How Is Genital Candidiasis Diagnosed?

You may not have heard of genital Candidiasis, but you have probably heard of a yeast infection. Genital Candidiasis is actually a type of yeast infection. Yeast infections can occur in the mouth, vagina, on the penis, or even between skin folds.

Quick Overview

Genital Candidiasis is caused by the yeast species Candida . Yeast is a type of fungus. So a yeast infection is a type of fungal infection (as opposed to a bacterial infection). Genital Candidiasis occurs much more frequently in women, affecting at least 75% at least once in their lifetime. The infection results from changing conditions in the vagina, all of which either harm vaginal bacteria or help vaginal fungi. Fungus grows best in sugary, warm, moist, and dark areas. The vagina will always be warm and dark, but excessive moisture from wearing moist bathing suits or clothes made of synthetic fibers can aid in the growth of Candida populations. Vaginal secretions can also be made more sugary (which nourishes yeast) with excessive alcohol consumption, the changing hormones during pregnancy or puberty, or uncontrolled diabetes .

Diagnosis

Although genital Candidiasis is incredibly common in women, studies show that over 2/3 of the over-the-counter drugs used to treat the condition were used by women without the disease. The symptoms of a urinary tract infection are very similar to those of genital Candidiasis and are often self-diagnosed incorrectly as such.

Common Symptoms

A physician will initially base a diagnosis on the symptoms described by a patient. Symptoms such as whitish, cottage cheese-like discharge, reddened and inflamed vulva, itching or irritation of the vagina, and burning during urination are common signs of a yeast infection.

Gynecologic Exam

A full gynecologic examination will almost certainly be performed to confirm such symptoms, particularly the location of inflammation and characteristics of the discharge. A physician will hold open the vagina with a device known as a speculum. This allows he/she to obtain a vaginal swab of the discharge to later analyze for yeast and bacterial populations. When mixed with a drop of sodium hydroxide on a slide, the swab can be analyzed under a microscope for Candida yeast or other offending microorganisms. Yeast can be identified by their characteristic branching pattern. In those with recurrent yeast infections, a genital culture (allowing microorganisms from a swab to grow on a Petri dish full of nutrients) may be necessary to identify an underlying problem like a sexually transmitted disease. Sometimes yeast infections can become systemic by traveling through the blood, especially in immunocompromised patients. Such infections can be very dangerous, spreading to organs like the brain. To diagnose such infections, physicians will often perform blood and urine tests. Genital Candidiasis can be a tricky infection to diagnose, even for those who have experienced an infection previously. If you suspect you are getting a yeast infection, be sure to try the less severe alternative treatment methods first (like using a probiotic) before treating yourself with an OTC medication. Unless you have been diagnosed by a doctor and instructed to use a specific medication, you can save yourself money and a potentially painful treatment experience.

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Sources: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/candidiasis_gen_g.htm#How%20is%20g%20diagnosed http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/yeast-infection-genital.html?pageNum=5#5 http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/10999.html

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