How Do I Know If I Have A Yeast Infection
Having common yeast infection signs and symptoms can be a strong indication that you may have a yeast infection. However, because it can be difficult to tell a yeast infection apart from other common causes of similar symptoms , testing is often recommended to ensure that you get the correct diagnosis and treatment.
What Is A Vaginal Yeast Infection
Throughout your life, you may experience a vaginal yeast infection several times. Though uncomfortable, these infections are common. A vaginal yeast infection is a condition characterized by burning, itching, redness, and a white discharge from the vagina and vulva. These infections are caused by something thats already in your bodya fungal body called candida. Yeast is a type of fungus and candida is a specific type of yeast. When this yeast is balanced with the ecosystem of your body, there are no problems. But when that balance is disrupted, the yeast rapidly grows and you can get a yeast infection.
Vaginal yeast infections are also called vulvovaginal candidiasis or vaginal candidiasis. A vaginal yeast infection is actually a type of vaginitis, a condition where the vagina is swollen, painful and creates a discharge. There are several types of vaginitiseach with similar symptomsbut vaginal yeast infections are one of the most common.
What Happens During A Yeast Test
The type of test depends on the location of your symptoms.
To test for:
- A vaginal yeast infection – Your provider will perform a pelvic exam and take a sample of the discharge from your vagina.
- Thrush – Your provider will look at the infected area in the mouth and may scrape some cells to examine under the microscope.
- A yeast infection on the skin or nails – Your provider may use a blunt-edged instrument to scrape off a small bit of skin or part of a nail to examine. During this type of test, you may feel some pressure and a little discomfort.
Your provider may be able to tell if you have a yeast infection just by looking at the infected area and examining a sample of the cells under a microscope. If there are not enough cells in the sample to find an infection, you may need a fungal culture test.
During a fungal culture test, the cells in your sample are sent to a lab to grow until there are enough cells to test. Results are often available within a few days. But some yeast grows slowly, so it may take weeks to get a result.
If your provider thinks you may have an invasive yeast infection in your blood or organs, you may have a fungal culture test or other tests on a sample of blood, other fluid, or tissue from the part of your body that may be infected.
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What Should I Do If I Have Frequent Yeast Infections
If you frequently have yeast infections, you should have a discussion with your healthcare provider. Your provider may:
- Test to confirm that you really have a vaginal yeast infection.
- Get a blood sugar test for diabetes.
- Test for HIV/AIDS.
- Discuss any possible hormonal changes .
Your healthcare provider will use your test results to make sure you are receiving the right treatment. It can be important to treat the underlying cause while treating your yeast infection. Controlling the reason for the infection can help prevent future vaginal yeast infections.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/26/2019.
References
Prevention Of Vaginal Yeast Infection
Women who are at high risk of a yeast infection may need to take an antifungal drug by mouth to help prevent yeast infections. Such women include those with the following:
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A need to take antibiotics for a long time
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Repeated yeast infections, particularly in women with a weakened immune system
Keeping the vulva clean and wearing loose, absorbent cotton clothing that allows air to circulate can reduce moisture, which encourages the growth of yeast, and thus help prevent yeast from growing.
Read Also: Best Food For Yeast Infection
How Can I Prevent Vaginal Yeast Infections
You often can prevent vaginal yeast infections by making a few lifestyle changes. These changes can include:
- Not douchingdouching can kill bacteria that actually controls fungus.
- Avoiding the use of feminine deodorants.
- Not using deodorant tampons or pads.
- Changing out of wet clothing, especially bathing suits, as soon as you can.
- Using water-based sexual lubricants.
If you have diabetes, it is important to keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible. Controlling your diabetes can help prevent vaginal yeast infections.
The symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are similar to other conditions. If you have any questions, a physical exam by your healthcare provider will help.
Test 7 Low Carbohydrate Biotin Test
This test can be performed in conjunction with other tests I have recommended for achieving optimal results if you want to know if you have a yeast infection or not. Avoid carbohydrates and take 2.5 mg of biotin for 3 days and see if any of your yeast infection symptoms improve. If symptoms improve, especially if they improve significantly, then you are probably suffering from a candida overgrowth in your intestines. Take the biotin for this test in divided doses and with foods.
Recommended Reading: Best Probiotic For Dogs With Yeast In Ears
What To Expect From A Yeast Infection Test
The most accurate way to determine whether you have a yeast infection is by receiving a vaginitis test from a doctor.
The doctor will use a sterile cotton swab to retrieve a sample. Then, theyll examine the sample under a microscope to determine whether theres an infection.
If you take an at-home pH test, youll take one of the included pH strips and hold it against your vaginal wall for a few seconds.
Then, youll compare the color of the strip with the chart that came with your kit. This will tell you whether your pH level is off, though it wont be able to confirm for sure whether you have a yeast infection.
