It probably started out as an itch that you hardly noticed.
That's usually the first sign of vulvovaginal candidiasis or a vaginal yeast infection.
But it can soon develop into vaginal irritation or burning and painful urination.
It can really turn into a problem when it causes painful sexual intercourse and there is a vaginal discharge.
This discharge may be thick and white or gray like cottage cheese or it might be more watery.
Either way, it is unpleasant and unwelcome.
Yeast infections are most common in girls and women between the ages of 15 and 35.
They can also be present in girls as young as ten and in older women as well.
Don't assume that if you or your daughter has a yeast infection, it was transmitted sexually.
A girl or woman can have an outbreak of Candida without being sexually active.
There are four varieties of the Candida fungus that cause vaginal infections but the most common is Candida albicans.
It is almost always present in the human body and normally does not cause a problem.
An infection occurs when the Candida flares up and grows uncontrolled.
This usually happens when the environment is just right for the Candida albicans to grow or when your body's own immune system is compromised by another illness or even fatigue.
Diet also can play an important role in preventing an outbreak.
There are a number of drugs and home remedies that claim to prevent or cure yeast infections.
It's important to know which of these are real, which are old wives tales and which are just plain quackery.
Some drugs simply mask the symptoms without effecting a cure and many of the "home remedies" might sooth the irritation but do nothing to get rid of the underlying problem.
A complete, holistic solution is the best way to get rid of yeast infections forever.