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So, you have (possibly thick) white discharge and itching in the vaginal area; and, you are wondering what is giving you this annoying, painful problem. Well, as you may have guessed, these could be symptoms of a yeast infection.
As research indicates, the discharge from a yeast infection can vary greatly; sometimes, it can be watery, and other times it can be thick. It should almost always appear white, however, if it is a yeast infection; as the fungi that causes this problem, Candida, is white in color.
Yet, in some cases a yeast infection may not cause vaginal discharge at all. But, one of the most indicative Candida symptoms is profuse cottage cheese like discharge.
Another key to remember, about Candida induced thick white discharge, is that if it sticks to the vaginal wall (which it should do sometimes), it can cause slight bleeding when it is scraped off. This attached discharge, like Candida lesions, commonly bleed when they are scraped away from the skin. This can be another signal to help you see if you do, in fact, have a yeast infection.
As far as itching goes, about 90% of women with a vaginal yeast infection will complain of intense itching in the vaginal area. But, only about 35% to 40% of women, who have vaginal itching, will have a yeast infection. Two other prominent vaginal infections, bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis, can also cause vaginal itching and discharge. We will discuss these other two vaginal problems later on.
One key way to determine, with a little better success, if you have a Candida problem is to see how many other classic yeast infections symptoms you exhibit. The research articles we will discuss later, all gave many similar symptoms that a yeast infection causes. The more of these symptoms your experiencing, the more chance you have of having a Candida problem. Also discussed, is a test you can take to help diagnose yourself.
If you do consider your white discharge and itching is due to a yeast infection; there a plethora of natural remedies you can use to treat this condition at home. Candida Hub has a lot of information about herbs, essential oils, extracts, and other natural items that are strong Candida fighters. If you have some time, feel free to check out this information! Now, let's take a look at research about white vaginal discharge and vaginal itching.
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Visit Official Site!Related Research
The first study we will look at, was published in The Lancet [369.9577 (2007): 1961-1971]. The author first discusses the epidemiology of vaginal yeast infections, stating that about 75% of women will have an infection at some time in their lives.
The women, who are most prone to this condition, are of childbearing age. And, about 50% of women will also get a recurrence of Candidiasis. A smaller number, 5% to 8% of women, will have frequent recurring yeast infections (four or more occurrences in a year’s time).
Yeast infections are the second most common vaginal infection—the first being bacterial vaginosis. In 1990, around 13 million prescriptions were written to treat vaginal yeast infections. About 85% of all vaginal yeast infections are caused by the species Candida albicans.
According to the study, the gut is where Candida initially migrates from, into the vagina; and, when Candida reaches the anus, it moves into the nearby vaginal canal (more information on gut yeast infections).
Normally, healthy women have enough immune system support to hinder Candida from dominating the microflora of the vagina; thus, this yeast typically lives in this area as a harmless commensal. Changes in the vaginal environment are typically what instigates an overgrowth of Candida—leading to an arduous yeast infection.
As far as vaginal discharge and itching goes, the study relates that vaginal discharge and intense, sudden itching are the typical symptoms of a yeast infection. Yet, there can be other causes of discharge and itching. So, it isn’t a guarantee you have a yeast infection.
A yeast infection can occur without discharge from the vagina; however, when it does occur, the discharge is usually minimal. Such discharge caused by a yeast infection usually resembles cottage cheese to some extent; but, it can vary from watery to homogeneously thick.
The discharge can stick to the vaginal wall, and may not flow out of the vagina easily. The vagina and the discharge, will have no smell, or occasionally a very slight smell. Other symptoms of a yeast infection include: swelling of the vulva and labia, inflammation of the labia and vulva, painful sexual intercourse, painful urination, fissures on the skin (small cuts), pus filled bumps, red bumps without pus, burning sensations in the vulva, irritation, and general vaginal soreness.
Often, these symptoms of this problem are aggravated the week before your period. The more of the symptoms that are presenting themselves, the more easily you will be able to correctly diagnose you vaginitis.
The next study we will examine, was published in the journal Dermatologic Therapy [17.1 (2004): 102-110]. The study stated most women with yeast infections complain of aggravating itching as the most significant symptom. As far as white discharge goes, the author states that most vaginal yeast infections do not have the white, clumped, “cottage cheese” like discharge indicative of this malady.
But, if you do, it’s a great sign Candida is causing your troubles. Other symptoms to look for, that indicate you have a yeast infection, include: a glazed skin texture, vulvar inflammation, erosions of the skin, pus filled bumps around the periphery of the infected skin, and small fissures (cuts) in the skin around skin folds. A common pattern of vaginal Candidiasis is having itching, irritation, and other symptoms a few days before your period.
