You may find more current information on this topic in more recent issues of FDA Consumer or elsewhere on the FDA Website, by checking the site index or home page , or by searching the site. Controlling 'Yeast' Infections by Amy Roffmann New Intense itching is usually the hallmark of a vaginal yeast infection. Once a woman has experienced it, she's not likely to forget it. Nearly 75 percent of all women will have at least one such infection in their lifetime. Many are plagued by recurring yeast infections, which are most frequent between the ages of 16 and 35.
Yeast is a term for single-celled fungi.
The technical name for the variety of fungus often present in the human body is candida, and the technical name for infections caused by these fungi is candidiasis. A woman who has had one vaginal yeast infection can usually recognize its symptoms if it recurs. And a woman who has had several infections has no doubt about what's wrong when the next yeast infection starts. Another symptom is a thick, mostly odorless discharge. If you have a white discharge with an intense irritating itch, you may have an infection.