Getting your first period is a right of passage for women, and guess what? So is your first yeast infection. The issue, which doctors also call candidal vulvovaginitis or vaginal thrush, is incredibly common, affecting 3 out of 4 women in their lifetimes. Some even experience it 4 or more times in a year. Though we really, really hope that doesn't happen to you. The health condition is so, err, popular because every woman naturally has yeast aka candida brewing in their vaginas.
But sometimes an overgrowth can occur, and that's when problems pop up. Other common causes: Douching , using vaginal products that have fragrance chemicals, hanging out in wet or sweaty clothing and swimsuits , and wearing underwear that's too tight.
But how do you know if what you're seeing β or feeling β is actually a yeast infection? That way you'll know if an over-the-counter treatment will actually work, or if you need to grab a prescription for something stronger. Either way, you'll be on your way to a healthy, back-in-balance vagina. It's one of the more gag-worthy comparisons out there, but anyone who's experienced this yeast infection symptom firsthand knows it's accurate.
Normal discharge is typically somewhere between clear and milky white, so you'll notice a distinct difference. It wouldn't be all that surprising to feel general vaginal pain or soreness after an enthusiastic romp in the sack. But if that didn't actually happen β and there are no other obvious reasons behind your pain β then that could be a sign of a yeast infection, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
One day you're peeing without a care in the world and the next it becomes one of those moments that you dread and may even try to avoid. Mason says painful urination is one of the most telltale yeast infection symptoms in women. When you're experiencing it, you'll most likely notice other symptoms, including redness and swelling in the vulva, reports the Cleveland Clinic.
