It starts with discomfort -- an itch, a burning sensation or an urgent need to visit the bathroom -- and you can't help but wonder: what's going on? For many women, the symptoms of thrush (a yeast infection) and a bladder infection can be similar, especially when you're unsure what to look for. To help clear the confusion, we spoke to Sherrie Palm, Founder and CEO of the Association for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Support and author of The Biggest Secret in Women's Health, to understand the key differences between these conditions, how to treat them at home and when to see a doctor.

How to tell if you have thrush or a bladder infection

Vaginal thrush and bladder infections are two common yet distinct conditions with overlapping symptoms. Below, Palm explains how they differ.

Thrush symptoms

Thrush is a yeast infection caused by an overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans, commonly affecting the vagina or mouth. "Vaginal thrush means it is occurring in the vaginal canal, but the infection can travel externally to invade all parts of the vulva (external women's genitalia)," explains Palm. Common yeast infection symptoms include:

To diagnose vaginal thrush, your healthcare provider will usually look for the above symptoms, as well as take a sample of vaginal discharge to examine under a microscope or send to a laboratory for a fungal culture.

Bladder infection symptoms

A bladder infection, also known as cystitis, is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by an overgrowth of bacteria (often E. coli) in the bladder. "A UTI is an infection that can impact any part of the urinary tract, the bladder, kidneys, urethra or ureters," says Palm, "95 percent of UTIs are bacterial in origin." A bladder infection often results in the following symptoms:

"A standard urine sample for a UTI will check for white blood cells and may detect some, but not clarify all, urine infections," says Palm. Your healthcare provider may also take "a urine culture, [which] determines a yeast vs bacterial infection."

Home remedies for thrush

If you suspect you have vaginal thrush, Palm says there are several ways to address it effectively:

Home remedies for a bladder infection

As with most UTIs, bladder infections often require a different approach, particularly if symptoms are severe:

When to seek help for thrush or a bladder infection

Knowing when to see a doctor is critical for both conditions. In general, Palm underscores staying proactive. "When discomfort from potential urinary tract or vaginal/vulva tissues does not fade by day two, seek medical guidance," she says. "Self-diagnosing is never a good direction when navigating these pivotal intersecting feminine zones." Ignoring symptoms can lead to complications, such as a kidney infection from an untreated UTI or the spread of thrush to other parts of the body.

"Mild yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter antifungals," says Palm, but if symptoms don't improve in one to two days, see your healthcare provider. Recurrent infections (four or more per year) could indicate an underlying issue like diabetes or a weakened immune system.

For a bladder infection, seek immediate attention if you have blood in your urine, severe pain, high fever or lower back pain (indicating possible kidney involvement).