How can you tell the difference between normal white vaginal discharge verses having a yeast infections?

Is there a site that has any pictures? Does yogurt really help prevent yeat infections? How does that work?

They say it should smell like baking bread? I have no idea what that smells like. I dont have any discharge in my underwear. I just noticed that I have some vaginal discharge sometimes, but it seems to come 3-7days before and after my cycle? It does not look like cottage cheese but I can stick my finger in there and some white thin creamy discharge (almost water like) will be on my finger. Is has an odor, but nothing sticky? Actually, smells normal.

Normal vaginal discharge basically has no odour. If your discharge is yellowish and now has an odour, accompanied by itching, that sounds like a yeast infection to me. And yogourt helps for sure because its full of the bacteria that we have naturally in our bodies that can be compromised by various things, the number one thing being an antibiotic. So if you're on antibiotics always eat yogourt and you will prevent a yeast infection.

If you have a yeast infection you will know! It looks like cottage cheese!

Go by smell. If it smells like a French baguette then you have a yeast infection.

I'll add that also important thing to note is the smell
if there is yeast it will be awful.

yogurt does help but vagisal can be bought at local pharmcy if it were yeast u wld have smell, itch and burning so i wld go to dr and be sure

While sometimes there are symptoms they are easily misdiagnosed. Fortunately (I think it's Vagisil) has a product you can test for it. Other than that, go to your Gyno, & have them discuss the details with you. Don't let it go, not to scare you, but it can also be a sign of a larger issue. Yes, yogurt keeps the good/bad bacteria in check. Eat some everyday for prevention. But it won't cure a present yeast infection. The white vaginal discharge is usually a sign of where you are in your cycle. Try yahoo/google images :)

Yeast infections can be painful such as burning sensations. Drink acid free drinks (such as water). Often, the acids may be all that is causing it. If there is no change, my advice would be to see a doctor. I have had both yeast infections and acid-based infections .

If it smells bad, you have a yeast infection.

okay, normal vaginal discharge is not white. It is opaque, almost clear. And it does not have a strong odor. Yeast infections are white, and thick like cottage cheese. If you take a mirror and look down there while slightly spreading the labia near your opening you will be able to see white chunky like substances.... if it is itching and burning and makes you want to stick something up and dig your insides out... it is probably a yeast infection.. on the other hand BV (bacterial vaginosis) typically has a white discharge also, more like milky HOWEVER it can also be chunky... the smell for BV however is more fishy and stronger... and it is more relavent after having sex and after your period... since you mentioned it being more apparent after your period... I would say BV. Most women have had or will get BV at least once, and it is just an overgrowth of "bad" bacteria... on the flipside, it is treated by antibiotics which.. yes, can then cause a yeast infection... (you should read my current open question)