To diagnose a yeast infection, your doctor or nurse will examine your vulva and vagina. They will also swab the vagina to get a sample of discharge, which will be examined under a microscope in a lab. Do not begin treatment at home until your doctor or nurse has confirmed that you have a yeast infection.
Diagnosing Yeast Infections at the Doctor's Office
Doctors also generally take a sample of discharge with a swab from within the vagina and examine it under a microscope in the office, Wagner says, so a diagnosis can be made right away.
Molecular Tests
As with urine tests for other STIs, these tests can identify very small amounts of yeast in the urine. This method is less useful for diagnosing a yeast infection than it is for identifying chlamydia or gonorrhea.
Don't wear nylon or other fabric that holds body heat and moisture close to the skin. Try sleeping without underwear. Don't scratch. Relieve itching with a cold pack or a cool bath.
Yeast infections cause itching, pain, and odorless vaginal discharge. UTIs, on the other hand, cause urinary symptoms, such as a frequent urge to urinate and painful urination. Both types of infection require medical attention, but they are easily treatable.
Diagnosing a Yeast Infection: Signs to Look for
Thick, white discharge (the texture of cottage cheese) Burning feeling especially when peeing or having sex. Vaginal pain, redness and swelling.
The best treatment to get rid of most yeast infections comes down to medicated creams or a pill. Studies show that these creams and the oral pill, fluconazole, both work more than 90% of the time. Uncomplicated yeast infections usually respond to treatment within a couple of days.
A yeast infection can happen if your skin gets damaged. Yeast can also “overgrow” in warm or humid conditions. An infection can also happen if you have a weak immune system. Taking antibiotics can also cause an overgrowth of yeast.
Share on Pinterest Yeast infections may be treated at home with antifungal creams available from pharmacies and drug stores. In many cases, yeast infections can be easily and successfully treated at home. This is done with either over-the-counter products or alternative therapies.
There may be an odor, such as a strong fish-like odor, especially after sex. Yeast infections produce a thick, white discharge from the vagina that can look like cottage cheese. The discharge can be watery and often has no smell. Yeast infections usually cause the vagina and vulva to become itchy and red.
Complications of untreated yeast infections
If left untreated, vaginal candidiasis will most likely get worse, causing itching, redness, and inflammation in the area surrounding your vagina. This may lead to a skin infection if the inflamed area becomes cracked, or if continual scratching creates open or raw areas.
itching and irritation in the vagina. redness, swelling, or itching of the vulva (the folds of skin outside the vagina) a thick, white discharge that can look like cottage cheese and is usually odorless, although it might smell like bread or yeast. pain or burning when urinating (peeing) or during sex.
Candidiasis is most common in individuals with a weakened immune system and may be accompanied by various nutritional deficiencies. This can leave you feeling tired and fatigued.
A lack of regular hygiene practices, such as daily showers and brushing your teeth, or a constantly damp environment can also lead to chronic yeast infections. You're also at risk of recurring yeast infections if you have a weakened immune system. The following can weaken your immune system: age.
You might have a complicated yeast infection if: You have severe signs and symptoms, such as extensive redness, swelling and itching that leads to tears, cracks or sores. You have four or more yeast infections in a year. Your infection is caused by a less typical type of fungus.
The yeast gets into your bloodstream and spreads to other areas, such as your eyes, heart, brain and kidneys. It's a common healthcare-associated infection and can cause life-threatening complications. Some people have a higher risk of infection, such as those in the ICU.
Vaginal yeast infections are a common problem in women. Itching is the most common symptom of a vaginal yeast infection. Women may also note pain with urination, soreness or irritation, pain with intercourse, or reddened and swollen vulvar and vaginal tissues.
Foods containing simple sugars, including many fruits. White flour and other glutenous grains. Anything fermented with yeast, such as alcoholic drinks. Some dairy products, including whole milk.
Fluconazole is used to treat fungal infections, including yeast infections of the vagina, mouth, throat, esophagus (tube leading from the mouth to the stomach), abdomen (area between the chest and waist), lungs, blood, and other organs.
Fortunately, the infections respond well to over-the-counter antifungal creams or suppositories, so if you're sure you have a yeast infection, go ahead and try an OTC yeast infection medication like Monistat or yeast arrest suppositories, which contain boric acid, a mild antiseptic.
Mild yeast infections may clear up in as few as three days. Sometimes, they don't even require treatment. But moderate to severe infections may take one to two weeks to clear.
If I Get a Yeast Infection, When Will It Go Away? Mild yeast infections may clear up in as few as three days. Sometimes, they don't even require treatment. However, moderate to severe infections may take one to two weeks to clear.
Yeast infections often cause thick, white, clumpy vaginal discharge that usually doesn't smell (or only smells slightly different than normal). You might also have a creamy, whitish coating in and around your vagina. Most yeast infections lead to itching, burning, and/or redness in or around the vagina.
There are several potential causes of an itchy vagina or vulva with no discharge. These include razor burn, eczema, and pubic lice. Some home remedies, such as wearing breathable underwear and taking an oatmeal bath, can work to relieve the symptoms.