Symptoms Of Urinary Tract Infections:
Urinary tract infections come with a wide range of varying symptoms, including:
- Burning or painful urination
- Dark, cloudy urine that may appear red or pink from blood
- An intense need to urinate all the time, even though you only go a small amount
- Urine that smells bad
- Pain or pressure in your pelvis, back, and abdomen
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:
What Exams Do Doctors Use To Diagnose A Yeast Infection And A Uti
Urine tests diagnose a UTI. Abnormalities can appear on a dipstick urinalysis test that suggest a UTI is present. Sometimes medical professionals take a culture of the urine to determine the type of bacteria causing the infection. A physical exam and an examination of a sample of the vaginal discharge in the laboratory can confirm the presence of a yeast infection.
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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
What Stds Mimic A Yeast Infection
Is It a Yeast Infection or an STD?
- STDs can sometimes mimic the symptoms of a yeast infection. These symptoms can include a vaginal discharge or an itching/burning sensation in the genital area.
- Sometimes called trich, trichomoniasis is different from other STDs because it is caused by a parasite.
- Both chlamydia and gonorrhea are bacterial infections.
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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.
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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How Can I Tell The Difference
Urinary tract infections and yeast infections can both cause itching and discomfort. But there are some important differences between the two that will help you answer the question, Do I have thrush or UTI?, such as:
The appearance of your urine can tell quite a bit about whats going on inside your body. In the case of a UTI, your urine may be cloudy or have a bad odour. It may also appear pink or red if blood is present in the urine. On the other hand, vaginal discharge from thrush will more than likely be odourless and have a texture that looks similar to cottage cheese.
Thrush typically causes very painful urination without any other symptoms, while a UTI can cause pain during urination as well as nausea/vomiting and lower abdominal pain .
Unlike thrush, UTI can cause bacteria to get into the bloodstream and result in more serious health issues.
Uti Vs Yeast Infection Prevention
Can you prevent UTIs and yeast infections?
Although you often cant completely avoid them, there are definitely effective preventive measures you can take to lower your risk of these infections:
- Wipe from front to back after using the toilet
- Wear cotton underwear
- Avoid tight-fitting underwear and pants
- Change out of wet swimsuits quickly
- Use fragrance-free feminine hygiene products
- Urinate after sex
Drinking cranberry juice is also said to help. Washing regularly, drinking plenty of fluids, and controlling your sugar intake wont just keep you healthy, it can also prevent a UTI or yeast infection.
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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.
Treatments For Complicated Infections Include:
- Up to three doses of fluconazole
- A long-term prescription of fluconazole taken each week for up to six weeks
- 14-day treatment involving cream, ointment, suppository, or tablet
- Long-term topical anti-fungal medication
If you donât want to take prescription drugs, you may also consider certain natural remedies.
The most popular include tea tree oil cream and garlic or boric acid vaginal suppositories. However, you should still consult your doctor before using any home remedies.
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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?
Can A Yeast Infection Act Like A Uti
If you never have been diagnosed with a vaginal yeast infection or a UTI, it can be hard to tell the two apart since their symptoms are somewhat similar. Ovarian cysts, interstitial cystitis, bacterial vaginosis, and other conditions can cause symptoms similar to yeast infections and UTIs, making self-diagnosis even more challenging.
Thats why its a good idea to talk with your doctor any time you have significant pain or discomfort in your abdominal or genital area.
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Is There Medication To Help Thrush And Uti
Yes, medications are available to help treat both conditions. The major difference between the treatment for both infections is what they are caused by.
The Thrush treatment category targets infections caused by fungi, effectively preventing a candida infection. This medication comes in pill form for oral ingestion. Fluconazole works by killing fungus locally but also all over the body so it lowers your chances of getting future infections. You can buy fluconazole over the counter.
Similarly, the UTI treatment category aims to kill the bacteria causing this medical condition. The antibiotic course contains Trimethoprim tablets that should be taken to prevent a future UTI and not to treat acute cases
If you have a more severe case of thrush or UTI, and experience any side effects, immediately consult your doctor.
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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How Is Uti Treated
For UTI treatment, your doctor will typically do a urine culture, to determine the type of infection. If the infection is caused by bacteria, the doctor may recommend antibioticsoral antibiotics for lower tract infection, and intravenous antibiotics for upper tract infection. If the infection is caused by a virus, then the doctor will recommend antiviral medication.
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.
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Recurrent Utis And The Vaginal Microbiome
- Escherichia coli a.k.a E. coli â these bacteria are responsible for 75% of UTIs in cisgender women
- Proteus mirabilis
- Gardnerella vaginalis â while Gardnerella is typically known for its role in bacterial vaginosis , the presence of G. vaginalis in the urethra may also cause a UTIâ
If youâre someone who has struggled with recurrent UTIs, it may be worth testing your vaginal microbiome!
