To begin with, different vaginal infections tend to have symptoms that are very similar to each other, so if a woman is experiencing one for the first time, or is unsure about a proper course of treatment, it is very important that see consults a doctor in order to get a proper diagnosis.

Following that, yeast infections are caused by an uncontrolled growth of a microorganism called Candida albicans. This is a normal inhabitant of the vagina, it helps fight off other stronger microorganisms. But this critter may proliferate, due to a change in their environment and gives them a chance to really multiply and grow out of control. These overgrowths are easily controlled with medications designed to kill some of the microorganism. Treatments may come in numerous range of forms including pills and vaginal creams, which may need to be taken anywhere from one dose to a week-long course of medication. While some treatments are prescribed by a doctor, many are available over the counter.

So, how can a woman tell that she has a yeast infection? What are the signs and symptoms of yeast infection? Most women associate a thick discharge that looks like cottage cheese, but only about 20% of women may experience it. If it is present, the discharge may either have a starchy odor to it, or perhaps none at all, and its color can vary from white to a more yellowish tinge. Since not everyone may have a discharge, one of  the easiest way for a woman to tell that she has a yeast infection if she is experiences itchiness around her vagina all the time. The itchiness may be accompanied by a burning sensation. In addition to that, her vulvar area may also be red and swollen. It may also burn or be generally painful for her to urinate, and sex may become painful as well.

One of the symptoms of yeast infection is the way you can distinguish the frequency of pain, and when it occurs. Sometimes the burning starts and stops during urination, after urination, and even in sexual intercourse. It is also a good way to distinguish the burning on urination that is due to a yeast infection vs. a urinary tract infection when you to pay close attention to exactly when the burning starts and stops. In yeast infections, the burning sensation is due to the acidic urine that causes irritation on the skin of the vulva, so the burning starts when the urine goes out. With urinary tract infection, the burning is felt as the urine passes down the tube on its way out.

However, these are the general symptoms of yeast infection; every woman may experience it in a different way. She may identify an infection by the smell and consistency of the discharge, which is unusual to her. However, some symptoms definitely do not go along with a simple yeast infection, and they may indicate that something more serious is happening. If there is fever and pelvic pain, it is advised that she should see the doctor immediately.

In order to detect if you have yeast infection as early as you can, you better familiarize yourself of its symptoms.  What you don’t know can really hurt you as far as yeast infections are concerned.  However, if you already know what the symptoms are and you suspect that you have it and want to confirm your suspicion right away, you can do any of these two home tests in detecting a yeast infection.

• The Swab Test

There are already several companies that make home swab tests to detect yeast infection, and so far, it has proven itself to be accurate.  It uses a litmus paper that is really good in determining the pH value of the discharge that is a result of a yeast infection.  You will also find a piece of paper with a scale of colors inside the home swab test kit wherein you can base your test results with.  What you need to do is to apply the litmus paper against your vaginal or any affected area for a few seconds, then compare the color that will show in your litmus paper against the color scale in order to determine what the color in your litmus paper mean.

• The Spit Test

Prepare a glass of water before you go to bed and leave it on your nightstand.  When you wake up the next morning, and before you even get out of bed, grab your glass of water and spit into it.  Let the water sit for 30 minutes while you watch it closely.  Once you see any signs of strings moving from the top of the water going downwards, then it is a sign that you do have yeast infection.   However, if your spit sinks to the bottom of the glass, this can be an indication that you have severe infection and may need to see your doctor right away.

Scientifically, yeast is referred to as Candida.  The particular type of fungus that is mostly responsible for vaginal yeast infection is called Candida Albicans.  We normally carry yeast on areas of our body that have constant moisture like our mouth and vagina.

Vaginal yeast infection is one type of vaginitis, which is defined as a vaginal inflammation.  It is reported that as many as seventy-five percent of all women have said to experience such infection.

Women develop yeast infection when there is an overgrowth of it in their vagina that surpasses the number of the normal, protective bacteria present in it as well.  One instance that this can happen is when a woman undergoes treatment for respiratory, urinary tract, or any other types of infection.  The antibiotics that are prescribed in women in order to treat such infection simultaneously eradicate the protective bacteria in our body, making its number much lesser than the yeast present in the vagina.

Other factors that can predispose a woman to developing a vaginal yeast infection are pregnancy, diabetes, use of douches, and taking oral contraceptives.  Despite the popular belief, vaginal yeast infection should not be lined in with sexually transmitted infections because the presence of Candida can also be found in the most celibate of women.