Thrush in women is a vaginal candidiasis (yeast mycosis), which manifests itself precisely in the form of thrush, which is localized in the vaginal area and is caused by yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida. They can cause both acute thrush and recurrent mycoses.
The frequency of this disease has been steadily growing lately. So, according to modern data, thrush in the structure of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the vagina and vulva ranges from 35 to 45%.
Thrush in a woman. The main peak of the incidence occurs in women of reproductive age. Therefore, every woman should know the first signs and characteristic symptoms of thrush, the treatment of which must be started immediately with the help of special drugs. Symptoms of the disease can be either bright, intense, or absent or subtle.
If the diagnosis and treatment of thrush is not carried out in a timely manner, then the disease becomes chronic, often recurrent, causing severe discomfort, soreness, which significantly worsens the woman's well-being.
Signs of thrush in women
Since thrush is often asymptomatic, and it often accompanies other gynecological diseases, including latent sexually transmitted infections, you should consult a qualified specialist to establish the correct diagnosis. With the intensive reproduction of pathogenic fungal agents, pronounced thrush occurs in women, the symptoms of which are quite typical:
- Thrush in women often goes away on its own during menstruation, as the vaginal microflora becomes more alkaline, unfavorable for fungi;
- At the same time, the volume of secretions increases, they become white with a sour smell, but there may be no smell;
- Thrush is characterized by the heterogeneity of the consistency of the discharge, they take the form of small lumps, similar to particles of cottage cheese, as they say, of a curd consistency, hence the name of vaginal candidiasis - thrush in women;
- Many women who have candidiasis complain of an increase in discharge at night, after various water procedures or after intercourse;
- A frequent symptom of thrush in women is redness and swelling of the labia majora, extending to the anus;
- Not infrequently, thrush accompanies other infectious diseases, such as genital herpes, chlamydia in women, ureaplasmosis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis;
- One of the signs of thrush in women is itching and burning in the vagina and in the external genital area. An internal burning sensation is especially intense when a woman sits cross-legged, this is one of the tests for thrush (Itching in the vagina - causes, treatment);
- Often, recurrent thrush in women is more difficult to treat and leads to complications when the intestines, bladder and other organs and tissues are involved in the pathological process;
- The situation becomes more serious if the disease becomes chronic. Relapse occurs more than 4 times a year, appearing, as a rule, a week before menstruation;
- Inflammation, burning, itching, swelling of the vaginal mucosa provoke soreness during intercourse;
- For the same reason, pain can be present when urinating;
- It is not uncommon for an erased course of candidiasis to occur, when the symptoms of thrush in women are mild and only one of the listed symptoms may disturb.
Causes of thrush in women
Even perfectly healthy people have Candida fungi, which are the causative agents of thrush. However, it does not occur as long as the number of Candida is normal. But due to certain factors, they can acquire pathogenic properties, thereby causing the appearance of candidiasis.
- Taking hormonal drugs high in estrogen... It has been scientifically proven that women taking drugs with a high content of the female sex hormone can provoke thrush in themselves. It can be both gels used to build up the endometrium in the uterine cavity, and some types of oral contraceptives. This is because under the influence of high doses of estrogen, the mucous membrane of the vagina and vulva changes and becomes favorable for the occurrence of pathogenic properties in Candida fungi. Do not forget that phytoestrogens, for example, sage and knotweed, can also provoke candidiasis if they are used often and in a sufficiently high dosage;
- Diabetes... Metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus can also cause the pathogenic properties of Candida. The culprit is the increased sugar content in the patient's urine. As a result of urination on the vulvar mucosa, an environment is formed that favors the development of thrush;
- Taking antibacterial drugs... Taking large doses of strong antibiotics is most often a factor conducive to the primary (and subsequent) appearance of thrush. Having arisen against the background of taking antibiotics once, in most cases it will also occur with subsequent antibiotic therapies. While killing some types of infections, antibiotics nevertheless weaken the immune system and allow Candida to acquire pathogenic properties and turn into thrush;
- Decreased immunity... Not only antibacterial drugs can affect the decrease in immunity in humans. Stress, lack of sleep, chronic fatigue, HIV infections and even colds and flu - all this immediately affects the body's ability to control the development of microorganisms living in it. As a result, there is a high risk of candidiasis, and not only in the vagina and on the vulva, but and on other mucous membranes, as well as on those parts of the body, the moisture of which is often increased: the area under the breast, elbow and knee bends, armpits.
Thrush in women photo
Symptoms of thrush in women
Thrush in women, or urogenital candidiasis, can occur in two main clinical variants:
- Vulvovaginitis - simultaneous inflammation of both the vulva and the vagina;
- Dermatitis of the vulva is a lesion only of the skin of the external genital organs.
In women, the main symptoms of thrush are as follows:
- Violation of urination in the form of pain and increased frequency;
- Pain during intercourse and discomfort;
- Discharge can be from the urethra, given its proximity to the vagina;
- Feeling of itching and burning in the vulva and / or vagina, which may be constant or intermittent;
- Areas of bright red color are determined under plaque;
- Puffiness of the vulva;
- Redness, abrasions and macerated areas appear on the skin of the vulva;
- Pathological discharge from the genital tract, which have a curdled appearance;
- Plaques of gray-white color on mucous membranes, which are difficult to remove even with a spatula;
- Redness and increased bleeding of the mucous membranes.
In the case of frequent relapses of thrush, the clinical symptoms may be completely different. In this case, the following signs are noted: vaginal dryness; mucosal atrophy; increased keratinization in the vulva; a whitish discharge in a very scanty amount.
Ways of infection with thrush
The most common way of getting candidiasis is through sexual contact. Moreover, a man most often is completely unaware of the presence of this infection. Usually, representatives of the stronger sex are asymptomatic carriers of this disease, transmitting it to a woman, sometimes even in cases where sexual contact was protected.
How can you get thrush? Another way of getting thrush is during childbirth, when the baby passes through the birth canal. As a result of direct contact with the infected mucous membranes of the mother, the newborn baby also becomes infected with candidiasis.
When you should definitely contact a gynecologist
Thrush in women recurs more than 4 times a year If treatment within a week did not relieve the woman of the symptoms of thrush If, when taking the first doses of drugs prescribed by the doctor, irritation of the genitals appeared.
If, in addition to thrush, you are worried about fever, weakness, pain in the lower abdomen If a relapse of the disease occurred after the course of treatment or soon after it - after 2-3 months During therapy, purulent or bloody discharge appeared (brown discharge in the middle of the cycle - is it dangerous?)
Diagnosis of thrush
When visiting a gynecologist, a woman should be ready to answer questions that a doctor may ask her in order to find out the clinical picture and symptoms that bother her:
- What chronic diseases do you have, what are you sick now or in the past ?;
- The day of the last menstruation, is the cycle regular, how long does the period last and how many days does the menstrual cycle last?
