Vaginal Infections (Yeast & Bacterial Vaginosis)
Itching, unusual discharge, or an odd smell? Yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis are extremely common, rarely serious, and easy to confuse — here's how to tell them apart.
General education, not a diagnosis. SHELY is pre-launch — “Talk to someone” adds you to our experts waitlist; we don’t offer bookings yet.
Your vagina maintains a delicate balance of bacteria and a naturally acidic environment that keeps it healthy. When that balance is disturbed, common infections can take hold — the two most frequent being a yeast (thrush) infection and bacterial vaginosis (BV). They feel similar but are quite different, and treating the wrong one won't help.
A yeast infection is an overgrowth of Candida, causing intense itching and a thick, white, odourless discharge. Bacterial vaginosis is an overgrowth of certain bacteria, causing a thin, greyish discharge with a distinctive fishy smell, often without much itching. Neither is typically a sexually transmitted infection, though both can be triggered by changes in your body's balance.
These infections are common and not a sign of poor hygiene — in fact, over-washing or douching can make them worse. They're usually easy to treat once correctly identified, which is why getting the right diagnosis matters more than self-treating on a guess.
Signs & symptoms
- Yeast: intense itching and irritation around the vulva and vagina
- Yeast: thick, white, 'cottage-cheese-like' discharge with little smell
- Yeast: redness, soreness, or burning, sometimes worse when peeing
- BV: thin, greyish-white discharge
- BV: a distinctive fishy odour, often stronger after sex
- BV: usually little or no itching
- Discomfort during sex with either type
Types
Vaginal yeast infection (thrush)
An overgrowth of Candida fungus causing intense itching and a thick, white, odourless discharge. Very common and treatable with antifungal medication.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
An imbalance of vaginal bacteria causing thin, greyish discharge and a fishy smell, often without itching. Usually treated with antibiotics.
Mixed or recurrent infections
Sometimes both occur together, or infections keep returning — worth a proper assessment rather than repeated self-treatment, as untreated BV in pregnancy needs attention.
What causes it
- Yeast: antibiotics, pregnancy, or uncontrolled diabetes encouraging Candida overgrowth
- Yeast: hormonal changes or a weakened immune system
- BV: a shift in the normal balance of vaginal bacteria
- Douching or over-washing, which strips protective bacteria
- Scented soaps, sprays, or tight non-breathable underwear
- New or multiple sexual partners (a risk factor for BV)
When to seek help
See a doctor for accurate diagnosis if it's your first time with these symptoms, if you're unsure whether it's yeast or BV, or if symptoms don't clear with treatment. Always get checked if you're pregnant, if infections keep recurring, or if you have fever, pelvic pain, or unusual bleeding — these point to something beyond a simple vaginal infection. Avoid douching and treat with the right medication rather than guessing.
How SHELY helps
Symptom Checker
Describe your discharge and symptoms to understand whether it looks more like yeast, BV, or something needing a doctor's visit.
SHELY Care
Track recurring infections and possible triggers so a pattern is clear if they keep returning.
SHELY Varsity
Honest guides on vaginal health — why douching backfires, and what genuinely keeps the balance healthy.
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Pick a topic to explore what we know about Vaginal Infections (Yeast & Bacterial Vaginosis). Educational only — not a diagnosis.
- Yeast: intense itching and irritation around the vulva and vagina
- Yeast: thick, white, 'cottage-cheese-like' discharge with little smell
- Yeast: redness, soreness, or burning, sometimes worse when peeing
- BV: thin, greyish-white discharge
- BV: a distinctive fishy odour, often stronger after sex
- BV: usually little or no itching
- Discomfort during sex with either type
- Yeast: antibiotics, pregnancy, or uncontrolled diabetes encouraging Candida overgrowth
- Yeast: hormonal changes or a weakened immune system
- BV: a shift in the normal balance of vaginal bacteria
- Douching or over-washing, which strips protective bacteria
- Scented soaps, sprays, or tight non-breathable underwear
- New or multiple sexual partners (a risk factor for BV)
Vaginal yeast infection (thrush)
An overgrowth of Candida fungus causing intense itching and a thick, white, odourless discharge. Very common and treatable with antifungal medication.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
An imbalance of vaginal bacteria causing thin, greyish discharge and a fishy smell, often without itching. Usually treated with antibiotics.
