Do yeast infections make you have to pee

UTIs most often affect the bladder (this type of infection is more formally known as cystitis) and the urethra (urethritis). These two conditions don’t always cause symptoms, but when they do, they can manifest as a frequent urge to pee (especially torturous because you’re usually producing very little urine with a UTI), cloudy urine, blood in your urine, and pelvic pain or pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic. They might also feature urine that smells like ammonia, Alyssa Dweck, M.D., clinical consultant at Massachusetts General Hospital Vincent Memorial Ob/Gyn Services and coauthor of The Complete A to Z for Your V, tells SELF. Infections of the urethra can cause discharge that tends to be yellowish-green and thick or clear and thin, the Merck Manual says.

When left untreated, a UTI in the lower urinary tract can spread to the kidneys, which can lead to serious health issues and possibly even be life-threatening. The symptoms of a kidney infection can include fever, chills, a burning sensation while you pee, nausea, vomiting, blood in your urine, foul-smelling pee, and pain in your back, side, abdomen, or groin, according to the Mayo Clinic.

“Those are the tell-tale signs of a UTI,” Dr. Dweck says. “The tell-tale signs of a yeast infection are very different.”

Here’s the deal with yeast infections.

Yeast infections happen when a fungus known as Candida builds up too much in your body and wreaks havoc. Candida isn’t actually always a cause for concern, though. In fact, the CDC says it’s normal to find Candida in warm, moist (sorry) body parts like your throat, mouth, gut, and, you guessed it, vagina. Candida can become a problem, however, when it overgrows to the point of causing an infection.

What can contribute to this overgrowth of Candida in the vagina specifically? Well, Candida exists alongside bacteria called Lactobacillus that help to maintain the crucial balance of microorganisms in the vagina, the Mayo Clinic explains. Changes in estrogen (like from pregnancy, birth control, and hormone therapies) can throw off this balance, as can taking medications like antibiotics. Wearing damp clothes next to your vagina for too long can also increase your risk, as it creates a wet, Candida-friendly environment, the Mayo Clinic says. (This is why changing out of your swimsuit, workout leggings, and the like ASAP is always a good idea.)

Then there’s the question of how to tell the symptoms of a yeast infection apart from those of a UTI. We hate to break it to you, but there can be some similarities—namely, a burning sensation, especially when you pee, according to the Mayo Clinic. The other possible symptoms of a yeast infection are pretty different from those of a UTI; they include itchiness, irritation, swelling of the vulva, and the hallmark thick, white discharge that doesn’t have an odor. “If somebody’s got a white cottage-cheese discharge…and the vulva looks swollen and red, that’s probably a yeast infection,” Dr. Minkin says. Yeast infections can also cause watery vaginal discharge, for what it’s worth.

UTIs and yeast infections are both relatively common, FYI.

Both of these issues suck all-around, but we hope shame isn’t part of your discomfort. Every year there are an estimated 1.4 million outpatient visits for yeast infections in the United States, the CDC says, (and given the prevalence of over-the-counter treatments, the exact number of cases is unknown). The Mayo Clinic estimates that 75% of women have had a yeast infection at some point in their lives.

Discomfort and pain in your genital area can be a scary thing—especially when you’re not sure what it is or why it’s happening. Quite often, the discomfort and pain is the result of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a vaginal yeast infection (sometimes known as vaginal Candidiasis). Chances are, you have heard of and may have even experienced one or both of these highly common conditions. What you may not know is the differences between them.

Although both types of infection may seem similar, their causes, symptoms, and treatments are quite different. A UTI is a bacterial infection that occurs in any part of the urinary tract, which contains the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. A yeast infection is a fungal infection that affects the genitalia.

It is important to know the differences between a UTI and a yeast infection so that you or someone in your care can get the right treatment.

To put it simply, UTIs and yeast infections are different infections. Their symptoms may be in the same general area, but they are very different presentations.

