Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Althoughyeast infectionsandurinary tract infections(UTIs) have similar symptoms, they are entirely separate conditions. Specifically, one is a fungal infection, while the other is a bacterial infection, requiring different treatments.

This article discusses the differences between yeast infections and UTIs and why getting an accurate diagnosis is important.

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A healthcare provider measuring pH test strips of urine sample

While these infections are sometimes lumped together, each has distinct symptoms Yeast infections affect thevaginaand UTIs affect the urinary tract.

Yeast infection symptomstypically include:

Commonsigns of a UTIinclude:

Because some symptoms overlap, like noticing a burning sensation while urinating, it can be challenging to determine the type of infection without a proper diagnosis.

How to Sleep With UTI Discomfort: Home Remedies and Treatments

Though the underlying causes differ, both infections share common risk factors.

Yeast Infection

Sometimes irritation fromsexual activitycan prompt a yeast infection, but it’s not considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI) because you can still develop one without ever having sex.

UTI

UTIs can also commonly develop if you are:

There are multiple ways to test for and diagnose yeast infections and UTIs. Some can be done at home, while others require a healthcare provider visit.

Over-the-counter (OTC) home tests don’t specificallydiagnose yeast infectionsbut can help determine whether the pH of the vagina is abnormal.

But yeast infections aren’t the only infections linked to having a higher vaginal pH, so it’s important to get an official diagnosis from a healthcare provider.They’ll perform apelvic examand take a swab (or sample) of vaginal discharge that may be sent to the lab for diagnosis.

There are multiple different types of at-home and healthcare provider tests to help diagnose a UTI. These options include an OTC testing strip that will change colors to indicate a result after contacting your urine stream.

At a healthcare provider’s office, you might also give a urine sample in a small collection container, which will be analyzed for the presence ofUTI-causing bacteria. More severe UTI symptoms might be diagnosed with imaging of the urinary tract to check for the presence of an infection.

If you are prescribedantibiotics for a UTI, remember to take the entire course of medication exactly as the healthcare provider has prescribed, even if the infection seems to be clearing up. This will help make sure the UTI is completely resolved.

Yeast infections and UTIs are different, so they can’t be treated the same way. This is why getting an accurate diagnosis is important to clear the infection quickly and effectively, as some may become severe if left untreated.

Several types of OTC and prescription treatment options are available for yeast infections. Some people try an OTC product that contains an antifungal ingredient for mild yeast infections to help break down the Candida yeast.These options can come in vaginal suppositories, tablets, or cream applications.

Once you have an official UTI diagnosis, your healthcare provider will recommenda treatment plan. They’ll likely prescribe antibiotics to help kill off the UTI-causing bacteria. The antibiotic’s type and strength will depend on your infection’s severity.

They may also suggest taking OTC pain medications, like Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen), to help ease any discomfort you may feel until the antibiotics start kicking in. Another OTC medication known as Azo (phenazopyridine) can also help target pain in the urinary tract.

It’s not uncommon to develop at least one of these infections throughout your lifetime. That said, experts recommend some lifestyle tips to help prevent these uncomfortable experiences.

Lifestyle tips for preventing a yeast infection focus on reducing exposure to heat, moisture, and irritation that can become a breeding ground for yeast overgrowth. Tips include:

UTI prevention is typically associated with safer sex and personal hygiene practices, such as:

Summary

Yeast infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs) cause similar symptoms in the same part of the body, but they’re two different types of infections with separate causes. A yeast infection develops when an overgrowth of vaginal yeast requires an antifungal medication for treatment. A UTI occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract and is typically treated with antibiotics.

While some OTC diagnosis options are available, getting an accurate diagnosis from a healthcare provider is a good idea to ensure you’re treating the infection appropriately.

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.MedlinePlus.Vaginal yeast infection.MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidiasis.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Urinary tract infections (UTIs).Scolaro KL, Lloyd KB, Helms KL.Devices for home evaluation of women’s health concerns.Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2008;65(4):299–314. doi:10.2146/ajhp060565American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Vaginitis.Paladine HL, Desai UA.Vaginitis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(5):321-329.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Urinary tract imaging.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection basics.Mount Sinai.Vaginal yeast infection.Chardavoyne P, Kasmire K.Appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions for urinary tract infections.West J Emerg Med. 2020 May;21(3):633-639. doi:10.5811/westjem.2020.1.45944Pergialiotis V, Arnos P, Mavros MN, Pitsouni E, Athanasiou S, Falagas ME.Urinary tract analgesics for the treatment of patients with acute cystitis: Where is the clinical evidence?.Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2012;10(8):875–879. doi:10.1586/eri.12.72MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infection in women - self-care.

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.MedlinePlus.Vaginal yeast infection.MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidiasis.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Urinary tract infections (UTIs).Scolaro KL, Lloyd KB, Helms KL.Devices for home evaluation of women’s health concerns.Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2008;65(4):299–314. doi:10.2146/ajhp060565American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Vaginitis.Paladine HL, Desai UA.Vaginitis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(5):321-329.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Urinary tract imaging.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection basics.Mount Sinai.Vaginal yeast infection.Chardavoyne P, Kasmire K.Appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions for urinary tract infections.West J Emerg Med. 2020 May;21(3):633-639. doi:10.5811/westjem.2020.1.45944Pergialiotis V, Arnos P, Mavros MN, Pitsouni E, Athanasiou S, Falagas ME.Urinary tract analgesics for the treatment of patients with acute cystitis: Where is the clinical evidence?.Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2012;10(8):875–879. doi:10.1586/eri.12.72MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infection in women - self-care.

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.

MedlinePlus.Vaginal yeast infection.MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidiasis.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Urinary tract infections (UTIs).Scolaro KL, Lloyd KB, Helms KL.Devices for home evaluation of women’s health concerns.Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2008;65(4):299–314. doi:10.2146/ajhp060565American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Vaginitis.Paladine HL, Desai UA.Vaginitis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(5):321-329.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Urinary tract imaging.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection basics.Mount Sinai.Vaginal yeast infection.Chardavoyne P, Kasmire K.Appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions for urinary tract infections.West J Emerg Med. 2020 May;21(3):633-639. doi:10.5811/westjem.2020.1.45944Pergialiotis V, Arnos P, Mavros MN, Pitsouni E, Athanasiou S, Falagas ME.Urinary tract analgesics for the treatment of patients with acute cystitis: Where is the clinical evidence?.Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2012;10(8):875–879. doi:10.1586/eri.12.72MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infection in women - self-care.

MedlinePlus.Vaginal yeast infection.

MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infections.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidiasis.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Scolaro KL, Lloyd KB, Helms KL.Devices for home evaluation of women’s health concerns.Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2008;65(4):299–314. doi:10.2146/ajhp060565

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Vaginitis.

Paladine HL, Desai UA.Vaginitis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(5):321-329.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Urinary tract imaging.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection basics.

Mount Sinai.Vaginal yeast infection.

Chardavoyne P, Kasmire K.Appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions for urinary tract infections.West J Emerg Med. 2020 May;21(3):633-639. doi:10.5811/westjem.2020.1.45944

Pergialiotis V, Arnos P, Mavros MN, Pitsouni E, Athanasiou S, Falagas ME.Urinary tract analgesics for the treatment of patients with acute cystitis: Where is the clinical evidence?.Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2012;10(8):875–879. doi:10.1586/eri.12.72

MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infection in women - self-care.

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