Chlamydia vs. Yeast
Infection: What’s the
Difference?

Written by Kathleen Morrison
Medically Reviewed by Andrea Sleeth WHNP-BC, MSCP

Key takeaways

• Chlamydia is a bacterial STI, and yeast infections come from a fungal imbalance, so each needs different treatment
• Both can cause burning, irritation, or discharge, but yeast infections usually show up fast and obvious, while chlamydia can be subtle or symptom-free
• Thick, white, clumpy discharge usually signals yeast, while thin, watery, or slightly yellow discharge can indicate chlamydia
• Testing is the fastest way to know what’s going on and get the right treatment
• It’s possible to have both at the same time, so checking helps avoid confusion and delays in care

When something feels off down there, it’s normal to spiral a little. Is it an STI? Is it a yeast infection? Are you about to Google your way into chaos?

A lot of people mix up these two conditions because some of the symptoms can feel similar, especially when everything’s itchy, irritated, or just not behaving.

But chlamydia and yeast infections come from completely different causes, need different treatments, and send your body very different signals. Getting clear on what’s actually happening means you can skip the guesswork and get the right support sooner instead of hoping things magically improve.

And the easiest way to figure it out? Start with the symptoms and get tested. With at-home testing options, you can get answers fast, treatments shipped to your door, and zero judgement—just real care when you need it.

A quick breakdown of Chlamydia vs. a Yeast Infection

Here’s a quick breakdown of how these two common conditions differ, from symptoms to treatment.

Where it shows up:

• Chlamydia: The genital area (cervix or urethra), and sometimes the rectum or throat, depending on exposure.
• Yeast infection: The vaginal and vulvar area, usually affecting external tissues.

How it usually feels:

• Chlamydia: Often very subtle—many people don’t notice symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they may include burning when you pee, unusual discharge, lower belly discomfort, or pain during sex.
• Yeast infection: Intense itching, irritation, and soreness around your vulva. Burning can happen when you pee or have sex.

Early signs to watch for:

• Chlamydia: Slightly abnormal discharge, mild pelvic discomfort, spotting after sex, or burning when you pee.
• Yeast infection: Mild itching, slight swelling, or unusual discharge.

What it looks like:

• Chlamydia: Discharge may be yellowish, white, or mucousy—or there may be no visible changes at all.
• Yeast infection: Thick, white, cottage cheese–like discharge that’s usually odorless or lightly yeasty.

How it’s treated:

• Chlamydia: Antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare provider.
• Yeast infection: Antifungal meds like creams, suppositories, or oral tablets, usually used for a few days.

How serious it can get:

• Chlamydia: Can become serious if untreated and may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), fertility issues, or chronic pain.
• Yeast infection: Usually mild to moderate, though it can come back if you have underlying triggers or imbalances.
  

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a super common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterium that’s passed through sexual contact. You can get it from vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who already has it—even if they feel totally fine.

And here’s the sneaky part: most people don’t get symptoms at all, which means you can have it without knowing and still pass it to partners.

Because it’s often silent, regular STI testing is basically your secret weapon. If you do test positive, it’s treatable with prescription antibiotics and usually clears up quickly once you start the right meds.

What is a Yeast Infection?

A yeast infection happens when Candida, a fungus that naturally hangs out in your vagina, suddenly goes into overdrive.

It’s not an STI, and you don’t “catch” it from someone else. It’s more like your vaginal ecosystem losing its balance for a minute.

Lots of everyday things can trigger that overgrowth, like antibiotics, tight synthetic underwear, high blood sugar, hormonal shifts, pregnancy, or even stress. When the balance tips, the yeast multiplies and leads to itching, irritation, and that classic thick, white discharge.

Yeast infections are super common, usually easy to treat, and nothing to feel embarrassed about. Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can get relief fast with the right prescription antifungal treatment for yeast.

Wisp treatment options are available only after consultation with a licensed medical professional. You should consult with your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement or treatment regimen. Individual results may vary.

Symptoms to help you tell the difference

When you’re dealing with weird vaginal symptoms, the details really matter. Chlamydia tends to fly under the radar and doesn’t always make a big entrance, while yeast infections usually show up loud, fast, and impossible to ignore. Paying attention to how your symptoms feel and when they started can give you major clues about what’s actually going on.

Common symptoms of Chlamydia

Chlamydia is basically the master of staying quiet. Most people don’t notice anything at all, which is exactly why regular STI testing is such a game-changer. When symptoms do show up, it usually takes a week or two after exposure.

You might notice things like:

• Vaginal discharge that looks watery, cloudy, or slightly yellow
• Burning when you pee
• Feeling like you need to pee more often
• Spotting between periods or after sex
• Pain during sex
• Rectal discomfort, discharge, or bleeding (if the infection is there)

For people with penises, symptoms can include:

• Penile discharge
• Burning during urination
• Testicular pain or swelling

Because these symptoms are subtle, it’s super easy to mix them up with something else—which is exactly why checking in with testing is always the smarter (and way less stressful) move.

