Yeast Infection ... Or Something More?

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When many women notice symptoms like a strange discharge or pain during urination, they automatically assume it is a yeast infection. But how can you be sure it’s just a yeast infection and not something more serious, like an STD?

Many STDs have the same symptoms as a yeast infection, and although it can’t be diagnosed without a physician’s test results, there are some ways to tell the difference.

Symptoms of a Yeast Infection

Yeast infections, like some STDs, can cause pain during sex and during urination. Other symptoms of yeast infections can include burning and itching. Sometimes yeast infections can cause a vaginal discharge. One way to be almost positive that it is a yeast infection and not a sexually transmitted disease is if the discharge is white, covers the walls of the vagina, and resembles cottage cheese. These are the main symptoms of a yeast infection and are similar to symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases; however, with each STD there are other symptoms that will help you distinguish between the two.

STD Symptoms

Briefly, we will talk about a few more common sexually transmitted diseases and discuss their symptoms.

Gonorrhea

Like yeast infections, gonorrhea can cause abnormal vaginal discharge, pain during urination and itching or burning of the vagina. Unlike yeast infections, gonorrhea can cause abnormal bleeding, bleeding during or after sexual intercourse, anal itching and burning and lower abdominal pain.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia can cause the vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, and pain during urination. Unlike a yeast infection, chlamydia can cause severe pelvic cramping.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis can give the vaginal discharge and pain during urination. Trichomoniasis will have a strong odor with the vaginal discharge. Symptoms of trichomoniasis usually don’t occur until 5-28 days after exposure.

As I stated earlier, the only way to be absolutely sure about what’s going on with your body is to go see your gynecologist. Knowing the difference between a few sexually transmitted diseases and a yeast infection can help you narrow down your diagnosis and put your mind at ease.