Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis as well as lichen sclerosus, an inflammatory condition that is more common in postmenopausal people, can mimic symptoms of a yeast infection.
One easy way to distinguish between these two conditions is the smell or lack thereof. Discharge from BV has a distinctive fishy odor, while yeast infection discharge tends to be odorless. BV discharge is also fairly thin, while yeast infection discharge has a thick consistency, often resembling cottage cheese.
Yeast infection symptoms can range from mild to moderate, and include: Itching and irritation in the vagina and vulva. A burning sensation, especially during intercourse or while urinating. Redness and swelling of the vulva.
“Most women who think they have a yeast infection actually do not,” she says. These phantom infections may simply be skin discomfort due to a chemical irritant or a change in discharge before menstruation.
If your yeast infection doesn't clear up with antifungal medication, you might have something else, such as a: Urinary tract infection (UTI): This occurs when bad bacteria multiply in your urinary tract, triggering symptoms such as a burning when you urinate, bloody or cloudy urine, pain during sex, and abdominal pain.
The infection may be incompletely treated, or not treated long enough. If you don't feel better after your first treatment, you may need a longer course or you may have a less common species of yeast that doesn't respond to standard medication.
Instead, they may have an STI or bacterial vaginosis (BV). STIs and BV require different treatments than yeast infections and, if left untreated, can cause serious health problems. Using treatment when you do not actually have a yeast infection can cause your body to become resistant to the yeast infection medicine.
A yeast infection causes burning, itching, redness in your vulva (the outside parts of your vagina) and changes to your vaginal discharge. A yeast infection isn't a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Other names for a vaginal yeast infection include vulvovaginal candidiasis or vaginal candidiasis.
Bacterial Vaginosis vs Yeast Infection Symptoms
Both these forms of vaginitis are typically accompanied by vaginal itching, burning sensations and discomfort, with a few key differences in symptoms. There is one typical, major difference between symptoms of a yeast infection vs BV: discharge color.
Can vaginitis go away untreated? It isn't a good idea to wait for vaginitis to disappear unless you know what's causing it. For instance, some mild yeast infections go away on their own, but not all cases do. Bacterial vaginosis usually clears up on its own, but left untreated, it can put you more at risk for STIs.
You could have a thin white or gray vaginal discharge. There may be an odor, such as a strong fish-like odor, especially after sex. Yeast infections produce a thick, white discharge from the vagina that can look like cottage cheese. The discharge can be watery and often has no smell.
Why does my boyfriend keep giving me BV? Bacterial vaginosis is caused by a change in the natural balance of bacteria in your vagina. For some people, exposure to semen can alter the bacteria in your vagina and cause BV. If this applies to you, using a condom can help reduce the risk of recurring BV.
There are several types of at-home yeast infection tests that are available for purchase, including vaginal pH test strips and self-collection kits that allow you to collect a sample at home and mail it to a laboratory for nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT).
A yeast infection can happen if your skin gets damaged. Yeast can also “overgrow” in warm or humid conditions. An infection can also happen if you have a weak immune system. Taking antibiotics can also cause an overgrowth of yeast.
Infections might be the cause. You may have bacterial vaginosis, a yeast infection, or an STI. Menopause-related hormonal changes, diabetes, or skin conditions are other possible causes. Or irritation from and allergic reactions to detergents and other products could be at work.
Certain antibiotics, diabetes, a week immune system, and normal changes in your hormone levels can lead to yeast infections. Many treatments for yeast infections, like creams, suppositories, vaginal tablets, or oral medicines have to be prescribed by a nurse or doctor.
If you don't really have a yeast infection, antifungals won't help you get better. They can actually prolong the real problem, because while you'll think you're treating the issue, the real cause will continue to develop.
In terms of how to treat thrush, you can easily and effectively treat thrush at home with Canesten® treatments which are available without prescription. We recommend you use a combination treatment to both clear the infection and calm the symptoms such as itching, burning, redness, swelling and soreness.
If your untreated yeast infection is allowed to persist for too long, complications that require medical attention can occur. These include painful sores, infertility, or even a potentially deadly bloodstream infection. Yeast (Candida) naturally lives on your skin, along with a variety of bacteria and fungi.