Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is a UTI?Symptoms of a UTIWhat Is an STI?Symptoms of an STIDifferencesWhen to Seek CareDiagnosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is a UTI?
Symptoms of a UTI
What Is an STI?
Symptoms of an STI
Differences
When to Seek Care
Diagnosis
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are primarily spread through sexual contact, while urinary tract infections (UTIs) are usually contracted from bacteria passed on through the urinary tract. Both types of infections can have similar symptoms, but treatments and complications for a UTI vs. STI are very different.
This article explains the symptoms and differences between a UTI and an STI. It also includes information on treatment and when to see a healthcare provider.
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Urinary tract infectionshappen when bacteria enter the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the vulva or penis. UTIs can happen to anyone, including children, and they are not STIs. However, having sex increases your risk for UTIs, particularly for people with vaginas.
UTIs can affect the bladder or the kidneys. UTIs that affect the kidneys are typically more serious than those affecting the bladder.
The symptoms of a UTI are the same regardless of sex. They include:
Sometimes, a UTI can travel from the bladder to the kidneys. If you develop akidney infection, you may experience:
How Long Does a UTI Last?
STIs are infections that are passed from one person to another during sexual contact, including oral, vaginal, and anal sex. Some STIs can also be passed through close touching and skin-to-skin contact. Viruses, bacteria, or parasites can cause STIs.
The most common STIs include:
Frequent or painful urination is a commonsymptom of STIs. However, other STI symptoms can differ depending on anatomy. It’s also common to have an STI that has no symptoms at all.
The common symptoms of STIs in people with a penis are:
The common symptoms of STIs in people with a vagina are:
Screening for SymptomsEven STIs without symptoms can be passed to partners and cause damage to your long-term reproductive health. If you’re sexually active, regular STI screenings are an essential part of preventive healthcare.
Screening for Symptoms
Even STIs without symptoms can be passed to partners and cause damage to your long-term reproductive health. If you’re sexually active, regular STI screenings are an essential part of preventive healthcare.
UTI vs. STI: Key Differences
Painful, burning sensations during urination could be a urinary tract infection (UTI) or one of thesexually transmitted infections (STIs)that feel like a UTI. STIs, including chlamydia and gonorrhea, can cause burning during urination and pelvic pain similar to UTI symptoms. Without medical testing, determining whether you have a UTI or an STI can be difficult.
While painful and frequent urination are symptoms of both conditions, your other symptoms can indicate your type of infection.For example, if you have discharge or skin changes like blisters, you’re more likely to have an STI. The urge to pee when your bladder is empty may indicate a UTI.
Chlamydia can cause painful, burning urination that feels like a UTI. However, most people with chlamydia don’t have symptoms.It’s possible to pass along the infection, even if you’re asymptomatic.
Gonorrhea cannot cause a UTI because they are two different infections. However, gonorrhea can havesymptomsthat are similar to those of a UTI, including pain during urination.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
When you visit your healthcare provider for UTI or STI symptoms, you will likely undergo a physical exam, which includes an examination of your pelvis or genitals. Your healthcare provider may also order a urine test, which can be used to diagnose a UTI and some STIs, like chlamydia and gonorrhea.
If they suspect a different STD, they mayswab your genitalsto look for bacteria or viruses under a microscope. They may also order a blood test.
Summary
UTIs and STIs can both cause painful, frequent urination. Your other symptoms can offer a clue as to whether you have an STI or UTI. STIs are more likely to cause discharge from your genitals, while UTIs can cause a need to urinate even when your bladder is empty.
Both conditions require medical treatment, so whenever you experience painful urination, it’s best to reach out to your healthcare provider so that you can get a prompt diagnosis and treatment.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection basics.Urology Care Foundation.What are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or diseases (STDs)?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Incidence, prevalence, and cost of sexually transmitted infections in the United States, 2018.Nemours.Why am I getting urinary tract infections?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About chlamydia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Aboutgonorrhea.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection basics.Urology Care Foundation.What are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or diseases (STDs)?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Incidence, prevalence, and cost of sexually transmitted infections in the United States, 2018.Nemours.Why am I getting urinary tract infections?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About chlamydia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Aboutgonorrhea.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection basics.Urology Care Foundation.What are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or diseases (STDs)?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Incidence, prevalence, and cost of sexually transmitted infections in the United States, 2018.Nemours.Why am I getting urinary tract infections?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About chlamydia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Aboutgonorrhea.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection basics.
Urology Care Foundation.What are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or diseases (STDs)?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Incidence, prevalence, and cost of sexually transmitted infections in the United States, 2018.
Nemours.Why am I getting urinary tract infections?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About chlamydia.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Aboutgonorrhea.
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