Is It an STD or Yeast Infection? Vaginal Cuts Explained

Author: Aunt Vadge
Qualified Naturopath | BHSc(N)

Last reviewed: July 7, 2026

Hi there Aunt Vadge,

I have long cuts/lines in my vaginal crease. It’s not painful all the time – only every once in a while there’s a flare-up and it’s painful. It’s been going on for a while; it seems to heal itself and I think it’s all good, then it comes back again.

I’m scared it’s an STD and don’t want it to affect my reproductive system. Could it be a yeast infection?

Sincerely,
Cut
Age 19, Delaware, USA

Dear Cut,

Long, line-like cuts in the creases of the vulva that flare up now and then, heal, and come back are most often down to yeast – it’s the single most common cause of this exact recurrent-fissuring pattern, because yeast softens and weakens the delicate skin in the folds so it splits, then settles, then splits again when the yeast returns.

So your instinct that it might be yeast is a good one, and reassuringly, an STI is unlikely if you don’t have other symptoms (discharge changes, sores, pain on weeing) – and recurrent little fissures like this aren’t the kind of thing that threatens your fertility, so you can put that fear down.

So the first move is to treat for yeast and see whether the cuts stop following it around – our yeast-infection page has gentle, low-cost home approaches, and I’d lean away from repeated pharmacy antifungals where you can, because overusing them can breed resistant yeast and doesn’t fix why it keeps coming back.

Strip back any irritants too (plain water only, fragrance-free everything). The one thing worth knowing: if the cuts keep recurring after the yeast is properly cleared, or you ever notice the skin going pale, white or shiny, that’s worth a doctor checking for a skin condition like lichen sclerosus, which causes exactly this recurrent splitting and needs its own treatment.

But for now, chase the yeast first – that’s very likely your answer, and it’s an easy one.

Sincerely,
Aunt Vadge

This is general information based on current research and our clinical experience, not a substitute for personalised medical advice.