Vaginitis
Yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis: how to tell Gynecologist in Seoul, Korea
The short answer
Yeast infections usually cause itching, burning, swelling and thick white curd-like discharge with little smell. Bacterial vaginosis usually causes a fishy odor, often worse after sex or around periods, with thin gray or yellowish discharge and less itching. Symptoms overlap, so a swab test confirms which one you have.
| Yeast infection | Bacterial vaginosis | |
|---|---|---|
| Main symptom | Itching, burning | Fishy odor |
| Discharge | Thick, white, curd-like | Thin, gray or yellowish |
| Treatment | Antifungal | Antibiotics |
Using the wrong treatment can make things worse: antibiotics can trigger yeast, and antifungals do nothing for BV. A quick swab at Dami tells you which is which, and can also rule out trichomoniasis.
Learn more: yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis.
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Answered by Dami Women's Clinic (다미산부인과의원), Yeouido, Seoul · Dr. Ko Sang-hyun, OB/GYN. General information, not a diagnosis. Emergencies in Korea: call 119. Medical disclaimer · International Patient Center