Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Ask the Expert

Get answers to your menopause and sexual dysfunction questions.

Note: This is for informational purposes only. Doctors cannot provide a diagnosis or individual treatment advice via e-mail. Please consult your physician about your specific health care concerns.

Vaginal yeast infection - Symptom

Alternative Names

Yeast infection - vagina; Vaginal candidiasis; Monilial vaginitis

Symptoms:

Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Ranges from a slightly watery, white discharge to a thick, white, chunky discharge (like cottage cheese)
Pain with intercourse
Painful urination
Redness and swelling of the vulva
Vaginal and labial itching, burning

Signs and tests:

A pelvic examination will be done. It may show swelling (inflammation) of the skin of the vulva, in the vagina, and on the cervix. The health care provider may find dry, white plaques on the vaginal wall.

A small amount of the vaginal discharge is examined using a microscope (called a wet mount and KOH test). It will show Candida.

Sometimes, a culture is taken when the infection does not improve with treatment or comes back many times.

Your doctor may also choose to do tests to find other causes of your symptoms.

Candida, flourescent stain

Female reproductive anatomy

Yeast infections

Secondary infection

Uterus

Normal uterine anatomy (cut section)

Reviewed last on: 11/1/2009
Linda Vorvick, MD, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, WA; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Nviriesy P. Vulvovaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis. Infect Dis Clin North Am, 2008;22:637-652.

Eckert LO, Lentz GM. Infections of the lower genital tract: vulva, vagina, cervix, toxic shock syndrome, HIV infections. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 22.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

Connect with UMMC

© 2011 University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). All rights reserved.
UMMC is a member of the University of Maryland Medical System,
22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. TDD: 1-800-735-2258 or 1.866.408.6885