comparison of characteristics of vaginal discharge (candida (thrush) versus bacterial vaginosis (BV) versus trichomoniasis)
Last reviewed 07/2021
| Sign/Symptom | Bacterial Vaginosis | Candida | Trichomoniasis |
| Discharge | Thin | Thin White | Scanty to profuse |
| Odour | Offensive/fishy | Non-offensive | Offensive |
| Itch | none | vulval itch | vulval itch |
| Other possible symptoms |
Soreness; Dysuria;Superficial dyspareunia |
Dysuria; lower abdominal pain | |
| Visible signs |
Discharge coating the vagina and vestibule; No vulval inflammation |
Normal findings OR Vulval erythema; Oedema; fissuring; satellite lesions |
Frothy yellow discharge; vulvitis; vaginitis; cervicitis; 'Strawberry cervix' (ectocervix sometimes resembles the surface of a strawberry) |
| Point-of-care test: vaginal pH | > 4.5 pH | <= 4.5 | >4.5 |
Reference:
- 1) FSRH and BASHH Guidance (February 2012) Management of Vaginal Discharge in Non-Genitourinary Medicine Settings.