Questions about possible YI

[janochka5.livejournal.com]

So I used to think I had a vag-o-steel because I've never had a YI, and I've never done anything in particular with an aim to avoiding one. However, last week I started a new job which requires business casual dress, which means for the first time in a long while I spent the whole week trotting around in polyester not-very-breathable pants. By the time the weekend hit I was definitely having some itching/burning and a little more discharge than usual. But not all of my symptoms seem to point to YI...

(1) the discharge isn't really white and clumpy (although there are a few white clumps stuck to my labia majora, but it could just be smegma...), but rather just shows up sort of yellow-y on a pantiliner (2) I definitely don't have any itching/burning in my vag...really all that feels bad are my labia and general vulva area and (3) well, I guess I just don't really know what yeast is supposed to smell like. The discharge isn't revolting, but it doesn't smell great either. Smells kind of sour, mainly.

So if any of y'all can offer your opinions on whether this is/is not a YI, let me know. I'm a poor student, so my best option is not to go running to my doc (although I will if symptoms persist). I'd rather try a 7-day home YI treatment (any opinions on a particular one to try? I'm thinking the 7-day because I've heard the 1- and 3-day treatments can be harsh).

Also, I spent the entire weekend not wearing underwear to help with the ventilation, and it did seem to help, but my symptoms flared up again after today at work. Do you think it would be better to go underwear-less even in polyester pants? My feeling is that it probably will still help with the ventilation, but I dunno with the polyester.

Comments

[queensugar.livejournal.com]

Not all YIs show all the symptoms. Although one classic symptom is the "cottage-cheese discharge," not every woman, or every infection, gets this. I don't get the clumpy discharge with my YIs: just the redness, itch, and some swelling of the affected area.

The smell of a YI is often described as, well, yeasty... like bread or beer. Again, though, mileage may vary: I've never smelled that particular odour during my YIs.

Beyond that, maybe some of the information on our YI Vulvapedia entry (http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=Yeast_Infection) would be helpful to you.

[janochka5.livejournal.com]

Oops! I should have clarified that I've already taken a look at the vulvapedia. These were basically my remaining questions. I guess I have a hard time comparing the smell of my vag to bread and beer and such things that I would ingest, although I guess the sour-ness of the smell is sort of similar to beer...