A vaginal yeast infection is something that just under three out of every four woman will be effected by in their lives.
But because of the very personal nature of it, it is something that we don't often talk about, so when it does happen, it can be a scary thing.
It hasn't happened to us before, nobody has explained what is happening and it's rather embarrassing to talk about.
Well, help is here, because this article will let you know what you need to look out for and what is happening to you.
Vaginal yeast infections are usually caused by a fungus that occurs in small amounts in the vagina known as candida albicans.
They occur most commonly in post-menopausal women due to their lowered estrogen levels which have the effect of thinning the vaginal walls.
A few of the other contributing factors are:

• Pregnancy
• diabetes
• Oral contraceptive use
• Steroid Use
• Antibiotic Use

Yeast infections have several noticeable symptoms which include:

• A burning sensation while urinating
• A white discharge from the vagina which may look a little like cottage cheese
• An itching or burning sensation around the vagina
• Sexual intercourse being painful

There are many over the counter remedies for yeast infections, but if this is the first time you have encountered it, it's a good idea to get it properly diagnosed by a doctor.
Vaginal Yeast Infections are often mistaken for a common condition known as Bacterial Vaginosis, which occurs due to an imbalance of bacteria types in the vagina.
Bacterial Vaginosis may be spread through intercourse and is common during pregnancy.
It is noted for a gray discharge with a foul fishy odor which is more noticeable after having sex.
There are a number of other reasons to seek a medical diagnosis for a yeast infection.
If you have tried some of the other the counter remedies with no results you should definitely talk to a doctor.
You may also have had other types of vaginal or urinary tract infections which may be relevant or your immunity system has been lowered by treatment of serious diseases such as cancer or HIV.
Where you have multiple other symptoms such as fever or chills, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, a bloody discharge, back pain or difficulty urinating, then you may need to head straight to a medical professional.
You may be suffering from a kidney infection, inflammatory disease or appendicitis amongst other things and it is best to get thoroughly checked out.
Vaginal yeast infections also share many similarities with some sexually transmitted diseases.