Yeast infections are uncomfortable, and are usually accompanied by itching, burning, and thick discharge.
While the symptoms are similar, the causes and treatments are very different.
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What Is a Yeast Infection?
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A yeast infection is common, and most women will experience at least one in their lifetimes.
A yeast infection happens 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.
The infection is rare before puberty and aftermenopause.
Yeast Infection Treatments
Most yeast infections can be treated at home with over-the-counter products.
While yeast infections are usually easy to treat, its still helpful to check in with your healthcare provider.
The antifungal may not be effective the next time you need it for a true yeast infection.
Take the following measure to prevent a yeast infection:
Yeast Infection or STD?
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasisis a relatively common sexually transmitted disease, but many have never heard of it.
This may be due to the fact that 70% of people who have it show no symptoms.
The color of your vaginal discharge may be yellow, white, or green and fishy-smelling.
Trichomoniasis is curable and requires antibiotics.
While most people with herpes dont experience symptoms, possible symptoms include painful genital sores.
Herpes does not cause a change in vaginal discharge.
Most people with HPV do not develop symptoms.
HPV is frequently discovered when a womans healthcare provider performs a routinePap smearwith HPV testing.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrheais a common STD that usually does not cause any symptoms in women.
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.
The discharge may appear white, green, or yellow.
Chlamydia can be diagnosed by a urine test or vaginal swab.
Chlamydia is curable with prescription medication from your healthcare provider.
Untreated chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, andectopic pregnancy.
You may also notice a strongfish-like odor.
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.
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.
Other skin conditions that can cause vaginal irritation includelichen planusand lichen sclerosis.
Lichen planus is because of an overactive immune system, and leads to burning and soreness of the vulva.
It can also lead to a thick yellow vaginal discharge and pain with intercourse.
Lichen sclerosis is an inflammatory condition that is more common in postmenopausal women.
Symptoms include itching and scaly, white patches of skin.
Most small cuts will heal on their own.
See your healthcare provider if you develop bleeding, foul-smelling discharge, fever, numbness, or worsening symptoms.
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, dont hesitate to see your healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, a vaginal yeast infection is not a sexually transmitted disease.
A yeast infection is a fungal infection brought on by an overgrowth ofCandidaand is not an STI.
However, if you have a yeast infection, you could pass it to your partner.
A yeast infection in a man may go undetected.
Some STDs can cause irritation, itching, and dischargesymptoms that can be mistaken for a yeast infection.
These include trichomoniasis, herpes, and genital warts.
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 yeast infection causes skin irritation.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About chlamydia.
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