difference. That way, you can get the care you need.

Let’s break down what each of these infections is, how they feel, how they’re treated, and what you can do to get your glow back.

What is a Yeast Infection?

A vaginal yeast infection happens when there’s an overgrowth of a fungus (most often one called candida), which is naturally found in the vagina. Normally, candida is kept in check by the body’s natural vaginal flora. But sometimes things get out of balance — resulting in an uncomfortable yeast infection.¹

Common causes of yeast infections include:

– Antibiotics (which kill off good bacteria, allowing yeast to grow).

– Hormonal changes, like those caused by pregnancy, birth control, or menstruation. If you think you might be pregnant, we offer no-cost pregnancy tests so you can get answers fast.

– Wearing tight, non-breathable clothing or staying in sweaty clothes for too long.

– A weakened immune system or uncontrolled diabetes.¹

Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection may include:

– Itching and Irritation of the vagina and vulva: This is often the most noticeable symptom. It can be intense.

– Thick, white vaginal discharge: Often compared to cottage cheese, this vaginal discharge doesn’t usually have a strong smell.

– Redness and irritation: The vulva (the outside part of the vagina) may look red, swollen, or feel sore.

– Pain during urination: Due to the irritation, peeing may become uncomfortable.¹

Treatment for vaginal yeast infections depends on their severity and frequency.² It’s usually relatively simple and can sometimes be treated with over-the-counter antifungal creams, suppositories, or oral medications. Make sure to talk with your doctor or gynecologist about the treatment that’s best for you. They may need to take a sample or just chat with you about your symptoms.

What is BV (Bacterial Vaginosis)?

BV is a vaginal infection that occurs when there’s a disruption in the balance of bacteria in your vagina. Normally, there’s a delicate balance between different kinds of bacteria in the vagina. BV happens when too much of some bacteria grow.³

Common causes of BV are:

– Being sexually active (though it’s important to note BV is not an STI).³ Read about how lots of women are taking charge of their health and confidence by delaying sex.

– Douching, which can disrupt the natural bacterial balance.³

Symptoms of BV can vary from mild to quite noticeable, and BV symptoms may include:

– Thin, gray, green, or white vaginal discharge: BV discharge is usually more watery than yeast infection discharge.

– Fishy odor

– Itching or burning

– Burning during urination: This symptom can overlap with yeast infections, which is why it’s important to identify other signs.

Unlike yeast infections, BV often needs an antibiotic treatment prescribed by a doctor. This is because it’s caused by bacteria, not fungus, so antifungal creams won’t help. Common medicines for BV include metronidazole (Flagyl) or clindamycin.⁴

So what’s the difference between yeast infections and BV?

Both yeast infections and BV can cause similar symptoms at the vagina, like itching, burning, and abnormal discharge. But there are some big differences between the two:

– Discharge:

– Yeast Infection: Thick, white, like cottage cheese.

– BV: Thin, watery, gray or white.

– Odor:

– Yeast Infection: No strong odor.

– BV: Strong, fishy smell.

– Treatment:

– Yeast Infection: Antifungal creams or pills.

– BV: Antibiotics.

– Cause:

– Yeast Infection: Overgrowth of Candida (fungus).

– BV: Bacterial imbalance.

– Risk Factors:

– Yeast Infection: Medicines, hormonal changes, tight clothing, being sexually active.¹

– BV: Being sexually active, douching.³

When to See a Doctor

It’s a good idea to see your doctor if something feels off. Consider talking with your doctor if:

– This is your first time experiencing these symptoms.

– You’re unsure whether your symptoms are from a yeast infection or BV.

– Your symptoms don’t improve after treatment.

– You have frequent infections.

– You’re pregnant and experience any unusual symptoms.

It’s also important to note that while neither yeast infections nor BV are sexually transmitted infections (STIs), having BV can increase your risk of getting an STI.³ Untreated BV can also lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious condition that can cause chronic pain and affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant when she’s ready.^{3, 5} It’s smart to get tested for STIs if you suspect  BV or if you’re sexually active. ThriVe offers no-cost STI testing, which is a great way to ensure your reproductive health is in check, and free of sexually transmitted infection. Our tests are discreet and our center is non-judgmental and friendly.

Take the Quiz: Is It a Yeast Infection or BV?

Wondering what you might be dealing with? You’re not crazy. The symptoms of these conditions are similar. Try this quiz to help:

1. What does your discharge look like?

– A) Thick, white, and clumpy (like cottage cheese).

– B) Thin, watery, and gray or white.

2. Does your discharge have a strong smell?

– A) Not really, no strong odor.

– B) Yes, an unpleasant, fishy smell.

3. Have you taken new medicines recently, or experienced hormonal changes (like pregnancy, your period, or taking birth control)?

– A) Yes, I’ve been on antibiotics or recently had hormonal changes.

– B) No, nothing like that, but I’ve been douching or have been sexually active.

Your Results:

– Mostly A’s: You might be dealing with a yeast infection. The itching, thick discharge, and lack of a strong odor could point to candida overgrowth. Talk with your doctor to see if there’s an over-the-counter treatment to provide relief.

– Mostly B’s: It’s possible that you have bacterial vaginosis (BV). The fishy odor, thin discharge, and burning are typical signs. Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to get medicine.

Getting Help

Not sure what you’re dealing with? If you’d like to confirm your symptoms, it’s always best to reach out to your regular healthcare provider. If you’ve been sexually active, we offer no-cost STI testing, along with no-cost pregnancy tests and ultrasounds at our center. Why? You deserve to feel empowered and confident in your health. Please come see us if you need some answers, or just need someone to talk to. We’re here for you.

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