Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Bacterial vaginosis(BV) andyeast infectionsare both common types ofvaginal infections.
Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms, causes, treatment, and tips to prevent both BV and yeast infections.
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The symptoms of BV and vaginal yeast infections resemble each other closely. This makes it difficult for you to know which type of infection you are dealing with.
The appearance and smell of vaginal discharge help to distinguish between the two.
Yeast infections normally don’t change the smell ofvaginal dischargewhile BV typically causes a strong fish-like odor.
With yeast infections, the vaginal discharge typically becomes thick, white, and cottage cheese-like in appearance. Bacterial vaginosis discharge usually takes on a thinner texture that is grayish-white in color.
Another difference in symptoms is that BV typically doesn’t cause redness or swelling in and around the vagina, while yeast infections do.
Below is more information about common symptoms of bacterial vaginosis vs. yeast infections.
BVThin, grayish-white vaginal dischargeA strong “fishy” odor, often more noticeable after sex or whilemenstruatingDiscomfortIrritationItching and burning sensationsYeast InfectionThick, white, and lumpy discharge that may resemble cottage cheeseIrritation or itchingBurning sensations during sex or urinatingRedness and swelling around the vagina or vulva
BVThin, grayish-white vaginal dischargeA strong “fishy” odor, often more noticeable after sex or whilemenstruatingDiscomfortIrritationItching and burning sensations
Thin, grayish-white vaginal discharge
A strong “fishy” odor, often more noticeable after sex or whilemenstruating
Discomfort
Irritation
Itching and burning sensations
Yeast InfectionThick, white, and lumpy discharge that may resemble cottage cheeseIrritation or itchingBurning sensations during sex or urinatingRedness and swelling around the vagina or vulva
Thick, white, and lumpy discharge that may resemble cottage cheese
Irritation or itching
Burning sensations during sex or urinating
Redness and swelling around the vagina or vulva
Bacterial Vaginosis: Symptoms and Complications
While some of the symptoms of BV and yeast infections overlap, the cause of each is completely different.
BV
Bacteria and other microorganisms thrive best in their favorite environments. Any changes to the environment can cause one type of bacteria to grow out of control, leading to infection.
When the acidity changes, the number of lactic acid bacteria drops. This type of bacteria helps maintain the balance of healthy vaginal flora and when the number of lactic acid bacteria goes down, other kinds of bacteria grow more easily.
The bacteria responsible for most BV infections isGardnerella vaginalis.
What Affects Vaginal pH?
Causes and Risk Factors of Bacterial Vaginosis
Yeast Infection
The type of yeast or fungus responsible for yeast infections isCandida.
Risk factors forCandidaovergrowth include:
Causes and Risk Factors of Yeast Infection
If you aren’t sure which type of infection you have, it’s best to take a trip to the healthcare provider. It can be difficult to tell the difference between the types of vaginal infections and finding the cause is important for proper treatment.
If this is your first time experiencing a yeast infection, it’s best to go to the healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis.
During your appointment, your healthcare provider may:
With the different causes of infection, different medications are needed to treat BV and yeast infections. The strength, type, and length of treatment will depend on the severity of the infection.
Whatever treatment option you use, be sure to follow the directions and complete the full treatment course. If you stop partway through your treatment, the infection might not completely clear.
Bacterial vaginosis is treated with antibiotics in either pill, gel, or cream form. This typically requires a trip to the healthcare provider’s office to get a prescription for antibiotics.
BV can be treated with:
What Is Bacterial Vaginosis?
Antifungal medications are used to treat yeast infections. Unlike BV, there are both over-the-counter (OTC) medications and prescription medications available to treat yeast infections. These include:
How Vaginal Yeast Infection Is Treated
Vaginal infections are common, but there are steps you can take to reduce the risks of them coming back.
The following tips may help prevent BV and yeast infections:
A Word From Verywell
Bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections are easy to confuse because of their similar symptoms. But the treatment needed to clear the infection is vastly different. Yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal medications, while BV typically requires a prescription from a healthcare provider for an antibiotic.
If you aren’t sure what is causing your infection or if it returns, talk with your healthcare provider. You may need a stronger medication, or you may be treating for the wrong type of infection.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe smell. Bacterial vaginosis causes vaginal discharge that has a strong fish-like odor.Sometimes, but not always. Both bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections can cause vaginal itching. A yeast infection is more likely also to cause vulvar itching. You can also have bacterial vaginosis and not experience itching, irritation, or redness.A mild case of bacterial vaginosis may go away on its own in a few days, but most of the time, antibiotics are needed. If you think you may have BV, see your gynecologist.
The smell. Bacterial vaginosis causes vaginal discharge that has a strong fish-like odor.
Sometimes, but not always. Both bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections can cause vaginal itching. A yeast infection is more likely also to cause vulvar itching. You can also have bacterial vaginosis and not experience itching, irritation, or redness.
A mild case of bacterial vaginosis may go away on its own in a few days, but most of the time, antibiotics are needed. If you think you may have BV, see your gynecologist.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Bacterial vaginosis.MedlinePlus.Yeast infections.Paladine HL, Desai UA.Vaginitis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2018;97(5):321-329.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vaginal candidiasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis.University of Michigan Health.Bacterial vaginosis.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Bacterial vaginosis.MedlinePlus.Yeast infections.Paladine HL, Desai UA.Vaginitis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2018;97(5):321-329.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vaginal candidiasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis.University of Michigan Health.Bacterial vaginosis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cleveland Clinic.Bacterial vaginosis.MedlinePlus.Yeast infections.Paladine HL, Desai UA.Vaginitis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2018;97(5):321-329.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vaginal candidiasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis.University of Michigan Health.Bacterial vaginosis.
Cleveland Clinic.Bacterial vaginosis.
MedlinePlus.Yeast infections.
Paladine HL, Desai UA.Vaginitis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2018;97(5):321-329.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vaginal candidiasis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis.
University of Michigan Health.Bacterial vaginosis.
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