The symptoms of candida overgrowth vary slightly from person to person, and from women to men, but the basic symptoms are very similar.

Most women are probably familiar with the common symptoms of burning or itching, accompanied by a white discharge from the vagina, but it’s helpful to look at a more detailed list of symptoms of candida overgrowth, for both women and men, and to consider each symptom carefully.  This should help you better determine whether you actually have a yeast infection, and give you some indication of its severity.

Note that most of these candida symptoms, although discussed from a woman’s point of view, are indications of a male yeast infection as well.

Vaginal Burning, Itching or Irritation

Many women have a lot of itching in and around their vagina when they have a candida overgrowth. This is certainly one of the first and most common yeast infection symptoms. A burning sensation may also be present, but this could also be due to a urinary tract infection.  The difference is that, with a yeast infection, the burning will occur once the urine leaves the urethra and contacts the wall of the vagina or skin of the vulva.  With a urinary tract infection, the burning will be felt inside the urethra, before it reaches the outermost portions of the vagina.

Pain or Discomfort During Sexual Intercourse

Primarily due to irritation of the vulvar skin and vaginal wall (or head of the penis), a yeast infection can cause anything from slight discomfort to pain during sexual intercourse.

Vaginal Discharge

A yeast infection may also produce some sort of discharge from the vagina or around the penis.  The discharge can be nearly clear to whitish or slightly yellowish, and may be anywhere from thin to thick, with the consistency of ricotta cheese.  The discharge may also be accompanied by a starchy or bread/beer odor, which is unique to each woman.  Note that only about 20% of women experience discharge with a yeast infection.

Certain symptoms indicate that you probably do NOT have a yeast infection.  In any case – yeast or not – your best bet is to start with your doctor.  However, here are some clues that you probably do NOT have a yeast infection:

• Dark yellow, green, or brownish discharge: Especially if accompanied by a strong, rotting odor, this type of discharge can be a sign of a bacterial infection, so you should definitely see a doctor as soon as possible.
• Chills, fever, lower back pain, and/or pressure in the abdomen: These can all be signs of either a bacterial infection or, especially, a urinary tract infection.  If you have the dark, smelly discharge mentioned just above and are having a fever and/or chills, it’s probably not a yeast infection, and you should see a doctor.

Whether you see a doctor or use a natural remedy for yeast infections, you should pay close attention to your body and how you feel, and over time, you will probably become the best judge of exactly what to do for your yeast infection.