What is the Difference Between Yeast Infection and Gonorrhea?

06/04/2025 • Giovanni Medeiros

The main differences between yeast infections and gonorrhea are the cause, symptoms, and treatment. Here are the key differences:

  1. Cause: Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of Candida, a type of fungus that normally lives in the body. Gonorrhea, on the other hand, is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
  2. Symptoms: While both yeast infections and gonorrhea can cause abnormal discharge, the characteristics of the discharge are different. Yeast infection discharge is typically thick, white, and has a cottage-cheese-like texture. Gonorrhea discharge is usually white or green and does not have the cottage-cheese texture. Additionally, gonorrhea may cause sores, warts, or blisters, which are not present in yeast infections.
  3. Treatment: Yeast infections are usually treated with antifungal medications, while gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics.

It is essential to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, as both yeast infections and gonorrhea can have similar symptoms.

Comparative Table: Yeast Infection vs Gonorrhea

Here is a table comparing the differences between yeast infections and gonorrhea:

Feature Yeast Infection Gonorrhea
Causative Agent Fungus Candida albicans Bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Transmission Not sexually transmitted, usually occurs due to an overgrowth of fungus in the body Sexually transmitted through oral, anal, or genital contact with an infected person
Symptoms Vaginal yeast infections: itching, irritation, abnormal discharge (thick, white, cottage-cheese like) Vaginal and cervical infections: painful urination, unusual discharge (white or green, not cottage-cheese like), lower abdominal pain
Diagnosis Physical examination, looking for characteristic symptoms Physical examination, urine tests, and swab tests
Treatment Antifungal medications Antibiotics (e.g., ceftriaxone, cefixime, cefotaxime, spectinomycin, cefpodoxime, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin)

It is essential to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, as some symptoms of yeast infections and gonorrhea may be similar.

Read more