For adults 18+ with vaginal, vulvar, or bladder symptoms.
Education, not a diagnosis. This guide helps you describe symptoms and learn about possible causes. It cannot diagnose, rule out serious illness, or replace care from a qualified clinician. Do not delay care or change treatment because of this guide.
The same symptom can have several causes. These descriptions do not diagnose or rule out a condition.
A change in the usual balance of vaginal bacteria.
Smell or appearance alone cannot confirm BV.
CDC: bacterial vaginosis · CDC, 2021: evaluating vaginal symptoms
Inflammation caused by an overgrowth of Candida yeast.
Yeast does not always have a textbook appearance. Similar irritation has other causes.
CDC, 2021: vaginal yeast infections · NHS (UK): thrush symptoms, prevention and precautions
A common type of urinary tract infection, or UTI.
Fever or chills, back, side or groin pain, or nausea or vomiting can be signs of a kidney infection, especially with urinary symptoms. Seek medical care right away for possible kidney-infection symptoms.
NIDDK: bladder infection symptoms · CDC, 2021: cervicitis and STI testing · NIDDK, 2024: kidney infection symptoms and urgency
Trichomoniasis and other STIs, irritation from products, vulvar skin conditions, and menopause-related dryness can overlap. Sores, bleeding, persistent pain, or symptoms that do not improve deserve a closer look.
Clear or white discharge can also be normal and change through the menstrual cycle. A change from your usual pattern matters.
Prevention does not treat symptoms today. BV research is product-specific: Lactin-V is investigational and not available for sale. A larger D-mannose trial did not demonstrate preventive benefit. Confirm recurring symptoms with a clinician before choosing a prevention plan.
Cohen et al., NEJM 2020: Lactin-V trial · Osel: investigational Lactin-V availability · Hayward et al., JAMA Internal Medicine 2024: D-mannose trial · CDC, 2021: vaginal yeast infections
No clinician monitors or reviews answers here. Using this guide does not send a message or create a visit request. Do not delay care or change treatment because of this guide. Seek care for symptoms that persist, return, worsen or concern you.
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Emergency care: Get emergency care for pelvic pain that is severe, worsening, or painful when moving or touching the area; or pelvic pain with dizziness, feeling faint, fainting, shoulder-tip pain, heavy vaginal bleeding, trouble breathing, or sudden confusion. Call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to an emergency department. Do not drive yourself.
Unable to pass urine: Seek medical attention right away for suddenly being unable to pass urine.
Possible kidney infection: Symptoms can include fever or chills, pain in the back, side or groin, and nausea or vomiting, often with painful or frequent urination. Seek medical care right away for possible kidney-infection symptoms. If you cannot reach a clinician, seek urgent in-person care.
Pelvic pain with other changes: Pelvic pain with unusual discharge, bleeding, fever, or urinary symptoms needs urgent assessment. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the reproductive organs, is one possible cause.
Pregnant or possibly pregnant: Contact a clinician immediately for suspected UTI during pregnancy. Pelvic pain or vaginal bleeding with possible pregnancy needs urgent assessment, even without a positive pregnancy test; ectopic pregnancy is one possible cause. If you cannot reach your pregnancy-care team, seek urgent in-person care. Bleeding with severe pain, shoulder pain, dizziness or fainting, or heavy bleeding needs emergency care. Discuss new vaginal symptoms before self-treatment.
Bleeding or new genital sores: Arrange a clinical assessment for unexpected bleeding or bleeding after sex. Any vaginal bleeding after menopause needs checking, even a small amount or a single episode. New genital sores or blisters need prompt assessment; if herpes is the cause, early treatment can help.
This list is not exhaustive. Absence of a listed sign does not mean it is safe to wait.
NHS (UK): pelvic pain and urgent symptoms · NIDDK: urinary retention · NIDDK, 2024: kidney infection symptoms and urgency · ACOG: urinary tract infections · NHS (UK): ectopic pregnancy symptoms · NHS (UK), 2026: bleeding during pregnancy · NHS (UK): normal discharge and changes · NHS (UK): bleeding after menopause · NHS (UK): genital sores, testing and early herpes treatment