UTI vs. Yeast Infection: How to Tell Which You Have

When you have that dreaded down-there itchy burning, your mind may immediately wonder if you have a UTI or a yeast infection. But which one might it be? Even if you’ve had both of these in the past, it can be hard to remember which symptoms belong to a UTI vs. yeast infection—let alone, how to find relief ASAP. 

Yes, these two conditions can cause similar symptoms, but there are differences between UTIs and yeast infections. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract, and a yeast infection is a fungal overgrowth in the vagina. Both can cause burning and discomfort in the same general area, and that’s where the confusion comes in. But because the treatments are completely different, the first step toward getting relief from those annoying symptoms is figuring out which condition you have.

Below, learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of a UTI vs. a yeast infection, plus why women in perimenopause and menopause may be at higher risk for both. We’ll also discuss when it's time to see a healthcare professional and how a Midi clinician can help.

UTI vs. Yeast Infection: What's the Difference?

The difference between a UTI and yeast infection comes down to what's causing the infection, where it occurs, and how it's treated. 

As mentioned above, a urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that affects the urinary tract, most often the bladder. A yeast infection is an overgrowth of the Candida fungus in the vagina. 

Both infections are extremely common in women and can cause burning or discomfort, but they call for different treatments: Antibiotics treat UTIs, and antifungal medications treat yeast infections.

What Is a UTI?

When bacteria—most often Escherichia coli (E. coli) from the digestive tract—enter the urethra, it can infect any part of the urinary tract, but most commonly the bladder. That’s a UTI. 

Common UTI symptoms include:

• A burning sensation when you urinate
• A frequent or urgent need to urinate, even if only a little urine comes out 
• Cloudy, bloody, or strong-smelling urine 
• Pelvic pressure or discomfort

You may also wonder: Does a UTI cause itching? Generally, it doesn’t. Vaginal itching is more common with a yeast infection or another vaginal condition.

Another common question: Is UTI discharge common? It’s not. If you see thick, white, yellow, green, or foul-smelling vaginal discharge, it’s more likely due to a vaginal infection, such as a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Women are much more likely than men to develop UTIs. That’s because the female urethra is shorter, so it’s easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. Other things that up the risk of UTIs include sexual activity, menopause, pregnancy, birth control methods like diaphragms and spermicide, certain types of birth control, and a history of previous UTIs.

Most UTIs clear up when you treat them promptly, but it's important to jump on it when you have symptoms. Left untreated, a UTI can spread to the kidneys and cause a more serious infection, and then you may need urgent medical care.

What Is a Yeast Infection?

A vaginal yeast infection occurs when there’s an overgrowth of Candida, a type of fungus that naturally lives in the vagina. Candida normally doesn’t cause problems because it's kept in balance by healthy bacteria and your immune system.

Common yeast infection symptoms include:

• Intense vaginal itching 
• External burning, especially when you urinate
• Redness and swelling of the vulva 
• A thick, white, cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge with little or no odor 

Burning during urination is the confusing symptom, since it happens with both yeast infections and UTIs. With a yeast infection, the burning usually happens when urine passes over irritated skin around the vaginal opening. With a UTI, the burning comes from within the urethra—but it can be hard to tell the difference.

Yeast infections are very common and can happen at any age. Triggers include antibiotic use, pregnancy, uncontrolled diabetes, changes in hormone levels, or anything that disrupts the vagina's natural balance of bacteria and yeast. Most yeast infections respond well to prescription antifungal medications or over-the-counter treatments.

UTI or Yeast Infection: Which Symptoms Do You Have?

While UTIs and yeast infections can cause similar symptoms, where your symptoms occur can help distinguish between them.

That thick, white discharge is the telltale sign a clinician will use to help diagnose a yeast infection; same with the frequent need to urinate and cloudy urine for diagnosing a UTI. 

Not all burning or irritation is caused by a UTI or yeast infection. Conditions such as bacterial vaginosis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) can cause similar symptoms. 

What Causes UTIs and Yeast Infections?