- How do you protect yourself, what methods of contraception do you use ?;
- Describe the consistency, smell, color and amount of discharge;
- How many sex partners do you have and are you sexually active ?;
- Have you ever used any antibiotics or other medications lately ?;
- Describe in detail all the symptoms that bother you;
- Have you had similar symptoms before ?;
- When did they first appear ?;
- If you have a regular partner, does he have discharge from the penis ?;
- Do you use douching, by what means and why? (Douching for thrush with soda, chamomile, chlorhexidine is not recommended, since it is both useless and dangerous);
- Have you ever received any STD (sexually transmitted disease) treatment before ?;
- What provokes a worsening of your condition, what, on the contrary, helps?
- How much have the signs of the disease changed after their occurrence?
After collecting the history, the gynecologist examines the chair, takes a smear from the vaginal mucosa and cervix. With a microscopic examination of a smear in women with thrush, a fungal mycelium is found in large quantities. However, this is considered a quick method, but not informative, as it does not provide information on the type of fungus that is causing the disease.
To find out the type of fungus, a bacterial inoculation of a smear on special nutrient media should be carried out, with further determination of the formed colonies, and their sensitivity, the susceptibility of Candida fungi to various antifungal drugs in gynecology. The quantitative factor of the detected colonies of fungi is also taken into account, since the detection of an insignificant amount is the norm with a healthy microflora of the vagina.
Clinical studies and observations conducted by specialists indicate that thrush in women often proceeds not as an independent disease, but in combination with other genital infections.
With thrush in women, the symptoms perfectly mask hidden infections, which have tended to be widespread in recent decades. Therefore, a differential diagnosis of thrush with gardnerellosis, trichomoniasis, ureaplasmosis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes is necessary. To do this, it is enough to consult a venereologist, pass complex PCR tests for STIs, and donate blood using the RIF and ELISA express tests.
In addition, in the chronic course of thrush, a woman should undergo a comprehensive examination, since often the first symptom of diabetes in women is the appearance of thrush, therefore, blood should be donated for glucose in the blood. If the norm is exceeded, then it is necessary to consult an endocrinologist, and in the future follow a diet.
Also, with thrush, a woman should be examined by a gastroenterologist - to do an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, to be tested for intestinal dysbiosis, to pass feces for a coprogram, if there are indications, then to undergo FGS and other diagnostics. If thrush has already provoked complications in the urinary tract, then you should also visit a urologist, take a smear from the urethra, urine analysis according to Zimnitsky, conduct an ultrasound of the bladder and kidneys.
Treatment of thrush in women
In women, the treatment of acute thrush and chronic relapse is somewhat different from each other, which is associated with the different sensitivity of fungi to antifungal (antifungal) agents. Typically, initial episodes of illness respond well to ongoing antifungal therapy.
With an exacerbation of chronic urogenital candidiasis, the use of not only antifungal drugs is shown, but also other means of auxiliary therapy. The latter looks like this:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that suppress the activity of the inflammatory response;
- Complexes of vitamins that help to increase the state of non-specific resistance;
- Antihistamines, since in the chronic course of candidiasis, the development of allergic reactions plays a large role;
- The use of immune drugs;
- Lactic acid is used only after carrying out all the above measures and their ineffectiveness.
The main place in the treatment of both acute and recurrent candidiasis belongs to antifungal agents (see suppositories from thrush). In non-pregnant women, they are prescribed both locally and systemically. This significantly increases the likelihood of a cure for patients. During pregnancy, only local forms of antifungal agents are used.
After the course of treatment, it is recommended to evaluate its effectiveness. For this, microscopic examination of smears from the vagina and urethra is used. They should be taken no earlier than 2 weeks after the end of treatment. If candida is re-detected in them, then this is an indication for the appointment of other antifungal agents.
The result of therapy is assessed as satisfactory if the following conditions are met:
- Normal culture results (no growth of Candida colonies on special media);
- Clinical recovery - all the symptoms that worried the person before disappear;
- Normal picture of microscopic examination.
In mild cases of thrush, one of the antifungal drugs can be used to treat women: Flucostat, Fluconazole, Mikoflucan or Mikomax. A single dose is enough. The optimal drug for the treatment of an uncomplicated form of thrush are tablets or suppositories with the active ingredient Ketoconazole (Livarol, Mycozoral, Brizoral) or Clotrimazole (Antifungol, Candizol, Kanesten).
Depending on the choice of the drug, acute thrush should be treated for 1 to 7 days. Do not self-medicate, each drug has certain contraindications, besides, illiterate or untimely treatment can lead to unpleasant consequences.
What will happen if not treated
In the absence of timely detection of thrush in women and appropriate treatment, certain complications may develop that pose a threat to reproductive health and general health in general. These negative consequences of urogenital candidiasis include:
- The transition of the inflammatory process to the urinary system - the involvement of the bladder, urethra, which are very often combined with each other (ureterocystitis);
- Antenatal death of the fetus, that is, before birth. Urogenital candidiasis with a significant decrease in general immunity can become a generalized infection. In this case, damage to the gastrointestinal tract is most often noted. It should be noted that this situation is most often detected when the patient has HIV infection, which is accompanied by damage to the cells of the immune system (CD4 lymphocytes);
- Premature birth is the termination of pregnancy from the 22nd to the 37th week of pregnancy;
- Intrauterine infection with the development of candidal pneumonia, which very often leads to severe respiratory failure in newborns and is difficult to treat;
- The development of the inflammatory process in the pelvic organs, namely in the uterus, appendages, peri-uterine tissue.
Complications of thrush
With chronic thrush, a woman may experience a number of complications (thrush in women is the cause):
The spread of fungal infection occurs in the absence of treatment, or a weak immune response to therapy. First of all, the cervix can be susceptible to the development of candidiasis, leading to cervicitis, the bladder - cystitis, the urethra - urethritis.
The combination of STIs with thrush is especially dangerous; it is fraught with serious inflammatory gynecological processes leading to infertility. With an insignificant development, thrush does not cause serious harm to a woman's health, but constantly worries and creates discomfort for a normal sex life.
Thrush in women may be the first sign of serious diseases, such as HIV infection, diabetes mellitus, etc. And if, after treating it once, thrush returns, this indicates a weakening of immunity, and candidiasis is a signal, indicator, external manifestation of a decrease in the body's defenses or a violation metabolic or hormonal processes.
With recurrent, frequent thrush in women, the symptoms of which are bright, simultaneously with therapy for candidiasis, the cause of the decrease in immunity should be found and eliminated. Otherwise, thrush can occur over and over again.
Prevention of thrush in women
Preventive measures that prevent the development of urogenital candidiasis are as follows: the presence of one sexual partner; compliance with the rules of intimate hygiene; balanced diet; timely treatment of gynecological diseases; timely treatment of infections; regular visits to a gynecologist (once every six months) and a minimum examination; fight against constipation.
FAQ
Is it possible to infect a partner with thrush?
