SYMPTOMS

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ITCHING (a lot) (real bad) between the legs. It affects the vulva (the outside "female parts" that Mr. Rogers fails to notice when he sings "girls are fancy on the inside"), the vagina (the inside sexual organ leading to the uterus), and sometimes the opening to the rectum. These tender areas quickly become reddened and irritated, even if you can resist the urge to rub the itch. It can drive you nuts.

The itching caused by a yeast infection is fairly continual, and, untreated, usually gets worse. There's sometimes a bit of relief after urinating because the irritating little yeast plants are washed and wiped away--until more grow.

If you notice itching between your legs only at night and mostly toward the back, it's more likely pinworms in the rectum causing the problem.

* WHITE DISCHARGE from the vagina (sometimes a lot of discharge) that is has little bits of solid material--like little teeny clumps of wet cotton is typical of vaginal yeast infection.

* ODOR, Usually there's not a really awful "infected" smell to yeast infections, but it smells quite different from normal "woman smell." This is often described as a "yeasty odor," but I fail to identify the smell of a yeast infection with fresh-baked bread or nicely-aged wine

SIMILAR PROBLEMS THAT AREN'T YEAST INFECTIONS
Other microscopic organisms can cause vaginal itching, irritation and discharge. These are less common than simple yeast infections, but it's useful to recognize the differences.

If you have a vaginal discharge that is yellowish-green and slimy, it isn't a yeast infection--it could well be a disease called Trichomonas vaginalis (or "Trich"--pronounced "trick") that is usually (though not always) sexually transmitted.

It's caused by a one-celled microscopic creature (a protozoa) that commonly lives in our rectums--that's one reason little girls should always be taught to wipe from front to back when they use the toilet.

I once got a "Trich infection" after a severe bout of diarrhea--apparently a tiny bit of fecal matter splashed into the wrong area, and infected my vagina. It was nasty. A doctor gave me antibiotics, which quickly cleared it up. I don't know what long-term effect the antibiotics had on my health, though. That was years ago, and it didn't occur to me to seek other more natural solutions.

Vaginal infections caused by bacteria--like the common sexually- transmitted disease Gardnerella--can cause some itching and irritation of the vulva & surrounding area but usually have a nasty smelling discharge too.

Sometimes bacterial infections in the uterus or in tiny glands in the vulva may cause irritation and a foul-smelling discharge.

As a general rule, if your vaginal discharge develops a foul odor, you should see a family nurse practicioner or doctor. If you have a fever and/or pain in the pelvic region, you need to see someone quickly. If you have recently given birth or had a miscarriage or abortion and have a fever plus bad-smelling discharge, see a health care provider immediately. Annoying bacterial infections in the vaginal area can become serious, even life-threatening infections if they migrate up into the uterus or into the bladder.