Thrush in women

The constant presence of fungi of the genus Candida in a small amount in the human body is the norm, but sometimes they begin to multiply uncontrollably, and the immune system cannot cope. In this case, we feel all those unpleasant symptoms that are characteristic of thrush.

What is thrush

Thrush is a disease that develops due to damage to the vaginal mucosa by fungi of the genus Candida. They belong to the conditionally pathogenic flora and cause trouble when their number exceeds the norm.

Useful information about thrush

Causes of thrush in women

• Usually thrush in women develops after taking antibiotics. As a result, the ratio in the microbiome is disturbed, which contributes to the reproduction of fungi.
• Favorable conditions for the development of the fungus create daily sanitary pads, synthetic underwear and non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
• In addition, candidiasis can be the result of metabolic disorders, taking hormonal contraceptives and reducing local and general immunity. This explains the frequent formation of symptoms during pregnancy.
• Sometimes candiosis develop against the background of chronic diseases.

Symptoms of thrush in women

Symptoms of thrush in women are most often manifested in the form of severe itching, burning and discomfort in the vulva.

One of the characteristic symptoms is the appearance of curdled discharge of white or yellowish color, with a characteristic sour smell. Where, in fact, the name “thrush”.

You should also be wary of unpleasant sensations: burning, itching, especially during urination or sexual intercourse.

To confirm the diagnosis, you need to contact a gynecologist.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis can only be made after examination and some laboratory tests. The survey begins with a survey, collecting complaints. The doctor is interested in when the symptoms appeared, what preceded them, for example, it was taking antibiotics or an exacerbation of chronic diseases.

The main goal of the examination at this stage is to determine the cause of vulvovaginal candidiasis and the factor that leads to exacerbations. It is known that the frequent exacerbation of the disease, when it is difficult to treat, is one of the symptoms of diabetes mellitus, as well as immunodeficiency states.

After the interview, the doctor proceeds to the examination. The fact is that, it would seem, the specific symptoms of candidiasis are also characteristic of other diseases that require a completely different treatment.

To confirm the diagnosis, a gynecological smear on the flora is required. Thus, it is possible to assess qualitatively and quantitatively the microbiome and draw up a treatment plan.

Treatment of thrush in women

If you suspect you have thrush, you should start treatment as soon as possible. A small percentage of women who run this disease develop recurrent candidiasis, which is much more difficult to cope with.

Treatment of thrush in women should be systemic and consistent. Otherwise, there is a risk that the treatment will only help relieve symptoms, and the fungus will become resistant to the action of antifungal drugs.

It is important to keep in mind that the treatment of thrush should be comprehensive: you need to use antifungal drugs, drugs that normalize the flora in the vagina.

Antifungal drugs are available in tablets, capsules, suppositories, in the form of a cream. But treatment cannot be successful without observing elementary hygiene rules.

Modern treatments

Medicines are prescribed only if there are clinical signs of the disease and if fungi are detected by laboratory methods. With asymptomatic carriage, that is, when there are fungi in the smear, but there are no symptoms, treatment is not required.

All drugs that are prescribed for treatment can be divided into systemic and local. Systemic – pills that are taken orally, through the mouth. Initially, they act in the intestines, and only then spread to other organs.

In non-pregnant women, such a scheme is the most acceptable, because the focus of infection is located in the intestine, where it must be destroyed.

Local preparations are suppositories, vaginal tablets, creams. And the combination of local and systemic drugs gives the most pronounced, fast and lasting therapeutic effect.

What tablets and capsules can be used

Tablets and capsules for oral administration have a systemic effect and are usually prescribed in cases where the disease stubbornly recurs.

Tablets and capsules from thrush in women can be combined into three groups:

• imidazoles (active ingredients clotrimazole, miconazole, isoconazole, etc.),
• polyenes (nystatin, natamycin, levorin);
• triazoles (fluconazole and itraconazole).

Most thrush preparations contain these active substances and certain additional components.

In modern gynecology, combined preparations are widely used, for example, Polygynax, Klion D, Mikosist. These drugs have a wide spectrum of antifungal activity, high efficiency forms of treatment. In addition, they are easily tolerated by patients, and the course of treatment is minimal.

Which drugs to give preference in a particular case, the doctor determines. It depends on concomitant diseases, age of the patient.

Many drugs, for example, have a number of side effects and they are forbidden to use during pregnancy and lactation, as they negatively affect the development of the child, so suppositories are often preferred.

What candles can be used

Treatment of candidiasis with suppositories refers to the local therapy of a fungal disease.

The advantage of suppositories is that they are effective against acute and chronic candidiasis. Drugs such as Flucostat, Clotrimazole, Livarol quickly relieve the manifestations of the disease.

It is necessary to use suppositories from thrush before going to bed. The suppository is placed deep into the vagina, where body temperature allows it to melt. Active substances penetrate the mucous membrane, eliminating the fungus and unpleasant symptoms.

For the period of menstruation, the treatment of thrush with the use of suppositories is interrupted.

However, for the treatment of thrush during pregnancy, suppositories are better suited than tablets and capsules. Some of them can be used already from the first trimester.

Effective folk remedies

Many women suffering from thrush are suspicious of medicines, preferring alternative methods of treatment. One such popular method is douching.

Chamomile, St. John’s wort, succession, oak bark, calendula, egg capsule – their solutions are most often used for douching. However, gynecologists do not favor such treatment, since more often it does more harm than good. When douching, mechanical washing out of the physiological flora occurs. In addition, the same chamomile cannot destroy the fungus. Of course, it has an anti-inflammatory effect, but at the same time, chamomile also destroys the lactobacilli of the vagina, exacerbating the bacterial imbalance in the vagina.

Nutrition recommendations

You should refrain from taking spicy, fatty and fried foods, alcohol, sweets and starchy foods. It is recommended to drink more – at least 1,5-2 liters per day. It is necessary to give preference to drinks that do not contain sugar.

Prevention of thrush in women at home

Avoiding the unpleasant symptoms of thrush is not so difficult, the main thing is to remember the basic rules of prevention: follow the rules of personal hygiene, wear synthetic underwear, thongs as little as possible and eat right. It is also important to avoid unprotected sex, prevent hypothermia and not trigger diseases of the genitourinary system.

It is recommended to give preference to only water-soluble lubricants.

By observing these conditions, as well as regularly visiting a gynecologist (at least twice a year), you can say goodbye to candidiasis forever.

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