How To Differentiate Between Bacterial Vaginosis And A Vaginal Yeast Infection?

Inflammation in the vaginal area, or known as vaginitis

, is a common condition that most women will experience at one point or another in their lifetime. Vaginitis can be triggered by different causes, and two of the most common forms of vaginitis are vaginal yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis.

In addition to inflammation of the vagina, there are also other signs and symptoms that both forms of vaginitis share. So if you are experiencing vaginitis or any other vaginal symptoms, certainly you would want to know whether you are having a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis or something else.

There is in fact a unique symptom of bacterial vaginosis that separates it from other vaginal disorders. But first, let's understand a bit more about these two conditions.

The most common type of fungus accountable for vaginal yeast infection is Candida albicans. It is common to find yeast present in the vagina of healthy women. However, vaginal yeast infections will occur when there is yeast overgrowth, or when new yeast invades the vagina.

Overgrowth of yeast in the vagina is usually caused by normal protective bacteria being wiped out, which can happen when antibiotics are taken to treat another infection. In addition, if your immune system is weak or you have suppressed immune function, yeast can also overgrow and cause infections.

Common symptoms of yeast vaginitis include vaginal itching, and burning sensation and pain during urination or intercourse. There may or may not be vaginal discharge, but if there is, the vaginal discharge is usually thick and whitish, with a consistency similar to that of cottage cheese. However, the discharge is normally odorless.

Another common type of vaginitis is caused by bacterial vaginosis. Similar to yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis is also a result of overgrowth of harmful bacteria that are normally present in the vagina.

Not all women will suffer from the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis, but those who do experience symptoms will have vaginal discharge, usually in gray or white color. The one symptom that differentiates bacterial vaginosis from yeast infection is the fishy vaginal odor of the vaginal discharge.

If you think you have any of the symptoms of yeast vaginitis or bacterial vaginosis, it is important to consult your doctor to get a correct diagnosis and the right treatment.

While both conditions can be effectively treated with antibiotics, there are also ways to deal with them naturally and holistically. You can learn how to get rid of those debilitating symptoms using bacterial vaginosis natural cures.

by: Serena Loo

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