Infection Detection: Yeast Beast or Something More Serious?

If it’s itchy down there, it must be a yeast infection, right? Wrong.

Before you run to the drugstore for an over-the-counter (OTC) anti-fungal treatment, you might want to re-evaluate your symptoms. An estimated 44 percent of women with a vaginal infection initially treat themselves with an OTC yeast infection medication when they actually have bacterial vaginosis (BV), a much more serious infection caused by an overgrowth of the bacteriathat occur naturally in the vagina.

A yeast infection, on the other hand, is caused by an overgrowth of fungus that occur naturally in the vagina.

In fact, the outward symptoms of many forms of vaginal infection are similar. Here’s a quick chart to help you detect whether it’s the yeast beast — or something more serious.

If your discharge is a milky gray-white, or if it’s accompanied by a fishy or foul odor, see your doctor right away. OTC yeast-infection medications are not an effective treatment for bacterial vaginal infections and, in fact, may be harmful if they delay proper treatment.

Untreated BV can lead to significant health complications, including premature delivery, postpartum infections, clinically apparent and subclinical pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), postsurgical complications (after abortion, hysterectomy, cesarean section and other reproductive procedures), increased vulnerability to HIVinfection and, possibly, infertility.

Vaginal Yeast Infection Overview

A vaginal yeast infection, also known as vaginal candidiasis, genital candidiasis, or vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), is an infection involving a type of fungus, or yeast. The fungus most commonly associated with vaginal yeast infection is called Candida albicans, which account for up to 92% of all cases, with the remainder due to other species of Candida. These fungi can be found all over the body and are normally present in warm and moist areas of the body. Studies have shown that up to 20% to 50% of all women normally carry yeast in the vagina without the presence of symptoms. When C albicans in the vagina multiplies to the point of infection, this infection can cause vaginal inflammation, irritation, odor, discharge, and itching.

Certain types of bacteria that live naturally in the vagina usually keep C albicans from growing out of control. If the balance of these microorganisms becomes upset, C albicans may be allowed to grow uncontrollably and lead to symptoms. The use of certain medications including antibiotics, changes in hormone levels, or certain diseases are examples of factors that can allow a vaginal yeast infection to develop.Read More