This is usually thick and white (a bit like cottage cheese). But some women get a discharge that is watery.1
Your symptoms might be mild and not bother you. Or you may find your symptoms cause you a lot of discomfort and keep coming back.
The area outside your vagina may also feel sore and itchy. The skin might be red and cause you discomfort. You may find it hurts or burns when you pass urine or have sex.
A lot of women feel they can diagnose and treat yeast infections themselves, especially if they've had one before. But research has shown that 1 in 2 women who diagnose themselves as having a yeast infection do not actually have one.2
If you have symptoms for the first time, or if you are unsure whether your symptoms are caused by a yeast infection, it's best to visit your doctor. He or she will be able to find out if you have a yeast infection.
Other infections can cause similar symptoms to a yeast infection. But you need different treatments for these other infections. So it's important for the doctor to find out what is causing your symptoms.
Your doctor will want to examine your vagina. He or she can also order a test to find out what is causing your vaginal infection. Your doctor or nurse may take a swab of discharge from your vagina to be sent to the laboratory.
If your symptoms keep coming back, it's important to go back to the doctor to check that the symptoms are caused by a yeast infection. Some women get symptoms returning for other reasons, such as an allergy. So it's important you get the right diagnosis.3
- Anderson MR, Klink K. Evaluation of vaginal complaints. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2004; 291: 1368-1379.
- Ferris DG, Nyirjesy P, Sobel JD, et al. Over the counter antifungal drug misuse associated with patient-diagnosed vulvovaginal candidiasis. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2002; 99: 419-425. 11864668
- Sobel JD. Vulvovaginal candidiasis. In: Holmes KK, Mardh P-A, Sparling PF, et al (editors). Sexually transmitted diseases. 3rd edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, USA; 1999.