Although UTIs and yeast infections are caused by different organisms, anything that disrupts your urinary tract, vaginal microbiome, or natural pH balance can make an infection more likely.

Common risk factors for UTIs include:

• Sexual activity
• Wiping from back to front after using the bathroom
• Holding urine for long periods
• Hormonal changes that affect the urinary tract
• Having a urinary catheter

Common risk factors for yeast infections include:

• Taking antibiotics
• Uncontrolled diabetes or high blood sugar
• Wearing tight-fitting or damp clothing for extended periods
• Using scented soaps, sprays, or douches that can irritate the vagina
• Hormone fluctuations, including those related to pregnancy or birth control

Any shifts in vaginal pH or changes to the vaginal microbiome—the community of bacteria and other microorganisms that help protect against infection—can set the stage for unfriendly bacteria or yeast to multiply.

One common example is the antibiotic cascade. Antibiotics treat UTIs, but they can also reduce the healthy bacteria that normally keep Candida in check. The (very frustrating) result: A woman may develop a vaginal yeast infection shortly after finishing antibiotics for a UTI. 

Can You Have a UTI and a Yeast Infection at the Same Time?

Yes, it's possible to have the double whammy of a yeast infection and UTI at the same time. They share some of the same risk factors, and there’s also that antibiotic cascade we just  mentioned. 

This may lead you to wonder: Can a yeast infection cause a UTI? Not directly, but a yeast infection can disrupt the vaginal microbiome, which can then make it easier for harmful, UTI-causing bacteria to grow. Likewise, while a UTI doesn't cause a yeast infection, the antibiotics used to treat a UTI can increase the risk of a yeast infection.

If you have symptoms of both conditions, don't assume you know what's causing them or try to treat yourself with multiple over-the-counter products. A healthcare professional (like a Midi clinician) can often diagnose an uncomplicated UTI or yeast infection based entirely on your symptoms, meaning you can potentially get a prescription without needing a lab test or culture. If your symptoms are stubborn or keep coming back, they can then order testing to see exactly what is going on.

How Are UTIs and Yeast Infections Treated?

Because UTIs and yeast infections have different causes, they require different treatment.  Getting the diagnosis right is important, because guessing wrong can delay treatment, prolong your symptoms, and sometimes make the problem worse.

• UTIs are typically treated with a short course of prescription antibiotics. While some over-the-counter products can help relieve discomfort, they won't cure the infection. (Also: It’s never a good idea to use leftover antibiotics or someone else's prescription.)
• Yeast infections can easily be treated with a prescription oral pill (like fluconazole), which is often preferred for its convenience, though over-the-counter antifungal creams or suppositories are also effective options.

Why Does Menopause Raise Your Risk for UTIs?

As estrogen levels decline during perimenopause and menopause, changes in the vagina and urinary tract can make some women more susceptible to certain infections. Lower estrogen levels cause the vaginal tissue to become thinner and drier, in addition to increasing vaginal pH and reducing protective Lactobacillus bacteria that help keep harmful microbes in check. These changes are linked to a higher risk of UTIs.

Together, these changes drastically increase your risk of recurrent UTIs in menopause. (Interestingly, while UTI risks go up, natural yeast infections actually become less common after menopause, unless you are taking estrogen therapy).

These changes may be part of GSM, a common condition that can cause vaginal dryness, irritation, burning, painful sex, urinary urgency, frequent urination, and recurrent UTIs. Because GSM symptoms can overlap with those of UTIs and yeast infections, it's important to get an accurate diagnosis.

The recommended first-line treatment for GSM is low-dose vaginal estrogen to help restore the health of the vaginal and urinary tissues and reduce the risk of future infections. If you're experiencing frequent UTIs, recurring yeast infections, or ongoing vaginal discomfort after menopause, talk with your clinician about whether GSM could be contributing to your symptoms.

How Can You Prevent UTIs and Yeast Infections?

While it's not always possible to prevent UTIs or yeast infections, a few everyday habits may help lower your risk. 