This can help illuminate whether a reservoir of disruptive bacteria in your vaginal microbiome could be contributing to your UTIs.
Additionally, there are a few things that can make it easier to develop UTIs that come back again and again including: menopause, a history of UTIs, and contraception.
Yeast infections and most sexually transmitted infections can both cause vulvar itching and soreness whereas typically , a vulvar itch isnât a symptom of a UTI.
However it is possible to have a UTI and yeast infection at the same time! To complicate matters even more, though rare, you can get a fungal UTI infection , with the same Candida strains that cause vaginal yeast infections â most commonly, Candida albicans. Stinging, burning or soreness when urinating is a key symptom of a UTI, and the one symptom it shares with a yeast infection.
Faqs About Utis And Yeast Infection Answered By Your Doctors Online Team
What is the difference between a UTI and yeast infection?
The Candida fungus causes a vaginal yeast infection, whereas a UTI is usually caused by bacteria that enter the urinary tract and cause an infection. Both yeast infections and UTIs cause lead to pain while urinating or discomfort in the genital area.
Can a UTI cause itching all over the body?
Itching is not a common symptom of a UTI, but vaginal itching is commonly associated with a yeast infection. A complicated urinary tract infection may result in a rare condition called sepsis. Sepsis is a result of bacteria entering the blood circulation. This can cause symptoms such as a fever, skin rash, hypotension, nausea etc.
How to tell the difference between a UTI and a yeast infection?
UTI symptoms include burning or painful sensation while urinating, frequent urge to urinate and cloudy, foul-smelling urine. Yeast infection symptoms may include discomfort when urinating, which is usually accompanied by vaginal soreness or itching. Vaginal yeast infections also present with a thick, odourless discharge.
Do I need medical care for a yeast infection or a UTI?
Yes, you need to consult a doctor if you have a yeast infection or UTI symptoms. However, it is best to seek treatment to prevent any complications. Complications of an untreated UTI include frequent infections, permanent kidney damage or sepsis.
Can a yeast infection cause a UTI?What does UTI discharge look like?Is a yeast infection a UTI?
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What Is The Difference Between A Uti And A Yeast Infection Is It The Same As Thrush
Thrush is a yeast infection, caused by a fungus known as Candida, that builds up on a moist area of your skin, causing itchiness, a thick discharge, and pain when urinating. Whereas a UTI is an infection caused by too many bacteria entering your urinary system.
What are the symptoms of each one and what do they mean? In some cases, the symptoms are so similar that it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two conditions.
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Treatments For Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections can thankfully be treated with a course of antibiotics, which should show improvement within the first day of administration. However, make sure you do take the entire course of antibiotics you are prescribed, usually around a week, to completely eliminate bacteria and cure the infection.
Your doctor may also prescribe a medication to combat the pain and discomfort of urinating. If you think you are suffering from recurrent or chronic UTIs, it is important to tell your doctor to ensure you are receiving proper treatment.
In terms of home remedies, make sure you drink plenty of water to not only stay hydrated but also help flush out the bacteria. Use a heating pad on your abdomen and pelvis to relieve pressure. Avoid foods that can irritate your urinary system, including coffee, alcohol, and soda containing caffeine or citrus juice. Many people also turn to cranberry juice, though the efficacy of it is in doubt.
Some studies suggest that the tannins in cranberry juice keep bacteria from clinging to the walls of your urinary tract, but other studies have come up inconclusive.
Overall, thereâs no harm in drinking cranberry juice if you find it comforting, but you should avoid it if you are taking any blood-thinning medications.
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Symptoms Of Yeast Infections
Yeast infections all generally present the same set of symptoms, including:
- Thick white discharge
- Pain during urination or sex
These symptoms become more apparent in the week before your period and may become more severe the longer you wait to receive treatment. If you think that you may have a yeast infection, book an appointment with a doctor today.
Treatments For Yeast Infections
Every infection is different, so the treatment you undergo may be different from others. For simple infections, you may be prescribed a single dose of fluconazole or other oral medication. This is combined with an antifungal cream, ointment, suppository, or ointment on a regimen lasting one to three days.
Common antifungal medications include:
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Will A Uti Or Yeast Infection Go Away On Its Own
It can be dangerous to avoid treatment for a UTI or yeast infection. While a very mild UTI or yeast infection can go away on its own, it may worsen if untreated and cause serious complications. For example, an untreated UTI can result in a kidney infection.
If you think you have a UTI or yeast infection, you should contact your doctor. There are effective treatments for both conditions. This includes over-the-counter medications for yeast infections.