Even if protective equipment such as condoms are used, infection is likely to occur if the doctor's orders are not followed. Candida fungi do not penetrate the pores of the contraceptive, but during intercourse there is still contact between the mucous membranes. Of course, when using a condom, the partner is less likely to get infected than if the intercourse was unprotected. However, it must be remembered that the risk of infection still remains.
Can you get pregnant with thrush?
To answer the question of whether it is possible to get pregnant with candidiasis, you need to know how conception occurs. The sperm goes from the vagina to the fallopian tube, where it needs to fertilize the matured and released egg from the follicle in the ovary.
Therefore, it is only the adhesion process in the tubes or cervix that can prevent sperm from reaching the target. But thrush in women cannot prevent pregnancy. The only obstacle it can create for the sperm is the increased acidity of the cervical fluid and the increased acidity of the vagina, which will kill a slightly larger amount of sperm than usual.
However, if this circumstance reduces the chances of conception, it is only minimal. As a rule, a woman with candidiasis retains her reproductive functions to the full, if we are not talking about any global, advanced scale of candidiasis.
Thus, it is possible to become pregnant with thrush. Another question, is it worth it? Naturally, it is better to cure the disease first.
Is it possible to have intercourse with thrush?
Candidiasis itself does not interfere with sexual activity, nor does it affect the health of the fetus, if it was conceived during this disease. Sexual contact is not recommended by medical professionals for other reasons. First, there is a high risk of infecting a partner. In men, candidiasis is rarely noticeable, but with subsequent sexual intercourse, he is able to transmit it to a woman, even if she has already been treated for thrush.
Secondly, sexual intercourse is not recommended because the mucous membrane of the vagina and vulva will be unnecessarily injured, and the more microcracks, the more opportunities for a woman to contract any other infection, much more serious than candidiasis. And the sexual intercourse itself, due to the inconvenience and pain, is unlikely to bring the desired pleasure.
Is it possible to eat fermented milk products with thrush?
With thrush, you should adhere to certain diets, which must include fermented milk products. They will be an additional source of prebiotics for the body, they contain live lactobacilli, which will help to balance the microorganisms. However, it must be remembered that it is better to exclude some types of fermented milk products during thrush due to the high sugar content. A typical representative of such a product would be, for example, a snowball.
The fact is that a high sugar content, on the contrary, contributes to the strengthening of thrush. As a result, the treatment of this disease can be significantly complicated. Other fermented milk products (kefir, yogurt) will be an excellent helper in the fight against candidiasis, but you need to know that they should not be used as an independent type of treatment.
The main treatment for the disease should be traditional antifungal drugs, and fermented milk products - only an additional source of the fight against thrush.
Video what is thrush in women and its symptoms
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Thrush is an infectious disease that affects the mucous layers of the vagina and vulva. The causative agent of the pathology is the yeast-like fungi Candida.
Many women at least once in their lives, but faced such a problem, having experienced all the troubles that accompany the disease. Moreover, statistics show that in a third of all women who have had thrush, the disease has become chronic.
For most of the healthy population, Candida is completely harmless. But, there are a number of factors that lead to the rapid growth of mushrooms. Because of this, thrush in women worsens, pain and discomfort appear, which significantly reduces the quality of life.
Candidiasis (in common people - thrush) is a fungal infection that is caused by pathogenic fungi Candida.
Candidiasis can develop in the mouth, affect the skin, nail plate, intestines. But, the most common form of pathology in which the vaginal mucosa is damaged is vaginal candidiasis.
Although thrush does not pose a significant threat to a woman's health, it brings unpleasant sensations and soreness, being an obstacle to a full life, especially interfering with intimacy.
If the pathology takes on a chronic form, the likelihood of damage to the intestines and bladder increases.
Signs and symptoms of thrush in women
Symptoms indicating the presence of candidiasis in a woman can be both pronounced and latent. In addition, thrush may not declare itself in any way, making its victim a carrier of the disease.
Although the disease is diagnosed in both men and women, the representatives of the fine article notice the development of the disease at earlier stages. At the same time, women are worried about pain when emptying the bladder and during hygiene procedures, which is accompanied by specific secretions.
In general, there are many signs of thrush, here are the most common ones:
- soreness during sex;
- burning sensation, itching;
- white bloom (can be seen when visiting a gynecologist);
- cheesy discharge;
- expansion of small vessels on the walls of the vagina, which causes swelling;
- a blistering rash that tends to burst and erode
- cystitis.
Although the symptomatology of the pathology depends on the individual characteristics of the organism, most often women complain precisely about the white cheesy discharge, which is characterized by a specific smell of acid. As a rule, this discharge is complemented by itching and frequent urge to use the toilet.
Allocation with thrush can be constant, or be released periodically. Their abundance, density, whiteness may also vary, sometimes a greenish color may appear.
When to visit a gynecologist immediately
Do not postpone a visit to the doctor in such cases (with such symptoms):
- after treatment of the disease, which did not end with recovery;
- when the temperature rises and signs of candidiasis appear;
- with irritability of the genitals after starting therapy;
- with purulent or bloody discharge at the stage of treatment;
- with repeated and prolonged exacerbations;
- with regular manifestations of candidiasis (more often 4 relapses per year).
Since the signs of candidiasis can be confused with the manifestations of other gynecological pathologies, it is important to visit a gynecologist in a timely manner in order to avoid exacerbations and complications.
What will happen if you do not treat
The greatest risk in the absence of treatment is the transition of the disease to a chronic form. At the same time, there is a high probability of regular relapses, which cannot be completely cured.
Lack of treatment is fraught with the fact that over time the fungus will penetrate so deeply that no antifungal drug can cope with it. This will allow the disease to rapidly progress and affect all new organs and tissues, provoke inflammatory processes and internal bleeding.
It will be impossible to recover from such a thrush. The patient will have to wait for a lethal outcome from such, at first glance, harmless pathology.
Causes of thrush
The main causes of thrush are:
- improper and unbalanced nutrition;
- imbalance of hormones;
- lack of beneficial microflora in the intestines and vagina;
- long-term antibiotic treatment;
- endocrine system pathology;
- low immunity resistance;
- frequent exposure to stress;
- physical overload;
- wearing uncomfortable synthetic underwear.
Favorable factors for the development of thrush may be excessive climate humidity, exposure to high temperatures, and prolonged use of intrauterine devices.
Weakened immunity
A weak immune system is an excellent help for the development of thrush, because the body is not able to restrain the growth and reproduction of pathogenic fungi. In addition, candidiasis further reduces the protective properties of the body. That is why patients with thrush often suffer from viral infections.
Hormonal background
An imbalance in hormone levels is another reason for the progression of thrush. That is why candidiasis is a frequent visitor to pregnant girls and women during menopause.
Changes in the composition of the vaginal microflora
Antibiotics, as everyone knows, not only rid the body of harmful microflora, but also deprive the body of beneficial bacteria. This is what accompanies the rapid spread of pathogenic fungi of the genus Candida.
Therefore, during antibiotic treatment, it is important to maintain the microflora at the proper level in order to avoid treatment of candidiasis later.