Why Is It Important To Test With Vagisense
According to a study, about 66% of women who self-diagnosed a vaginal yeast infection were wrong.* VagiSense® will help you determine if your symptoms are more likely caused by a bacterial or parasitic infection so you know what you should do next.
*Ferris DG, Nyirjesy P, Sobel JD, et al. Over-the-counter antifungal drug misuse associated with patient-diagnosed vulvovaginal candidiasis. Obstet Gynecol. 2002 99:419425.
of women who self-diagnosed a vaginal yeast infection were wrong.
How Do You Know If You Have A Yeast Infection
31 Aug 2022
- Written by Dr. Patricia Shelton on September 1, 2022
Vaginal yeast infections, also known as candidiasis, are very common, affecting over a million women in the US each year. Its estimated that 75% of women will have a vaginal yeast infection at least once in their lives. Although its usually not dangerous, the symptoms caused by a yeast infection can be very uncomfortable.
Ever Wondered If You Really Have Ibs Or Not
Properly diagnosing IBS can be difficult. It relies on a questionnaire along with ruling out other intestinal diseases, like colitis and Celiac disease.
Following is the questionnaire, called the Rome III questionnaire.
Rome III Questionnaire
Have you had recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort at least 3 days per month in the last 3 months associated with 2 or more of the following:
If your answer is yes, then you most likely have IBS and SIBO.
SIBO also commonly causes:
- fibromyalgia
- chronic pain
If any of this sounds like you, consider getting tested for SIBO. This may be the underlying cause for your fatigue!
Testing for Hidden Infections: Urine Testing
Infections can also be found with urine testing specifically an Organic Acids Test.
This is how it works
Harmful forms of yeast and bacteria excrete waste products of their own or metabolites into your body . Our body tries to clears out these metabolites through our kidneys so they end up in your urine.
When specific metabolites are found in high quantities you can bet you have an underlying yeast infection or bacterial overgrowth.
Treating Infections
Most infections can be treated with herbal treatments over a 6 week period, but some do require prescription medications.
Treating the infection is just the first step, though.
Make a promise to yourself starting today:
How Is A Vaginal Yeast Infection Diagnosed
A vaginal yeast infection is diagnosed by your healthcare provider. You will need to go in for an appointment and discuss your symptoms. Your healthcare provider may need to take a sample of discharge from your vagina to confirm the yeast infection. The combination of your symptoms and the sample of discharge will tell your healthcare provider what type of yeast infection you have and help determine the best way to treat the infection.
Can I Get A Yeast Infection From Breastfeeding
Yes. Yeast infections can happen on your nipples or in your breast from breastfeeding. Yeast thrive on milk and moisture. A yeast infection you get while breastfeeding is different from a vaginal yeast infection. However, it is caused by an overgrowth of the same fungus.
Symptoms of thrush during breastfeeding include:
- Sore nipples that last more than a few days, especially after several weeks of pain-free breastfeeding
- Flaky, shiny, itchy, or cracked nipples
- Deep pink and blistered nipples
- Achy breast
- Shooting pain in the breast during or after feedings
If you have any of these signs or symptoms or think your baby might have thrush in his or her mouth, call your doctor. Learn more about thrush in our Breastfeeding section.
Treatments For Vaginal Yeast Infections
Over-the-counter antifungal creams, ointments or suppositories are the most common ways to treat yeast infections. These can take from 1 to 7 days. Your doctor may also choose to prescribe an oral antifungal medication, such as fluconazole or ibrexafungerp . Ibrexafungerp is taken twice a day for one day and targets the specific fungal cells behind the infection while fluconazole is a single dose pill which kills fungus and yeast throughout your body. If youâre pregnant, itâs safe to use creams or suppositories, but avoid the oral medications. Oteseconazole has been approved for those whith reoccuring problems with infections who will not be reproducing.
Itâs important for you to know that some yeast infection medications weaken condoms or diaphragms. That makes it easier for you to get pregnant or contract a sexually transmitted disease. Be sure to read instructions and warnings before using.
If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, you may get yeast infections over and over again. Itâs a condition called recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis . If you get yeast infections at least four times a year, your doctor may recommend that you take a weekly fluconazole pill for 6 months to fight them.
Can I Use Over
Sometimes you can treat a vaginal yeast infection with over-the-counter medicines. However, you may want to avoid this if you arent completely sure that its actually a yeast infection. It is usually best to talk to your healthcare provider and make sure you are getting the right treatment for the condition.
Testing For Hidden Infections: Stool Testing
The easiest and best test to evaluate for hidden infections in the colon is a stool test.
Not all stool tests are the same, though.
You want a test that requires three to four stool samples.
This is because parasites, in particular, live in cycles. They are not always found in each and every bowel movement. Also, parasites cling to the walls of the intestines and rarely get shed into the stool. This is another reason why multiple stool samples need to be collected for best test results.
