What are the Symptoms of a Yeast Infection?

While yeast infections can be very uncomfortable and unpleasant, they usually do not tend to be serious. The sign and symptoms of vaginal yeast infection can vary from mild to severe. This article discusses every yeast infection symptom in woman that could be identified in our thorough research as well as a discussion of the cures for vaginal yeast infection symptoms as well as what could be a symptom of oral yeast infection or a symptom of anal yeast infection. You may also have a sign of yeast infection during pregnancy and that is covered at the end of the article along with treatment for all the symptoms mentioned.

Top Rated Yeast Infection Cure for Men and Women

Bacterial Overgrowth: A Symptom of Female Yeast Infection

Candida is a fungus often present in the human body. It only becomes problematic when an overgrowth occurs. Beyond the vagina, infections can occur in other parts of the body, including the mouth, and in both sexes. Four different types of Candida can cause these infections, but the majority is caused by Candida albicans. Yeast infections are also referred to as bacterial vaginitis or bacterial vaginosis.

Early signs of vaginal yeast infection includes itching and burning in the vagina and around the vulva, which is the skin surrounding the vagina. Another sign of a vaginal yeast infection is dry, flaky skin in the same area.

Another early symptom of yeast infection is a thick white curd-like vaginal discharge. It may look like cottage cheese or ricotta cheese. While it is usually odorless, this discharge may have a faint smell like bread or yeast even though what is used in baking and brewing is an entirely different type of yeast called Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The discharge can range from thick to faintly yellow to thin and clear.

Fungal infections also have other distinct symptoms:

• Nausea or vomiting.
• Anal itching.
• Redness.
• Soreness.
• Swelling of the vulva with small red bumps.
• Vaginal itching and irritation.
• Pain or burning in the pelvic area during urination or during (penetration, erection, or ejaculation) or soon after sexual intercourse.

Symptoms of yeast infections, also known as yeast vaginitis, are more common during pregnancy than any other time in a woman's life, especially during the second trimester and third trimester. When you are pregnant, it is uncommon to have both yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis but it sometimes happens. While fetal development is not necessarily affected by a yeast infection, it is best to mention any symptoms to your physician during your pregnancy check-up visits.

If you have a yeast infection during childbirth, it is possible for your child to develop oral thrush. This type of yeast infection occurs in the mouth and can be easily treated. However, if you are breastfeeding, it is possible that the thrush can infect your breast. This condition can make breastfeeding painful and even result in bleeding.

Women who have chronic or recurrent yeast infections may need to be treated with vaginal creams for extended periods of time. Antifungal drugs that are available over the counter (OTC), such as Candidol, usually work well in treating a vaginal yeast infection. Remember that a yeast infection should not go untreated because it will not go away on its own.

Yeast infections are so common that 75% of all women will have one at some time in their lives. Approximately 50% get more than one infection in their lives. Often, if you are prescribed with an antibiotic for a condition, you may end up with a yeast infection. If you have symptoms of a yeast infection, your health care provider will ask you about what you are experiencing and may physically examine you to make sure that you are having yeast infection.

Two important things to remember:

• Not all girls and women experience all these symptoms.
• The signs should not be confused with other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as genital herpes, or urinary tract infections. Sign’s of spotting may appear after some yeast infection treatment.

For example, urinary tract infections, or UTIs, have different symptoms than the symptoms of severe yeast infection. With a UTI, bacteria infect the urethra rather than the vagina. UTIs can be easily distinguished from vaginal infections by a host of symptoms, including blood or mucus in the urine, the urgent need to urinate often, pain or pressure in back or lower abdomen, fever, or chills.

A Physician’s Diagnosis

A doctor can identify these infections by taking a swab and looking at it in a microscope. Since most of us can not do this at home, but sometimes you can tell by the feel, look, and smell that you have a yeast infection.