Sexual Health Reproductive Health Issues Vaginal Health The 3 Most Common Vaginal Problems Recognizing Yeast Infections, Trichomoniasis, and Bacterial Vaginosis By Tracee Cornforth Tracee Cornforth LinkedIn Tracee Cornforth is a freelance writer who covers menstruation, menstrual disorders, and other women's health issues. Learn about our editorial process Updated on November 22, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Monique Rainford, MD Medically reviewed by Monique Rainford, MD Monique Rainford, MD, is board-certified in obstetrics-gynecology, and currently serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale Medicine. She is the former chief of obstetrics-gynecology at Yale Health. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Whether it's persistent itching, an abnormal discharge, or irritation, when things aren't right in your vaginal area, you know it. If you have a vagina, you are likely to experience vaginal problems at some point in your life. The three most common issues that occur are yeast infections, trichomoniasis, and bacterial vaginosis. While these concerns do have some similar symptoms, their causes are completely different. The treatment for each is different too, so knowing exactly which one you have is crucial to getting rid of the infection quickly and effectively, and avoiding potential complications. IMAGEMORE Co, Ltd. / Getty Images Yeast Infections A yeast infection is caused by an overgrowth of the fungus called Candida. It normally lives inside the body (in places such as the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina) and on the skin in small amounts without causing any problems. However, some factors—such as antibiotics, pregnancy, uncontrolled diabetes, or a weakened immune system (even if just from stress)—can upset the balance of bacteria in the vagina, causing yeast to multiply. Without intervention, yeast thrives due to the vagina's wet, warm accommodations. Three out of four women will have at least one vaginal yeast infection during their lifetime and nearly half of women have two or more infections. They nearly always occur during your fertile years, after the onset of puberty and before menopause, likely because of the dramatic shift in hormones at these times. The most common symptom of yeast infection is extreme itchiness in and around the vagina. Other signs and symptoms might experience include: Burning, redness, and swelling of the vagina and the vulvaPain or discomfort when urinatingPain during sexual intercourseSorenessA thick, white vaginal discharge that looks like cottage cheese and does not have a bad smell Although most yeast infections are mild, some people can develop severe infections involving redness, swelling, and cracks in the wall of the vagina. Some people experience frequent yeast infections, so they are familiar with the symptoms and the course of treatment. You can buy an over-the-counter antifungal cream, suppository, or tablet that you put in your vagina for anywhere from one to seven days, depending on what you choose. Your healthcare provider can also give you a prescription for a pill called Diflucan (fluconazole) that you take by mouth once to treat the infection. However, if this is the first time you're having these symptoms, it's important to see your healthcare provider in order to get a formal diagnosis and rule out other possibilities, especially because research shows that two in three people who buy antifungal medicine for a vaginal yeast infection don't actually have one. The treatment for a yeast infection won't cure a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or bacterial vaginosis, either of which you may have instead, putting you at risk for complications from those conditions. Additionally, your body may become more resistant to antifungal medication if you use it when you don't have a yeast infection, which can lead to difficulty getting rid of a yeast infection in the future. Trichomoniasis Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite and spread through unprotected sex. It's the most common curable STI and can be spread even when you have no symptoms. Though infection is more common in women, men can get it too. The time between exposure to trichomoniasis and the onset of symptoms can be anywhere from five to 28 days. As many as 85% of women don't experience any symptoms with trichomoniasis. However, they may notice: Itching, burning, redness, and soreness of the genitals Thin or frothy discharge with an unusual fishy smell that can be clear, white, yellowish, or greenish Discomfort during sexual intercourse Pain or discomfort during urination Pelvic pain, though this is rare If you suspect you may have trichomoniasis, you should refrain from sexual intercourse and see your healthcare provider immediately. If your healthcare provider diagnoses trichomoniasis, your sexual partner(s) should be diagnosed and receive treatment if necessary as well. You shouldn't resume sex until both you and your partner are treated and symptom-free. Treatment for trichomoniasis involves one of two antibiotics: Flagyl (metronidazole) or Tindamax (tinidazole). If trichomoniasis is left untreated, you're at a higher risk of getting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) if you're exposed. If you have HIV, untreated trichomoniasis makes it more likely for you to pass HIV on to your sexual partners, which is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you get tested for trichomoniasis every year if you're HIV-positive. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginal discharge during the reproductive years. BV typically occurs when there is more harmful than good bacteria in the vagina. Specifically, BV develops when the normal balance of Lactobacillus bacteria that colonize in the vagina gets thrown off by an overgrowth of other bacteria. While there is not a definitive answer about what causes BV, a few factors are known to raise your risk of contracting it, including having new or multiple sexual partners, being pregnant, using vaginal douches, having an intrauterine device (IUD), and not using a condom during every act of sexual intercourse. Though many people don't have noticeable symptoms, the ones who do may notice the following: A fish-like vaginal odorAn abnormal vaginal discharge that's white or gray and that can be either watery or foamyVaginal itching and/or irritationA burning feeling when urinating BV is treated with antibiotics and doesn't respond to antifungal medication for yeast infections, though the symptoms are similar. You should refrain from sex until your treatment is complete. If your partner is male, he won't need treatment, but if you have a female partner, she may have BV as well and should see a healthcare provider too. If it's left untreated, BV can raise your risk of contracting STIs and HIV, as well as lead to premature birth or a baby with low birth weight if you're pregnant. Prevention Normally, your vagina has a healthy balance of yeast and bacteria, but certain factors can throw that balance off. If you're prone to vaginal infections, consider the following tips to help keep the environment in your vagina balanced: Wear underwear with a cotton crotchAvoid tight pantyhose, leggings, or jeansStay away from vaginal douchesDon't use scented feminine products or toilet paperMake sure you change tampons, liners, and pads frequentlyChange out of wet clothes as soon as possibleAlways wipe from front to back A Word From Verywell Be sure to discuss any vaginal discomfort and symptoms with your healthcare provider at your regular checkups, even if they're minor. For any irritating or clearly abnormal symptoms, see your healthcare provider right away to ensure you get the correct treatment promptly. While the above are the most common vaginal problems associated with vaginal discharge, there are others that can have some overlapping symptoms, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), vaginitis, and vulvodynia. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 10 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Gonçalves B, Ferreira C, Alves CT, Henriques M, Azeredo J, Silva S. Vulvovaginal candidiasis: Epidemiology, microbiology and risk factors. 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