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Understanding the Differences Between Yeast Infections and UTIs
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Causes and Nature of Yeast Infections
A yeast infection, also known as candidiasis, is primarily caused by an overgrowth of a fungus called Candida. Candida naturally resides in small amounts in the vagina, mouth, and digestive tract. However, certain factors can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria and yeast, leading to an overgrowth of Candida and causing a yeast infection. To learn more about the specifics of Yeast Infections visit our blog here!
Causes and Nature of UTIs
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most UTIs involve the lower urinary tract – the bladder and the urethra. UTIs are caused by bacteria, with Escherichia coli being the most common culprit. To learn more information solely regarding UTIs visit our blog here!
Symptom Differences Between Yeast Infections & UTI’s
The symptoms of a yeast infection include:
- Intense itching and irritation in the vagina and vulva.
- A burning sensation, especially during urination or intercourse.
- Redness and swelling of the vulva.
- White, odorless vaginal discharge with a thick appearance.
Symptoms of UTIs include:
- A strong, persistent urge to urinate.
- A burning sensation when urinating.
- Passing frequent, small amounts of urine.
- Cloudy, dark, bloody, or strange-smelling urine.
- Pelvic pain in women, particularly in the center of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone.
Key Differences Between Yeast Infections and UTIs
- Location of Infection:
- Yeast Infections: Affect the vaginal area.
- UTIs: Affect the urinary tract, including the bladder and urethra.
- Cause:
- Yeast Infections: Caused by an overgrowth of the Candida fungus.
- UTIs: Caused by bacterial infections, commonly E. coli.
- Symptoms:
- Yeast Infections: Include vaginal itching, burning, swelling, and thick discharge.
- UTIs: Include a strong urge to urinate, burning sensation during urination, and cloudy or bloody urine.
- Diagnosis and Treatment:
- Yeast Infections: Through the SheMed Yeast Infection Test.
- UTIs: Through the SheMed UTI Test.
Remember!
Understanding the differences between yeast infections and UTIs can be helpful for deciphering which test to take, but it's okay if you aren’t right in your assumption. To be confident you have the resources to treat either condition, have a SheMed Bundle in your cabinet at all times!
To purchase or learn more about our Women’s Health Kits, go here and follow us on Instagram to keep caught up on new product launches, exclusives, women’s health tips, and more. @SheMed_official.
This following story is a 100% true cautionary tale about my dear friend whose family vacation was somewhat compromised due to her yeast infection not getting properly solved prior to departing America.
During my friend’s last week at home before departing to Europe for over a month, she spent ample time sunbathing and swimming as wanted to look and feel her best for the journey ahead.
Since she was leaving for such a prolonged time it also meant she had to soak up as many moments with her boyfriend as she could. Unfortunately this combination of nonstop swimming & swooning led her to develop a yeast infection. She knew something was wrong so she went to her gynecologist to receive tests for a UTI and a yeast infection.
Sadly, the gynecology office took over a week to get back to her and it wasn’t until multiple days into her travel that she received the news of a positive yeast infection test.
She felt uncomfortable, itchy, and overall sick, though she didn’t want to spoil the rest of the family’s plans so she kept quiet assuming they couldn’t notice, until one day, the infection made itself known.
The yeast infection had started to spread and my friend’s entire body was soon covered with a red uncomfortable rash. She was not only experiencing physical symptoms by this rash but she was also embarrassed to be out in public looking this way.
It was a complicated and long process to try and receive the correct medication for her situation. She tried a cream at a nearby Italian drugstore, and when that did not work she went to five other local drug stores near and far, with her father, trying to find an alternate solution while showing her diagnosis.
It wasn’t until her family moved locations to a larger city, two whole weeks later, that she was able to consult with a hospital. Even then, they were not sure what to prescribe and she had to do her own research and ask for a specific medication.
This story truly highlights the urgency of getting both tested and treated immediately when you are feeling onset symptoms to prevent spreading, and prolonged pain. Going forward, my friend has since been stocked up on our yeast infection tests, so she will never leave the country before receiving instant access to care again and treatment.
Google can be very misleading with at home remedies.
That is a lesson I have learned countless times before with at home hair dying, face masks, and more; but nothing solidified that lesson further than when my best friend and I turned to douching.
We both had serious boyfriends at the time and were having sex frequently. We were very open to talking about our sex lives and we would always share tips and tricks to improve the experience. One thing we were always conscious about was odor and cleanliness. We never wanted to feel embarrassed and always wanted to feel confident so we turned to the internet and tried many different outlets that were in our reach at home.
One day as we were walking the aisles of CVS together we saw douches and remembered seeing them as a great option to keeping your vagina at its healthiest state, so of course, we decided to try it. From the packaging, our understanding was that it just gives a thorough clean, and there are no real downsides to trying it.
We were wrong!
After we got back to our dorms we were excited to try our new product so we went to the communal bathrooms and were dying of laughter from a few showers away about how we get so easily persuaded into these things.
The next morning is when we realized that we made a big mistake.
We were both dealing with the itchiest, most uncomfortable situation we have ever endured. We texted each other during class so confused what happened and wondering if we did something wrong.
It turned out that douching can actually cause an overgrowth of harmful bacteria that can cause you to develop a yeast infection.
After class we made our way to the health center and had to sheepishly admit what we had done as well as call our moms so they were aware what the medication charge was for.
Thankfully any young women who get bold with online suggestions can now purchase SheMed’s Bundle and be prepared for any aftermath from the comfort of your own home.