The symptoms
A yeast infection of the vagina can manifest itself through several symptoms, but not all of them have to occur in a patient. In addition, a new yeast infection can cause different symptoms than the initial infection. Completely symptom-free fungal infections can also occur, which are usually detected during a routine swab.
Common complaints include burning and itching in the genital area. The burning sensation in particular can be aggravated when urinating. In addition, the mucous membrane of the vagina is reddened and attacked, causing pain.
These complaints can be made worse by scratching in the genital area when the itching subsides, as this can cause minor injuries to the vaginal mucosa. Other possible symptoms include small blisters and pustules on the labia and the vaginal opening. Sexual intercourse can also cause pain and aggravate existing complaints in the case of a vaginal mycosis.
The labia may also be swollen and covered with a white coating. Another common symptom is a whitish, viscous to crumbly discharge. In addition, there may be an unpleasant odor from the vagina.
You can find more information on this topic in the article: Symptoms of vaginal mycosisWhile a healthy vagina emits a mostly discreet and slightly acidic odor, the vaginal odor can change due to an imbalance of the vaginal flora and a yeast infection. The vagina can smell unpleasant. The normally odorless discharge, which occurs occasionally in every woman and fulfills cleaning functions, can also be changed in its consistency, color and odor by a yeast fungus function. If the vaginal odor is very intense and unpleasant and is perceived as fish-like, a bacterial infection of the vagina is more likely than a fungal disease. However, a yeast infection cannot be completely ruled out by the smell alone.
The diagnosis
The diagnosis is usually easy to establish on the basis of a detailed medical history of symptoms, sexual behaviour and medication intake and the characteristic changes in the intimate area. In order to differentiate the symptoms from bacterial diseases of the vagina, the gynecologist usually takes a smear from the vagina with the help of a cotton swab and then examines the sample under a microscope. The suspicion of a yeast infection is confirmed if thread-like structures can be seen through the microscope.
Additionally, although not always necessary, the sample taken can also be sent to a laboratory.There the exact subform of the fungus can be determined and any resistance to medication can be determined. This more detailed examination of the fungal species is particularly necessary if the symptoms are recurrent or persistent under therapy. In addition, frequent fungal infections in the vaginal area can make blood sugar diagnostics necessary, since a more frequent occurrence of fungal diseases can be typical for diabetes.
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