What does BV discharge look like?

The main symptom of BV is lots of thin vaginal discharge that has a strong fishy smell. The discharge may be white, dull gray, greenish, and/or foamy. The fishy smell is often more noticeable after vaginal sex.

What kind of discharge comes with BV?

The most common symptom of bacterial vaginosis is unusual vaginal discharge that has a strong fishy smell, particularly after sex. You may notice a change to the colour and consistency of your discharge, such as becoming greyish-white and thin and watery.

How do I know if I have BV or something else?

Here's how you can tell the difference: Discharge: The hallmark sign of BV is discharge with a “fishy” smell. Discharge from yeast infections doesn't usually have a strong smell but may look like cottage cheese. Vaginal irritation: Typically, BV doesn't cause vaginal irritation or itchiness.

How do I know if its BV or an STD?

It can't be caught or passed on by your partner. BV is caused by bacteria that are already present in your vagina but are normally being kept in check by your body's own defences. STI's on the other hand are infections that can be passed from person to person via sexual contact.

What color discharge does BV have?

Bacterial vaginosis

BV is linked to douching and having more than one sexual partner. The discharge tends to be grayish-white and has a fishy odor.

Vaginal Discharge Colors | Bacterial Vaginosis, Yeast Infections, Thrush, STI | Is Discharge Normal?

Can BV clear up on its own?

Bacterial vaginosis often clears up on its own. But in some women it doesn't go away on its own. And for many women it comes back after it has cleared up. Antibiotic treatment works for some women but not others.

What happens if BV goes untreated?

Most often, BV does not cause other health problems. However, if left untreated, BV may increase your risk for: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV. Pelvic inflammatory disease where BV bacteria infect the uterus or fallopian tubes.

Can using spit as lube cause BV?

“Saliva is not a lubricant! The result can upset your vaginal microbiome and leave you susceptible to developing yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis.

How do you know if you have BV or a yeast infection?

One easy way to distinguish between these two conditions is the smell or lack thereof. Discharge from BV has a distinctive fishy odor, while yeast infection discharge tends to be odorless. BV discharge is also fairly thin, while yeast infection discharge has a thick consistency often resembling cottage cheese.

What is the most common cause of BV?

BV is often caused by gardnerella vaginalis, the most common type of bacteria in your vagina. Anything that changes the chemistry of your vagina's pH balance can mess with bacteria levels and lead to infection — like douching or using vaginal deodorants and other irritating products.

What are the symptoms of BV in females?

Is BV itchy?

Symptoms - The primary symptom of BV is an abnormal, odorous vaginal discharge. The fish-like odor is noticeable especially after intercourse. Women with BV also may have burning during urination or itching around the outside of the vagina, or both.

How can you tell the difference between BV and chlamydia?

In the images below, pay attention to the color of the discharge and its consistency: transparent and scanty for chlamydia versus whitish and thin for BV. The vaginal opening and vulva are red and mildly swollen with BV.

How does a man spread BV?

But males can carry the bacteria that cause BV. The bacteria can accumulate on the penis or in the urethra of males. This means that people carrying the bacteria can transmit it to females by having sex with them. The closest condition to BV in males is urethritis.

Can other people smell my BV?

Can other people smell it too?" Dr. Kate, a gynecologist, answers: "No, all vaginas don't smell, or taste, the same...but they do all smell. Every woman has a different musky scent, and we tend to be very attuned to our own smell, even when no one else is aware of it.

How long does it take BV to go away?

While the infection may go away on its own, most doctors use antibiotics to treat it. You may have been prescribed pills or vaginal cream. With treatment, bacterial vaginosis usually clears up in 5 to 7 days.

Can untreated BV turn into chlamydia?

If left untreated, BV can increase your risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV.

Can I treat BV without antibiotics?

The primary treatment course for BV is antibiotics. However, some people may wish to treat the condition at home. Options for home treatments include practicing safe hygiene, using barrier protection during intercourse, and taking probiotic supplements. BV is a common condition and typically is not cause for concern.

What does STD discharge look like female?

There could be an odd smell, too. These are all signs of an STD discharge. These changes can cause orange vaginal discharge, chunky yellow discharge, and other abnormal discharges. A change in how your discharge smells—such as having a foul odor—is another sign your abnormal discharge might be due to an STD.

Why is there white chunks in my discharge?

Yeast infection discharge is caused by an overgrowth of fungus in the vagina. Symptoms of yeast infection discharge include a thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge, along with itching, redness, irritation and burning. Roughly 90 percent of women will have a yeast infection at some point in their life.

Can you get BV from fingers?

BV is now thought to be a sexually transmitted infection, although most recurrences are not sexually related. BV can be transmitted by sex toys, oral-genital contact, and fingers.

How do you tell if something is wrong down there?

What does a chlamydia look like?

Chlamydia symptoms can include pus-like yellow discharge; frequent or painful urination; spotting between periods or after sex; and/or rectal pain, bleeding, or discharge.

What is chlamydia discharge?

Chlamydia bacteria often cause symptoms that are similar to cervicitis or a urinary tract infection (UTI). You may notice: White, yellow or gray discharge from your vagina that may be smelly. Pus in your urine (pyuria).

Can cranberry cure BV?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that cranberry juice may help remedy symptoms. Complete prevention of BV is not possible, however, there are a number of factors to be considered when attempting to reduce the risk of BV.