It is often found in the vaginas of healthy women. Sometimes, due to changes in body chemistry, yeast may be stimulated to overgrow and produce symptoms of vaginitis. Some factors influencing this overgrowth are antibiotics, birth control pills and environmental factors. The symptoms of a yeast infection are a curdy white vaginal discharge, itching and redness in the genital area. Yeast infections need medical attention.
Yeast is diagnosed with an examination, swab test and the use of a microscope.
Yeast is treated with vaginal creams, ovules or with oral medication. This infection can also be passed to the male partner during intercourse. The male usually does not develop symptoms, although sometimes he might notice genital itching and a fine rash on the penis. It is usually treated with the same cream as used to treat females. It is acquired during sexual intercourse with an infected partner.