Using A Testing Strips For Yeast Infection-Is It Yeast Or Something Else?
If you are a female who is wondering if the itching and burning you have in your vagina is a yeast infection, you might want to try one of the FDA approved test strips for yeast infection. These to use yeast infection home test over the counter kits are easy to use and low cost.
Why bother testing? Not all itching and burning is caused by a yeast infection.
Treating vaginal itching and burning can be symptoms of other conditions such as urinary tract infections, atrophic vaginitis, or a sexually transmitted disease. That’s why it’s important to know what you have before you start any plan of treatment.
Test strips for yeast infection are an easy to use way to determine if the itching, burning and vaginal discharge is a yeast infection or not. The yeast infection tests over the counter kits mean you don't have to wait for a call back from your healthcare provider's office.
Easy To Use And Self-Diagnose
These test strips for yeast infections are a re-engineered version of the pH strip used in chemistry classes, to test swimming pools and make beer.
The classic symptoms of a yeast infection are itching, burning and a cheesy white vaginal discharge. Yet in studies only 33% of women are able to accurately self-diagnose a yeast infection by symptoms alone. Add a test strip for yeast infections and 96% of women in studies are able to correctly self-diagnose their yeast infection according to a study reported in Medscape.
How Do The Test Strips For Yeast Work?
Normal vaginal pH is 4.0-4.5. With infections like bacterial vaginosis, trichonomias, or mixed infections the pH is over 4.5. When the test kit is used the indicator changes color much like the home pregnancy tests.
There are two types of test strips for yeast kits available. One called Fem-V uses a pantyliner with a test strip built in the liner. The woman places the panty liner inside her underwear until the strip is wet or 6-12 hours. The panty liner is then placed in a special tray. After 10 minutes the color of the indicator strip is matched to the kit guide.
The second type of candida test uses a swab with the test strip embedded in the swab. The woman inserts the swab into her vagina and touches the swab to her vaginal wall. The swab is then removed and compared to the guide in the kit.
The accuracy of these candida tests can be affected in several ways.
· Blood affects the pH reading, so these test strips for yeast are not an accurate indicator during menstrual periods.
· Douching and vaginal sprays changes the pH so strips will not give correct results.
· Semen change vaginal pH so it is best to test before sexual intercourse
· Sunlight and fluorescent lights can appear to change the color of the strips so make sure the light allows you to see the true result.
· Antibiotic use and high doses of Vitamin C can affect the readings so the result may not be a true indication of vaginal health.
These test strips for yeast infection kits can be bought in drugstores, groceries and other locations. The yeast infection home test kit is inexpensive costing less than $15 USD.
Other women choose to use litmus or pH tapes which are available in chemical supply stores. If you choose to use pH tapes not made for medical use make sure the tapes you buy have been stored correctly. Tapes can become less accurate with high heat, age and if exposed to light.
Why Accurate Testing Is Important
Vaginal symptoms of bacterial and yeast infections are very much alike. However the treatments for the infections are very different. So if you have had yeast infections in the past, the pH strips can be a good resource for you. It will help you determine whether you have a yeast infection or another type of infection.
If the test strips for yeast infection indicate a yeast infection you can begin treatment of the symptoms right away with an over the counter (OTC) medication. With this yeast infection home test kit a woman can quickly find the answer she is looking for.
The low cost of these yeast infection home test kits are such every woman can have one ready to use at home. So instead of wasting money on medications and treatments that won't work, use testing strips for yeast infection to see if you really have a yeast infection.
So what do you do if the candida test results indicate another problem or you cannot understand the results? Call your health care provider to arrange a consultation for the proper treatment.
