Q:   I think I might have a yeast infection, but I'm not sure. Should I go ahead and try one of the over-the-counter preparations to see if my symptoms go away?
A:   Your symptoms may be similar to those of a yeast infection, but if you're not sure, it's best to see your health care professional. Remember not all itching and not all vaginal discharges are the same; you could have a condition that is not related to Candida yeast. In that case, using the over-the-counter medication won't help. Even with the classic cottage-cheese type discharge and itching, the probability that yeast is present may be as low as 50 percent when checked by culture or DNA testing. Symptoms are not completely reliable, but the risk and cost of over-the-counter medicines is low enough to justify a trial. If such medications don't work, however, see your health care provider.

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