Chlamydia vs Yeast infection: symptoms and causes

Both conditions can be caused by sexual activity. Chlamydia [1] Chlamydia – CDC Basic Fact Sheet https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm typically occurs only with unprotected contact, unlike yeast infection.

Yeast infection, unlike chlamydia, can be caused many things other than sexual activity. Anything that changes the pH of the vagina can cause the fungal overgrowth of yeast infection, [4] Yeast infection (vaginal) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/yeast-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20378999 including recent antibiotic use, recent use of birth control pills with a high estrogen level, diabetes, and pregnancy.

This is a major differentiating factor. Yeast infection appears within a day or two after the inducing event; chlamydia [2] Chlamydia Symptoms https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chlamydia/symptoms/  takes 2–3 weeks to appear.

Vaginal yeast infection begins as an itch and redness of the vaginal opening that might progress, causing swelling and abundant white discharge.

Unlike yeast infection, chlamydia involves minimal itching and discharge. But chlamydia infection, [3] Chlamydia https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4023-chlamydia if left untreated, can lead to painful intercourse, bleeding with sexual activity and between periods, or even pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause lower abdominal pain and infertility.

✓ Chlamydia discharge is whitish or colorless and scanty. It can be foul smelling.

✓ Vaginal yeast infection discharge is whitish and abundant and has the texture of cottage cheese. It too can be foul smelling.

✓ Yeast infection [5] Vaginal Yeast Infection https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5019-vaginal-yeast-infection is also called vaginitis (the suffix “itis” means infection). Unlike chlamydia, it can cause irritation, redness, and swelling of the vaginal opening.

✓ Chlamydia infection is also called cervicitis (it affects the cervix, which is the deeper part of the vagina), so usually there is no visible redness, or if there is, it is minimal.