STD vs UTI: How To Tell One From The Other.

  If you're confused about your symptoms and whether they might be indicative of a UTI or STD, this breakdown can help.

When it comes to your sex life, there are a lot of acronyms out there — the fun ones, such as DTF or DTR are just as confusing to keep up with as the more serious likes of UTI, STI, and STD. While no one really likes to talk about the latter three, it's sexually and medically important (and responsible!) to know the differences between them, so you can recognize the symptoms and seek proper treatment if and when you need it. Here's the difference between UTIs and STIs, how to tell if it's a UTI vs STD/STI depending on your symptoms, and what to do about it.

What Is a UTI?

  A UTI, or urinary tract infection, is an infection that affects any part of the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. The majority of UTIs are caused by bacteria, most commonly Escherichia coli (E. coli), although other bacteria and, in some cases, fungi can also be responsible.

UTIs are more common in women than in men due to differences in anatomy; the shorter urethra in women makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. Risk factors for UTIs include sexual activity, the use of certain types of birth control (such as diaphragms or spermicides), menopause, urinary tract abnormalities, urinary catheterization, suppressed immune system, and conditions like diabetes. But is a UTI an STD? Nope. 

UTIs are not a sexually transmitted disease or infection, though the condition is often mistakenly categorized as such. "It's not necessarily caused by sexual contact or partner-to-partner transmission, but rather involves bacteria from the rectum or skin entering the urinary tract," explains ​​Alyssa Dweck, M.S., M.D., FACOG and Uqora medical advisor. This is why many medical professionals recommend vulva owners urinate after intercourse to help expel any excess bacteria that may build up during foreplay and sex.

"It's not a myth. Peeing after sex clears the urethra of bacteria and can reduce the transmission of UTIs and STIs," affirms Goody Howard, M.S.W., M.P.H., resident sex educator for sexual hygiene and body care company Royal. That said, sex isn't the only way bacteria can get into your urethra and cause a UTI. If you're wiping back to front after using the bathroom (especially after pooping), you could spread bacteria from your rectum to your urethra, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The hormonal changes that menopause causes can increase your risk of UTIs, as can certain conditions that can weaken your immune system (since your body isn't able to fight bacterias as well), such as diabetes, according to the American Urological Association.

Using spermicides or a diaphragm as contraception may increase your risk of contracting a UTI, according to the Mayo Clinic; research suggests it's because they can both cause changes your vaginal flora (aka healthy bacteria). 

Symptoms:

If you do develop a UTI, the most common symptoms include burning with urination, frequency of urination (even if very little is coming out), and urgency of urination. Also, symptoms may also include pain, fever, chills, and blood in the urine should the infection go untreated, which is why seeking medical attention is always advised. Another reason to see a doc? Sometimes these symptoms can reflect something entirely different as in, yes, an STI or STD.

What Is an STI or STD?

   STI stands for Sexually Transmitted Infection, while STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Disease. The terms are often used interchangeably, although some people prefer to use STI to emphasize that not all infections lead to noticeable disease symptoms. An STI or STD is an infection or disease that is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex. These infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi. Common examples of STIs/STDs include:

1. Chlamydia: Caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and can infect the genitals, rectum, or throat.

2. Gonorrhea: Caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae and can infect the genitals, rectum, or throat.

3. Syphilis: Caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum and can progress through various stages if left untreated.

4. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection: Caused by certain strains of the HPV virus and can lead to genital warts or various types of cancers.

5. Herpes: Caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and can cause sores or blisters in the genital or oral area.

6. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection: Caused by the HIV virus, which attacks the immune system and can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

7. Hepatitis B and C: Caused by hepatitis B and C viruses, which primarily affect the liver and can be transmitted sexually.

8. Trichomoniasis: Caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis and can cause vaginal or urethral infection.

   It's important to practice safe sex by using condoms or other barrier methods, getting regular sexual health check-ups, and engaging in open and honest communication with sexual partners to prevent the spread of STIs/STDs. If you suspect you may have an STI/STD, it's important to seek medical advice and get tested and treated as necessary.

  Tho, all these can have variable symptoms including painful urination, vaginal discharge, bleeding with sex, vaginal odor, rash, genital bumps — or, again, can present with no symptoms at all. They can be transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex — though some STIs can also be spread through non-sexual means such as via blood, and some can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth as well.

How Can You Tell the Difference Between a UTI and STI?

   This is where it gets tricky. Because the symptoms of UTIs and STDs can overlap, it may be difficult to tell exactly what you're dealing with. In fact, one study found that ER doctors misdiagnosed STIs and UTIs more than half the time.

   Certain STIs including gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomonas might cause symptoms such as painful or frequent urination, similar to a UTI," says Dr. Dweck. Patients with herpes who are having an outbreak sometimes complain that they experience burning when urinating, says Dr. Olcha; however, herpes usually presents with painful vesicles (bumps), which is not a symptom of UTIs. This all sounds scary, but rest assured: A quick visit to your ob-gyn can clear the air. To determine if you have a UTI, your doctor will analyze a urine sample for bacteria or high levels of white blood cells, which are signs of infection, or send a urine culture to a lab. If they do indeed think you have a UTI, your doc will likely prescribe a round of antibiotics to clear the infection. Some doctors may also provide a mild bladder analgesic(a pain relief medication) to provide quicker relief. Depending on your symptoms — or if you think there's a possibility it may be something other than a UTI — your doctor may recommend you do an STI test as well. If they don't offer or recommend it, you can always ask to do an STI test. (After all, it can't hurt — and here's how often you should be getting tested for STIs anyway.) STI tests are analyzed in a lab and often take a few days to come back with results. 

No matter what you have going on, a visit to your doctor to confirm the sitch — whether it's a UTI vs STD or STI, and the appropriate course of treatment — can have you feeling better.