Bacterial Vaginosis and Yeast Infection Treatment

Itching, odor and unusual discharge are uncomfortable and common, and bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections can often be treated by telehealth. We listen to your symptoms, sort out the likely cause, and tell you plainly when a swab or exam is the better next step.

Become a Patient

A woman smiles while talking on the phone on her sofa, a laptop on her lap.

Understanding Bacterial Vaginosis and Yeast Infections

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and vaginal yeast infections are two of the most common causes of vaginal symptoms. BV happens when the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina shifts, so protective bacteria decrease and others overgrow. A yeast infection, also called vaginal candidiasis, happens when yeast that normally lives in small amounts grows too much. Neither is a sign of poor hygiene, and both are very common. They can cause discomfort, embarrassment and worry, and for some people they keep coming back, which is frustrating.

The two usually feel different. BV often causes a thin gray or white discharge with a fishy odor that may be stronger after sex, with little itching. A yeast infection usually causes itching, burning and redness, with a thick white discharge that looks like cottage cheese and has little odor. BV is more likely with a new sexual partner or more than one partner, and with douching. Yeast infections are more likely after antibiotics, during pregnancy, with diabetes that is not well controlled and with a weakened immune system.

Care matters because these symptoms overlap with other conditions, including trichomoniasis and other sexually transmitted infections, urinary tract infections and skin conditions, and treating the wrong one does not help. Using an over-the-counter yeast treatment for what is actually BV, for example, delays relief. The good news is that BV and yeast infections can often be treated by telehealth for patients physically located in Utah at the time of the visit. When the picture is unclear, symptoms keep coming back, or something else may be going on, a swab or exam helps, and we will help you arrange it.

Signs & Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis and Yeast Infections

Thin gray or white discharge. A watery discharge is typical of BV.
Fishy odor. A fishy smell, often stronger after sex or during a period, points toward BV.
Itching. Vaginal and vulvar itching is the hallmark of a yeast infection.
Thick white discharge. A clumpy discharge that looks like cottage cheese, usually without a strong odor, suggests yeast.
Burning or soreness. Irritation of the vulva, sometimes with stinging when urine touches irritated skin.
Redness and swelling. The vulva may look red or swollen, or have small cracks, with a yeast infection.
Discomfort with sex. Irritated tissue can make sex uncomfortable.
No symptoms at all. Many people with BV have no symptoms, and it may be found during other testing.

What to Expect

BV and yeast infections can often be treated by telehealth, with prescriptions sent to your pharmacy
A video visit to talk through your symptoms, history, recent antibiotics and any new partners
A swab or pelvic exam when symptoms are unclear, keep returning or do not improve, which we help you arrange
A closer look when symptoms happen during pregnancy, with fever or pelvic pain, or after a possible STD exposure
A plan for repeat infections, including longer treatment and prevention steps

How We Treat Bacterial Vaginosis and Yeast Infections

Assessment

During a video visit we ask about your symptoms, how they started, your cycle, recent antibiotics, pregnancy, sexual history and what you have already tried. The pattern of discharge, odor and itching often points clearly toward BV or yeast. When it does not, or when a sexually transmitted infection is possible, we order testing. Some swabs can be self-collected, and when a clinician needs to collect a swab or do a pelvic exam, we will help you arrange an in-person visit.

Treatment Plan

BV is treated with a prescription antibiotic, either pills or a vaginal gel or cream. Yeast infections are treated with an antifungal, either an oral pill or a vaginal cream or suppository. We choose the option that fits you, including whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and send it to your pharmacy. We explain how to use it and when to check back.

Repeat Infections

If BV or yeast infections keep coming back, we confirm the diagnosis with testing, look for triggers such as diabetes or frequent antibiotics, and consider a longer treatment course followed by a preventive plan. If the cause is still unclear, or symptoms do not respond, we refer you to gynecology.

Benefits

Care From Home

BV and yeast infections can often be treated by telehealth, from a private space, for patients physically located in Utah at the time of the visit.

The Right Diagnosis

We sort out BV, yeast and their look-alikes so the treatment matches the cause.

Experience in Women's Health

Brooke Tuttle, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner who has practiced family medicine since 2017. Before that, she spent 11 years as a registered nurse in labor and delivery, postpartum and the well-baby nursery.

Your Treatment Journey

Your Visit

We talk through your symptoms by video and, when the pattern is clear, send treatment to your pharmacy. If testing is needed, we order it or help you arrange an in-person visit.

