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Yeast Infection Questions
What to Expect at the Doctor's Office
By Kelly Burgess
The first thing Dr. Shanahan asks Catherine is some very specific questions about her symptoms. For example, she asks what kind of a discharge Catherine has and asks her to describe it in detail. She also asks about when the symptoms started, how severe the itching and burning is, and if there was any other associated pain.
Sometimes, the symptoms seem to indicate that there's more going on than just a yeast infection. In that case, says Dr. Shanahan, she may use the speculum and take several swabs from inside the vagina along with a brief but very focused pelvic exam. This is usually only done if someone is complaining of cramping or pelvic pain, and is used to rule out issues that may not be related to the yeast infection.
The next step is the physical exam, where Dr. Shanahan would perform an internal examination. Sometimes, according to Dr. Shanahan, these examinations almost immediately provide conclusive proof of a classic yeast infection. However, regardless of how certain she is, Dr. Shanahan's office always takes a swab and tests it to be positive before prescribing any medications.
"There are several different kinds of tests that can be done, and some can give you results very quickly, but are often not as accurate," says Dr. Shanahan. "We usea newer test that can be done in our office and is very accurate in pinning down the source of the infection. The results typically take a couple of hours, and we're in immediate touch with the patient as soon as we find out the answer so we can prescribe the proper medication."