That means sex without a condom or oral sex without a dental dam. Having a female sex partner may also increase your risk of bacterial vaginosis. Frequent douching using a cleanser or water to clean inside the vagina or using medicated or perfumed soaps, shower gels or bubble baths also increase your chances of getting BV.
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and sexual history to try and work out if bacterial vaginosis could be causing your symptoms. If your doctor suspects BV, a vaginal examination and swab test may be recommended to test the vaginal discharge.
This involves taking a small swab from the vagina and sending the swab to a laboratory for testing. These are vaginal cells that are covered with bacteria. The presence of clue cells is a sign of bacterial vaginosis. To rule out the possibility that you have an STI, the sample may also be tested for the presence of different infections. The acidity of vaginal fluid may also be tested to help diagnose BV.
The normal pH of vaginal fluid in women of childbearing age is around 4. If the pH of your vaginal fluid is higher than 4. Your doctor can test the acidity of your vaginal fluid using pH paper. While thrush is more well known than bacterial vaginosis, BV is actually the more common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge. Neither thrush nor BV are considered to be STIs, and both can develop if you use personal care products that irritate the vagina. But there are several differences.
Vaginal thrush is caused by infection with a yeast called Candida , whereas BV is caused by an imbalance in bacteria in the vagina. If you have thrush, your discharge is usually thick and white looks like cottage cheese as opposed to thin and watery in BV.
Your doctor can usually distinguish between these infections by taking a swab of vaginal fluid. The swab is sent to a lab for examination under a microscope to look for Candida yeast seen in thrush or clue cells seen in BV.
Testing the acidity of vaginal fluid can also help — the pH of the vagina is usually normal pH 4. Getting a proper diagnosis rather than diagnosing yourself is important to make sure you get the right treatment. Antibiotics can be taken to treat bacterial vaginosis and relieve symptoms. Metronidazole, clindamycin or tinidazole are the antibiotics usually prescribed. Metronidazole and clindamycin can be given as a vaginal cream or gel, or as tablets to be taken by mouth.
Make sure you tell your doctor if you think you might be pregnant or are breast feeding, as this will affect the antibiotics they prescribe. If you are taking metronidazole or tinidazole, you should not drink any alcohol during treatment and for several days after treatment is finished, as it can make you feel very unwell. Some antibiotics given vaginally can interfere with the effectiveness of some condoms by weakening the latex — check with your doctor. It is important to remember that thrush is not the only cause of vulval itching, soreness or vaginal discharge.
The presence of one or more of the following symptoms suggest that you might have a condition other than thrush :. The vagina has natural defenses, including mucus and healthy bacteria, that protect it against the overgrowth of fungus.
When these defenses are disturbed or altered, the fungus can invade the vagina, causing a thrush infection. Thrush is not considered to be a sexually transmitted infection STI , but it can sometimes be triggered by sex or passed between partners through intercourse. Importantly, vaginal thrush is not the result of poor hygiene. There is some evidence that the use of the combined oral contraceptive pill might predispose to thrush infections. However, the evidence on this is not yet conclusive.
Although the factors above might make you more prone to developing thrush, some women develop a thrush infection or have recurrent episodes of thrush without any obvious triggers. Experiencing one, or more of the factors above, does not mean that you will definitely suffer with recurrent thrush. In most cases, the reason why some women suffer with recurrent bouts of thrush is not clear.
Unfortunately, it appears that some women are simply more prone to developing thrush infections than others. The cause of recurrent thrush is often unclear and complex, so it is always advisable to see a doctor e. You are also likely to require treatment that is different, and more long-term, from that which is available over-the-counter.
Although thrush is not an STI, most sexual health clinics will also be able to assess, diagnose and treat women struggling with recurrent thrush. It is important to remember that vulval itching and discharge can be caused by many conditions other than thrush and a healthcare professional is the only person who can safely and adequately diagnose your symptoms. Even if you have successfully treated yourself for thrush in the past, it is recommended that you always consult a healthcare professional if any of the following applies to you:.
The aim of your consultation will be to determine if thrush is in fact the cause of your symptoms and to identify any factors that might be pre-disposing you to recurrent thrush. If you are struggling with recurrent thrush, your doctor might want to examine you and perform some tests.
Possible tests you might have include:. It is likely that you will be prescribed a longer course of treatment than that which you have taken for thrush infections in the past. There are usually two options available for the second stage of treatment.
Usually, among the vaginal flora, there is more of a type of helpful bacteria, called Lactobacillus , than harmful bacteria. Certain activities can disrupt the natural balance of the microorganisms in the vagina, and this disruption leads to BV.
Bacteria do not cause vaginal yeast infections. Instead, the cause is usually a type of fungus, or yeast, called Candida. Candida can be naturally present in the vaginal area, but Lactobacillus bacteria usually restrict the growth of Candida.
However, in some situations, Candida multiplies unchecked, leading to a yeast infection. The treatments for BV and a yeast infection are different. Also, the right course of treatment can depend on the severity of the infection. If a person experiences mild to moderate symptoms of a yeast infection, a doctor may recommend one of the following antifungal medications:.
If a person has a severe yeast infection, a doctor may recommend taking a long course of antifungal medication, involving multiple doses. Some strains of Candida are resistant to conventional medications. When one of these strains is causing the infection, the doctor will recommend special antifungal treatments.
Some women with Thrush experience burning when they wee or have sex. The main symptom of this infection is excessive itching and discomfort in the vaginal area. You may not have any discharge with Thrush - every woman can experience different symptoms. It is possible to have Thrush and BV at the same time. You should monitor your symptoms carefully and consult a doctor for advice about potential treatment.
These could include tights, nylon underwear, tight jeans or lycra shorts. Instead, try to wear cotton underwear and more loose-fitting clothing where possible. When you go to the toilet, remember to wipe the area from front to back.
This will prevent any unwanted bacteria from spreading, which could lead to further infections. Strongly scented products should be avoided when you can. These can increase the acidity in the vagina and may lead to more infections in the future. Lots of products on the market have additional scent, including toilet paper, tampons and pads. You may want to find unscented versions instead. This also goes for using strong products around the vaginal area, such as bubble bath, vaginal deodorant or body wash.
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