Do I Have Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms or the Symptoms of Yeast Infections?

Bacterial vaginosis symptoms can be very embarrassing and sometimes uncomfortable for many women who have Bacteria Vaginosis (BV). Bacterial vaginosis symptoms can vary in severity and intensity from woman-to-woman. It is important to note that approximately one-third of women with BV never experience symptoms.

Bacteria vaginosis is a condition that develops when the predominant bacteria within the vagina begin to decrease, while the normally less prevalent bacteria begin increase. When this change to the normal balance of things within the vagina becomes severe enough it can lead to bacteria vaginosis, an abnormal vaginal condition characterized by a handful of unpleasant symptoms. Bacteria vaginosis is not itself an infection but it can lead to one.

The two most frequent bacterial vaginosis symptoms that women experience are excessive vaginal discharge and an unpleasant, pungent fishy vaginal odor.

Three other common bacterial vaginosis symptoms include:

1. Vaginal itching

2. Vaginal irritation

3. Cramping

The symptoms of yeast infections can also be somewhat embarrassing, painful, and quite frustrating for many women who suffer from them. Just as with BV, the symptoms of yeast infections are not always constant. Not all women will experience the exact same symptoms, and the severity of the symptoms can vary on a case-by-case basis.

A yeast infection is a very common form of vaginitis (an inflammation of the vagina).  Yeast (Candida) is a fungus that is often found on human skin and in the presence of moisture, including the vagina at times. When this yeast makes its way into a woman’s vagina and begins to actively grow it can cause a yeast infection, known as Candidiasis.

One of the most frequent symptoms of yeast infections is vaginal itching.

Other possible symptoms of yeast infections are:

• Vaginal soreness
• Vaginal Burning
• Potential pain during sex or urination
• Thick, white, odorless, cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge

In light of this information, it is clear that the symptoms of yeast infections can sometimes be difficult to differentiate from bacterial vaginosis symptoms.

There are certain symptoms which can allow you to distinguish between the two, but the problem is that in both conditions the potential symptoms are not always present. Sometimes there are 1 or 2 symptoms, other times there may be 4 or 5 symptoms, and yet others still, there may be no symptoms at all.

Here are three ways to help distinguish between bacterial vaginosis symptoms and the symptoms of yeast infections in a majority of cases:

1. A pungent fishy odor is very, very common in cases of bacteria vaginosis, and there is no vaginal odor connected with yeast infections.

2. There is not typically pain in connection with sex and/or urination in cases of bacteria vaginosis, but in the case of yeast infections pain is common in either case.

3. A milky whitish or grayish vaginal discharge is one of the most common bacterial vaginosis symptoms. And while an abnormal vaginal discharge is one of the potential symptoms of yeast infections, it is typically white, thicker than that of BV, and, unlike bacteria vaginosis, the consistency is usually similar to cottage cheese.

The symptoms that sometimes may lead to a bit of confusion when attempting to differentiate between bacteria vaginosis and yeast infections are vaginal itching and irritation on the BV side of the equation, compared to vaginal itching, general vaginal soreness, and burning on the yeast infection side.

If someone is experiencing only these types of symptoms it may be necessary to consult a physician to determine what the condition is so as to understand how to best treat the abnormal condition.