The absolute best way to confirm that you have a yeast infection is to go to the doctor and have a diagnosis performed. If you can't do that, you can also take an over-the-counter test that will give you a good idea of whether or not you have it. At the doctor's, he or she will give you a physical assessment and procure samples of your vaginal discharge. Over-the-counter tests are much like home pregnancy kit tests. They will check the pH balance of your body, which will tell you whether or not you have a yeast infection.
You should always have your yeast infection confirmed before going out to treat it with over-the-counter medications. Otherwise you can end up doing more harm than good to yourself, especially if you end up disturbing your pH balance even more. While yeast infections are quite bothersome to have, self-medicating something that you don't actually have can go ahead and disrupt your pH balance in your vaginal area, and cause the proliferation of microorganisms that can actually lead to real infections.
This is the problem with many home treatments. Women end up trying to treat something that they don't actually have. It is normal for a woman who has certain signs and symptoms in her vaginal area to think that she has a yeast infection. But the sad truth is that there are many infections and diseases that can inflict the same area with many similar symptoms. Some of these conditions may include bacterial vaginosis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.
However, there are three sure signs and symptoms that you can notice when you have a yeast infection. Appearance, odor, and discomfort. You probably actually do have a yeast infection if you are suffering from these three symptoms in your vaginal area.
Discomfort in the affected area is the most obvious symptom of yeast infections. Not only is it very revealing, but it is very telling as well. This discomfort may manifest as either intense burning or itching. Urinating is painful because of an irritated lining in your vaginal area. Sometimes the symptom may be so extreme that the sufferer can't even walk because of the discomfort. Naturally, sexual intercourse is something else that becomes too much to bear.
Another way to tell whether or not you actually have a yeast infection is to note the appearance of the area. People who have suffered from a yeast infection describe that their vaginal area takes on an ugly white material that reminds them of curdled milk. This same area will be red and sore. Most cases will also see a discharge in the area. This discharge can be clear or whitish or even yellowish. It can have a thin or thick consistency.
The last sign that can help you decide whether or not you have a yeast infection is a very distinct odor. The discharge you are experiencing may or may not have a starchy odor with it. If you are unfamiliar with this smell, it can be like bread or beer. This is because yeast it's used to bake bread and in the fermentation process of beer making. All of this happens because Candida Albicans is a form of yeast that can cause a fungal infection in the area. So before you make matters worse down there, know the symptoms first and even go to a doctor to get everything checked out to make sure.