Mixed or recurrent infections
Sometimes both occur together, or infections keep returning — worth a proper assessment rather than repeated self-treatment, as untreated BV in pregnancy needs attention.
See a doctor for accurate diagnosis if it's your first time with these symptoms, if you're unsure whether it's yeast or BV, or if symptoms don't clear with treatment. Always get checked if you're pregnant, if infections keep recurring, or if you have fever, pelvic pain, or unusual bleeding — these point to something beyond a simple vaginal infection. Avoid douching and treat with the right medication rather than guessing.
Symptom Checker
Describe your discharge and symptoms to understand whether it looks more like yeast, BV, or something needing a doctor's visit.
SHELY Care
Track recurring infections and possible triggers so a pattern is clear if they keep returning.
SHELY Varsity
Honest guides on vaginal health — why douching backfires, and what genuinely keeps the balance healthy.
Symptoms
- Yeast: intense itching and irritation around the vulva and vagina
- Yeast: thick, white, 'cottage-cheese-like' discharge with little smell
- Yeast: redness, soreness, or burning, sometimes worse when peeing
- BV: thin, greyish-white discharge
- BV: a distinctive fishy odour, often stronger after sex
- BV: usually little or no itching
- Discomfort during sex with either type
Causes
- Yeast: antibiotics, pregnancy, or uncontrolled diabetes encouraging Candida overgrowth
- Yeast: hormonal changes or a weakened immune system
- BV: a shift in the normal balance of vaginal bacteria
- Douching or over-washing, which strips protective bacteria
- Scented soaps, sprays, or tight non-breathable underwear
- New or multiple sexual partners (a risk factor for BV)
Types
Vaginal yeast infection (thrush)
An overgrowth of Candida fungus causing intense itching and a thick, white, odourless discharge. Very common and treatable with antifungal medication.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
An imbalance of vaginal bacteria causing thin, greyish discharge and a fishy smell, often without itching. Usually treated with antibiotics.
Mixed or recurrent infections
Sometimes both occur together, or infections keep returning — worth a proper assessment rather than repeated self-treatment, as untreated BV in pregnancy needs attention.
When to seek care
See a doctor for accurate diagnosis if it's your first time with these symptoms, if you're unsure whether it's yeast or BV, or if symptoms don't clear with treatment. Always get checked if you're pregnant, if infections keep recurring, or if you have fever, pelvic pain, or unusual bleeding — these point to something beyond a simple vaginal infection. Avoid douching and treat with the right medication rather than guessing.
How SHELY helps
Symptom Checker
Describe your discharge and symptoms to understand whether it looks more like yeast, BV, or something needing a doctor's visit.
SHELY Care
Track recurring infections and possible triggers so a pattern is clear if they keep returning.
SHELY Varsity
Honest guides on vaginal health — why douching backfires, and what genuinely keeps the balance healthy.
Frequently asked
How do I tell a yeast infection from BV?
Yeast usually means intense itching with thick, white, odourless discharge. BV usually means thin, greyish discharge with a fishy smell and little itching. They're treated differently, so if you're unsure it's worth confirming with a doctor.
Are these infections sexually transmitted?
Neither yeast infections nor BV is classed as an STI, though both can be linked to changes around sexual activity. If there's any chance of an STI, get tested, as some have similar symptoms.
Will better hygiene prevent them?
Actually, over-washing and douching make things worse by stripping protective bacteria. Gentle external washing with water, breathable cotton underwear, and avoiding scented products are more helpful.
Why do my infections keep coming back?
Recurrent yeast or BV can relate to antibiotics, hormones, diabetes, or your body's bacterial balance. If it keeps happening, see a doctor for a proper assessment rather than repeatedly self-treating.
✔ Written from established medical guidance — independent clinical review in progress
This guide is for general education and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your health. In an emergency or crisis, see our crisis support resources.