9 Signs Your Yeast Infection Is Something Else

Got yourself from Monistat, but you don't show any improvements after the treatment? You might not have a yeast infection. "Most yeast infections should resolve with OTC meds," says Sara Twogood, MD, FACOG over email. "If they don't you're likely treating the wrong cause." It is possible to have a resistant yeast strain, so you'll want to see a doctor who can determine this through a culture.

Yeast infections often come with discharge, but it won't have a strong smell. "If there is an abnormal odor — an unpleasant or fishy odor— it is more likely to be caused by a bacterial imbalance known as bacterial vaginosis," says Jonathan Schaffir, MD over email. "This is a very common cause of vaginal discharge and discomfort."

"Yeast infections are not transmitted through sexual contact," says Twogood. "If your [partner] has the same symptoms, you should both be evaluated for STIs. That being said, sometimes sexual contact with a new partner can cause a temporary imbalance of the normal vagina flora, which can predispose a woman to a yeast infection. Regardless, it should be evaluated."

Discharge can be a symptom of a yeast infection, but there are copious amounts, it's likely something else. "Yeast infections are usually accompanied by white, thick, creamy, 'cottage cheese-"like discharge," says Twogood. "The texture and type of discharge changes, but women don't usually complain about the amount of discharge."

There is a common misconception that bubble baths cause yeast infections. "It is far more likely that the strong detergents, dyes, or fragrance additives that are added to such products cause irritation of the delicate vaginal skin, and there is no actual infection," says Schaffir. "Avoidance of the irritant will usually clear it up."

"The majority of vaginal infections are limited to the vulva and vagina, and they rarely make their way to the cervix, the uterus, the tubes and the pelvis/abdomen," says reproductive endocrinologist Jaime M. Knopman, MD over email. "However, some sexually transmitted diseases (think chlamydia and gonorrhea), can make their way from the vagina to the uterus, the tubes, the ovaries, and the pelvis." These can cause some serious infertility if not treated, so don’t ignore any abdominal pain.

A yeast infection doesn't cause a fever. "Although the majority of vaginal infections are super annoying, they won’t make you super sick," says Knopman. "Therefore, when a woman reports a fever as well as vaginal discharge, we start to think of things like gonorrhea, chlamydia, or even an infection in the kidneys."

"Although vaginal discomfort can make urinating super uncomfortable, pain with urination is usually the tell tale sign of a urinary tract infection," says Knopman. "In addition, women who report urinary frequency and urgency along with urinary discomfort are more likely to have a urinary tract infection rather than a vaginal infection."

"Vaginal discharge and itching may be due to trichomoniasis, an infection with an organism that is sexually transmitted," says Schaffir. "Though easily treated, it will come right back if both partners are not treated."