Seeking Treatment

Women commonly confuse the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis for thrush. Treatment for thrush will not treat the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis and treatment for bacterial vaginosis won’t treat thrush.

While thrush can be treated using over the counter antifungal treatments, if you haven’t had thrush before or you are getting it all the time, it is best to see your doctor to make sure you get the right treatment.

Bacterial vaginosis needs to be treated with antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. To get an accurate diagnosis see your doctor or a sexual health clinic which specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of vaginal conditions and STIs.

Finding a doctor

The Better Health Channel provides reliable health information. It also provides a searchable list of health care providers.

Health Direct provides a searchable online database of health care providers.

Finding your nearest Sexual Health Centre

The doctors and nurses at sexual health centres specialise in all aspects of sexual health. The Australian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine publishes a list of all the sexual health services in Australia.

Find your nearest Family Planning Services

Family Planning clinics provide specialist sexual and reproductive health services, education and information:

Finding your nearest LGBTI friendly doctor

Lesbian and bi women patients recommend the doctors and other health professionals on this Australian wide list. Women feel comfortable being open with these clinicians about matters to do with their sexual orientation.

Other health and information services

The Care Down There website was developed by a team of Australian healthcare professionals with expertise in vulval care and disease.

The Australian and New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society (ANZVS) is a group of gynaecologists, dermatologists, pathologists, GPs, sexual health physicians and allied health professionals that have a professional interest in vulval diseases.

DermNet New Zealand provides information about all types of skin conditions.

The Labia Library is a website that was created by Women’s Health Victoria, an Australian not-for-profit organisation. They’ve put together a whole picture library of differently shaped, sized and coloured vaginas – all perfectly normal!

Jo, age 38

“. . . It was quite distressing because initially what I thought was the thrush didn’t clear up – well nothing changed after I took that treatment – I thought maybe I had a STI.”

If this sounds like you, you are not alone. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms today

Use our symptom checker: