How Do Its Symptoms Differ From A Yeast Infection
While it isnât usually a symptom of BV, some people do report experiencing itching. And though an increased amount of vaginal discharge can be common with all types of vaginal infections, a yeast infection is more likely to present with a thick, creamy , cottage cheese-like discharge, than BV or an STI. You can read more about the difference between yeast infections and BV in our article, Bacterial Vaginosis vs. Yeast Infections: Whatâs the Difference?
What Women Should Know
When it comes to self-diagnosis, Chapa advises women to be smart and use discretion. Many women are familiar with the symptoms of UTIs and yeast infections, but if you are unsure, you should contact your health care provider to determine the cause of your symptoms.
Additionally, although these two particular conditions are not sexually transmitted, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that all sexually active men and women under the age of 26 should be screened for sexually transmitted infections at least once a year.
At the very least, visiting your physician can help put your mind at ease. Its human nature to jump to worst-case scenario conclusions, Chapa said, but these infections are very common and treatable. The best course of action to relieve uncomfortable symptoms from each of these infections is to seek treatment as soon as symptoms arise.
Article written by Ava English
Media contact: Dee Dee Grays, , 979.436.0611
When To Consult A Doctor
Identify and treat the right infection to stay as healthy, happy, and comfortable as possible. And knowing the difference between UTI and yeast infection will help you do that.
If you have questions about UTIs and yeast infections, talk to a doctor online and get the answers and treatment you require. It is vital to treat these infections as soon as detected.
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What Are The Risk Factors For Getting Bladder Infections And Other Uti Infections
A person is more likely to get a bladder infection if they dont urinate frequently enough. If they hold their urine in, the bacteria can collect in the bladder and lead to infection. Try to go to the bathroom at least every two to three hours to keep this from happening.
Not drinking enough water is another risk factor for bladder infections because your body doesnt move as much urine through the bladder as quickly.
Risk factors for urethritis include having a sexually transmitted infection or from trauma to the urethra, such as due to the insertion of a urinary catheter.
In addition to these specific risk factors for bladder infections, there are general risk factors for all UTI types. These include:
risk factors for uti
- having diabetes, as a person experiences changes to their immune system that make them more prone to UTIs
- having an enlarged prostate
- having low levels of estrogen, such as when a woman is post-menopausal
- having a history of kidney stones, which can block the flow of urine through the urinary tract
Women are also more likely than men to get UTIs because their urethra is shorter. The bacteria have less distance to go to reach the bladder and can cause infections.
Uti Vs Yeast Infection Which Is Worse
Whether you have a yeast infection or a urinary tract infection, they can both be painful and uncomfortable. Knowing the difference between the two can help you know how to get treated.
Urinary tract infections are infections of the bladder and urethra. They occur when bacteria from the genital area gets into the urethra. The bacteria can cause a burning sensation when you urinate.
However, .
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What Are The Symptoms Of A Yeast Infection
A yeast infection is usually caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a yeast strain, but other Candida strains can cause symptoms too. Itâs important to note that a weakened immune system, antibiotic use, uncontrolled diabetes, PCOS, insulin resistance, pregnancy, and damaged vulva skin make it easier for Candida species to multiply.
Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include:
Is Thrush A Uti
No, despite similarities, thrush is not a UTI. Whilst both cause itching and pain when urinating, the infections differ in many ways. Thrush is a yeast infection, caused by a build up of a fungus in a moist area. Whereas a UTI is a bacterial infection, caused by bacteria entering your urinary tract.
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Talk To A Doctor About Your Uti Or Yeast Infection
Although both UTIs and yeast infections are common and easy to treat, you cant disregard them. Infections like these can quickly spread.
However, going to the doctor when youre in pain is often hard to manage. Today, you can speak to a doctor about your UTI or yeast infection symptoms from the comfort of your home with Carefree MD.
Just activate your card to talk to a state-licensed physician about your symptoms, get prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy when medically necessary, and receive personalized advice on treatment options. All this for just $17.95 a month.
Get the relief you need by signing up for a Carefree MD membership today!
The Carefree MD blog is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The text and pictures within the content are intended for information purposes only. Readers should consult with a licensed doctor or healthcare professional before seeking treatment.
The Carefree MD Card is not insurance and Carefree MD is not an insurance provider.
Whats The Difference Between A Uti And Thrush
While UTIs and thrush are both infections, the cause it quite different.
UTIs, or Urinary Tract Infections, refer to an infection in any part of the tract. Most commonly, its in the urethra, the tube that carries urine from your bladder to outside the body. The urethra is typically the first site of infection as its the closest to the external environment. Left untreated, the infection can move up the tract to the bladder, the ureters and into the kidneys. UTIs are caused by bacteria.
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Answered By University Health Center Provider Lindsay Omeara Pa
Symptoms of a UTI and yeast infection are similar, but there are some subtle differences. Determining the exact cause of your symptoms and getting appropriate treatment are critical to prevent the condition from getting worse.
What is a UTI?
A urinary tract infection is an infection of the urinary system that can include the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. It is caused when bacteria enter the urinary tract, often from intercourse or bacteria from the rectum. Unmanaged diabetes can also lead to UTIs.
Common UTI symptoms include:
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Urge to urinate more frequently or urgently
- Cloudy and strong-smelling urine
- Red, pink or cola-colored urine
UTI treatment and prevention
Treatment to clear a UTI requires antibiotics prescribed by your health care provider.
To help reduce your risk for a UTI, take these steps:
What is a yeast infection?
Common yeast infection symptoms include:
- Burning sensation while urinating or during intercourse
- Thick, white discharge that looks similar to cottage cheese
- Watery vaginal discharge
Yeast infection treatment and prevention
Over-the-counter anti-fungal medications for three to seven days will usually clear a yeast infection. These medications need to be inserted into the vaginal canal. A single-dose oral medication may also be prescribed.
To prevent yeast infections, avoid:
Can I treat my UTI or yeast infection myself?
Uti Or Yeast Infection: Whats The Difference
Urinary tract infections and yeast infections are two distinct yet common conditions among women that may present with similar symptoms. This can make it tricky to determine which infection is present when symptoms appear, making self-diagnosis not always accurate. Hector Chapa, MD, a Texas A& M College of Medicine OB-GYN, weighs in on the common confusion between the two and how you can help tell the difference.
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Uti Vs Yeast Infections: Diagnosis & Testing
- Both UTIs and yeast infections are diagnosed using different means and methods.
- While yeast infections are often easy to confirm using a straightforward pelvic examination and by taking a detailed history of illness, UTIs require more specific tests.
- The doctor will also ask you about the nature of the discharge and other related symptoms to confirm their diagnosis.
- As for UTIs, there exists specific UTI testing to confirm the diagnosis.
- This often involves collecting a urine sample and examining it to detect bacteria in it.
- The lab might also use a culture test to ascertain the type of bacteria causing the UTI.
- Your doctor will also ask questions about your medical history and the color and odor of the urine.
- Correlating these findings with the test results will provide an accurate diagnosis.
- Doctors might also suggest both tests if youâre exhibiting symptoms that appear like both conditions.
Causes Of A Uti Vs Yeast Infection
UTIs are bacterial, where yeast infections are caused by a fungal overgrowth. But the differences dont stop there.
A UTI is caused when bacteria travel from outside of your body into the urinary tract. This can happen in a variety of ways, and understanding how it happens may be able to help you prevent UTIs in the future.
-
Sex increases your risk of UTIs, as bacteria from the rectum can find its way to the bladder easily.
-
Women who use diaphragms have a greater risk of UTIs
-
A compromised immune system can lead to greater incidence of UTIs
-
Structural abnormalities in your urinary tract can put you at a greater risk of infections
-
Wiping from the back to the front while on the toilet could introduce bacteria into the urinary tract
Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of candida, a type of yeast or fungus. This fungus is found in your body at all times, but sometimes it can multiply and cause problems.
Causes and/or things that put you at greater risk of candida are generally things that prevent your body from being able to naturally control candida production. Those include:
-
Taking antibiotics
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What Are The Causes Of A Uti
A UTI is mainly caused by bacteria, though fungi and viruses can also be the reason. UTIs can be of two typeslower tract infection involving the urethra and bladder, and upper tract infection involving the ureters and the kidneys.
Any factor that can irritate the urinary tract can cause a UTI:
- Long-term catheter use
What Is An Std
A sexually transmitted disease is any disease that is spread by having sex with someone who has a sexually transmitted disease. So while yeast infections can be spread via sex, they are not considered STDs because you do not need to have sex to get one.
A reported 1 in 4 teens in the U.S. are infected with a sexually transmitted disease each year. Studies suggest that half of all sexually active young adults will get an STD by the age of 25.
All STDs are serious and should be treated immediately. Certain STDs, like HIV/AIDS, are deadly and do not have a cure, though medication can help you manage symptoms and live a relatively normal life.
There are a wide range of sexually transmitted diseases, including:
- Human papilloma virus
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Utis And Yeast Infections Are Both Relatively Common Fyi
Both of these issues suck all-around, but we hope shame isnt part of your discomfort. Every year there are an estimated 1.4 million outpatient visits for yeast infections in the United States, the CDC says, . The Mayo Clinic estimates that 75% of women have had a yeast infection at some point in their lives.
UTIs are also pretty run-of-the-mill, with about 40 to 60% of women experiencing one in their lifetime, according to the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases .
All this means that if you have either of these infections, youre not alone. Whats more, you have treatment options.
How Long Does It Take To Recover
Both UTIs and yeast infections should clear up after taking medications within days or a few weeks. You must make sure to take prescribed or over-the-counter medication as directed for the entire recommended length of time to prevent the infection from returning.
You may be able to prevent both UTIs and yeast infections by practicing good hygiene and making changes to your wardrobe. Here are some prevention tips:
- Wipe from front to back after a bowel movement.
- Avoid tight-fitting clothing around your genital area, such as pantyhose and restrictive pants.
- Change out of wet swimsuits quickly.
- Avoid scented feminine hygiene products.
Further prevention of UTIs include:
- using the bathroom frequently
- regularly drinking lots of fluid
- urinating before and after sex
Its also possible that drinking cranberry juice can prevent UTIs. The research results are mixed. Make sure to choose a sugar-free version. If the juice is too tart, you can water it down to make the juice more palatable.
You may also be able to reduce your chances of contracting a yeast infection if you:
- avoid hot baths and hot tubs
- change your feminine products often
- control your blood sugar if you have diabetes
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Utis And Yeast Infections Need Very Different Treatments
The issue is not just that these two infections require different medications to relieve you of your symptoms. Its also that if you try to treat what you think is a yeast infection with over-the-counter meds when its really a UTI , you could eventually be at risk for a kidney infection, or at the very least not actually get rid of your UTI. Youre not going to get better, Dr. Minkin says bluntly about using the wrong treatment.
So, first up, yeast infections: Getting rid of yeast infections really comes down to curbing that Candida overgrowth by using antifungal medications. Depending on the severity of your infection, you might only need a single dose of meds, either vaginally or orally. But if your symptoms are intense or you have recurrent yeast infections , you may need multiple oral or vaginal doses over the course of a few weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic.
If you have a urinary tract infection, youll likely receive a prescription for a short course of antibiotics to help your body fight the bacteria, the Mayo Clinic says. If youre also experiencing pain, your provider might prescribe medication to numb your bladder and urethra when you pee, but the Mayo Clinic notes that, more often than not, your pain will lessen when you start taking the antibiotics. And this bears repeating: You should get treated ASAP because untreated lower urinary tract infections can turn into a painful and dangerous kidney infection.
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What Is The Difference Between Uti And Yeast Infection
The human body is vulnerable to enormous diseases and disorders. It can be even more alarming if you notice something is not right in your sensitive private parts areas.
There could be many reasons for abnormal pain, itching, or discomfort in the genital area. But the most common reasons for such troubles are Sexually Transmitted Diseases, UTI or Yeast Infections.
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Symptoms Of Yeast Infection Vs Uti
Only a doctor can tell you for sure whether you’ve got a yeast infection or UTI . But each condition has its own distinctive set of symptoms, which could give you clues about which type of infection you might have.
Karyn Eilber, MD, a urologist who teaches at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles and founder/CEO of lubricant-maker Glissant, explains that if your symptoms are primarily related to urination, you probably have a UTI. That includes UTI symptoms like:
- feeling like you have to pee all the time
- an urgent need to urinate
- a burning sensation when you pee
- pee that’s reddish, pinkish, or cloudy
When you’ve got a yeast infection, you generally experience vaginal irritation all the timenot just when you have to urinate, Dr. Eilber tells Health. The Mayo Clinic says symptoms of a yeast infection include things like:
- vaginal discharge that’s thick and white, almost like cottage cheese
- vulva is swollen and red
- burning sensation, especially when you pee or have sex
- watery vaginal discharge
If your main symptom is burning sensation when you pee, it might be tricky for you to figure out if it’s a yeast infection versus a UTI.
“It’s possible that when a woman who has a yeast infection urinates, the outside skin will burn, and that’s where sometimes the confusion can come in with a UTI,” says Dr. Gersh.
But chances are good that you’ll also experience other symptoms that will help you narrow down the cause.
Yeast Infection Vs Uti: Whats The Difference
When youre experiencing a burning sensation in your genital area, it can be tricky to figure out the source alone. The good news is that you can stop the guessing, so you dont waste any more money on over-the-counter products that dont actually address the issue.
Weve got all the information you need to help you tell the difference between a yeast infection and a UTI, so you can handle your symptoms the right way.
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