Stool testing is one of the most expensive tests to do, but the investment is worth it. It very often uncovers the underlying reason why you have fatigue.
Hint: If youre doing a stool test, take a laxative formula that will induce watery diarrhea . Collect your stool starting after the fourth watery bowel movement. This will increase your chances of finding parasites. If your test calls for 4 samples, consider doubling it by filling each vial halfway twice, thereby collecting 8 samples total in your 4 vials.
What To Do After Receiving Yeast Infection Test Results
If you suspect you have a yeast infection after taking an at-home pH test, you can self-treat with OTC medication, such as miconazole and clotrimazole.
Calamine or 1 percent hydrocortisone cream can help relieve vulvar itching. Additionally, switching to cotton or other breathable underwear can help prevent symptoms from getting worse.
If you get a diagnosis from a doctor, they may prescribe prescription medication, or you can also take OTC medication.
People with recurrent yeast infections may be treated differently. For instance, a doctor may consider a fungal culture or recommend stronger prescription medication.
Whats The Difference Between Ear Mites And Yeast Infections In Dogs
Yeast infections in a dogs ears generally cause redness, a brown discharge, head shaking or rubbing, odor, and itching.
Ear mite infections are extremely itchy and can cause many of the same symptoms. The discharge from the ear is usually dark and waxy or crusty. Ear mites are barely visible to the naked eye and highly contagious to other animals.
Your veterinarian can easily determine whether a dogs ear problem is caused by yeast or mites by taking a swab from their ear and looking at it under a microscope.
How We Chose The Best Vaginal Ph Tests
We made sure to look at reputable brands with positive feedback from customers who have used the products. We also took into consideration how easy it is to take these tests and how quickly you receive the results.
As previously mentioned, these tests will not tell you for certain whether you have a yeast infection. Instead, theyll indicate whether your pH levels are off.
While yeast infections typically have low pH levels, some other infections, like BV, have high pH levels.
Its best to get an official diagnosis and treatment from a doctor if youre unsure whether your symptoms are caused by an infection.
If I Have A Yeast Infection Does My Sexual Partner Need To Be Treated
- If your partner is a man, the risk of infection is low. About 15% of men get an itchy rash on the penis if they have unprotected sex with a woman who has a yeast infection. If this happens to your partner, he should see a doctor. Men who haven’t been circumcised and men with diabetes are at higher risk.
- If your partner is a woman, she may be at risk. She should be tested and treated if she has any symptoms.
What Does The Test Measure
Vaginal yeast infection testing is used to evaluate a persons vagina and look for the cause of vaginitis. This process requires several tests that help to determine if a yeast infection is present.
Yeast is a type of fungus. Most vaginal yeast infections are caused by a type of fungus called Candida. The most common type of Candida, Candida albicans, is normally found in small amounts in your mouth, digestive tract, and skin. Having a small amount of yeast in your vagina usually does not lead to symptoms of vaginitis.
Candida and other microorganisms in the vagina usually keep each other in balance. Certain things can upset this balance, such as changes in hormones, the use of antibiotics, or changes in your immune system. When conditions in the vagina change, an overgrowth of yeast may occur and lead to a yeast infection.
Yeast infection testing typically begins with a physical exam and a discussion of your symptoms. Vaginal pH testing and a microscopic examination of vaginal discharge are then conducted to determine the cause of vaginitis. In some cases, your doctor may recommend other tests such as a culture of vaginal discharge, Gram stain, or nucleic acid amplification testing .
Vaginal pH testing
After a physical exam, measuring the pH of your vaginal discharge is usually the first test performed to diagnose or rule out a yeast infection. pH is a measurement of the acidity of a substance on a scale of 1 to 14.
Microscopic evaluation
Other tests
Home Tests To Detect Candida Yeast Infection
Notice Candida Crusher Self Yeast Infection Home Test is online now and find out your likelihood of candida yeast infection. You can also order CanxidaRemove from Canxida.com if you test positive for yeast infection, its a great anti-fungal for candida treatment.Before I continue with this article, you should know I’ve recently compiled a list of science-backed ways to get rid of candida yeast infections. You can if you haven’t yet.Regular readers of my site will know by now that there is no easy, quick and guaranteed way of checking for Candida yeast infection. However there are numerous tests you can do in the privacy of your own home which will give you some indication as to whether or not you have a Candida infection. By participating in the test above and working your way through the simple techniques and checks below, you can gain good insight as to whether or not your symptoms are caused by this opportunistic organism.
1. The Itch Test
Other areas to watch out for are genital itching or itching on hands and particularly feet. In fact, be more aware of itching which occurs in areas that are conducive to Candida and are generally dark, moist and warm.
2. Sugar Craving Test
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Fortunately if you can stick to this test for 3 days then you should start to see improvements in your health at the end of it. If you do, then obviously starving those Candida organisms is the way to go in the future.