· Thrush · 2 min read
Thrush? BV? Or something else?
Not all itching is thrush. Not all odour is BV. Not all discharge is either. It can feel overwhelming to try and self assess what's going on - especially when every search result seems to contradict the last.
Vaginal symptoms can sometimes feel vague or difficult to explain, and this makes knowing exactly what’s going on difficult, so where to start? Here’s some answers to common questions vagina owners have, but rarely get straight answers to…
Can it be both thrush and bv? Yes. Mixed infections happen more often than people realise. That’s sometimes why over the counter treatments dont last.
Why do my symptoms keep coming back after treatment? Treatment often targets symptoms, not the root cause. I was chatting with a different health care practitioner recently about this - without addressing what caused the issue int he first place (stress, microbiome, hormones etc) of course treatment is only going to be temporary.
Can perimenopause cause similar symptoms to BV and thrush? Yes, absolutely. The declining oestrogen levels in peri (and post) menopause causes vaginal tissue to thin, pH to rise and this creates irritation which can mimic the symptoms of infection.
I’m embarrassed/have been dismissed before about the smell/itch/discomfort. Where do I begin? Start with education - the good news is that if you’re reading this, you’ve already started! Understanding that there are similar presentations with different infections, that there are other things in the body that can drive these infections is the first step. Then its about finding a practitioner who listens, understands and takes those symptoms and your experience seriously.
A quick guide to common symptoms
| Symptom | Thrush | BV | Hormone Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discharge | Thick, white, cottage cheese like | Thin, grey-white | May vary throughout the cycle, “normal” is clear, eggwhite consistency increasing at ovulation then decreasing to the end of the cycle |
| Itching | Common, may also be redness and/or dryness | Less common, may also be redness | Not usually |
| Odour | No odour | Fish-like odour | No odour |
| Triggers | Low oestrogen, antibiotics, sweating/heat, high processed food diet, new partner | new partner, antibiotics, low oestrogen, IUD (eg mirena), smoking | Menstrual phase, Stress |
Want a clearer path forward?
Go to https://healthbank.io/p/alison-patchett and book a free, confidential Vag Hormone Health Check appointment today.
