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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffTo diagnose a yeast infection, your doctor may:
- Ask questions about your medical history. This might include gathering information about any past vaginal infections or sexually transmitted diseases.
- Perform a pelvic exam. During the exam, you lie on your back on an exam table with your feet resting in supports called stirrups. Your doctor visually examines your external genitals for signs of infection. Next, your doctor places an instrument (speculum) into your vagina to hold the vaginal walls open so that he or she can examine the vagina and cervix. Your doctor may collect a sample of any vaginal discharge for examination under a microscope or to perform a vaginal culture test, if needed. After the speculum is removed, your doctor inserts gloved fingers into your vagina and, while using the other hand to press on your abdomen, examines your other pelvic organs for signs of disease.
- Send a sample of vaginal secretions for testing. For uncomplicated yeast infections, your doctor probably won't perform any sort of laboratory tests. However, if you have recurrent yeast infections, your doctor may be able to prescribe more effective treatment if he or she knows the specific type of yeast that's causing the infection.
References
- Frequently asked questions: Vaginal yeast infections. National Women's Health Information Center. http://womenshealth.gov/faq/vaginal-yeast-infections.cfm. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Vaginitis. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp028.cfm. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- ACOG Committee on Practice Bulletins — Gynecology. Vaginitis. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2006;107:1195.
- Hemsell DL. Gynecologic infections. In: Schorge JO, et al. Williams Gynecology. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3149718. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- McCormack WM. Vulvovaginitis and cervicitis. In: Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/linkTo?type=bookPage&isbn=978-0-443-06839-3&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00107-7. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines 2006. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/vaginal-discharge.htm. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Corigliano MA, et al. Candidiasis, vulvovaginal. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/198374960-2/0/2088/112.html?tocnode=58125592&fromURL=112.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00012-5--sc0010_2218. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Sobel JD. Candida vulvovaginitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Nyirjesy P. Vulvovaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. 2008;22:637.
- Falagas ME, et al. Probiotics for prevention of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: A review. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 2006;58:266.
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