The First Week

Many people feel better within a few days of starting treatment. Finish the full course, even if you feel better sooner.

If Symptoms Linger

If symptoms have not cleared after treatment, or come right back, let us know. Testing helps confirm the cause, and a different medicine may be needed.

Long-Term Prevention

For repeat infections, we build a prevention plan and look for underlying triggers, with a referral to gynecology when needed.

Warning Signs That Need Prompt Care

Symptoms during pregnancy. Vaginal symptoms in pregnancy should be evaluated rather than self-treated, since some infections affect pregnancy and some medicines are not used then.

Fever or chills. Fever with vaginal symptoms can mean an infection has spread and needs prompt in-person care.

Pelvic or lower abdominal pain. Pain with discharge can signal pelvic inflammatory disease and needs prompt care. Severe pain needs the nearest emergency room.

Possible STD exposure. A new partner, a partner with symptoms, or a known exposure means testing for sexually transmitted infections.

Sores, blisters or bumps. Painful sores or new bumps need evaluation, since they can signal herpes or another infection.

Yellow-green or frothy discharge. This can point to trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection that needs testing, and partners need treatment too.

Bleeding after menopause. Any vaginal bleeding after menopause needs prompt evaluation.

Infections that keep returning. Three or more yeast infections in a year, or BV that keeps coming back, call for testing and a longer plan.

If you recognize these signs, help is available. Early treatment leads to better outcomes.

Can BV and Yeast Infections Be Treated by Telehealth?

Often, yes. For patients physically located in Utah at the time of the visit, a video visit can sort out the likely cause from your symptoms and history, and treatment goes to your pharmacy. A swab or exam is the better choice when symptoms are unclear, keep coming back, do not respond to treatment, happen during pregnancy, or come with fever, pelvic pain or a possible STD exposure. Some swabs can be self-collected, and when a clinician needs to collect one or do a pelvic exam, we will help you arrange an in-person visit. Our in-person clinic is being planned in Cache County, Utah.

Evidence-Based Treatment

BV is commonly treated with metronidazole, taken by mouth or used as a vaginal gel, or with clindamycin vaginal cream, and other options exist. Uncomplicated yeast infections respond to a single dose of oral fluconazole or to a short course of vaginal antifungal cream or suppository, and vaginal treatment is preferred for yeast infections during pregnancy. Repeat infections may need a longer first course followed by a preventive plan for several months. Avoiding douching and scented products helps protect the normal balance of the vagina, and condoms may lower the chance of BV.

Common Questions About Bacterial Vaginosis and Yeast Infections

Can BV and yeast infections be treated by telehealth?

Often, yes. For patients physically located in Utah at the time of the visit, we can usually tell the likely cause from your symptoms and history and send treatment to your pharmacy. If symptoms are unclear, keep coming back, or happen during pregnancy or with fever, pelvic pain or a possible STD exposure, a swab or exam is the safer next step, and we will help you arrange it.

How can I tell BV from a yeast infection?

BV usually causes a thin gray or white discharge with a fishy odor and little itching. A yeast infection usually causes itching, burning and a thick white discharge with little odor. The symptoms overlap with each other and with other infections, so if you are not sure, or an over-the-counter treatment has not worked, a visit helps.

Is BV a sexually transmitted infection?

BV is not considered a classic sexually transmitted infection, but it is linked to sexual activity, such as a new partner or more than one partner, and it can raise the chance of getting other STDs. If you may have been exposed to an STD, we recommend testing.

Can I use an over-the-counter yeast treatment?

If a yeast infection has been diagnosed before and the symptoms are the same, an over-the-counter antifungal is reasonable. If this is your first time, you are pregnant, the symptoms are different, or they do not clear, please get evaluated, since BV and other infections need different treatment.

What if it keeps coming back?

Repeat infections are common and treatable. We confirm the cause with testing, look for triggers, and may recommend a longer course of treatment followed by a preventive plan. A referral to gynecology is an option when infections keep returning despite treatment.

Does insurance cover treatment?

Sagebrooke Family Medicine is an insurance-based practice, and we are in the process of joining insurance plans. What you pay depends on your plan, including any copay, deductible or coinsurance. Contact the practice to check whether your plan is accepted, and check with your insurer about coverage for prescriptions and any lab tests.

Get Relief From Vaginal Symptoms

BV and yeast infections can often be treated by telehealth. Request a visit and we will help you feel better, and tell you when a closer look is needed.