The next study, published in the journal Annals of Emergency Medicine [25.5 (1995): 587-591], takes a look at the process of diagnosing a yeast infection. The study analyzed 71 women, not currently having their periods, who were complaining of vaginal discharge, itching, or pain. Of these 71 individuals, 23 were found to have Candida via laboratory analysis.
The study found that a clumpy, cottage cheese like vaginal discharge, intense itching, vaginal swelling, and vaginal inflammation were more predictive of vaginal yeast infections than other causes of vaginitis. A watery vaginal discharge, with a vaginal “fishy” smell, were solid indicators that Candida was not causing the vaginitis (these symptoms are a sign of the most frequent vaginal infection: bacterial vaginosis).
The study concluded, that the best indicators of a yeast infection, included: a patient self diagnoses of “yet another yeast infection,” the lack of a watery discharge, and a Gram stain test.
The study also stated common risk factors for yeast infections include: antibiotic usage, being pregnant, and having a form of diabetes. Diagnosis of a yeast infection usually includes seeing if the patient has cheesy or curdy discharge (or the presence of this material inside the vagina), itching and burning in the pubic region between the thighs, and microscopic examination to identify classic hyphae forming Candida cells.
Although the sample size of women in this study was small, it did find an interesting correlation: 11 of 12 women who had a cottage cheese like discharge, concomitantly with vaginal swelling (perineal edema), had positive yeast cultures. This suggests that such a symptom pair would be a powerful indicator that you indeed have Candida overgrowth in the vagina.
Another study also talked about thick discharge and itching; the study was published in the journal Mycoses [58.S1 (2015): 1-15]. The study related that 35% to 40% of women complaining of itching will have a yeast infection. But, in about 90% of yeast infections, itching will be a prominent symptom.
The discharge caused by Candida can range drastically from fluid like to curdy, cottage cheese like. In some cases, of chronic recurrent vaginal Candidiasis, discharge can be completely absent. Occasionally, clumps of this white thick discharge will stick to the vaginal walls; and, cause slight bleeding to occur when it is removed.
Other common symptoms of vaginal Candidiasis include: vaginal inflammation, burning sensations, pain during sex, pain during urination, general vaginal soreness, and swelling of the labia.
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Visit Official Site!Other Causes of Itching and Discharge
The most common vaginal infection, bacterial vaginosis, can also present with a watery discharge and vaginal itching. The key symptom of bacterial vaginosis, is a strong “fishy” or “cheese” smell, that comes from the vagina and emanates from the discharge.
So, if you have itching and discharge, with a strong foul vaginal odor; you probably have bacterial vaginosis—not a yeast infection. For more information about this very common feminine problem, you can check out Yeast Infection or Bacterial Vaginosis.
Another condition that causes itching and vaginal discharge, is the sexually transmitted disease (STD) trichomoniasis. This malady is caused by the single celled protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis.
Often, this condition causes unusual foul vaginal odor along with a green, yellow, white, or clear vaginal discharge. Since this condition is an STD, you can pretty much rule it out if you haven’t had an unusual sexual partner that could have been carrying this protozoan. But, if you have had a lot of sexual activity, you could be positive for this, fortunately treatable, STD.
A yeast infection won’t normally cause any foul odor to occur; so, if you smell something bad from the vagina, you likely have a different infection than Candida. Yet, do note, that multiple vaginal infections can occur at the same time.
For more information about differentiating Candida overgrowth from this STD, you can check out Yeast Infection and Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
Bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, and trichomoniasis are the “big three” vaginal infections that give women irritated vaginas and discharge. As the Annals of Emergency Medicine [25.5 (1995): 587-591] study stated, when a woman complains of having “another yeast infection,” this is a good indicator that she, in fact, has this very problem.
So, if you have had experience with Candida attacking your vagina in the past, you are going to be pretty good at determining if it is currently giving you your thick white discharge and itching symptoms. For more help figuring out if Candida is giving you a problem, you can always use our online Home Yeast Infection Test.
There is a short version and a long version; you can choose how much time to invest in the testing.
Clair Goodall: Author & Nature Lover
Clair Goodall is a bee-obsessed natural medicine convert from Minnesota. She is one expert you might want to know more about!
Clair will help you protect you and your family from toxic products and chemicals and help you discover solutions from nature.
