Before you run to the pharmacy, though, it’s important to determine if what you’re experiencing is indeed a yeast infection or something else. Other causes of vaginal pain and discomfort include bacterial infections,sexually transmitted diseases(STDs), skin irritation, and more. While the symptoms are similar, the causes and treatments are very different.
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What Is a Yeast Infection?
A yeast infection is common, and most women will experience at least one in their lifetimes. A yeast infection occurs when theCandidayeastin the vagina overgrows and leads to an infection. It usually causes burning and itching in the vagina and the surrounding area called thevulva. Vaginal yeast infections are common in girls and women, with about 75% of women experiencing at least one. The infection is rare before puberty and aftermenopause.
How Long Does a Yeast Infection Last?
Symptoms of a Yeast Infection
The most commonsymptoms of a yeast infectioninclude:
Other symptoms to keep in mind may include redness and swelling, pain with urination, and pain with sexual intercourse.
Vaginal Skin Peeling: Why It Happens and How to Treat It
Yeast Infection Treatments
Most yeast infections can be treated at home with over-the-counter products. The infection requires an antifungal medication that may come in the form of a cream, ointment, or vaginal suppository.
While yeast infections are usually easy to treat, it’s still helpful to check in with your healthcare provider. Other types of infections can be mistaken for a yeast infection, and it’s estimated that up to two-thirds of women who buy over-the-counter yeast infection treatments do not have a yeast infection. In addition, using an antifungal treatment when you do not have a yeast infection can cause your body to become resistant to the medication. The antifungal may not be effective the next time you need it for a true yeast infection.
If you seek treatment from your practitioner, they may be able to prescribe you a one-time dose of oral Diflucan (fluconazole) to treat the infection. If you notice that you have been experiencing frequent yeast infections, talk with your healthcare provider about possible causes and a more long-term antifungal prescription.
Take the following measure to prevent a yeast infection:Choose underwear made from a breathable cotton fabricMake sure your clothing and underwear are not too tightFrequently change pads and tamponsChange out of wet clothing or a bathing suit right awayNever douche or use soap inside your vaginaAvoid soaps that are scented or contain artificial dyesWipe from front to back after using the bathroomAvoid too much time in hot tubs or very hot bathwater
Take the following measure to prevent a yeast infection:
What Happens if You Leave a Yeast Infection Untreated?
Yeast Infection or STD?
Many STDs share the same symptoms as yeast infections, and it can be difficult to tell what the cause of your symptoms is. While yeast infections are not considered a sexually transmitted disease, it’s possible to get one from your partner during sex.
Trichomoniasis
Most people do not experience symptoms, but if you do, they could include vaginal itching, burning, and soreness. The color of your vaginal discharge may be yellow, white, or green and fishy-smelling. Trichomoniasis is curable and requires antibiotics.
Herpes
Herpes does not cause a change in vaginal discharge. There is no cure for herpes, but it is still important to see your healthcare provider to be diagnosed and treated for the blisters.
8 At-Home STD Tests
Genital Warts
HPV is frequently discovered when a woman’s healthcare provider performs a routinePap smearwith HPV testing. However, the CDC does not recommend testing for HPV in women with genital warts because the test results will not help determine the appropriate treatment.
What Genital Warts Look Like and Where They Appear
Gonorrhea
Gonorrheais a common STD that usually does not cause any symptoms in women. If you do experience symptoms, you may notice pain or burning with urination, increased vaginal discharge, and vaginal bleeding or spotting between periods. Your vaginal discharge may appear white or green.
Your healthcare provider can test your urine for gonorrhea and prescribe antibiotics to cure it. Untreated gonorrhea can lead to serious health problems, including pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.
Symptoms of Gonorrhea
Chlamydia
Chlamydiais another common sexually transmitted disease that can lead to a change in vaginal discharge and pain with urination. The discharge may appear white, green, or yellow.
Yeast InfectionVaginal painBurningThick, white, cottage cheese-like dischargeDoes not cause bleedingSTDMay cause painMay cause burning with urinationDischarge may be green, white, or yellow, and may have a foul odorMay cause abnormal bleeding or spotting
Yeast InfectionVaginal painBurningThick, white, cottage cheese-like dischargeDoes not cause bleeding
Vaginal pain
Burning
Thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge
Does not cause bleeding
STDMay cause painMay cause burning with urinationDischarge may be green, white, or yellow, and may have a foul odorMay cause abnormal bleeding or spotting
May cause pain
May cause burning with urination
Discharge may be green, white, or yellow, and may have a foul odor
May cause abnormal bleeding or spotting
Other Possible Causes
In addition to yeast infections and sexually transmitted diseases, there are other infections and conditions that can cause vaginal pain and discomfort. It’s important to be able to recognize them so that you can receive the right treatment as soon as possible.
