Whether it’s after sex, a day at the beach, or just a regular Friday, having any discomfort and itching … there … can ruin anyone’s day. Every woman knows there’s nothing more uncomfortable and painful than having burning or itching sensations down below. Whenever we get that slight “uh-oh” burning feeling, we immediately wonder what’s going on south of the border. Many women are quick to assume and self-diagnose by looking online and reading some symptoms that match theirs. Most of the time, burning and itching can mean that you have either a UTI or a yeast infection. 

The biggest problem that many women go through is trying to decipher which one they have. While both infections are incredibly uncomfortable and annoying to deal with, they both have vastly different treatment options. Therefore, knowing which one you have is imperative to treating it and making sure it goes away and doesn’t come back.  

So, how do you tell the two apart?

The reason many people struggle with identifying their infection is because UTIs and yeast infections have similar symptoms. Both infections have burning and itching, and both cause painful urination (via SELF). However, there are a few major differences between the two. 

UTIs happen because of a bacterial infection. This can be from wiping incorrectly, wearing clothing that lets in too much moisture — such as spandex at the gym or a wet bathing suit — or from intercourse. Yeast infections are different because they are caused from an overgrowth of the Candida fungus. Ironically, yeast infections can stem from UTIs if you happen to be on antibiotics, as they are known to be correlated. 

UTIs tend to cause other symptoms associated with going to the bathroom, like frequent urination, even when you don’t have to go (via Healthline). If a UTI gets too aggressive, you can also have a fever and severe lower back pain. On the contrary, yeast infections cause some foul smelling odors from your vaginal area and also cause thick discharge that can be milky white. When you have a yeast infection, you also may have a swollen vulva along with your symptoms (via Medical News Today). 

The most important thing is that if you think you have either infection, you go to see a doctor immediately. A doctor will be able to diagnose your infection, put you on the right medications, and help you monitor your symptoms. And buy some cranberry juice, just to be safe. 

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