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Visit Official Site!A Natural, 12 Hour Yeast Infection Cure
According to a research paper published in Clinical Microbiology Reviews [12.1 (1999): 80-96], Candida species are quite ubiquitous organisms. Candida are most frequently present in the mouth; and, live in 31% to 55% of healthy people. The species that causes approximately 70% to 80% of all Candida infections is C. albicans.
The Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology [2011 Jul;46(7):496] reports there appears to be a correlation between intestinal Candida infections and vaginal yeast infections. And, this provides a clue, as to why yeast infections in general, can reoccur.
This study states, in 148 cases of vaginal candida infections, 33.1% of the women were infected in both the intestines and vaginal area. The recurrence rate of yeast infections, in women with simultaneous intestinal infection, was significantly higher than for women who did not have an intestinal infection.
This study concluded that vaginal yeast infections are highly associated with simultaneous intestinal Candida infection.
As research appears to indicate, systemic Candida infections can and do happen. A more systemic Candida infection may primarily get a foothold in the intestines; and cause a wide array of problems. If your yeast infections keep happening, a systemic Candida problem may be why.
One woman who suffered from a systemic Candida infection, for about 12 years, was Linda Allen.
The systemic Candida infection that attacked Linda caused a wide range of health problems in addition to yeast infections. Some of these problems, Linda describes in her own words in the following quote:
To be honest, it was hard to pinpoint exactly what was wrong: I wasn’t really sick, but I wasn’t really well either. I had listlessness, fatigue, brain fog, stomach ailments, unexplained rashes, skin infections, and so on. It seemed like every day brought a new challenge.
My energy was sapped and I felt exhausted, which affected my grades and put a big dent in my social life.
Linda Allen’s symptoms included an embarrassing vaginal discharge, severe itching, and burning sensations. Her infections were difficult to deal with, and Linda’s health problems cost her financially as well. Linda states these infections of Candida can become excruciating when they happen as frequently as a menstrual period.
Yet, Linda spent a great deal of time in research; and even questioned health professionals who were kind enough to share some time with her. Linda even tried an array of purported "cures." Although it took a while, eventually, Linda put together a natural treatment plan she hoped would solve her Candida situation.
After spending about a year refining her new approach, Linda tried her system on herself. It worked amazingly well. Linda even returned to a few medical doctors to get tested for the presence of infections. These tests revealed all indicators of infection had vanished! Linda was indeed well again, after such a long, difficult journey.
Linda has since published a book detailing how to copy her success. She also includes a 12 hour yeast infection cure that can get rid of a superficial (such as a genital yeast infection or oral thrush) yeast infection in about 12 hours.
Linda’s publisher protects those who get her book with a 60 day, 100% money back guarantee. Linda’s publisher, a subsidiary of the United States based firm Keynetics Incorporated, is a reputable digital retailer that has been around for a long time. They have great customer service, and make getting a full refund on Linda’s book quick and easy.
If you’re not satisfied, you can quickly get all your money back.
If you would like to learn more about Linda’s journey to freedom from Candida, see reviews of others who tried her natural system, or find out more about her efficacious book; you can find more information at Linda Allen’s website.
Author: Mr. Nicholas Gross
Nick Gross is a natural medicine enthusiast who has been researching and writing about natural medicine since 2008. Nick is primarily a web developer but also researches and authors written and video content about natural health. Nick has a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Northern Iowa.
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SOURCES:
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(07)60917-9 — Sobel, Jack D. "Vulvovaginal candidosis." The Lancet 369.9577 (2007): 1961-1971. PubMed
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1396-0296.2004.04010.x — Edwards, Libby. "The diagnosis and treatment of infectious vaginitis." Dermatologic Therapy 17.1 (2004): 102-110. PubMed
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0196-0644(95)70168-0 — Abbott, Jean. "Clinical and microscopic diagnosis of vaginal yeast infection: a prospective analysis." Annals of emergency medicine 25.5 (1995): 587-591. PubMed, Full Text Available Here
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/myc.12292 — Mendling, Werner. "Guideline: vulvovaginal candidosis (AWMF 015/072), S2k (excluding chronic mucocutaneous candidosis)." Mycoses 58.S1 (2015): 1-15. PubMed
- https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.12.1.80 -- Fidel, Paul L., Jose A. Vazquez, and Jack D. Sobel. "Candida glabrata: review of epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical disease with comparison to C. albicans." Clinical Microbiology Reviews [12.1 (1999): 80-96].
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22041440/ -- Lin XL, Li Z, Zuo XL. "Study on the relationship between vaginal and intestinal candida in patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis." Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Zhonghua fu chan ke za zhi). [2011 Jul;46(7):496].