Violation of hygiene standards
Thrush often develops against the background of insufficient hygiene, as a result of which infections penetrate the vagina. This can happen not only from rare hygiene procedures, but also from the use of someone else's or unwashed towels, bathing in dirty water in the pool, etc.
Also tight underwear made of synthetic materials negatively affects women's health.
Prevention of thrush in women
Prevention for thrush consists in strengthening the immune system so that it can fight back pathogenic microorganisms. Particular attention should be paid to saturating the woman's body with beneficial bacteria.
In addition, you must:
- do not neglect contraception;
- do not use hormonal contraceptives;
- refuse tight synthetic underwear;
- change your underwear daily;
- during menstruation, regularly change pads, monitor cleanliness;
- do not resort to douching;
- if possible, refuse tampons;
- monitor the balance of the diet;
- give up fast food and similar junk food.
Regular intake of vitamin complexes and minerals will not hurt.
Answers to frequently asked questions
Despite the fact that the mild form of thrush does not cause serious harm to the woman's body, at the slightest manifestation of the disease, you need to make every effort to heal from it.
Is it possible to get pregnant with thrush
Since thrush is accompanied by itching and discomfort, this is more of an obstacle to intimacy, but not to pregnancy. Despite the fact that thrush changes the acid-base balance in the vagina, this does not prevent a woman from getting pregnant.
But, carrying and giving birth to a healthy baby, candidiasis can become a hindrance. In addition, a mother can infect a newborn during childbirth.
To avoid complications and not put the baby at risk of infection, it is recommended to get rid of thrush before pregnancy.
If the woman did not know about the presence of thrush and became pregnant, do not panic, you will not have to have an abortion. In this case, it is enough to turn to a gynecologist for help, follow the recommendations for treatment, and refuse alternative methods of treatment.
Is it possible to douch with thrush
Although douching is often used in the treatment of thrush, such therapy is not available to everyone.
To refuse douching for candidiasis is in such cases:
- women during menopause;
- pregnant women;
- with menstrual bleeding;
- after childbirth or abortion within 1 month;
- before visiting a gynecologist.
Even if there are no contraindications, you should consult your doctor before performing the procedure.
Is it possible to use kefir or cottage cheese with thrush
Fermented milk products are not only allowed, but also needed to be eaten with thrush. Sour milk enriches the microflora with essential bacteria that will help fight the fungus.
Benefits are brought not only by cottage cheese, but also kefir, yogurt, sour cream. The use of such products will have a positive effect on the condition of a woman, but also contribute to recovery.
Varieties of thrush
Thrush can affect not only mucous surfaces, but also nails and internal organs. The classification of pathology is as follows:
- Depending on the route of infection:
- congenital;
- acquired.
- At the site of injury:
- surface;
- systemic.
- By the form of progression:
- sharp;
- chronic;
- asymptomatic.
- By the principle of defeat:
- focal;
- generalized.
Each of the above forms has its own specific symptomatology.
Sexual life with thrush
Intimacy with candidiasis is undesirable. This is caused not only by painfulness during sex, but also by the risk of infection, both men and women from each other.
It is also worth refraining from oral sex, as thrush can develop in the oral cavity.
Of course, you can use a condom, which will protect you from infection, but no contraception will protect you from pain. In addition, the burning and itching that accompany thrush will prevent partners from relaxing and enjoying themselves.
Therefore, it is better not to rush, undergo a course of therapy and wait for the full recovery of the body.
Forecast
The prognosis for the treatment of thrush can be called positive, because with timely diagnosis and timely treatment started, you can successfully recover from the disease. Statistics recorded a positive outcome after therapy in 70% of patients.
The key to recovery is a doctor's consultation, adherence to treatment recommendations, and an active lifestyle.
Complications with thrush
Complications with thrush are rare. Often they are provoked by concomitant diseases that suppress the immune system.
With insufficient or incorrectly selected treatment, the following complications are possible:
- cervicitis;
- candidal salpingitis;
- candidal cystitis;
- prostatitis.
Less commonly, suppression of immunity, blood diseases, AIDS and HIV is possible.
Adhering to comprehensive treatment and good nutrition, thrush will have no chance of further development. But, do not neglect your health and postpone visits to the doctor. Therapy must be timely.
Thrush is a fungal infection that almost all women face at least once in their lives. The danger of thrush (candidiasis) is the risk of the disease becoming chronic. Women with this problem are more susceptible to other infectious and inflammatory diseases in the gynecological field. To avoid unpleasant consequences, thrush should be treated from the first symptoms.
What is candidiasis
Thrush is caused by various strains of yeast from the genus Candida. Most of the world's population is carriers of these microorganisms. Fungi live asymptomatically on their mucous membranes, without causing any trouble. Candida are part of the microflora of the large intestine, mucous membranes of the genitals and the oral cavity. Normally, there are too few of them to cause illness. The amount of fungal bacteria corrects local immunity - beneficial microflora and antimicrobial components of natural secretions.
Problems begin when favorable conditions for the growth of fungi arise:
- the number of beneficial bacteria decreases;
- the composition of the discharge changes;
- lesions are formed on the mucous membranes.
Then the fungi begin to intensively divide, form colonies, displacing the remaining beneficial bacteria.
In the process of their vital activity, they release toxic substances - mycotoxins. The compounds have an irritating effect - they provoke a local inflammatory process. Hence the unpleasant symptoms:
- swelling;
- redness;
- unusual discharge.
This is how acute thrush arises.
The structure of the epithelium of the female vagina is multilayered. Under favorable conditions, candida acquire the ability to penetrate into the deep layers of the mucous membrane. Here they "hide" from defense mechanisms and multiply by spores. With a shift in acidity and a violation of the composition of the microflora, spores are activated, causing acute symptoms of thrush or relapse. If there are few fungal bacteria, the signs of the disease are poorly expressed and may go unnoticed. This is how the chronic form of genital candidiasis in women proceeds.
Why is the fungus activated
Fungi of the genus Candida are classified as opportunistic (potentially dangerous in special conditions). Their number increases with episodic and persistent disorders in the immune system. Such changes cause:
- chronic infectious diseases;
- sexually transmitted diseases;
- endocrine disorders;
- transferred ARVI;
- immunodeficiencies (including HIV);
- depletion of the body;
- unfavorable living conditions;
- avitaminosis;
- nutritional deficiencies;
- alimentary malnutrition (in other words, regular malnutrition);
- hormonal changes (during puberty, pregnancy, menopause).
Stress, tension, fatigue - prerequisites for weakening the immune system
The work of the immune system is extremely adversely affected by psycho-emotional overstrain, stress, overwork. Some medications also weaken the body's defenses. We are talking about immunosuppressants (hormones, chemotherapy drugs), antibiotics, oral contraceptives.
There are also banal reasons for thrush - neglect of the rules of intimate hygiene, wearing synthetic underwear, abuse of hygiene products (pads, tampons), and their irregular replacement. The composition of the vaginal microflora is disturbed when using aggressive detergents, excessive diligence in matters of intimate cleanliness (frequent washing is just as harmful as lack of hygiene). The spread of candida into the vagina is facilitated by wearing a thong. The infection can intensify against the background of regular mucosal injuries. For example, during intercourse.