To reduce your risk of a UTI: 

• Stay well-hydrated 
• Urinate after sex (to help flush out any bacteria that may be have been pushed into the urethra) 
• Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom 
• Wear breathable cotton underwear 
• Avoid douches and scented vaginal products

To help reduce your risk of yeast infections: 

• Manage blood sugar if you have diabetes 
• Wear cotton underwear, and change out of wet swimsuits or sweaty workout clothes promptly 
• Avoid douches and scented vaginal products 
• Avoid taking antibiotics unless they're medically necessary

Some people take probiotics to help maintain a healthy vaginal microbiome. While research suggests certain probiotic strains may help support vaginal health, the evidence is mixed, and probiotics shouldn't replace proven treatments or other prevention strategies.

If you're in perimenopause or menopause and experience recurrent infections, treating GSM and vaginal dryness may help address an underlying cause, rather than treating each infection as it occurs.

When Should You See a Clinician?

You should talk with a clinician when you want to confirm whether you have a UTI, a yeast infection, or some other infection. They can help you sort through the symptoms and figure out the best path forward to feeling better.

It's especially important to consult a clinician if it's your first yeast infection, if your symptoms don't improve within a few days of treatment or return within a month, or if you get three or more yeast infections within a year. Your clinician may suggest testing to rule out other infections. 

If you've had two or more UTIs in 6 months, or three or more in a year, your clinician can help identify possible underlying causes and recommend a prevention plan—such as low-dose vaginal estrogen, which is highly effective at preventing future UTIs.. If needed, they can also refer you to a local clinic for a urinalysis or urine culture

If you develop any of these symptoms below, seek prompt medical care—they may be signs that a UTI has spread to your kidneys:

• Fever or chills 
• Back or flank pain 
• Nausea or vomiting
• Blood in your urine

With Midi's virtual care, you can connect with a clinician who can evaluate your symptoms, recommend the testing or treatment you need, and help you get back on track to better health—without the disruptive itchiness and pain.

Key Takeaways

• UTIs and yeast infections can share symptoms, but they have different causes and need different treatments. UTIs affect the urinary tract and are usually caused by bacteria, while yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of Candida fungus in the vagina.
• Burning with urination is common in both, but urinary urgency and frequency are more typical of a UTI, while vaginal itching, irritation, and thick white discharge are more common with a yeast infection.
• It's possible to have both infections at the same time. A clinician can make an accurate diagnosis.
• Menopause drastically increases your risk for UTIs, as lower estrogen levels change the vaginal environment and reduce protective bacteria. However, natural yeast infections actually become less common after menopause, unless you are actively taking estrogen therapy.
• Seek health care for severe, persistent, or recurrent symptoms. Prompt diagnosis helps you get the right treatment, ease the itch and burn, and prevent complications.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check myself for a yeast infection?

While vaginal itching, irritation, and a thick white discharge can suggest a yeast infection, you can't always diagnose it with certainty at home. Other conditions can cause similar symptoms. It’s important to talk with a clinician, especially if it's your first infection or symptoms are severe.

Does drinking water flush out yeast infections?

No. Drinking plenty of water supports your overall health but won't flush out or cure a yeast infection. Because yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of Candida, they usually require antifungal treatment. 

Can you tell a yeast infection through pee?

No. A urine test can't diagnose a vaginal yeast infection. If your symptoms aren't clearly caused by a yeast infection, or if they keep coming back, a clinician will typically refer you for an in-person pelvic exam to test a sample of your vaginal discharge and find the exact cause. Burning with urination can occur with both yeast infections and UTIs.

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

Some mild yeast infections may improve without treatment, but symptoms can linger or worsen. Most UTIs require antibiotics and may become more serious if left untreated. If you're unsure which infection you have or your symptoms are severe or persistent, talk to a clinician.

How is bacterial vaginosis (BV) different from a UTI or yeast infection?

BV is caused by an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina, while a UTI is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract. A yeast infection is caused by an overgrowth of Candida in the vagina. BV often causes a fishy odor and thin discharge, while yeast infections typically cause itching and thick white discharge.