Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis
The most common symptoms of bacterial vaginosis (BV) are:
- Strong/unpleasant ‘fishy’ odour
- Thin vaginal discharge that is white or greyish in colour
Remember you’re not alone. BV is the most common vaginal infection and many women find the symptoms embarrassing.
Signs of BV
The presence of a strong ‘fishy’ odour and characteristic white or grey watery discharge are a few BV symptoms to look out for. Speak to your pharmacist who will be able to assist you.
See a doctor if you are diabetic or pregnant / breastfeeding (or plan to be).
Do I have thrush or BV?
Despite the fact that thrush is more well-known than bacterial vaginosis, BV is actually more common. There are a number of distinct differences between BV and thrush.
BV vs thrush
As mentioned in the BV Causes section, BV is caused by an imbalance in the naturally occurring bacteria inside the vagina. Thrush, however, is caused by infection with a yeast called Candida, which is not a bacteria, but actually a type of fungus.
Testing the acidity (pH) of the vagina can help to tell the difference between BV and thrush, as the pH usually only changes with BV.
In addition, the signs and symptoms of BV and thrush are quite different.
Do I have bacterial vaginosis?
Take a look at the symptom checker and speak to your pharmacist to see if you could have BV.
| Symptoms | Bacterial vaginosis | Thrush |
|---|---|---|
| Odour | ‘Fishy’ odour | ‘Yeasty’ odour or no odour |
| Vaginal Discharge | Thin white/grey watery discharge | Thick white discharge (like cottage cheese) |
| Itching/irritation | Not common | Yes, very common |
Do I have bacterial vaginosis?
| Symptoms | Bacterial vaginosis |
|---|---|
| Odour | ‘Fishy’ odour |
| Vaginal Discharge | Thin white/grey discharge |
| Itching/irritation | Not common |
| Symptoms | Thrush |
|---|---|
| Odour | ‘Yeasty odour or no odour |
| Vaginal Discharge | Thick white discharge (like cottage cheese) |
| Itching/irritation | Yes, very common |
Where can I buy Fleurstat BVgel for bacterial vaginosis?
Fleurstat BVgel is available from most leading pharmacies without prescription. A pharmacist must decide whether Fleurstat BVgel is right for you before you can purchase it.