There are many reasons for the development of thrush. Contrary to popular belief, this fungal infection is not spread through sexual intercourse. Thrush in a woman is not a reason to suspect a sexual partner of infidelity.
Thrush symptoms
Vaginal candidiasis in women differs in the degree of intensity of symptoms. The clinical picture varies, depending on the state of immunity and the presence of aggravating factors. These include sexually transmitted infections and other diseases. So, in diabetics, the symptoms are always more intense, which is justified by the tendency to imbalance in pH.
The first "bells"
The initial symptoms of thrush often go unnoticed or are attributed to temporary discomfort. The first and main symptom is itching in the vagina. Discomfort is localized in the area of \u200b\u200bthe labia minora. It is exacerbated by going to the toilet and using toilet paper.
The second inherent sign of thrush is discharge. Normally, the vaginal secretion has a slimy consistency. It is transparent or slightly unclear. With thrush, the discharge looks dense, grainy, and has a pronounced white color. As a rule, the first changes coincide with the onset of itching. A little later, the volume of the secret increases, and its consistency changes even more noticeably. Among the white-gray viscous mass, the replacements are compacted inclusions, similar to curd. That is why such discharge is called cheesy. The grains can be soft or grainy. The volume of discharge also varies - from a few inclusions to a complete change in the vaginal secretion.
Another early symptom giving out candidiasis is a characteristic odor. It appears already with the first changes in the consistency of the discharge. Typically, women will notice it immediately, but using scented sanitary napkins can hide this symptom. The smell of thrush is characteristic - lactic acid. Normal discharge has no aroma.
The most often overlooked sign of thrush is discomfort during intercourse. In the beginning, mechanical stimulation is enjoyable. However, after intercourse, a burning sensation appears.
Pronounced signs
As candidiasis progresses, symptoms worsen. The discharge becomes even more voluminous - about 15 ml (the volume of a tablespoon) per day. Due to inflammation, mucous or bloody inclusions may be present in them. A small volume of blood stains the secret in a pale pink color.
The mucous membrane of the vagina and vulva becomes edematous. This is noticeable during hygiene procedures. Intense itching gives way to burning, especially after washing.
Often, erosion forms on the labia minora and majora - red spots covered with a dense white coating. After its removal, erosion is exposed, it can bleed. The woman experiences a burning sensation while emptying the bladder.
Signs of complications
In the absence of treatment or weakness of the immune system, candidiasis proceeds with complications. Perhaps the attachment of a bacterial or viral infection, the spread of the fungus through the internal genital organs, their inflammation against the background of infection. Secondary infection is manifested by additional changes in the nature of the discharge - they become brownish, yellowish, greenish. At the same time, the cheesy consistency remains. With sexually transmitted infections, the smell of rotten fish appears. The spread of thrush to the skin looks like red spots in the groin folds. They also itch, get wet, and bloom.
How to recognize chronic thrush
The development of chronic candidiasis is preceded by an acute phase. If the treatment was inadequate (too short or with the use of ineffective drugs), the symptoms only weaken, but do not disappear completely. Sluggish candidiasis manifests itself periodically - itching and characteristic discharge, discomfort during sexual intercourse and burning after it. Symptoms appear and disappear, so the patient has no special complaints.
With recurrent candidiasis, the discharge remains normal or only occasionally becomes a cheesy consistency. Most often - in the second phase of the cycle or just before menstruation. Lactic acid odor is also not always present. Such symptoms are attributed by women to mild malaise or hormonal disorders and do not go to the doctor. With strong immunity, thrush recurs 3-4 times a year. If it is weak, it can make itself known every month.
Is thrush dangerous for pregnant women?
Pregnant women experience candidiasis twice as often as ordinary women. The first cases of the disease occur at different stages of gestation. Doctors reassure patients - the child is reliably protected from fungus in the uterus. In fact, there is a risk of miscarriage and harm to the baby. It is especially great if a woman suffers from a chronic form of candidiasis at the time of conception. In this case, intrauterine infection of the fetus is not excluded. This is fraught with miscarriage or serious disabilities in the development of the child.
If the infection gets to the baby at a later date, there is a risk of generalized forms of thrush, lesions of the spinal cord and brain. If the expectant mother falls ill with thrush before childbirth, the baby can become infected with the fungus while passing through the birth canal. In this case, the risk of candidiasis of the gastrointestinal tract, hearing, vision, and extensive skin lesions in the newborn increases.
Chronic thrush should be treated before pregnancy. If the disease manifests itself while carrying a child, you need to urgently consult a doctor and undergo therapy with drugs that are allowed for expectant mothers. You cannot neglect a fungal infection - this can lead to disastrous consequences.
How to treat thrush in women
A doctor should treat candidiasis. If the first symptoms occur, you should consult a gynecologist. The specialist will take swabs from the vagina, cervical canal (cervix). This is necessary to accurately determine the pathogen and its sensitivity to antifungal drugs. Based on the test results, the specialist will select the appropriate medications that can completely eliminate the fungus. Self-medication for thrush in acute form is fraught with chronicity of the disease. It will be much more difficult to cure it. During pregnancy, it is forbidden to independently use any drugs for candidiasis. The doctor will select medications for the expectant mother, which will completely eliminate the fungus as soon as possible.
The main cause of chronic thrush is self-medication or violation of the therapy regimen prescribed by the doctor. It is impossible to stop treatment immediately after the symptoms subside. Even in the absence of signs of infection, fungi reside in the mucous membrane.
Can I use folk remedies
Serum is an ineffective remedy for thrush
For the treatment of thrush, traditional medicine recommends douching with whey, herbal decoctions, soda or iodine-soda solution, tampons with honey, aloe, raw egg and other means. Their use for the treatment of candidiasis is a direct path to the chronic form of the fungus. Food and herbs are not capable of eliminating fungus. Most douching simply mechanically flushes them off the mucous membrane, without eliminating the infection in its deepest layers. The fungus can use some foods as a breeding ground. In this case, alternative treatment will not only be ineffective, but also provoke an aggravation of symptoms.
Douching with soda and iodine can be considered the most effective folk method. The solution has antimicrobial properties, alkalizes the environment in the vagina, creating unfavorable conditions for the fungus. This method can only be used in addition to medication and in consultation with your doctor.
You cannot douche at any stage of pregnancy. This can provoke a miscarriage or premature onset of labor.
Effective candles
Suppositories are the optimal dosage form for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis. The active ingredients work directly at the site of infection. With the correct use of suppositories, even the chronic form of thrush can be cured.
Any drug can cause an allergic reaction. When using candles for the first time, you should carefully listen to the sensations. Increased burning and itching in the vagina after the administration of the suppository is the reason for discontinuing the drug.
