Other Infections
The three most common forms of vaginitis are yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis (BV), and trichomoniasis. Symptoms for all three can include some form of vaginal discharge, itching, and irritation, so it is important to understand how they are different and require specialized treatment.
Do I have a Yeast Infection?
Answer a few questions and find out what your symptoms mean.
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BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS
Bacterial vaginosis, or BV, is a bacterial vaginal infection that arises when “bad” bacteria are introduced into the vagina. The reasons that women develop BV are not completely known, but it is the most common vaginal infection among women of childbearing age.
For more information on BV, visit the CDC’s website.
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TRICHOMONIASIS
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Spread by having unprotected sex with someone who is already carrying the parasite, trichomoniasis is the most common, curable STD in the United States. Infection is more common in women than in men.
According to the CDC, as many as 3.7 million people are estimated to have the infection, but nearly 70% do not report having consistent symptoms of trichomoniasis. The infection can still be transferred from person to person when symptoms aren’t present which makes trichomoniasis difficult to control.
For more information on Trichomoniasis see the CDC’s website.