Common Symptoms of a Vaginal Yeast Infection

Yeast infections, on the other hand, are not shy at all. They usually show up quickly and make themselves known with intense itching that feels like you suddenly can’t think about anything else.

Typical symptoms include:

• Strong vaginal itching or irritation (especially at night)
• Thick, white discharge that looks like cottage cheese
• Redness or swelling around the vulva
• Burning during sex or when you pee
• A general “raw” or overly sensitive feeling

These symptoms often flare right before your period thanks to hormonal shifts. Mild infections can feel annoying, but moderate or severe ones can seriously mess with your comfort—and your patience—until you get proper treatment.

Let's compare discharge

Discharge is honestly one of the easiest clues your body gives you. Both yeast infections and chlamydia can switch things up down there, but the vibe, texture, and smell are totally different. Once you know what to look for, it gets a whole lot easier to figure out what your body’s trying to tell you.

Discharge from Yeast Infections

Yeast discharge has a very “you’ll know it when you see it” energy. It’s thick, clumpy, and white—think cottage cheese levels of drama. It tends to stick to your vaginal walls, and wiping it away can feel like a whole task. The smell? Usually mild or maybe slightly sweet, but not strong or fishy.

You might notice:

• Thick, chunky, cottage-cheese-like discharge
• Minimal or slightly sweet smell
• Discharge that sticks to the vaginal walls
• More discharge as the infection ramps up
• Extra messiness that might have you swapping underwear more than usual

All of this happens because yeast is overgrowing and creating those little clusters that mix with your natural secretions.

Discharge from Chlamydia

Chlamydia comes with a very different look and feel. This discharge is usually thin and watery—not chunky at all—and can be clear, white, or slightly yellow-green. It can also creep in slowly, so at first you might just think your discharge is a bit heavier than usual.

Common signs include:

• Thin, watery discharge with more volume than normal
• Clear, white, or yellow-green color
• A smell that feels “off” or unusual (not always, but it can happen)
• Light spotting or blood, especially after sex
• Discharge that feels like it’s coming from deeper inside your body

Because chlamydia affects your cervix, the discharge often starts higher up rather than sitting on the vaginal walls like yeast does.

How to get it diagnosed

Getting a clear diagnosis is the fastest way to feel better. Chlamydia and yeast infections might share some vibes down there, but they’re completely different, and the treatments aren’t interchangeable. Wasting time on the wrong medication just drags out discomfort.

STD testing is now super convenient thanks to at-home kits. These tests generally check for chlamydia DNA or RNA using either urine or a self-collected vaginal swab. Follow the simple instructions, send it back, and your results arrive a few days after the lab receives the sample, without you needing to leave your couch.

You can also go for comprehensive panels that check multiple STDs at once, like gonorrhea and trichomoniasis. Since many STDs hide without symptoms, screening for several at once is a smart move. If you’re sexually active with multiple partners, getting tested every three to six months is a solid habit.

Plus, if it's not an STD, you can also look into vaginal swabs that pinpoint whether it’s yeast or something else.

How to treat Yeast Infections and Chlamydia

Getting the right treatment is the fastest way to feel like yourself again. Yeast infections and chlamydia might both cause discomfort down there, but they’re totally different and need different approaches. Knowing what works for each makes all the difference.

Treating Yeast Infections

Yeast infections respond really well to antifungal meds. Over-the-counter options like creams, ointments, and suppositories with miconazole or clotrimazole usually start working within a few hours, clearing things up in a couple of days.

Stubborn or recurring infections might need longer treatment or prescription options like fluconazole with the help of boric acid suppositories. Probiotics can also help support your vaginal health when you're struggling down there.

Treating Chlamydia

Chlamydia needs antibiotics to fully clear it: non-negotiable.

The usual picks are doxycycline for seven days or a single dose of azithromycin. It’s important to finish the full course, even if you’re feeling better, and make sure all sexual partners are treated too.

Most providers will also suggest avoiding sex for seven days after treatment ends to avoid reinfection.

When discharge enters the chat... Listen up

Knowing the difference between chlamydia and yeast infections gives you the upper hand on your vaginal health. Yeast infections shout “hello!” with thick, itchy, white discharge, while chlamydia often hides quietly with subtle or no symptoms, but can sneak into serious territory if untreated.

The fastest way to sort out what’s going on is testing. Whether it’s antifungal meds for yeast or antibiotics for chlamydia, the right treatment gets you feeling yourself again quickly. And yes, it’s possible to have both at the same time—one doesn’t cancel out the other.

Keeping tabs on your body, acting fast when symptoms pop up, and using tools like Wisp’s online symptom quiz and at-home testing kits make managing your sexual health way easier and stress-free. You’ve got this.

This blog post is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions based on the information provided here.