UTIs and Vaginal Infections: How to Tell the Difference

A burning sensation, irritation, discharge — you know something’s off, but is it a UTI or a vaginal infection? At Be. Women’s Health in Frisco, TX, we help you tell the difference so you get the right treatment quickly.

UTIs typically cause:
✔ Burning with urination
✔ Increased urgency/frequency
✔ Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
✔ Pelvic pressure
✔ Sometimes blood in the urine
UTIs usually do not cause discharge.

Vaginal infections (yeast or BV) usually cause:
✔ Vaginal discharge
✔ Itching or irritation
✔ Odor (BV)
✔ Thick white discharge (yeast)
✔ Redness or swelling

Yeast infection symptoms:
• Thick, white, “cottage cheese” discharge
• Intense itching

BV symptoms:
• Thin gray discharge
• Strong “fishy” odor
• Worsens after sex

When to be seen immediately:
• Fever
• Back or side pain
• Symptoms lasting more than 48 hours
• Recurrent infections
• Uncertain diagnosis

The good news? Most vaginal and urinary infections are easy to treat — especially when identified correctly.

Not sure if it’s a UTI or infection? Book a same-week appointment at Be. Women’s Health in Frisco.