There are many infections of the vagina whose symptoms mimic each other. They include bacterial and yeast infections, STI’s such as Chlamydia and Trichomonas’s, skin allergies to latex or feminine hygiene products, lack of estrogen seen in menopausal women and tears in the vagina.

STI’s do not discriminate. They are spread from partner to partner by direct contact, similar to how a common cold is transmitted. At risk are those who have unprotected sex, multiple sex partners, a history of STI’s and those who are prone to alcohol or drug abuse, which affects judgment—a large deciding factor in contracting a sexually transmitted disease.

The only way to truly differentiate BV from a STI is to see your health care provider to take vaginal cultures to make the correct diagnosis. Since both BV and STI can affect future fertility, it is important to make your vagina a priority!