The types of vaginitis, the many causes, and the over-lapping symptoms have lead to much confusion for women. Certain classic signs of infection, like discharge or itching, may be nothing more than your menstrual cycle, a change in the weather, or a new laundry detergent. A woman's vagina changes with age, too, and the dryness that many experience after menopause can cause symptoms like itching and burning or painful intercourse. Worse, a survey of gynecologists by the Institute for Epidemiological Research found that more than 40 percent of patients had incorrectly treated themselves with anti-yeast medicines. Such mistakes leave the actual infections untreated and could lead to severe complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease.
Many women really do know when they have a yeast infection.
For them, a trip to the drugstore is the simplest, least expensive solution. But even they may not realize the variety of vaginal infections or the consequences of mistreating them. But there is a risk of delaying treatment for what you really have. For most women with symptoms of vaginitis, a trip to the health care provider is the best way to deal with this confusion. Otherwise, mistakes in diagnosis or treatment could lead to serious complications.