Yeast Infection: Signs & Symptoms

Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on April 18, 2024
Written by Kristin Mitchell, WebMD Editorial Contributor, Sarah Vanbuskirk
6 min read

A yeast infection can feel like itching or even burning. Or you may have swelling so extreme, it leads to sores. Sexual intercourse may be painful. Whether your symptoms are mild or severe, a yeast infection can be uncomfortable.

Yeast infections are caused by a fungus. It generally causes your vagina and vulva (the tissues at the opening of the vagina) or your penis to itch. You may also have a discharge.

Knowing how to spot the symptoms of a yeast infection can help you get the most effective treatment.

Your vulva and vaginal opening or your penis may look red, swollen, and irritated. There may be a white coating or shiny sores on your vaginal or penile tissue. Your discharge may be different than normal. Your symptoms will vary depending on how severe your infection is.

Yeast infection discharge

It may be watery or thicker and look like cottage cheese. It’s usually whitish to yellowish in color. A vaginal yeast infection shouldn’t smell different than normal. Symptoms can vary from person to person.

Your symptoms depend on where the infection is and how your body responds. Your symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe. Or you may have no noticeable symptoms.

Vaginal yeast infection symptoms

Yeast infections are a common type of vaginitis or vaginal infection. Three of every four women and people with a vagina get one in their lifetime. And many have more than one.

Also known as vaginal candidiasis, if you have a vaginal yeast infection, you’ll most likely have extreme itching in and around your vagina; this is the most common symptom. In addition to itching, you might also have:

  • A burning feeling, especially when you pee or during sex
  • Swelling and redness around your vulva
  • Pain and soreness in your vagina
  • A vaginal rash
  • In severe cases, fragile skin that causes small cracks or cuts on the vulva
  • Odorless, watery or thick, white to yellow vaginal discharge

Penile yeast infection symptoms

A penile yeast infection is also called candida balanitis. This can happen when there’s an overgrowth of fungus on the penis or if you have sex with a partner who has a vaginal yeast infection.  

About 3%-11% of men and people assigned male at birth will get a yeast infection in their lifetime. It tends to happen on moist, warm, creased areas of skin such as the head of the penis and foreskin.

It’s more common if you aren’t circumcised and for children under age 4. About 1 in 30 uncircumcised people will develop a yeast infection. It’s also more common if you have phimosis, which means the foreskin doesn’t easily pull back over the penis.

The symptoms include:

  • Itching and burning at the head of your penis or under the foreskin
  • Redness on the penis, usually in patches
  • A thick, white substance in the skin folds of the penis, and moistness
  • Shiny, white areas on the penis
  • Shiny blisters or sores on the penis
  • Foul-smelling discharge
  • Trouble pulling back the foreskin
  • Flaky, crusty, or peeling skin after the infection

Sometimes the symptoms of a yeast infection can be more serious and require extra care. Or you may get repeated infections. You might need a longer course of treatment or a prevention plan with your doctor to keep the infection from coming back. Severe yeast infections are also called complicated yeast infections. 

You can get a more complicated infection if:

  • You’re pregnant
  • You have uncontrolled diabetes
  • Your immune system is weakened by medications you’re taking or a health condition like HIV
  • You douche, which can kill bacteria that help to control the growth of fungus

Your infection might also be more complicated if it’s caused by a different type of fungus than what commonly causes yeast infections. This can mean the usual over-the-counter treatments are not as effective.

Signs of a complicated infection include:

  • Symptoms (such as redness, swelling, and itching) so severe that it causes tears or sores
  • A recurrence of yeast infection four or more times in a year

 

 

 

Vaginal yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis (BV) are different types of vaginitis. BV is caused by bacteria rather than a fungus. Both infections can cause itching and a burning feeling when you pee. However, other symptoms are not the same.

You may have BV rather than a yeast infection if your vagina has a bad smell or if you have a thin, white, green, or gray discharge. 

See your doctor if you think you may have BV or if you’re not sure what infection you have.

Both infections may cause discomfort and a burning sensation when you pee. But while a yeast infection causes symptoms like vaginal itching and a thick or watery odorless discharge, a urinary tract infection (UTI) does not. If you have a UTI, you may have these symptoms instead:

  • A strong urge to pee
  • Cloudy or bloody pee
  • Strong-smelling pee
  • Frequent peeing
  • Pelvic pain, if you have a vagina

Call your doctor if your symptoms don’t improve within 72 hours of starting treatment. Call right away if you have any signs of a complicated infection.

You should also make an appointment with your doctor if:

  • You’ve never had a yeast infection before.
  • Your symptoms don’t get better or return after treatment with an over-the-counter cream or suppository.
  • You have new or unusual pain or discharge in your genital area.
  • You get other symptoms.
  • You have pain during sex.

If you think you have a yeast infection but aren’t sure, it’s important to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Your doctor can also let you know if something else may be causing your problems.

Treatment can help relieve your symptoms, keep an infection from becoming severe, and prevent you from spreading any potential infections during sex.

 

 

If you have itching around your vagina or penis and a thick, white, chunky, or watery discharge, there’s a chance you have a yeast infection. Call your doctor if you’re not sure. Over-the-counter treatments often provide relief in a few days. 

  • How do I know if I have a yeast infection? You likely have a yeast infection if you have common symptoms like vaginal or penile itching, redness, or swelling, burning while peeing, and a watery or thick, chunky discharge. If you have other symptoms or you’re not sure, check with your doctor.
  • Will a yeast infection go away on its own? It’s possible for a mild yeast infection to go away on its own in about a week. But it also might get worse—and you might end up with more severe symptoms and need more intensive treatment. 
  • What cures a yeast infection fast? Over-the-counter antifungal treatments can cure most yeast infections in a few days. Medications are usually applied for 1, 3, or 6 days.
  • How do I know if it’s a yeast infection or STD? The best way to know for sure is to get checked by your doctor. Many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) cause symptoms similar to a yeast infection like vaginal itching, redness, and pain while you're peeing. But if you have an odorless, thick, chunky discharge and no other concerning symptoms, you probably have a yeast infection.