UTI symptoms typically affect urination, while yeast infection symptoms include pain and itchiness in your vagina and vulva. Here is a look at the symptoms of each infection.

UTI symptoms

Intense, frequent urge to urinate
Burning sensation or pain when urinating
Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
Blood in the urine
Pain in the side, lower abdomen, or back
Lower abdominal pain
Nausea and/or vomiting
Fever

The latter symptoms of a UTI—nausea, vomiting, and fever—are typically associated with more serious kidney infection. If you are experiencing those more severe symptoms, seek in-person medical care as soon as possible to get proper treatment.

Yeast infection symptoms

Intense burning on the outside of your body during urination (due to irritated skin)
Pain or burning during sexual activity
Itching, irritation, and swelling of the vagina and vulva
Thick, odorless vaginal discharge that is white (looks like cottage cheese) to yellow-green in color

Yeast infection? Chat with a medical professional today and get relief fast.

Get Started

Causes

UTIs are caused by bacteria getting into and building up in the urinary system. Yeast infections develop when a fungus builds up on a moist area of skin, such as the genitals. For each, this can happen in a variety of ways.

Causes of a UTI

UTIs are generally caused by bacteria (most commonly Escherichia coli or E. coli) that enter the body through the urethra and then target the urinary tract.

Women’s physiology puts them at a higher risk of getting a UTI compared to men. In fact, it’s estimated that more than 50% of all women will experience a UTI during their lifetime.

This is because a woman’s urethra is shorter and closer to the anus, making it easier for bacteria to travel from the anus or vagina, through the urethra, to the bladder and kidneys. UTIs can often be the result of:

Wiping from back to front after a bowel movement (this cause is more common in children)
Abnormalities in the shape of your urinary tract
Sexual activity
Contraceptive methods such as diaphragms and spermicides
Urinating without fully emptying the bladder or holding it in

Causes of yeast infections

Yeast infections are caused by a fungus, most commonly candida albicans. Candida normally lives in your vagina and other places on your body without incident.

However, it has the potential to cause an infection when able to grow and multiply. When this happens, the ‘good’ bacteria called lactobacillus are no longer able to effectively keep candida growth under control. This can occur due to:

Antibiotics
Pregnancy
Uncontrolled diabetes
An impaired immune system (immunocompromised)
Hormonal imbalance
Wearing tight-fitting or wet clothing

Can a yeast infection cause a UTI?

Yeast infections are not known to cause UTIs, but taking antibiotics to treat a UTI can sometimes cause a yeast infection. It is also possible to have both infections at the same time.

Who Gets UTIs and Yeast Infections?

While UTIs and yeast infections are more common in women, men and children can also experience both types of infections.

For men, common causes of urinary tract infections are kidney stones and enlarged prostates. When it comes to yeast infections, men can also experience a condition known as balanitis, or inflammation of the head of the penis. Uncircumcised men are more susceptible to yeast infections and balanitis. Yeast infections are not sexually transmitted between partners.

Children are more likely to experience a UTI than a yeast infection, although yeast infections are common among growing girls. Symptoms are typically the same as adults and will require a visit to a pediatrician for proper diagnosis and treatment.

How Long Does Each Infection Last?

The severity of the infection and the treatment method determine how long both a yeast infection and a UTI lasts. A UTI generally goes away 1-2 days after starting antibiotics. A complicated UTI, on the other hand, can take several days to weeks to fully treat. Similarly, a mild yeast infection can go away after a few days.

Diagnosing UTIs vs. Yeast Infections

To diagnose either of these infections, your doctor will start by asking about your symptoms and any previous infections. They may also ask if you have any concerns about sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

If you have had a UTI or a yeast infection before, let your doctor know if the symptoms you have right now are similar or different.

Diagnosing a UTI

Typically, a doctor can diagnose a UTI just by hearing about your symptoms and taking a medical history.