In addition to suppositories, other vaginal dosage forms can be prescribed - ovules (rounded capsules), creams for insertion into the vagina, tablets. A special applicator is provided along with the creams and tablets. With its help, the drug should be administered. Pregnant women should not use such devices. Any intravaginal forms, they should be inserted with your finger.
Candles are used 1-2 times a day. The drug is administered after hygiene procedures. Most medicines are recommended to be used at night. This ensures a uniform distribution of the mass of the suppository, prolonged interaction of the drug with the mucous membrane, and prevents premature flow of the molten base.
Candles, pills, creams, can contaminate underwear and bedding, since some of the product still leaks out. To prevent discomfort, sanitary pads should be used during treatment. The most popular drugs for the treatment of thrush in women are as follows.
- Candles Pimafucin... The drug of choice for vaginal candidiasis. The active substance is Natamycin, kills candida, leaving no opportunity for the fungus to acquire resistance (resistance) to the drug. The active substance is not absorbed into the systemic circulation. The drug is approved during pregnancy. Used for medicinal and prophylactic purposes. For prophylaxis, it is used for 3 days, for treatment - for 6 days. Candles are injected at night.
- Candles Nystatin... The active substance of the same name is effective only against candida. It is not absorbed into the bloodstream, but the drug is contraindicated in pregnancy due to the lack of evidence of safety. For the treatment of thrush, 1 suppository is injected into the vagina 2 times a day (in the morning and at night). The treatment lasts 10-14 days.
- Livarol candles... A drug based on Ketoconazole, a broad-spectrum antifungal agent. It is prescribed for the treatment of acute and chronic thrush. During pregnancy and lactation, use with caution, since a small amount of the substance is absorbed into the blood. In acute candidiasis, 1 suppository is used at night, for 3-5 days. The timing of treatment depends on the intensity of the symptoms. In the chronic form, the drug is used for 10 days.
- Zalain... Sertaconazole based product. The substance has an antifungal effect, is active against staphylococci and streptococci. Prescribed for the acute form of thrush. The candle is injected once, at night. If symptoms persist, repeat the procedure in a week. The active ingredient is not absorbed into the blood, however, use during pregnancy is possible only as directed by a doctor.
- Vaginal capsules Polygynax... Contains 2 antibiotics and an antifungal component. It is prescribed for the treatment of mixed fungal and bacterial infections. During pregnancy, use only as directed by a doctor. For the treatment of vaginal candidiasis, capsules are administered at night for 12 consecutive days.
- Lomexin capsules... A drug based on Fenticonazole. It has antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Take 1 capsule at night. If symptoms persist, the second capsule is used after 3 days. Contraindicated in the 1st trimester of pregnancy.
When treating with suppositories, it is undesirable to douche. The external genitals can be treated with special detergents with antifungal effect (Citeal, Lactacid antifungal).
Why do you need ointments
With pronounced signs of thrush on the external genital organs (erosion, swelling, accumulation of white plaque), antifungal creams are prescribed in parallel with the candles. Suitable means for intravaginal administration, preparations for the treatment of fungus on the skin. Recommended for treatments:
- Clotrimazole cream;
- Nystatin ointment;
- Pimafucin cream;
The drugs are used to treat the vulva, large and small labia. Two applications per day are enough. For optimal results, creams are used after hygiene procedures and the introduction of suppositories.
the remedy prescribed for a woman can be used by her sexual partner. Doctors advise to be treated together to prevent relapse. In some cases (if a man himself suffers from candidiasis or violates the rules of hygiene), it is sexual intercourse that triggers the development of acute thrush in a woman, contributes to repeated episodes of the disease.
Treatment with systemic drugs
Systemic antimycotics help to cure thrush quickly and effectively. These are oral antifungal drugs. Being absorbed into the systemic circulation, they are distributed in the body. Especially well the funds accumulate in the epithelium of the mucous membranes and skin, eliminating the infection from the inside.
For the treatment of vaginal candidiasis, Fluconazole is most actively prescribed (Fucis, Diflucan, Flucostat). To eliminate acute symptoms, one intake of 150 mg of the substance is enough. To prevent recurrence of chronic thrush, take 3 capsules at intervals of 3 days. Supportive therapy involves taking Fluconazole 1 time per week for 3-6 months.
In the treatment of genital candidiasis, the popularity of Itraconazole (Orungal, Rumikoz, Itrazol) has increased. For the treatment of an acute form with moderate symptoms, it is sufficient to take 2 capsules (100 mg each) in the morning and 2 capsules in the evening. With severe symptoms, treatment takes 3 days. Capsules are taken 1, 2 times a day. To prevent relapses, take 2 Itraconazole capsules on the first day of the cycle for 3 months.
The success of the treatment of thrush depends on the effectiveness of eliminating the main provoking factor. Even the correct treatment regimen will not give a long-term result if the woman continues to violate intimate hygiene or suffers from diseases of the immune system. With recurrent forms that are difficult to treat, you should undergo a comprehensive examination of the body. The reason may lie in hematopoiesis problems or an immunodeficiency state.
Almost all adult women have heard of such a disease as thrush. Unfortunately, a large number of the fair sex have personally encountered this problem. In some cases, the fight against the disease is delayed for months, and the disease comes back again and again, reducing the quality of life and forcing one more time to take medications.
Thrush in women - This is a disease of the vagina, called in science - candidiasis. Associations with milk among the population arose due to the fact that women have white discharge on their genitals, similar in consistency to cottage cheese.
The causative agent of the disease is the fungus Candida albicans. Scientists have calculated that this microorganism is present in the body in 80% of people as its own microflora, without causing any problems. A woman's vagina is not normally sterile. On its epithelium there are microorganisms, including this one. It is involved in maintaining a normal vaginal pH, which is very important for the epithelium itself, the fertilization process.
The vagina's own flora, in addition, competes with other unwanted microorganisms and reduces the likelihood of developing infectious diseases. At the same time, the immunity of the female body strictly monitors the state of affairs and, if necessary, inhibits the reproduction of "its" bacteria. If for some reason this does not happen or conditions are created for their active reproduction, then the likelihood of developing thrush increases.
Causes of thrush in women
There are many reasons that can lead to a violation of the delicate balance in a woman's body and create conditions for the development of thrush.
Taking antibacterial drugs - one of the most common reasons. Many diseases now have to be treated with antibiotics. This is an effective group of drugs that allowed many deadly diseases to be eliminated in just a few days and to prevent the development of serious complications. However, antibiotics have their own side effects. They do not act selectively on one microbe and can adversely affect the vaginal microflora.
Fungi, on the other hand, have a completely different structure of the cell wall and antimicrobial antibiotics are not dangerous for them. As a result, the following situation is obtained: fungi, causative agents of thrush, remain safe and sound, and bacteria suffer and partially die. No niche in nature is empty, and the place of dead microbes is taken by Candida albicans, which simply has no competitors. As a result, the woman develops candidiasis.
