Symptoms Of Vaginal Yeast Infections
How can you tell that your crotch rot is really a yeast infection and not something else? most medical types say that you should go to a doctor to get it diagnosed the first time, and then once you know what you're looking for, you can figure it out yourself the next time and respond appropriately. i used to blow this off as a bunch of MDs protecting their turf and their profits, but more and more evidence is accumulating that Women often misdiagnose themselves as having a yeast infections when they really have something else. this is bad because you might have a more serious problem that isn't getting treated while you futz around with yeast treatments. just as bad, if you use an over-the-counter treatment for yeast and you don't really have yeast infection, you might be creating your own personal race of drug-resistant super-yeast, and next time you have a real yeast infection it could be damned hard to get rid of.
A doctor can tell for sure if you have a yeast infection by taking a swab and looking in a microscope. most of us can't do this at home, but sometimes you can tell by the feel, look, and smell that you have a yeast infection. if your symptoms don't match this list, or you are confused or uncertain, go see a doctor if at all possible.
Feels like an intense itching, burning sensation, localized in your vagina and vulva. this itching is not always present, but can get really bad, so bad you can hardly walk, let alone ride your bike to the pharmacy or doctor to get it treated.
Looks like clumpy nasty white stuff. most medical descriptions compare the discharge to ricotta cheese, but it can range from thick and not clumpy to faintly yellow to thin and clear.
Smells like bread or beer. in fact, it smells pretty much exactly like yeast, although the yeast used in brewing and baking is an entirely different species (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). no bacteria could smell like that, so it's a great diagnostic.