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosisoccurs when the normal bacteria in the vagina overgrow, causing an imbalance of bacteria and yeast. While it is not considered a sexually transmitted disease, it can put you at higher risk of contracting one. Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal health issue in women between the ages of 15 and 44.It causes a thin gray or white discharge, along with pain, itching, and burning. You may also notice a strongfish-like odor. Bacterial vaginosis sometimes goes away on its own, but check in with your healthcare provider as you may require antibiotics.
The 3 Most Common Vaginal Problems
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitison and around the vulva can cause stinging and burning due to micro-cracks in the skin. Contact dermatitis usually happens as a result of the skin being irritated from an allergen or irritant.Examples include soap, laundry detergent, douches, spermicides, perfumes, and deodorants. This condition does not cause a change in vaginal discharge.
Treatment requires gentle skincare since the skin is already irritated. Your practitioner may recommend a corticosteroid cream to help with the redness and itching. Resisting the urge to scratch is essential to healing, so your healthcare provider may recommend taking an antihistamine at bedtime to relieve the itching.
Atopic vs. Contact Dermatitis: How They Differ
Dipping Estrogen Levels
Estrogen levels dip as we age, which can lead to vaginal dryness and irritation. Other risk factors for lowestrogen levelsinclude family history, pituitary gland problems, extreme dieting, eating disorders, and excessive exercise.Symptoms can include vaginal dryness, irritation, and pain with sex.
Low estrogen also has several other signs like hot flashes, night sweats,insomnia, amenorrhea, headaches, fatigue, depression, and more. If you believe you may have a low estrogen level, talk with your healthcare provider about the possible causes and treatment.
Understanding Estrogen’s Effects on the Body
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoidsrefer to swollen veins in and around your rectum and anus. Symptoms of external hemorrhoids include pain, itching, swelling, and bleeding. Internal hemorrhoids, which are located inside your rectum, can present with bleeding with bowel movements. Hemorrhoids can often be treated with lifestyle changes like adding more fiber-rich foods to your diet, soaking in a warm bath, and using over-the-counter pain medication as needed.See your healthcare provider if the symptoms are not improving.
Hemorrhoids: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
Skin Conditions
Skin conditions likeeczemaand psoriasis can present on the skin surrounding the vagina, leading you to believe that you have a yeast infection.Psoriasisoccurs when the cells in your skin reproduce too quickly, leading to thick patches of rough skin made up of old skin cells. When these patches occur on the vulva, they usually appear as pink patches with defined edges.If the skin cracks open, it can become infected. This requires a trip to the healthcare provider for a prescription topical steroid cream that is gentle enough for the vulva area.
Small Cuts
Small cuts or tearsin and around the vagina can lead to pain, burning, and itching. Larger tears are usually a result of childbirth, but small ones can occur because of vaginal dryness, sex without adequate lubrication, and pubic hair removal.The most common symptoms include pain, stinging or burning with urination, spotting, itching, and burning. Most small cuts will heal on their own. See your healthcare provider if you develop bleeding, foul-smelling discharge, fever, numbness, or worsening symptoms.
When To See a Healthcare Provider
It’s important to see your healthcare provider any time you are concerned about new vaginal pain or discomfort. Your practitioner will be able to help you determine the cause and how to treat it. Because many STDs have serious complications if left untreated, don’t hesitate to see your healthcare provider. Other signs that it’s time to get checked out include a fever, abnormal bleeding, uncontrolled pain, and worsening symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some STDs can cause irritation, itching, and discharge—symptoms that can be mistaken for a yeast infection. These include trichomoniasis, herpes, and genital warts. If you are unsure if you have a yeast infection or sexually transmitted illness, see your doctor or sexual health clinic.
Not typically. Discharge from a yeast infection does not typically smell much different than your usual vaginal discharge. It may have a slightly different odor, but it isn’t commonly described as a bad smell.Foul-smelling discharge is often a sign of an STD or bacterial vaginosis.
Not typically. Discharge from a yeast infection does not typically smell much different than your usual vaginal discharge. It may have a slightly different odor, but it isn’t commonly described as a bad smell.