Decreased immunity, which inhibits the growth and reproduction of conditionally pathogenic flora. is the most common opportunistic infection in HIV-infected patients. If patients develop candidiasis in many places (mouth, vagina, intestines) and are difficult to treat, then there is a good chance that HIV is the root cause. Chronic inflammatory diseases and long-term bacterial infections can also negatively affect the body's immune defenses. ()
Disrupted metabolism - this condition is almost always caused. Few people know that with this disease in the human body, not only does the regulation of sugar levels fail, but fat and protein metabolism also suffer. Diabetes mellitus contributes to the development of candidiasis by two mechanisms at once.
In the absence of proper control on the part of a person (taking medications or insulin, monitoring glucose levels), his blood contains a lot of carbohydrates. This cannot but affect their content in the intercellular space and in the vaginal mucus. It turns out that bacteria and the fungus Candida albicans find themselves in a sweet environment that is ideal for their nutrition and reproduction - the likelihood of developing thrush increases.
Immunoglobulins - these are substances due to which the implementation of the immune response of the human body occurs. Violation of protein metabolism, which occurs in diabetes mellitus, affects their formation only in the negative direction. The result is a decrease in immunity and the lack of the necessary control over the state and composition of microflora. Fungi readily take advantage of this, given the good nutrient medium, and multiply uncontrollably, causing candidiasis.
Unbalanced and inappropriate nutrition - Normally, a person must take proteins, fats and carbohydrates daily in a certain ratio by weight. Many girls and women call themselves a sweet tooth and eat an unacceptably large amount of sweets, flour products, and sugary carbonated drinks. Their pancreas tries, but cannot produce enough hormone to lower blood glucose levels to at least the upper limit of normal. Then everything happens approximately as described in the case with: a lot - a lot of sugar in the vaginal epithelium - good conditions for the reproduction of Candida albicans. In addition, people who abuse sweets have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which is much more serious and dangerous than thrush.
Hormonal background. The condition of a woman's genitals, including the vagina, is highly dependent on the hormonal background in her body.
Pregnancy can lead to significant changes in it, which increases the likelihood of developing thrush.
Incorrectly selected hormonal contraceptive drugs can change the level of hormones in the blood so much that the likelihood of developing candidiasis increases.
Many diseases of the endocrine system can lead to the development of thrush. Experienced doctors always remember this and try to find the very original factor. This allows not only to prevent the development of candidiasis in the future, but also to eliminate hormonal pathology, which is important.
Wearing tight synthetic underwear or improper use of sanitary pads (they need to be changed quite often) creates conditions under which heat and moisture do not go outside, and these are ideal conditions for the reproduction of fungi.
The disease has quite specific manifestations, which allows doctors to quickly make the correct diagnosis. Often, even before visiting a doctor, women themselves understand what kind of ailment they have and begin to make their own attempts at treatment, which is unacceptable.
So, thrush is characterized by:
Cheesy discharge from the external genital organs. They are especially noticeable on dark underwear. They are mucus with a lot of white lumps.
Itching and burning sensation in the vaginal area. In no case should you try to strongly scratch the affected area, since this can damage the delicate inflamed epithelium and create conditions for the penetration of pathogens into the depths of the tissues. Also, when scratching, the discharge spreads over a large surface and causes additional inflammation.
Pain and discomfort when urinating - due to a decrease in the protective properties of the mucus of the vagina and urethra. The epithelium is defenseless against such an aggressive fluid as urine, and inflammation increases the sensitivity of the receptors.
Pain and burning sensation during intercourse - this is just one of the reasons why it is worth refusing to have sexual intercourse until the disease recedes.
Smell - should be discussed separately. It is not very pronounced and has a sour tint ("kefir"). In most cases, only a woman feels it, but for her it is a very big problem. Patients believe that all her interlocutors will certainly be able to catch him. Many sexually transmitted diseases and bacterial vaginosis come with a really bad smell, but it has almost nothing to do with thrush.
With an erased (atypical) course of thrush and mild symptoms, women may be disturbed by only one of the indicated signs. It is impossible to find out about the disease in such cases without professional help. Candidiasis often accompanies many gynecological diseases, including latent and dangerous sexually transmitted infections. Only a qualified doctor is able to analyze the symptoms and prescribe the correct treatment. Self-diagnosis in severe cases of the manifestation of the disease is useless, and self-medication is dangerous.
A comparative table of characteristic symptoms for thrush, bacterial vaginitis and trichomoniasis can be seen in the table. It is not worth considering it as an aid in diagnostics. Diagnoses are made by a doctor based on tests, examination and patient complaints. Even in such cases, the presence of other genital infections accompanying thrush is possible. Self-medication is unacceptable. All appointments must be made by the attending physician.
Thrush |
Smell: Sour Discharge: Homogeneous, thick milky color, reminiscent of cottage cheese Discomfort: Burning, itching, pain during intercourse and when urinating |
Trichomoniasis |
Smell: Unpleasant fishy smell Discharge: Profuse, purulent, frothy, yellowish-green hue. Discomfort: Intense growing itching (external and internal), urination disorder, redness (irritation) of the vaginal mucosa. |
Bacterial vaginitis |
Smell: Fishy odor (characteristic of discharge) Discharge: Profuse and thin, gray-white, sometimes frothy. Discomfort: Vaginal itching, burning, mucosal irritation. |
The first signs of the development of thrush, which make a woman alert, are:
Is thrush transmitted to men?
Normally, a man's body is constantly faced with the same fungi as a woman's. Since they are contained in the vagina of most women, the partner's genitals in any case come into contact with the causative agent of thrush. A man can also develop genital candidiasis, which has approximately the same manifestations and causes as women. Therefore, if a man has reduced immunity, has diabetes mellitus or other prerequisites, then he can easily become infected with thrush. Moreover, the sexual partner can bring a large amount of fungus into the woman's body, which will provoke the development of the disease.
Thus, thrush is transmitted to a man only if he has the prerequisites for its development, and he does not follow the basic rules of personal hygiene. In the end, it is much easier for a man to remove all pathogens from the surface of the penis by simply washing it thoroughly, unlike a woman. And the sexual intercourse itself in the presence of candidiasis is a thoughtless action, contrary to the recommendations of doctors and is unlikely to give pleasure
How to treat a husband for thrush?
A spouse or partner is treated in the same way as a woman. For therapeutic purposes, drugs for internal use are used, for example, Pimafucin 100 mg 4 times a day. The treatment cycle is 10 days.
Most often in men, candidiasis is asymptomatic. If visible signs of illness appear, a thorough examination should be carried out to detect an infection that lowers immunity. Such pathologies include - hepatitis B, C, acute leukemia.
For an accurate diagnosis and drawing up a complete clinical picture, the doctor must have not only the test results, but also draw conclusions based on the examination data. Going to an appointment with a gynecologist, a woman will have to answer a number of questions. You need to be ready for this and, if possible, provide the most complete and reliable information that will help the doctor.
A specialist may ask:
What symptoms are troubling? You need to describe in all details.
When were the first manifestations of the disease noticed?
