What’s the difference between a yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis (BV)?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections are the two most common vaginal infections. Unlike yeast infections, which are caused by an overgrowth of fungus, BV is caused by an imbalance in vaginal bacteria characterized by low levels of lactobacilli.

Yeast infections and BV have similar symptoms, including unusual discharge and vaginal irritation, but unlike a yeast infection, BV is often associated with an odor and abnormal vaginal pH. They’re treated with different medications, because yeast infections require antifungal drugs while antibiotics are prescribed for BV.

They also share some of the same risk factors, including douching and pregnancy-related hormonal changes. Like yeast infections, BV can develop due to unprotected sex with new or multiple partners, because semen temporarily changes the vaginal pH (making it more susceptible to infection).^[1]