Can a Yeast Infection Cause Bleeding?

Written by

Jessica Guht

Jessica is a medical writer with an unquenched thirst to discover something new. She believes that medical content should be accessible to everyone and strives to write content that every single person can understand. When Jessica isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading a book with a dog cuddled in her lap. Jessica has a Masters of Engineering degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Medically reviewed by

Amy Dougherty, FNP-BC, AGAC

Amy is a Board Certified Family Health Nurse Practitioner (FNP) with over 15 years of experience working in Hospital Medicine, Urgent Care and Primary Care practices. Amy graduated Thomas Jefferson University with high distinction earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2008, a Master of Science in Nursing in 2010 and a Post Master's Certificate in Adult Gerontology Acute Care (AGAC) in 2014. She was recognized by the Elite American Nurses Association in 2013 for her dedication, achievements and leadership in the field Nursing. She served as a clinical preceptor for a number of Nurse Practitioner students and enjoys teaching the bright minds of future NPs.

Yeast infections can be quite uncomfortable and frustrating to deal with and manage on your own. You may experience a variety of symptoms including itching, burning, and discomfort in the vaginal area but can a yeast infection cause bleeding as well?

The short answer is yes, it is possible for a yeast infection to cause a little bleeding or spotting but not as a direct result of the infection itself. Bleeding is not a common symptom of yeast infections.

If you are experiencing heavier bleeding or the bleeding is persistent, it most likely isn’t due to a yeast infection and there may be another underlying issue that needs to be addressed.

Key takeaways

• Yeast infections can indirectly cause light bleeding or spotting, but it’s not a common symptom.
• The bleeding could be due to irritation, tears, cracks, or sores in vaginal tissue caused by the yeast infection.
• Heavier bleeding or persistent bleeding could indicate another underlying issue.
• If you experience heavy or persistent bleeding, see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Continue reading to learn more about yeast infections and bleeding, including possible causes and when to see a doctor.

Table of Contents

• What Is a Yeast Infection?
• What are the Common Symptoms of a Yeast Infection?
• Does a Yeast Infection Cause Bleeding or Spotting?
• Other Possible Causes for Your Bleeding
• When to See a Doctor?
• Key Takeaways

What Is a Yeast Infection? 

Let’s first take a closer look at what a yeast infection is exactly and what can cause it.

A yeast infection, also known as candidiasis, is a common fungal infection that is caused by an overgrowth of a yeast-like fungus, usually Candida albicans.

Candida is normally found in small amounts in the human body, including in the vagina, mouth, digestive tract, and on the skin, without causing any problems. However, under certain conditions, this fungus can multiply rapidly, leading to an infection.

What are the Common Symptoms of a Yeast Infection?

There are some common symptoms of a yeast infection to be aware of. These include but are not limited to:

• Redness and swelling of the vulva
• A burning sensation while peeing or during intercourse
• Vaginal rash
• Genital soreness
• Intense itching and irritation in the vagina and vulva
• A vaginal discharge that is odor-free, white, and thick.

In some cases, the symptoms may be more severe such as extensive redness and itching that can lead to a break in the skin and, in turn, a skin infection. You’d likely notice bleeding in this circumstance and would want to make sure you get it cleared up so this doesn’t get worse.

Does a Yeast Infection Cause Bleeding or Spotting?

Yes, a yeast infection can cause bleeding, but not as a direct result of the infection itself.

Yeast infections may cause intense itching and irritation in the vaginal area, which can lead to scratching or rubbing. This can irritate the delicate skin of the vulva and cause some minimal damage to the tissue which may bleed slightly, resulting in spotting or light bleeding.

The infection can also cause inflammation of the vaginal tissue which can result in small tears, cracks, or sores. These tears can lead to some bleeding as well.

It’s important to note that while a little bleeding can be associated with yeast infections, it’s not a common symptom. If you experience heavy bleeding or consistent bleeding then it most likely isn’t due to a yeast infection and you should consult with your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Other Possible Causes for Your Bleeding

In the situation where you notice heavy bleeding or bleeding that doesn’t go away after you treat your yeast infection and it clears up, then there may be some other possible causes for your bleeding. Here is a list of what some of these could be so you can take action if necessary. However, it’s always best to seek medical attention from a healthcare provider or clinician who can diagnose you properly and prescribe medication if necessary. 

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

One possible cause for your bleeding may be bacterial vaginosis or BV. You might get it if you have an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. If you are premenopausal then you should know that it’s a common cause of the vaginal discharge. It can also cause spotting or bleeding. Some symptoms to be mindful of are itching, a fishy odor, burning when urinating, and gray or white discharge. 