If the cause of your symptoms is unclear, the next step is to test your urine. These urine tests will confirm if you have a UTI and what type of bacteria is causing it. After all, some bacteria are resistant to certain types of antibiotics.

Diagnosing a yeast infection

An experienced doctor can often diagnose a yeast infection based on the history and symptoms you discuss. If you are seeing a provider in person, your doctor will examine you to evaluate the discharge and take a sample of vaginal fluid with a cotton swab to send to the lab. These lab tests can also be used to identify other causes of discharge, such as STIs.

Treatment for UTIs vs. Yeast Infections

UTIs and yeast infections both require treatment. Avoiding treatment can lead to further, more serious complications. Luckily, both infections are relatively easy to treat.

UTI treatment

Once your doctor diagnoses a UTI, the standard line of treatment is an antibiotic prescription. The type of antibiotic depends on the type of bacteria causing the infection and how severe the infection is upon diagnosis.

You should start taking the antibiotic immediately and expect to begin feeling some relief within a few days. It is important to finish the entire round of prescribed antibiotics, even if your symptoms dissipate earlier. This will prevent the UTI from coming back.

There are also home remedies that can be used to treat your UTI symptoms, though these should not replace antibiotic treatment entirely. Things like cranberry juice, herbal supplements, and lots of water can ward off your symptoms and aid in faster treatment. You can read more about home remedies for UTI here.

Yeast Infection treatment

Yeast infection treatment requires an antifungal medication. These medications can be prescribed or purchased over-the-counter (OTC). The medications come in several forms, such as creams, ointments, tablets, and suppositories. The treatment time can range from a day to a week. It is important to complete the entire treatment in order to completely clear up the infection.

Prevention

While UTIs and yeast infections can often be caused by factors out of your control, there are some things you can do to make yourself or someone in your care less susceptible to these infections.

Preventing UTIs

Being aware of the risk factors may help you change your behavior and, possibly, prevent future UTIs. Here are some UTI prevention tips:

Drink plenty of fluids
Urinate regularly (don’t hold in urine)
Do not use douches or deodorant sprays, which may irritate the urethra, in the genital area
Wipe from front to back after urination and bowel movements
Urinate before and after sex

Preventing yeast infections

Yeast infections are rarely serious, but the symptoms are uncomfortable. You can help prevent them with these simple tips:

Practice good hygiene by keeping moist areas of the skin clean
Use a mild soap
Wear underwear made from natural materials such as cotton
Change out of wet swimsuits and exercise attire as soon as possible

When to See a Doctor

If you experience any pain, itching, burning, or general discomfort in your genitals, contact a doctor. Both infections can be the result of something more serious and can lead to further complications when left untreated. It is important for your doctor to diagnose the infection and prevent it from worsening.

Yeast infection? Chat with a medical professional today and get relief fast.

Get Started

How K Health Can Help

Did you know you can get affordable UTI treatment with the K Health app? Download K to check your symptoms using our AI-driven symptom checker and, if needed, text with a doctor in minutes. K Health’s board-certified, U.S.-based doctors can provide a treatment plan and prescription to resolve your symptoms as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a yeast infection cause UTI symptoms?

While yeast infections are not known to cause UTIs, they can have common symptoms. Burning while urinating is an example of a symptom that can occur in a UTI and yeast infection.

Can you get a yeast infection from a UTI?

Taking antibiotics to treat a UTI can sometimes cause a yeast infection. If that happens, contact your doctor to get proper treatment.

Is there itching with a UTI?

Itching in the infected area is not a typical symptom of a UTI, but it is a common symptom of a yeast infection. If you're experiencing vaginal itching, contact a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Why do I keep getting UTIs and yeast infections?

Chronic UTIs can occur as a result of kidney or bladder stones, bacteria entering the urethra during intercourse, changes in estrogen levels during menopause, abnormal urinary tract shape, or a genetic predisposition for urinary infection.

K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.