Overview
Yeast infections and some STDs can cause genital itching, irritation, and discharge. Yeast infections are caused by fungal overgrowth and are not sexually transmitted, while STDs are spread through sexual contact and may require different treatment. Testing helps confirm the cause.
Disease Summaries
Yeast Infection: This is a fungal infection by Candida that affects the vaginal area. Candida normally exists on skin and vaginal linings without issues. An infection occurs when the skin or vaginal lining changes in character, promoting Candida overgrowth. People with weakened immune systems or on birth control pills may be at increased risk.
STD: STDs including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV are infections primarily spread through sexual contact. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are bacterial infections that can cause pain during urination, abnormal discharge, and pelvic discomfort, but often show no symptoms. Syphilis progresses in stages, starting with painless sores and potentially leading to serious complications if untreated. HIV is a viral infection that weakens the immune system over time and can lead to AIDS if not managed. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term health effects and transmission.
Comparing Symptoms
Overlapping Symptoms
- Vaginal discomfort
- Itching
- Abnormal discharge
- Pain during intercourse
- Burning sensation
Yeast Infection Specific Symptoms
- Thick, white, "cottage cheese" discharge
- Intense itching
- No odor
- Redness and swelling of vulva
- Symptoms worsen after antibiotics
STD Specific Symptoms
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Painful urination
- Pelvic pain
- Possible fever
- May be asymptomatic
Treatment Approaches
Yeast Infection Treatment Approaches
This is usually treated with antifungal drugs, which can be given through a vaginal cream or an oral antifungal medicine.
STD Treatment Approaches
STDs are typically treated with antibiotics, often as a single dose or short course. HIV is managed with antiretroviral therapy (ART), a combination of medications taken daily to control the virus and prevent transmission.
Reviewed By:

Kenji Taylor, MD, MSc (Family Medicine, Primary Care)
Dr. Taylor is a Japanese-African American physician who grew up and was educated in the United States but spent a considerable amount of time in Japan as a college student, working professional and now father of three. After graduating from Brown, he worked in finance first before attending medical school at Penn. He then completed a fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control before going on to specialize in Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) where he was also a chief resident. After a faculty position at Stanford, he moved with his family to Japan where he continues to see families on a military base outside of Tokyo, teach Japanese residents and serve remotely as a medical director for Roots Community Health Center. He also enjoys editing and writing podcast summaries for Hippo Education.

Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD (Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN))
Dr. Kanazawa graduated from the Niigata University Faculty of Medicine and received his Ph.D. from the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine. He is working on the front line of the General Perinatal Center, including the Tokyo Tama General Medical Center and the National Center for Research in Fertility Medicine, where he provides maternal and fetal care and undertakes clinical research. At Ubie, Dr. Kanazawa has been designing the Ubie AI Symptom Checker and has taken on the role of general obstetrics and gynecology consultation at FMC Tokyo Clinic by providing fetal ultrasound and prenatal consultation.
Content updated on Mar 27, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
Was this page helpful?
Tell your friends about us.
We would love to help them too.
Still not sure if you need
to see a doctor?
Try a symptom check testHow Ubie Can Help You
With a free 3-min Yeast Infection vs STD quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms

Our AI

Your report

Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Our symptom checker AI is continuously refined with input from experienced physicians, empowering them to make more accurate diagnoses.






Ubie is recognized by healthcare and tech leaders

“World’s Best Digital
Health Companies”
Newsweek 2024

“Best With AI”
Google Play Best of 2023

“Best in Class”
Digital Health Awards 2023 (Quarterfinalist)

Which is the best Symptom Checker?
Ubie’s symptom checker demonstrated a Top-10 hit accuracy of 71.6%, surpassing the performance of several leading symptom checkers in the market, which averaged around 60% accuracy in similar assessments.
Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Donders GG, Sobel JD. Candida vulvovaginitis: A store with a buttery and a show window. Mycoses. 2017 Feb;60(2):70-72. doi: 10.1111/myc.12572. Epub 2016 Sep 30. PMID: 27687503.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/myc.12572Sobel JD. Candida vulvovaginitis. Semin Dermatol. 1996 Mar;15(1):17-28. doi: 10.1016/s1085-5629(96)80014-9. PMID: 8723820.
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1085562996800149Torrone E, Papp J, Weinstock H, (2014). Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection among persons aged 14-39 years--United States, 2007-2012. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25254560/