Got Yeast? A Guide to Diagnosing Yeast Infection in Women

Got Yeast? A Guide to Diagnosing Yeast Infection in Women

The female human body is an organic machine which is made up of nerve, muscle and bone. It can nurture babies for up to nine months. But, similar to all machines, it is prone to the occasional malfunction, such as, well, getting candidiasis – better known as a yeast infection, or in this case vaginal thrush. So exactly how can one diagnose yeast infection?

Not Quite Yeast, Actually…

To begin, vaginal infection is not literally caused by yeast.. The yeast infection is actually caused by a fungus known as Candida albicans which has yeast-like properties. It grows naturally in warm, moist, dark regions of the body, like the mouth and the vagina. Its growth is kept checked by a kind of beneficial bacteria which also grows in the human body. The job of Candida albicans is to search for harmful bacteria and destroy them.

The problem starts when the good bacteria that monitor the growth of Candida albicans die, either because of antibiotics or a weak immune system. As soon as these bacteria die, Candida albicans grow rapidly and spread aggressively. Add to this the fact that all candida fungi can pass through muscle or organ walls in the body (it has been recognized to penetrate intestinal walls), and there you have it – an infection which could irritate both the vagina and the vulva.

So How Do You Do Diagnosing yeast infection, Really?

The 1st step to determine the symptoms. The most showing symptom is if your body releases a white or whitish-gray discharge which comes out clumpy and has a smell that reminds you of bread or beer. Other typical warning signs include severe itching, a burning and tingling sensation, and even soreness, all of which make walking, switching positions, urinating and sexual intercourse difficult. Some may be raised through exposure to chemicals, such as perfumes and household cleaning materials.

Sufferers are also more prone to develop allergies through inhaling airborne mold. Damp, dark locations can make them feel worse. They may also express a craving for sugar, breads, carbohydrates and alcohol, though sufferers might not necessarily be tolerant to alcohol. But even then these symptoms altogether might make you a candidate for another infection called bacterial vaginosis, which merits its own article.

With these signs and symptoms in mind, the next step is to visit your obstetrician-gynecologist or ob-gyne. The ob-gyne will begin asking you about your symptoms, your medical history and your exposure to certain chemicals. The procedure which he or she will do is to get a little swab of your discharge and check on it under a miscroscope. The ob-gyne may also ask you to assist him or her in identifying the exact location of the itching or pain using a magnifying lens.

Keep in mind that not all doctors are able to detect thrush or yeast infections properly. There are times that the indicators could be signs of thrush as described here, and there are instances that they may actually be symptoms of a kind of vaginitis, most likely bacterial in nature. Also, when left unchecked, thrush might cause dangerous side-effects, such as endometriosis, ovarian dysfunction and the release of toxins which may further jeopardize your immune system.

Diagnosing yeast infection could be difficult, mostly because its symptoms are no different with those of other illnesses affecting the genital region. As a result, it is very essential to be pro-active in getting an accurate diagnosis as soon as you experience the warning signs.

You must be able to recognize and keep track of what is going on with you in your genital region. And you must be very honest when asked about the medication you are taking and the products you are using as cures for yeast infection.