Contents
What is candidiasis?
Candidiasis (thrush or vulvovaginal candidiasis) is a very common disease that every third woman in the world has encountered at least once in her life. Candidiasis occurs with the active spread of a yeast-like fungus of the genus Candida. This fungus can also be found in the oral cavity, and in the intestines, and in the vagina, and in the urethra, but with a small amount of it, it does not cause any unpleasant symptoms. However, under adverse conditions (strong stress, decreased immunity, antibiotics), the fungus begins to multiply very actively, which leads to candidiasis. Since most often the fungus affects the vaginal mucosa, we are talking about vulvovaginal candidiasis.
Causes of candidiasis in women
The causes of candidiasis in women can be very different, but most often, this is an exacerbation of chronic diseases, due to which immunity decreases, metabolism fails, antibiotics are taken and stress occurs. Also often candidiasis is common in pregnant women. The most common causes of candidiasis:
- metabolic disease,
- exacerbation of chronic diseases,
- antibiotics,
- low immunity,
- intestinal dysbiosis,
- stress,
- frequent wearing of tight synthetic underwear,
- use of panty liners
- non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
Symptoms of candidiasis in women
With vuvovaginal candidiasis, a woman is worried about severe itching, burning and discomfort in the intimate area. Also appear abundant curdled discharge from the genital tract of white or yellowish color (hence the name thrush), sometimes with a sour smell. During sexual intercourse and urination, unpleasant or painful sensations may appear, due to the fact that the vaginal mucosa has become hyperemic and irritated. Hence redness and slight swelling in the vulva.
At the same time, if a woman’s candidiasis recurs more often 2-4 times a year, then we are already talking about recurrent (chronic) candidiasis, and this is already a serious signal that there is some kind of malfunction in the woman’s body, and she needs an examination to exclude more serious illnesses.
Treatment of candidiasis in women
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of candidiasis in women begins with an examination by a gynecologist. The doctor will collect an anamnesis of the disease, listen to the patient’s complaints, clarify when the disturbing symptoms appeared, what concomitant diseases are there, whether the woman has recently taken antibiotics, etc. During the examination on the chair, a smear of the vaginal discharge is taken for the presence of Candida fungi, after which the smear is sent for sowing to determine the sensitivity of microorganisms to antifungal drugs. This will allow the doctor to prescribe effective treatment, and the woman to quickly get rid of unpleasant symptoms.
Modern treatments
– Candidiasis is an infectious and inflammatory process that occurs with the participation of Candida spp. Accordingly, the method of treating this disease is one, it is drug therapy with antimycotics, explains obstetrician-gynecologist Natalya Belyaeva.
In this case, the treatment can be both local – in the form of vaginal suppositories, tablets, creams, and general, when a course of antifungal therapy with antimycotic drugs is prescribed, and most often the doctor prescribes complex treatment.
All drugs for candidiasis can be combined into three groups depending on the main active ingredient: imidazoles (clotrimazole, miconazole, iconazole), triazoles (fluconazole), polyenes (nystatin, natamycin, levorin). The drug and its dosage are strictly determined by the doctor, because some of them have contraindications and side effects. It is especially dangerous for pregnant women to self-medicate, because in the first trimester, many drugs are strictly prohibited.
Should a sexual partner be treated for candidiasis in a woman?
Prevention of candidiasis in women at home
Avoiding the unpleasant symptoms of candidiasis is very simple – the main thing is to follow a few simple rules. You need to avoid hypothermia, do not wear tight synthetic underwear (especially thongs loved by many women), observe personal hygiene, avoid casual sex, monitor your diet – limit the consumption of sweets and starchy foods, replacing buns with vegetables and fruits, drink as much clean water as possible. It is also necessary to monitor your health, regularly (twice a year) visit a gynecologist for a preventive examination. When taking antibiotics, you need to drink a course of probiotics, which will restore the natural microflora of the intestines and vagina. It is also worth making sure that sexual intercourse is protected, and only water-soluble lubricants are used.
Popular questions and answers
The most common questions regarding candidiasis in women are answered obstetrician-gynecologist of the highest qualification category Natalya Belyaeva.