Women who have had vaginal itching and burning have reason to celebrate. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved the sale of test strips for yeast infections in stores and pharmacies. And a prescription isn't even needed! The yeast infection test kit was developed for women who have had yeast infections and don't want to wait for a diagnosis.

Using testing pH paper like you used in chemistry class or when testing your swimming pool, the yeast infection kits are easy to use. The test strips for yest infection use litmus paper to test for yeast. The strips test the pH of the vagina's secretions.

In the normal vagina the pH is acidic (4-4.5). Many studies have been done which prove vaginal pH is an indicator of the difference between yeast (candidiasis), bacterial vaginitis (BV) or trichomoniasis (TV). An abnormal pH is associated with bacterial vaginitis, trichomoniasis or a combination infection. In these instances the pH is raised above 4.5.

Several companies have manufactured yeast test kits so women can determine whether or not they have a yeast infection. The litmus paper from chemistry class has morphed into an easy to use swab or even easier panty liner.

Swab testers are used for both the pHem-Alert and the Vagilisil Screening Kit for Vaginal Infections. Using the directions found in the kit, the user inserts the swab into her vagina. Removing the swab the user checks the result with the chart included in the yeast test kit.

Another company uses a pantyliner with the pH strip in the middle. With the Fem-V the woman wears the special pantyliner until wet with discharge or for 6-12 hours. The pantyliner is then placed in a special drying tray. The results are checked against the chart included in the kit.

Without wasting time the test strips for yeast infection give women the option of starting the correct treatment of symptoms quickly and easily. If a woman has never had a vaginal infection, she is urged to check with her health care provider before starting any treatment.

Interestingly only 33% of women are able to correctly self-diagnose yeast infections by symptoms alone. However Medscape reports studies using test strips for yeast infection, increases the accuracy of self-diagnosis to 96%.

Test strips for yeast infections can give peace of mind that a woman is making the correct choice when treating symptoms of her yeast infection.