You would be surprised at the kind of conversations I have with people – in fact you probably wouldn’t but truth be told, sometimes I do sit back and think raaaaah, OK then!
The other day I found myself engaging in a discussion about BV and Thrush!
Yeah…random I know.
The convo was pretty much centred on this person (a man, no shade lol) arguing with me, claiming that BV and Thrush are the same!
Absolute nonsense I know.
There I was trying to diplomatically shut this guy’s naïve opinion down but he was having none of it.
In the end, a quick trip to the NHS website cleared things right up (pun intended).
However, it did leave me wondering, just how many other people are convinced that BV and Thrush are one in the same? Sooooooooooooo I’ve taken the liberty of outlining both conditions, the symptoms and the treatment below.
Thank me later!!!
Bacterial Vaginosis
BV is one of the most common infections of the vagina.
It is not an STI but can be triggered by sex as the condition is caused by excessive growth of naturally occurring bacteria.
BV is essentially harmless.
Common symptoms usually include; increased white or greyish, watery vaginal discharge and/or a strong fishy odour particularly after sex.
Treating BV is easy.
Usually antibiotics or a gel will be prescribed to clear up the infection.
At this point, you may be wondering what causes BV if it’s not a STI.
In short, BV occurs when there is a change to the natural bacterial balance in the vagina.
Whilst it’s not 100% clear why this happens, you would be more likely to get BV if you are; sexually active, change sexual partners or use perfumed products in or around your vagina.
It is important to note, that even women that are not sexually active, can get BV!
Thrush (Yeast infection)
Similarly to BV and perhaps where my guy was getting confused, Thrush is caused when there is an imbalance in the vagina too!
Thrush occurs when there is an overgrowth of the yeast cells, Candida albicans.
The most common Thrush symptom is; itching and may be in addition to, white discharge and/or pain whilst having a wee or during sex.
To get rid of Thrush, anti-fungal medicine must be taken. You can take this is a tablet, apply cream or insert into the vagina as a pessary.
Anti-fungal medicine can be prescribed or alternatively, if you have had Thrush in the past and are familiar with the symptoms, you can purchase it over the counter.
So there you go.
BV and Thrush, similar in the sense that both occur because of an overgrowth of bacteria and may share similar symptoms BUT….they are very different conditions – let no one tell you otherwise!
But what causes “an overgrowth of the yeast cells”?
Same as BV? “… sexually active, change sexual partners or use perfumed products in or around your vagina …”
And what does ‘sexually active’ mean?