Bladder Infection And Yeast Infection

Do You Have A Urinary Tract Infection Or Yeast Infection

Can My Bladder Infection Cause A Yeast Infection? | Ask Eric Bakker

UTI vs yeast infection is a subject that majorities of women have either with each other or with their physician. This is because UTIs and yeast infections can have similar symptoms, but require different treatments.

As such, it is paramount to understand the difference between them. The fact is that most women experience a yeast infection or/and urinary tract infections at some point during their lifetime. It is advisable to see a doctor if you think you have either one of these virginal infections.

The Difference Between Urinary Tract Infection And Yeats Infection

1. Yeast Infection

Its symptoms include:

Pain when urinating

Pain during sex

Soreness

Yeast infections are easy to treat however, it is important to see your doctor the moment you think you have an infection.

Statistics On Yeast Infection

According to the National Women Health Associations report, mentioned that women and girls of all ages can get a virginal yeast infection. It continued to say that three out of four women would have a yeast infection at some point in their life. Again, almost half of women have two or more infections. Vaginal yeast infections are rare before puberty and after menopause.

2. UTI

Its symptoms include:

Intense and frequent urge to urinate

Pain when urinating

Burning feeling and itchiness

The urine may look cloudy, dark or bloody and at times have a foul smell

Statistics On UTI

Which Infections Are Worse

NIDDK . A kidney infection is usually caused by a bladder or urethra infection where the bacteria multiply and travel upward toward the kidneys.

Kidney infections can be extremely serious and painful, sometimes leading to hospitalization to receive intravenous antibiotics. If left untreated, kidney infections due to UTIs can cause infections in the bloodstream. This can be life-threatening.

Causes And Symptoms Of Utis

UTIs most often impact the bladder, occurring when bacteria work its way into the urinary tract. They can be a painful nuisance, but can be serious if the infection impacts the kidneys. Bacteria is often introduced from stool, such as when you dont wipe from front to back after going to the washroom.

Symptoms may include an intense urge to urinate, but with minimal urine production a burning sensation when you urinate cloudy or foul-smelling urine and sometimes pain in the center of the pelvis or in your back.2

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What Is A Uti

UTI stands for urinary tract infection. The urinary tract includes the kidneys, ureter, urinary bladder, and urethra. Inflammation or infection of any of these parts of the urinary tract presents with mild to extreme symptoms of discomfort during urination along with a fever, nausea, or even chills. UTIs are mostly a result of bacterial infection and are more likely to occur in women of all ages. This is because the urethra in females is shorter than that in males and the bacteria can pass easily to any part of the urinary tract in no time.

With over half of the worlds female population likely to develop a urinary tract infection at some point in their life, it is best to know when your symptoms require immediate medical attention.

How Long Does It Take To Recover

Difference Between Yeast Infection and Bacterial Vaginosis

Both UTIs and yeast infections should clear up after taking medications within days or a few weeks. You must make sure to take prescribed or over-the-counter medication as directed for the entire recommended length of time to prevent the infection from returning.

You may be able to prevent both UTIs and yeast infections by practicing good hygiene and making changes to your wardrobe. Here are some prevention tips:

Wipe from front to back after a bowel movement.
Avoid tight-fitting clothing around your genital area, such as pantyhose and restrictive pants.
Change out of wet swimsuits quickly.
Avoid scented feminine hygiene products.

Further prevention of UTIs include:

using the bathroom frequently
regularly drinking lots of fluid
urinating before and after sex

Its also possible that drinking cranberry juice can prevent UTIs. The research results are mixed. Make sure to choose a sugar-free version. If the juice is too tart, you can water it down to make the juice more palatable.

You may also be able to reduce your chances of contracting a yeast infection if you:

avoid hot baths and hot tubs
change your feminine products often
control your blood sugar if you have diabetes

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How Is Uti Treated

For UTI treatment, your doctor will typically do a urine culture, to determine the type of infection. If the infection is caused by bacteria, the doctor may recommend antibioticsoral antibiotics for lower tract infection, and intravenous antibiotics for upper tract infection. If the infection is caused by a virus, then the doctor will recommend antiviral medication.

Utis And Yeast Infections Need Very Different Treatments

The issue is not just that these two infections require different medications to relieve you of your symptoms. Its also that if you try to treat what you think is a yeast infection with over-the-counter meds when its really a UTI , you could eventually be at risk for a kidney infection, or at the very least not actually get rid of your UTI. Youre not going to get better, Dr. Minkin says bluntly about using the wrong treatment.

