Yeast Infections
If you’re like many people in this country, you think of your doctor as one of your most valuable resources when it comes to the behavior in health. And know how to talk to your doctor can help you to really take advantage of this essential relationship.
What are yeast infections?
It itches to talk?
You suspect a yeast infection? It is expected that 3 out of 4 women will have a yeast infection at least one time in their lives. This is a common condition. A yeast infection occurs when there is an overgrowth of yeast in your vagina, manifested first by bothersome symptoms such as:
- itching and burning sensation in the vagina and the surrounding area
- burning sensation during voiding (when you pee)
- vaginal pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse,
- white discharge that may look like cottage cheese (they can also be more fluid or absent).
If you’re wondering if you really have a yeast infection, consult your doctor to get to the bottom heart. Why you rely on the whims of chance?
Shedding light on the yeast!
Did you know that yeast can be found in your vagina even if you do not have a yeast infection?Yeast also called Candida seat naturally in a healthy vagina and other parts of the body, along with several species of good bacteria for health. Normally, yeast and bacteria do not cause you any problems unless they are increasing in abundance.
There are several types of Candida. If you have a yeast infection, it is most likely caused by the species called Candida albicans, which is responsible for about 90% of all yeast infections. A rarer species, Candida glabrata, because most of the other 10% of infections that may be more difficult to treat. For this reason, among others, you should consult your doctor before you start treating your own yeast infection.
Although yeast can infect other parts of your body, the term “yeast infections” often refers to yeast infections in the vagina. These infections are also known as female yeast infections, vaginal yeast infections, or vaginitis. Vaginitis is a more general term that includes infection due to the overgrowth of yeast and many other causes of inflammation in the vagina and surrounding areas. The information contained herein is based yeast infections in the vagina.
Your symptoms can be misleading. Other conditions may cause similar symptoms, and some of them could be much more serious. If you do not know exactly if you have a yeast infection, or if this is your first infection, make an appointment with your doctor for a diagnosis. Your doctor will make sure that these symptoms are not caused by another disorder, such as a sexually transmitted infection (STI formerly known STD or sexually transmitted disease) or other inflammatory disease, or contact with an irritant.
It is assessed that 1 in 20 women suffering from recurrent yeast infections. In other words, at least 4 infections in the course of the last year (or at least 3 yeast infections that did not occur while you take antibiotics). You should not neglect a recurring yeast infection – get it checked. Make an appointment with your doctor to help you discover why you have such frequent infections and suggest that a treatment plan.
Consult your doctor in case of fever, pelvic pain or a colored or smelly discharge.Anyone aged less than 12 years, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetes or a condition weakening the immune system should consult their doctor.
If it is not a yeast infection, what is it then?
More than half of women who think they have a yeast infection are actually with something else. Other conditions, including some sexually transmitted infections (STIs, also known as the old designation MTS) can cause similar symptoms. While yeast infections cause few long-term complications, STIs can pose a danger neglected and even cause infertility and other serious complications.
Your doctor will diagnosis yeast infection
Your doctor will make the diagnosis of yeast infection after you have asked about your symptoms and checking your vagina. In some cases, he will take a sample of your vaginal discharge. This sample is tested under a microscope and perhaps will also be a “culture” (laboratory technique for evaluating bacterial or fungal growth)
What kinds of questions your doctor may ask you there? Your doctor may ask you if you have had yeast infections and what treatments you have taken. He may also ask you questions about when the symptoms, type of symptoms you are experiencing, as well as the color, consistency and smell of vaginal discharge started. The answers to these questions are of crucial importance in establishing a proper diagnosis.
A diagnosis is very important; it allows you to receive the treatment best suited to your case and likely to cure your yeast infection most effectively.
Guide for discussion with the doctor
This tool will help you create a document that you can bring to the doctor’s office to help you during your appointment.
Before consulting your doctor fill out this guide, print it and bring it to the visit.
How to use this tool:
- Answer the questions below and fill in the appropriate spaces.
- Print your answers.
- Bring your printed page response to your appointment with the doctor.
My symptoms
Choose anyone you feel and enter not mentioned in the space provided for this purpose symptoms.
- Itching, redness, vaginal swelling or, burning vagina
- Vaginal pain or discomfort during sex
- Pain or burning during urination
- Increasing the amount of vaginal discharge
- Vaginal discharge that smell of fish
- Vaginal discharge that has the appearance of cottage cheese
- Vaginal discharge that is frothy