Foul-smelling discharge is often a sign of an STD or bacterial vaginosis.
It can, but not in the same way as a urinary tract infection. A UTI causes frequent and painful urination that burns in the urethra—the tube that carries urine out of the body.A yeast infection causes skin irritation. When you pee, the urine can further irritate the skin, causing a burning sensation in the vulvar area.
It can, but not in the same way as a urinary tract infection. A UTI causes frequent and painful urination that burns in the urethra—the tube that carries urine out of the body.
A yeast infection causes skin irritation. When you pee, the urine can further irritate the skin, causing a burning sensation in the vulvar area.
13 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.Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About trichomoniasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About human papillomavirus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: anogenital warts.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About gonorrhea.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About chlamydia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial vaginosis.Harper J, Zirwas M.Allergic contact dermatitis of the vagina and perineum: causes, incidence of, and differentiating factors.Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2015;58(1):153-157. doi:10.1097/GRF.0000000000000094Harvard Health Publishing.Managing common vulvar skin conditions.Shufelt CL, Torbati T, Dutra E.Hypothalamic amenorrhea and the long-term health consequences.Semin Reprod Med. 2017;35(3):256-262. doi:10.1055/s-0037-1603581Lohsiriwat V.Treatment of hemorrhoids: a coloproctologist’s view.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(31):9245-9252. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i31.9245Truesdale MD, Osterberg EC, Gaither TW, et al.Prevalence of pubic hair grooming-related injuries and identification of high-risk individuals in the United States.JAMA Dermatol. 2017;153(11):1114-1121. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.2815
13 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.Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About trichomoniasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About human papillomavirus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: anogenital warts.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About gonorrhea.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About chlamydia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial vaginosis.Harper J, Zirwas M.Allergic contact dermatitis of the vagina and perineum: causes, incidence of, and differentiating factors.Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2015;58(1):153-157. doi:10.1097/GRF.0000000000000094Harvard Health Publishing.Managing common vulvar skin conditions.Shufelt CL, Torbati T, Dutra E.Hypothalamic amenorrhea and the long-term health consequences.Semin Reprod Med. 2017;35(3):256-262. doi:10.1055/s-0037-1603581Lohsiriwat V.Treatment of hemorrhoids: a coloproctologist’s view.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(31):9245-9252. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i31.9245Truesdale MD, Osterberg EC, Gaither TW, et al.Prevalence of pubic hair grooming-related injuries and identification of high-risk individuals in the United States.JAMA Dermatol. 2017;153(11):1114-1121. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.2815
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.
Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About trichomoniasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About human papillomavirus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: anogenital warts.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About gonorrhea.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About chlamydia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial vaginosis.Harper J, Zirwas M.Allergic contact dermatitis of the vagina and perineum: causes, incidence of, and differentiating factors.Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2015;58(1):153-157. doi:10.1097/GRF.0000000000000094Harvard Health Publishing.Managing common vulvar skin conditions.Shufelt CL, Torbati T, Dutra E.Hypothalamic amenorrhea and the long-term health consequences.Semin Reprod Med. 2017;35(3):256-262. doi:10.1055/s-0037-1603581Lohsiriwat V.Treatment of hemorrhoids: a coloproctologist’s view.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(31):9245-9252. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i31.9245Truesdale MD, Osterberg EC, Gaither TW, et al.Prevalence of pubic hair grooming-related injuries and identification of high-risk individuals in the United States.JAMA Dermatol. 2017;153(11):1114-1121. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.2815
Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About trichomoniasis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About human papillomavirus.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: anogenital warts.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About gonorrhea.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About chlamydia.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial vaginosis.
Harper J, Zirwas M.Allergic contact dermatitis of the vagina and perineum: causes, incidence of, and differentiating factors.Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2015;58(1):153-157. doi:10.1097/GRF.0000000000000094
Harvard Health Publishing.Managing common vulvar skin conditions.
Shufelt CL, Torbati T, Dutra E.Hypothalamic amenorrhea and the long-term health consequences.Semin Reprod Med. 2017;35(3):256-262. doi:10.1055/s-0037-1603581
Lohsiriwat V.Treatment of hemorrhoids: a coloproctologist’s view.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(31):9245-9252. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i31.9245
Truesdale MD, Osterberg EC, Gaither TW, et al.Prevalence of pubic hair grooming-related injuries and identification of high-risk individuals in the United States.JAMA Dermatol. 2017;153(11):1114-1121. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.2815
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