How Can I Tell If I Have a Yeast Infection

Candida, or yeast, is a fungus and is generally present in the body in moist, dark areas. These areas include the mouth, digestive tract, and most common; the vagina. More than 20% of women have vaginal yeast present at all times, and more than 75% will experience a yeast infection at some point in her life. Vaginal yeast infections occur whenever this already present yeast multiplies to a level unable to be fought by the healthy bacteria in the body. Antibiotics are often the cause of vaginal infections since they cannot differentiate between good and bad bacteria. Instead, they kill all bacteria, leaving the yeast to thrive without any opposition. Other causes include a suppressed immune system, damage from chemotherapy, or the use of oral contraceptives.

So, what are the Symptoms?

Suffering from other ailments can cause the same symptoms as the ones you will experience if you have a yeast infection. However, there are several yeast specific complications, such as the following:

ITCHING!

The most common symptom is itching in or around the vaginal area. This is one symptom that everyone with a yeast infection will experience. The itching will usually begin to occur when the bacteria has spread into your body, possibly even the blood stream. When you begin to feel symptoms like this, it is safe to assume the bacteria have been allowed to multiply and thrive in your body.

BURNING!

Burning may also come along with this itching, and the vulva area may become swollen and red. This burning may occur while urinating as well. A burning sensation may not always be present, but when it is it may become extremely intense limiting your ability to complete simple tasks.

PAIN!

Pain during intercourse or while urinated may be something you notice.

VAGINAL DISCHARGE!

Vaginal discharge is another symptom, though it is not always present. However, when it does occur it will have a starchy odor, or have no odor at all. The thick substances color will vary from a whitish to a yellowish tint and have a similar appearance to cottage cheese. Each woman will differ in the way she experiences a yeast infection, but these are good general indicators of a typical candida episode. Some sexually transmitted diseases can manifest themselves similarly in the body, so if you are experiencing these symptoms it is important you see your doctor. If a fever or pelvic pain is present, it may be your bodies warning that something much more serious is going on. As many as five percent of women will suffer with reoccurring yeast infections throughout their lives; yeast infections are considered recurrent when a woman has had 4 or more bouts of candida albicans, (yeast). Since several yeast infections are caused or worsened by antibiotics, natural alternatives are extremely popular treatment options.

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Sources: https://www.msu.edu/user/eisthen/yeast/ http://health.yahoo.com/women-gyn/vaginal-yeast-infections-symptoms/healthwise--aa10592.html http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/reproductive/vaginal/206.html