Difference Between Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms and Thrush: Ways to Prevent BV or Thrush Infection
Which would you rather have, bacterial vaginosis or thrush? You would be stupid to want either one of the two, nonetheless, if you had to choose which one would it be and why? I don't think it really matters which, because both have their own unique symptoms that are very much annoying as they are embarrassing, and in some cases, painful too! As if women don't already have enough to put up with having to groom their vagina for the best part of the day to keep it in good condition, without having to deal with an infected one.
Some girls say they would prefer thrush because it doesn't have the fishy odour discharge that BV causes, while others, BV, because it is not likely to cause itch.
If you have either infection you're not to panic, and something else you're not to do, is ignore it.
If disease isn't treated early, recovery time can be prolonged due to complications that are likely to occur as a result of delayed medication.
At the first sign of a vaginal abnormality take action and see a doctor.
If the vagina is to function properly it has to be in top condition, and it is not going to be able to do that with infection present.
The vagina serves many purposes, and aside from being the opening for urine and menstrual blood, and the channel for giving birth, it is also there for the penis! The vagina is sacred, so treat it as because "men do".
If you haven't yet suffered BV or thrush, but worried you might, let us look at these infections in more detail and ways to prevent them.
Thrush is caused by the yeast fungus candida albicans.
It is not a bad yeast and lives on the skin, in the mouth, gut and vagina.
While it remains stable and under control everything stays normal, but if it is meddled with infection is a cert.
Chances of developing thrush increase if you:
Certain antifungal treatments can weaken latex condoms, diaphragms and caps, so keep this in mind at all times.
Thrush can go away by itself but why wait and waste time in case it doesn't and turns into something more serious.
If there is no sign of improvement speak to a GP.
Bacterial vaginosis: In women who have this infection you often find:
Not that I recommend you do a self diagnosis, but the main symptoms of BV are if you are adamant and want to:
Bacterial vaginosis is treated with antibiotics of which most come in tablet form and taken in a single dose, or a 7 day course.
If metronidazole is prescribed, the patient should not drink alcohol during treatment and for 48 hours afterwards.
This is because it reacts with alcohol and can make you feel rather poorly.
Just like thrush, bacterial vaginosis can disappear by itself, but why wait and chance unnecessary misery and possible pain for fear it doesn't.
Hanging around pondering whether to see a doctor or not puts you more at risk of developing other diseases.
Some study suggests that women with bacterial vaginosis may be at a higher risk of getting pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or HIV.
Both conditions are serious and two good reasons to seek medical help early.
Let us start again shall we, which would you rather have, pelvic inflammatory disease or HIV?
Some girls say they would prefer thrush because it doesn't have the fishy odour discharge that BV causes, while others, BV, because it is not likely to cause itch.
If you have either infection you're not to panic, and something else you're not to do, is ignore it.
If disease isn't treated early, recovery time can be prolonged due to complications that are likely to occur as a result of delayed medication.
At the first sign of a vaginal abnormality take action and see a doctor.
If the vagina is to function properly it has to be in top condition, and it is not going to be able to do that with infection present.
The vagina serves many purposes, and aside from being the opening for urine and menstrual blood, and the channel for giving birth, it is also there for the penis! The vagina is sacred, so treat it as because "men do".
If you haven't yet suffered BV or thrush, but worried you might, let us look at these infections in more detail and ways to prevent them.
Thrush is caused by the yeast fungus candida albicans.
It is not a bad yeast and lives on the skin, in the mouth, gut and vagina.
While it remains stable and under control everything stays normal, but if it is meddled with infection is a cert.
Chances of developing thrush increase if you:
- Are expecting a baby (thrush can happen as a result of pregnancy.
It is not harmful to the unborn infant.
It can be safely treated using pessaries or creams.
Do not take oral pills if you are pregnant without asking a doctor first. - Wear tight clothing
- Wear synthetic fabrics such as nylon that prevents ventilation
- Take certain antibiotics
- Undergoing chemotherapy
- Have uncontrolled diabetes
- Have HIV or other sicknesses that affect the immune system
- Use products that may cause irritation
- Suffer stress
- Itching, soreness and redness around the vagina vulva or anus
- White thick vaginal discharge (smells yeasty)
- Pain when urinating
- Painful sex
- Irritation, burning or itching under the foreskin or on the tip of the penis
- Redness or red patches under the foreskin or on the tip of the penis
- Watery or thick discharge under the foreskin (sometimes smells yeasty)
- Difficulty in pulling back the foreskin
Certain antifungal treatments can weaken latex condoms, diaphragms and caps, so keep this in mind at all times.
Thrush can go away by itself but why wait and waste time in case it doesn't and turns into something more serious.
If there is no sign of improvement speak to a GP.
Bacterial vaginosis: In women who have this infection you often find:
- A reduced amount of normal vaginal bacteria (lactobacilli)
- Overgrowth of other sorts of bacteria
- An alteration in pH (acid/alkaline balance) of the vagina
- Scented toiletries
- Antiseptic solutions
- Douching
- Vaginal deodorants
- Washing detergents
- Smoking
Not that I recommend you do a self diagnosis, but the main symptoms of BV are if you are adamant and want to:
- Watery vaginal discharge
- White or grey discharge
- Fishy smelling discharge (particularly after sex)
- Painful sex
- Pain when urinating
- Possible bleeding
Bacterial vaginosis is treated with antibiotics of which most come in tablet form and taken in a single dose, or a 7 day course.
If metronidazole is prescribed, the patient should not drink alcohol during treatment and for 48 hours afterwards.
This is because it reacts with alcohol and can make you feel rather poorly.
Just like thrush, bacterial vaginosis can disappear by itself, but why wait and chance unnecessary misery and possible pain for fear it doesn't.
Hanging around pondering whether to see a doctor or not puts you more at risk of developing other diseases.
Some study suggests that women with bacterial vaginosis may be at a higher risk of getting pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or HIV.
Both conditions are serious and two good reasons to seek medical help early.
Let us start again shall we, which would you rather have, pelvic inflammatory disease or HIV?