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

It’s also possible you have a urinary tract infection or UTI instead of a yeast infection, which can cause spotting. The cause behind it is usually Escherichia coli (E. coli) and can impact your kidneys, urethra, bladder, or ureters. Some other common symptoms besides spotting are cloudy and strong-smelling urine, frequent urination, burning during urination, and pelvic pain around the public bone. 

Trichomoniasis

Consider if you have Trichomoniasis if you have spotting or bleeding showing up as well. This is an STI that is commonly passed between partners when not using a condom. The additional symptoms that come with Trich are itching, swelling, pain during sex, and green or yellow discharge. 

Other Types of STIs

There are other types of STIs that could be the cause of your bleeding and spotting too. While bacterial infections and STIs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia don’t usually come with or show symptoms, they can turn into pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) if the STIs are left untreated. With PID, you may notice bleeding and spotting as well as abnormal discharge, pain during sex, and bleeding after sex. 

Cancer

Cancer could also be a possible cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding. Cervical, uterine, and vaginal cancers can cause irregular bleeding.

Some additional symptoms to be aware of that could indicate cancer are pelvic pain, abnormal discharge, bloating and fullness in the abdomen, frequent urination or urinary urgency, and changes in bowel movements. It’s important to get a proper diagnosis from a doctor if you notice any of these symptoms

When to See a Doctor?

If you’re seeing and having bleeding outside of your normal menstrual cycle or period then it’s always a good idea to see a doctor. There may be other reasons for your abnormal genital tract bleeding.

Always see a doctor if and when:

• You have other unusual symptoms
• You have a lot of regular and heavy bleeding
• You get a fever

If you’re treating a yeast infection with over-the-counter ointments and it doesn’t go away or this is your first yeast infection and aren’t even sure if that’s what it is, then also speak with a doctor as soon as possible. Yeast infections can and should be treated in most cases so that it doesn’t bring about other complications or worsen and spread to other parts of your body. 

FAQ

Key Takeaways

The short answer is, yes, a yeast infection can cause bleeding but not as a direct result of the infection itself. However, always keep in mind that there should be light bleeding or spotting going on.

Bleeding could also be related to other conditions rather than a yeast infection, especially if it persists after treating the infection.

It would be wise to consult with a doctor if you are experiencing any unusual or heavy bleeding, as there may be an underlying condition that needs to be addressed.

The good news is that when you contact DrHouse you’ll be connected with a board-certified clinician in under 15 minutes. It won’t be necessary to leave your home and commute to a doctor’s office where you usually have to sit in a waiting room for an extended period. We treat a wide variety of conditions and health issues so don’t be afraid to reach out and provide your information so you can be connected to an online doctor right away. 

Sources:

• Yeast infection (vaginal). Mayo Clinic. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/yeast-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20378999
• Candida Albicans. Cleveland Clinic. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22961-candida-albicans
• Vaginal Candidiasis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/genital/index.html 
• SALAKI, JOHN S. M.D.; LOURIA, DONALD B. M.D.; CHMEL, HERMAN M.D.. Fungal and Yeast Infections of the Central Nervous System: A CLINICAL REVIEW. Medicine 63(2):p 108, March 1984.
• Ayşe GÜLMEZ. GENITAL INFECTIONS IN PREGNANCY AND BLEEDING. CURRENT APPROACHES IN OBSTETRIC HEMORRHAGES. Chapter 9. Available from: https://iksadyayinevi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CURRENT-APPROACHES-IN-OBSTETRIC-HEMORRHAGES.pdf 
• Annekathryn Goodman. Abnormal genital tract bleeding. Clinical Cornerstone, Volume 3, Issue 1, 2000, Pages 25-35, ISSN 1098-3597. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1098-3597(00)90019-X.
• Pelvic Pain and Vaginal Bleeding. CDEM. Available from: https://www.saem.org/about-saem/academies-interest-groups-affiliates2/cdem/for-students/online-education/m3-curriculum/group-focused-chief-complaint-history-physical-examination-and-differential-diagnosis/pelvic-pain-and-vaginal-bleeding 
• Vincent Ball, Diane Devita, Warren Johnson. How to Evaluate Vaginal Bleeding and Discharge?. Emergency Medicine. 2009 April. Pages 27-48. Available from: https://cdn.mdedge.com/files/s3fs-public/Document/September-2017/041040027.pdf 
• Denisse Vázquez-González, Ana María Perusquía-Ortiz, Max Hundeiker, Alexandro Bonifaz. Opportunistic yeast infections: candidiasis, cryptococcosis, trichosporonosis and geotrichosis. Journal of the German Society of Dermatology (JDDG). May 2013, Volume 11, Issue 5, Pages 381-394. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/ddg.12097