Yeast infection vs. UTI: How to tell the difference

Maybe you’re experiencing pain when you pee, inflammation, or abnormal discharge in your underwear. You’ve heard about yeast infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs) but fall short on which means what. They can feel pretty similar, after all. 

For starters, both yeast infections and UTIs are super common: Vaginal yeast infections will affect up to 75% of women at some point in their lives, and half of all women in the United States report having had at least one UTI by the time they’re 32 years old. Another similarity? The symptoms for both can feel pretty uncomfortable.

A “yeast infection is a fungal infection in the vagina, and a UTI is a bacterial infection [usually] in the bladder,” clarifies Dr. Sara Twogood, obstetrician and gynecologist, Cedars-Sinai Medical Group, California,, US. “And my patients confuse them all the time — but they’re actually totally different.”

So, let’s dig a little deeper. What makes these infections distinct, how can you recognize one from the other, and — most importantly — how do you get rid of them?

Key takeaways

• A yeast infection is caused by an overgrowth of fungus in the vagina. The key symptoms are white, clumpy vaginal discharge, an itchy vulva, and general irritation and/or redness.
• A urinary tract infection (UTI) is caused by unwanted bacteria getting into your urinary tract via your urethra (this is the tube you pee out of). With a UTI, you’ll usually notice needing to pee a lot, pain when you pee, and maybe some cramps. 
• If you think you have either infection, see a health care professional. They can prescribe you antifungal medication for a yeast infection or antibiotics for a UTI. 
• The saying goes, prevention is better than cure, and while it’s impossible to totally prevent getting a UTI or yeast infection, there are a few things you can do to help keep both at bay.

Yeast infection vs. urinary tract infection (UTI): What’s the difference?

So, as Dr. Twogood said, a yeast infection is a fungal infection in the vagina, and a UTI is a bacterial infection. A UTI usually starts in your bladder but can sometimes also travel up into your urethra (where you pee from) or your kidneys. The idea of fungus or bacteria growing in your vagina or your bladder may feel scary but fear not. Some good bacteria help to balance your vaginal pH and keep you healthy. 

As for what each looks and feels like: 

• Signs of a yeast infection include clumpy white-yellowish discharge and a very itchy vagina and vulva. It’s caused by an overgrowth of a fungus called candida that is normally found in our bodies but can sometimes fall out of balance. Another name for it is candidiasis. 
• UTIs, on the other hand, are marked by a need to pee a lot and sharp pain or discomfort when you do. UTIs can happen when unwanted bacteria get up through your urinary tract.

How do I know if it’s a UTI or yeast infection? Know the signs

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dig a little deeper into the symptoms of these infections so that you can feel confident telling one from the other.

Signs of a yeast infection 

• White clumpy vaginal discharge: “This is the primary telltale sign,” reiterates Dr. Twogood, “and it’s often described as being like cottage cheese.” There might be quite a lot of it, and it’ll be largely odorless. 
• Vulval and vaginal itching: We’re not talking the odd twinge here; this is more of an intense and prolonged itching. “It’s usually so prominent that it’s hard to ignore it,” says Dr. Twogood.
• General inflammation and irritation of the vulva and vagina: This is called vulvovaginitis. There may be redness, swelling, and soreness — which can also “lead to pain during sex and a burning sensation when you pee,” adds Dr. Twogood. 

Signs of a UTI

• Needing to pee — or feeling like you need to pee — a lot: It can come on quite suddenly and urgently. “And often, you’ll have the urge, but then you’ll sit on the toilet, and hardly anything comes out,” Dr. Twogood says.
• Pain when you pee: This is called dysuria, and it might feel like a stinging or burning sensation. 
• Pain around the bladder: “The bladder is usually right below your pubic bone,” explains Dr. Twogood, “so that’s where you often feel it.” You might also feel pain in your back under your ribs.
• Pee that is cloudy, has blood in it, is darker in color, and/or smells strongly of ammonia: You might notice a general vaginal odor, too, due to the pee residue sticking around.
• A fever: If you start to have a fever, it could be a sign that your infection has spread to your kidneys. As soon as you notice a fever, reach out to your doctor for treatment. 

It’s important to remember that while the symptoms above might indicate that you have a yeast infection or UTI, they could also be a sign of something else. It might be easier said than done, but if you think you might have an infection, try not to self-diagnose. The best thing to do is to speak to your doctor. 

Understanding what’s typical for you during your cycle can help you spot when something might not be quite right. A cycle-tracking app like Flo can help you manage your body’s patterns and symptoms. As well as offering a ton of information on how to spot infections, Flo lets you track symptoms and types of vaginal discharge — helping you better understand what is and isn’t normal for you throughout your cycle. 

Yeast infection vs. UTI: Treatment and prevention

While UTIs and yeast infections aren’t usually serious, they can be really uncomfortable and aren’t something you have to just put up with. If you can, it’s always better to prevent them rather than treat them.

Reducing your risk of vaginal yeast infections is generally about keeping a happy balance of bacteria in your vagina. To help with this:

• Wear comfy cotton underwear that allows your vagina to breathe.
• Avoid douches and any scented products in that area. Water is enough when washing your vulva, and your vagina is actually self-cleaning. Pretty amazing, right? 
• Don’t take antibiotics unnecessarily (e.g., for colds or other viral infections). You should only ever take antibiotics if your doctor prescribes them to you, and then you should take the recommended dose for the recommended amount of time.
• Don’t stay in damp clothes, e.g., swimwear or workout gear, for too long.

Reducing your risk of UTIs, meanwhile, is about keeping unwanted bacteria away from your urinary tract. To help with this:

• Drink enough water: This might sound daunting if you don’t normally drink lots of water, but you can incentivize yourself by buying a nice water bottle to carry with you. 
• Pee regularly: Seven to eight times a day is seen as regular. 
• Pee after sex: This can help flush out any bacteria that may have moved toward your bladder during sex. 

How to treat a yeast infection

Antifungal medications treat most vaginal yeast infections, and they work by fighting yeast overgrowth in your body. They come in the form of oral pills, topical creams, or a pessary (a tablet that you insert into your vagina) and usually clear things up in three to seven days.

If it’s the first time you’ve had a yeast infection, you should go to your doctor. They can confirm your diagnosis (it’s good to rule out other things, such as a sexually transmitted infection or STI) and prescribe the best medication for you. 

If you’ve had yeast infections before and you’re confident that you’re experiencing the same thing again, you may be able to get over-the-counter antifungal medications.

If your symptoms don’t clear up, be sure to go back to your doctor. The same applies if you’re having recurrent yeast infections, i.e., four or more within a year — as you may need a special treatment plan.

How to treat a UTI

This one’s pretty straightforward. Head straight to your doctor, and they can prescribe you a course of antibiotics. 

Thankfully, UTI symptoms often clear up within a few days. But be sure to finish your full course of antibiotics anyway (which may last a week or more).

If you’re unlucky enough to get UTIs a lot, your doctor may suggest taking lower-dose antibiotics for a longer time. They might also set you up for diagnosing and treating yourself when the infections crop up.

Will a yeast infection or UTI go away on its own?

“It’s really not recommended to try to ignore these infections or to hope they’ll go away without medication,” concludes Dr. Twogood. “Especially with UTIs, they can become very painful, they can cause wider complications, and they can spread to your kidneys.” 

In other words, if you notice either set of symptoms, head straight to a health care professional. A round of antibiotics or antifungal medication will have you back to normal in a short time.