The difference between a yeast infection and a UTI

Yeast infections and UTIs can feel similar, both affecting your genitals and causing pain and discomfort. People often confuse the conditions, and you may not know which one is affecting you. But there are several key differences between the two.

For example, yeast infections may cause a white discharge, while UTIs are more likely to affect your urine and how often you feel the need to pee. They’re also due to different microorganisms, so they’ll require different treatments.

Knowing more about the two conditions can help you receive the right diagnosis and treatment.

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article uses the terms “women,” “men,” or both when discussing people assigned female or male at birth to reflect language that appears in source materials. 

While gender is solely about how you identify yourself, independent of your physical body, you may need to consider how your personal circumstances will affect diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment. 

What is a yeast infection?

Vaginal yeast infections, also known as thrush or candidiasis, happen due to an overgrowth of a fungus called Candida in your vagina. They can cause various symptoms, including:

• itching, pain, or burning in your vagina or vulva
• swelling or redness of your vulva
• pain during sex or when urinating
• thick, white discharge

Several factors can lead to the overgrowth of yeast that causes an infection, such as:

• hormonal changes
• a weakened immune system
• antibiotic use
• irritants like scented body washes or sweaty clothing
• warm, humid conditions

As many as 70% of people with vaginas experience a vaginal yeast infection at least once, and many people experience recurrent infections. Seeking the right treatment can help get rid of the infection and even prevent it from returning.

The most common treatment for vaginal yeast infections is topical antifungal drugs that you apply directly to the affected area. These are often available over the counter (OTC), but more severe cases may require prescription antifungals.

The course of treatment is usually 1 to 6 days. If your infection hasn’t cleared up by then, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. Examples of OTC antifungals include:

• clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
• miconazole (Monistat)
• terconazole (Terazol)

If these don’t work for you, doctors might prescribe these same medications at higher doses or for longer courses. They might also prescribe oral antifungals, such as fluconazole (Diflucan).

This is a medication known as a fungistatic, which means it slows the growth of the yeast rather than killing it. Doctors prescribe it as a single oral tablet that you take once. It may take a few days to help treat your infection, but you might notice your symptoms easing in as little as 24 hours.

Milder yeast infections may go away on their own with time, but you’ll be able to soothe your symptoms faster with treatment. Without treatment, they may also lead to complications such as skin sores or spread to other parts of your body, called invasive candidiasis.

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What is a UTI?

True to their name, UTIs are infections of your urinary tract — the part of your body responsible for urination, consisting of your bladder, kidneys, and urethra. Unlike yeast infections, UTIs are caused by bacteria. Symptoms include:

• a burning sensation when you pee
• a frequent urge to pee
• blood in your urine
• pain in your pelvis

UTIs are caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract, often from feces. If you wipe from back to front after using the bathroom, bacteria from feces can enter the urinary tract and cause an infection. Bacteria can also enter the urinary tract during sex, so peeing after sexual intercourse can help prevent UTIs.

Because the infection results from bacteria, the main treatment is antibiotics, which are only available on prescription. Some of the common antibiotics for treating UTIs include:

• nitrofurantoin (Macrobid)
• sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim)
• amoxicillin clavulanate (Augmentin)
• ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan)
• trimethoprim (Primsol)

The course of antibiotic treatment will depend on your individual situation and the specific drug the doctor prescribes, but it may last anywhere from 3 days to 6 weeks. It’s important to take your entire course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if you start to feel better.

Experts also recommend some self-care strategies to speed up your recovery, including drinking plenty of water. UTIs may clear up on their own in around 20% of cases, particularly in people who increase their hydration.

It’s important to seek speedy treatment for UTIs to avoid serious complications, such as kidney infections and even sepsis.

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Key differences between yeast infections and UTIs

Although the two conditions have many similarities — some shared symptoms and both affecting your genitals — they are very different, and it’s important to know which is affecting you to seek the right treatment. Some differences include:

• Causes: Fungus causes yeast infections, whereas bacteria cause UTIs.
• Key symptoms: Despite having some shared symptoms, there are some important distinctions. Yeast infections will cause itching and changes to vaginal discharge. While they can also cause pain when urinating, they’re unlikely to cause blood in your urine and an increased urge to pee like UTIs will.
• Treatments: Yeast infections can require antifungal medications, whereas UTIs require antibiotics. You can also manage yeast infections with OTC remedies, while UTI medications require prescriptions.
• Affected areas: Yeast infections affect your vagina and vulva, but UTIs affect the urethra and bladder. You’re more likely to notice itching and pain inside your vagina with a yeast infection than with a UTI.

Online care for yeast infections and UTIs

Both yeast infections and UTIs can lead to complications without treatment. The proper treatment can also help the prevent recurrence of the infections.

Some people may feel nervous or ashamed about seeking treatment for these infections, particularly because they affect an intimate area of your body. Online care may be a good option if this is the case for you.

Online care services, including Optum Perks Online Care, may make getting treatment easier. With these services, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your symptoms, and a US-licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after to prescribe a treatment plan.

Summary

Yeast infections and UTIs can look very similar, but they have some key differences to look out for. It’s important to know what’s affecting you so you can seek the proper treatment.

Yeast infections are due to a fungus, whereas UTIs are due to bacteria. This means their treatments are different: antifungal drugs vs. antibiotics, respectively.

The two conditions may share some symptoms, such as pain and burning in your vagina, but they also have some differences. Yeast infections will cause changes to your discharge and can cause itching and swelling around your vulva and vagina. UTIs will cause an increased need to pee and pain during urination.

If in doubt, consider speaking with a doctor. They will be able to give a diagnosis and help create a treatment plan that works for you.

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