So, first up, yeast infections: Getting rid of yeast infections really comes down to curbing that Candida overgrowth by using antifungal medications. Depending on the severity of your infection, you might only need a single dose of meds, either vaginally or orally. But if your symptoms are intense or you have recurrent yeast infections , you may need multiple oral or vaginal doses over the course of a few weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic.

If you have a urinary tract infection, youll likely receive a prescription for a short course of antibiotics to help your body fight the bacteria, the Mayo Clinic says. If youre also experiencing pain, your provider might prescribe medication to numb your bladder and urethra when you pee, but the Mayo Clinic notes that, more often than not, your pain will lessen when you start taking the antibiotics. And this bears repeating: You should get treated ASAP because untreated lower urinary tract infections can turn into a painful and dangerous kidney infection.

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Uti Vs Yeast Infection: Causes

Despite the old wiveÃ¢s tales that continue to circulate the interwebs, if you have a UTI or a yeast infection you are not Ã¢dirtyÃ¢. And no, Ã¢not wiping properlyÃ¢ probably has little to do with either as well.

First things first. UTIs and yeast infections are really common. 50-75% of women will have at least one UTI or yeast infection at some point in their life.

UTIs are more common in early adulthood. This is due to an onset of sexual activity and high hormone levels. UTIs are also common after menopause when a decrease in estrogen levels lowers the bladderÃ¢s defense mechanisms against bacteria. Some unfortunate women are genetically predisposed to UTIs and get them their entire life.

Risk factors for yeast infections include:

Have you ever wondered why yeast infections are common after having a UTI? The vulva and vaginal opening have a healthy balance of bacteria and yeast at all times . Antibiotics kill Ã¢good bacteriaÃ¢ in addition to the little buggers who are lighting fires in your bladder. When the good bacteria are gone, yeast grow out of control and cause infections.

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Is Thrush A Uti

Whats the difference between a UTI and a yeast infection?

No, despite similarities, thrush is not a UTI. Whilst both cause itching and pain when urinating, the infections differ in many ways. Thrush is a yeast infection, caused by a build up of a fungus in a moist area. Whereas a UTI is a bacterial infection, caused by bacteria entering your urinary tract.

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Other Diagnostic Studies On Urine

In the 1970s, an assay for antibody-coated yeasts in urine was devised as a marker for infection. However, this was subsequently shown to be a nonspecific finding that was present in most yeast-containing urines that were tested, including urine samples from several patients who did not have Candida in their kidneys at necropsy .

Identification of casts containing yeasts in the urine was evaluated to distinguish upper from lower tract infection and colonization. The description of this finding in urine from patients with upper tract infections led to subsequent experimental studies in animals . In rabbits with disseminated candidiasis, casts containing hyphae and blastoconidia could be visualized within the first 3 d of infection and persisted for up to 10 d in rabbits given a higher inoculum. Although they could be seen on direct examination of a wet mount of urine, they were more easily seen when the urine was filtered and the filter was stained for fungi. It does appear that finding casts containing yeasts is a specific indicator of upper tract infection, but the technique is time consuming, requires expert evaluation, and is insensitive if wet mounts only are examined.

What Are The Risk Factors For Getting Bladder Infections And Other Uti Infections

A person is more likely to get a bladder infection if they dont urinate frequently enough. If they hold their urine in, the bacteria can collect in the bladder and lead to infection. Try to go to the bathroom at least every two to three hours to keep this from happening.

Not drinking enough water is another risk factor for bladder infections because your body doesnt move as much urine through the bladder as quickly.

Risk factors for urethritis include having a sexually transmitted infection or from trauma to the urethra, such as due to the insertion of a urinary catheter.

In addition to these specific risk factors for bladder infections, there are general risk factors for all UTI types. These include:

risk factors for uti

having diabetes, as a person experiences changes to their immune system that make them more prone to UTIs

having an enlarged prostate

having low levels of estrogen, such as when a woman is post-menopausal

having a history of kidney stones, which can block the flow of urine through the urinary tract

Women are also more likely than men to get UTIs because their urethra is shorter. The bacteria have less distance to go to reach the bladder and can cause infections.

