Alice can't emphasize enough the need to see a health care provider in situations like these. Of course, it's often embarrassing, to some degree, to see a doctor or nurse practitioner for sexual and women's (and men's) health problems. However, the benefits of getting the problem taken care of outweigh the drawbacks of the actual office visit. What you are describing may not be a yeast infection. Treating it with over-the-counter yeast infection creams might exacerbate what you have, or even create a new problem.

It helps to have a women's health care provider with whom you feel comfortable so that seeing her/him for something, like an unusual vaginal discharge, won't be too embarrassing. If you don't feel comfortable with whomever you've been to in the past, you may want to think about finding a new provider.

If you don't have an established women's health care provider, now is as good a time as any to find one. Get referrals from your friends and from people at work or at school. Ask them why they like a particular provider. Is s/he caring, understanding, and takes her/his time to explain things and answer questions?

The next step is to call and make an appointment. Let the person scheduling the appointment know that you are having a problem that requires immediate attention so that you will not have to wait too long to be seen. If you cannot go to a private gyn practice, you can call (800) 230-PLAN/- 7526 for the Planned Parenthood center/clinic in your area -- they are staffed by nurse practitioners with special training in women's health.

Alice

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