Thousands of women self diagnose a yeast infection every day. This is either done from a list of symptoms that they find in a book, or on the internet, or from similar symptoms a close friend once suffered with. The problem with this type of self diagnosis is there are other vaginal bacterial infections that have similar symptoms to a yeast infection.

The symptoms of a yeast infection are caused by the Candida Albicans yeast. These symptoms however are similar to all vaginal bacterial infections, and this is where self diagnosis can lead to complications later. Even if you have suffered from a yeast infection in the past you can still get your self diagnosis wrong.

The symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are...

Itchiness
Pain and redness
Cottage cheese discharge
Painful sexual intercourse
Frequent and/or painful urination

These symptoms are only a guide, and if you suffer from any of them you need to see your doctor before you start trying to cure yourself. Painful sexual intercourse can be a symptom of Chlamydia, which if left untreated can cause pain and irreversible damage to your reproductive organs.

Frequent and painful urination can be a sign of a urinary tract infection which when left untreated can then cause a kidney infection.

Your doctor is the only person that can diagnose any vaginal infection that you have. Your doctor will take a sample of the bacteria/fungus that is causing the infection and then test it. This is the only way for an accurate diagnosis.

Many women who suffer form any vaginal infection would rather self diagnose themselves than have this type of examination performed on them.

Taking the few minutes to have a doctor looking at you is a lot better than having permanent damage caused to your reproductive organs.