The Differences Between Vaginal Yeast Infection and STDs

For women, vaginal health issues can cause many discomfort and irritation if they are not successfully dealt with. However, not many are able to distinguish what they’re facing as many of these vaginal issues are very similar. For instance, yeast infections, some STDs and a few vaginal issues share identical symptoms such as unusual discharges, burning, and itching – thus making it challenging to know what you are suffering from.

Yeast infections occur due to an overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans. They are a common vaginal issue and can affect up to 3 out of 4 women at some point in their lifetime, according to research by Mayo Clinic. Vaginal yeast infection symptoms include itching, burning, and abnormal discharge.

To ensure that you receive the right treatment for any vaginal health issues, here are a few common issues that are usually confused with yeast infections and what their differences are.

1. Herpes

An STD like herpes can be easily differentiated with a yeast infection, due to the painful sores that occur around the genital area. However, both of them do share similar symptoms. When the genital herpes is located on the inside of the vagina, the individual can experience burning and itching sensation.

With that said, one of the main symptoms for herpes isn’t abnormal discharge. Hence, if you are going through burning and itching while facing discharge, you could be facing another vaginal issue apart from herpes. For those experiencing yeast infection symptoms in Singapore, it is crucial to seek medical advice and undergo STD testing to determine the exact cause and receive appropriate treatment. To help suppress these outbreaks, the best option is to take antiviral medications and seek a doctor when facing any discomfort.

2. Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is one of the most prevalent STDs in the world, and it can be spread through sexual contact by an infected partner. While women are the most vulnerable to this disease, it can also infect men. This is because women with trichomoniasis often show no visible symptoms. For women with trichomoniasis, they may experience a thin discharge that is clear, yellowish, greenish, or white, as well as burning and itching. Other symptoms include having a pungent ‘fishy’ smell and discomfort when peeing.

One of the significant differences between trichomoniasis and a yeast infection is the discharge and its texture. While the discharge of trichomoniasis can often be white, its thin texture consistency is what separates it from a yeast infection discharge. Yeast infection also does not have the same fishy smell that is produced by trichomoniasis. Trichomoniasis can be easily treated by antibiotics.

3. Gonorrhoea or chlamydia

Itching and burning are brought by inflammation, which is common with yeast infections, gonorrhoea and chlamydia. However, one significant factor that differentiates yeast infections from sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhoea and chlamydia is its discharge. For yeast infections, the discharge is typically white and thick, with its texture resembling cottage cheese. No other vaginal infection is also able to consistently cause the same kind of discharge as a yeast infection.

A gonorrhoea discharge is often green or white, and a chlamydia discharge can be green, yellow, or white. While both can cause a white discharge, they are not similar to the cottage cheese texture of yeast infections. If gonorrhoea and chlamydia are left untreated, it could lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause infertility. Both gonorrhoea and chlamydia are treatable by taking antibiotics, but it is vital to seek a doctor to better understand your vaginal health issues.

Conclusion

For any vaginal health issue, it is best to see a doctor that is specialised at women’s health. Our STD Clinic cares for general women’s health such as vaginal discharge, itching, and odour, as well as pregnancy and family planning. We also provide HIV testing, health checks, screening services and more to help individuals tackle their health issues, such as hair loss, genital wart removal and others.