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How Do You Know Bv Is Gone

Sometimes bacterial vaginosis clears up on its own, but its beneficial to contact your primary care provider if you have any symptoms as most cases require antibiotics to be completely resolved. Bacterial vaginosis while pregnant or if left untreated can lead to complications in pregnancy or make you more susceptible to STIs. Most treatments last for 5-7 days, though symptoms may stop bothering you within 2-3 days. Make sure to complete the cycle, even if symptoms have cleared, to reduce the chance of the infection recurring. If youre pregnant or are still experiencing symptoms after a round of treatment, you might want to have a follow-up visit.

If you think you have any type of vaginal infection, we suggest getting in touch with your primary care provider for a diagnosis.

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How To Get Rid Of Bacterial Vaginosis

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If you think that you may have BV and want to know how to get rid of bacterial vaginosis, you may want to consider seeing your gynecologist or another medical professional.

Your doctor will do a vaginal examination and take a swab sample of your vaginal discharge to test for pH factor levels. The sample of your vaginal discharge will also rule out any other potential infections, such as a yeast infection or an STD. If you are in an exclusive relationship, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic based on the color of your vaginal discharge and its odor.

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Will A Uti Or Yeast Infection Go Away On Its Own

It can be dangerous to avoid treatment for a UTI or yeast infection. While a very mild UTI or yeast infection can go away on its own, it may worsen if untreated and cause serious complications. For example, an untreated UTI can result in a kidney infection.

If you think you have a UTI or yeast infection, you should contact your doctor. There are effective treatments for both conditions. This includes over-the-counter medications for yeast infections.

Causes Of A Uti Vs A Yeast Infection

A urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria that may be in the area, and it spreads up towards the bladder, Dr. Shepherd says.

The most common bacteria that causes UTIs is E. coli, according to Rena Malik, MD, a urologist based in Baltimore and Columbia. UTIs are commonly caused by bacteria that’s spread during intercourse, so make sure you use the bathroom after sex.

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 .

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.

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What Is The Difference

Yeast Infection vs UTI

Yeast infections

A yeast infection occurs when a fungus called candida builds up and causes irritation, she said. Common symptoms include itching, burning and a thick discharge that is irritating, she said.

However, simply having yeast or having yeast show up on pap test results doesnt mean anything is necessarily wrong or that an infection is present, Selk said.

All yeast is not an infection its only an infection if its causing symptoms like redness, burning, swelling, itching and an abnormal discharge, she said. People get very worried about it but it just happens to be there, its not dangerous.

Yeast infections are common and most individuals with vaginas will get one in their lifetime, while some get them more often than others, said Selk.

Some people are more prone, for example, diabetic people potentially, when their sugars are out of control they get more yeast infections. We see them more often in pregnant women, she said.

Bacterial vaginosis

Yeast infections are not the most common type of vaginal infection bacterial vaginosis is actually more prevalent, said Kostov.

Its a little bit different. Youll still have a change in vaginal discharge thats more thin. Sometimes it can be green, she said. The discharge may have a strange smell, which likely wont happen with a yeast infection, she said.

Urinary tract infections

Special Care For Pregnant Women

When pregnant, hormonal and anatomical changes can increase the risk for urinary tract infections and yeast infections. Additionally, pregnant ladies and their babies tend to experience complications, even in the case of simple ailments. UTIs and yeast infections during pregnancy increase the risk of preeclampsia, low birth weight and premature labor.

Pregnant women who have symptoms of a UTI or a yeast infection should consult their doctor without delay. Such infections should be treated right away to prevent any severe complications. Your doctor will determine the best and safest treatment for you since some antibiotics and antifungals cannot be taken during pregnancy.

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Utis And Yeast Infections Are Both Relatively Common Fyi

Both of these issues suck all-around, but we hope shame isnt 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, . The Mayo Clinic estimates that 75% of women have had a yeast infection at some point in their lives.

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UTIs are also pretty run-of-the-mill, with about 40 to 60% of women experiencing one in their lifetime, according to the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases .

All this means that if you have either of these infections, youre not alone. Whats more, you have treatment options.

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Is It Possible To Prevent Utis And Yeast Infections

Careful attention to hygiene may help prevent some UTIs. This includes always cleaning the genital area from front to back. This practice can also help prevent yeast infections, as well as changing out of wet bathing suits or damp clothes as soon as possible. Loose-fitting cotton underwear can help reduce moisture in the genital area and may help prevent yeast infections. Avoiding products with potential irritants like douches or scented tampons can also help prevent yeast infections. However, it is not possible to completely prevent either condition from developing.

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