Have the signs of the disease changed since its onset? If so, how.
What is the nature of the discharge? Color, smell, abundance, consistency, all the details are important.
What triggers an increase in symptoms? If the condition has worsened, how was it provoked? When and for what reasons does relief come?
Have symptoms been observed before?
Have you ever had to be treated for sexually transmitted diseases?
How active is your sex life? How many sexual partners?
How and with what do you protect yourself?
Has your partner seen a discharge from the penis?
What medications have you taken recently? If antibiotics were prescribed, which ones?
How many days does your period last? What is their regularity?
Was douching ever used or not?
Are there any chronic diseases? If they were in the past, which ones?
After collecting the necessary information, the doctor examines the patient. A smear of the cervix and vaginal mucosa is taken. Microscopic examination of the smear may reveal fungal mycelium. This examination method is considered more informative, since it is impossible to recognize the type of fungal infection that caused thrush.
To find out what kind of fungus provoked the disease, bacterial inoculation of a smear on special nutrient media allows. The sensitivity of the identified colonies, their susceptibility to antifungal drugs is determined. The quantitative factor is also very important. A small number of colonies is considered the norm for a healthy microflora of the vagina.
All studies conducted by specialists indicate the fact that thrush is associated with other genital infections. In most cases, candidiasis occurs in a complex, while the symptoms of thrush are masked by hidden infections. There is a tendency for their growth and widespread distribution in recent decades. That is why doctors recommend a differential diagnosis of thrush. This will reveal the presence of diseases such as gardnerellosis. A visit to a venereologist and passing the necessary tests make it possible to confirm or exclude the presence of dangerous infections and draw up the correct treatment plan for thrush.
A comprehensive examination for chronic candidiasis helps to identify diabetes mellitus. The first symptom of this serious illness is thrush. If the tests show, the woman is advised to consult an endocrinologist and follow his recommendations.
The participation of a gastroenterologist is also important. An abdominal ultrasound may be needed to effectively treat candidiasis. Most likely, you will need to donate feces and check the intestines. If there is evidence, FGS and other diagnostic measures are prescribed.
If thrush causes complications in the urinary system, it is necessary to visit a urologist, undergo an examination and pass the necessary tests (ultrasound of the bladder and kidneys, urine analysis according to Zimnitsky, a smear from the urethra).
When should you definitely contact a gynecologist?
Relapses of candidiasis are observed more often 4 times a year.
Treatment for a week does not give results and does not relieve symptoms.
If after taking the prescribed drugs, irritation appears in the genitals.
In cases when with thrush, weakness is felt, pains in the lower abdomen begin to disturb.
With relapse of candidiasis after a treatment course.
If blood and purulent discharge appears during treatment. Especially dangerous is a brownish discharge in the middle of the therapeutic cycle.
How to treat thrush in women?
If the disease has a mild course and the woman asked for help in a timely manner, then the doctors try to do with local drugs. These are pills, creams, or suppositories that are inserted into the vagina. There they quickly get to their destination and begin to act.
At the first symptoms of the disease, it is advisable to prescribe a specific treatment regimen:
When candidiasis or thrush manifests itself in women, the disease should be treated with the first signs of the disease. By the symptoms, you can determine the presence of thrush: this discomfort when urinating, pulling pains in the lower abdomen, itching of the external genital organs and cheesy discharge. The causative agent of the disease is the candida fungus, which is conditionally pathogenic and in a quantitative norm does not turn into a disease.
What is thrush
The causative agent of candidiasis is in the body of 80% of people as part of their own healthy microflora. Its role is to maintain normal acidity, the work of the epithelium involved in the fertilization process. The fungus develops and multiplies when unfavorable factors arise that can cause various diseases.
How fast it develops
Some cases of thrush are asymptomatic, there is slight discomfort during intercourse, urination. Under the influence of unfavorable factors (external and internal), the minimum period for the development of the fungus is 1-5 days, the maximum is 15-20 days. In children and men, this period is reduced in time to a day.
Symptoms
Symptoms of thrush in women:
- cheesy discharge - looks like mucus with white lumps;
- itching, burning in the vagina - you can not comb it so as not to damage the epithelium and allow the fungal infection to enter the bloodstream, increase the area of \u200b\u200binflammation of the vaginal mucosa;
- pain and discomfort during urination - due to increased sensitivity of the receptors;
- pain and burning sensation during sex;
- slight sour smell of discharge.
First signs
The following first signs of candidiasis in women will help make you alert and suspect the presence of the disease:
- acute burning, itching of the external genital organs, aggravated in a warm environment, after taking a bath;
- redness (hyperemia) of the vagina and labia;
- abundant vaginal discharge of white curdled consistency;
- increased pain a week before menstruation.
What can be confused with thrush in women
Candidiasis is a specific disease, but it can be confused with some diseases of the genital area:
|
Vaginal discharge |
Problems |
||
|
Thrush in women |
Sourish |
Thick, homogeneous, milky |
Burning, itching during sex, urination |
|
Trichomoniasis |
Nasty fishy |
Profuse, purulent, frothy, yellow-green |
Itching inside, redness of the mucous membrane |
|
Bacterial vaginitis |
Profuse, thin, frothy, gray-white |
It is accompanied by itching, burning, irritation |
Causes
Specialists and doctors identify the following most popular and well-known causes of candidiasis in women:
- Taking antibiotics - they do not act selectively, they have a bad effect on their own microflora of the vagina, without suppressing fungi.
- HIV - because of this, candidiasis manifests itself in parallel in the intestines, oral cavity.
- The presence of chronic inflammatory diseases, infections, bacteria, reduced immunity.
- Metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus, sweet environment provoke the growth of fungi.
- Improper nutrition, unbalanced, irrational.
- Failure of hormonal levels, pregnancy, incorrectly selected oral contraceptives, hormonal drugs.
- Diseases of the endocrine system - tuberculosis, dysfunction of the gonads, hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia.
- Wearing tight synthetic underwear, frequent use of sanitary napkins without changing - create warm, moist conditions for the growth of fungal diseases.
- Hypothermia.
In pregnant women
The reasons for the development of unpleasant symptoms of thrush or candidiasis in pregnant women are the following factors:
- wearing synthetic underwear;
- restructuring of the hormonal background;
- rough sexual intercourse - injure the walls of the vagina;
- reduced immunity;
- taking corticosteroids, immunosuppressants;
- vitamin deficiency, vaginal dysbiosis;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- changes in microflora during pregnancy.
Complications
With timely treatment of thrush, you can get rid of it with completely effective drugs with low side effects.
In the absence of therapy for a woman, the ailment takes on a chronic form, causing complications:
- adhesions in the pelvic organs;
- obstruction of the fallopian tubes;
- increased risk of infertility, ovarian damage by fungal infections;
- decreased immunity, frequent illnesses;
- intrauterine infection with candidiasis of the fetus;
- recurrent thrush syndromes;
- getting fungi into the bladder, rectum;
- candidal sepsis - when fungi enters the bloodstream.
Diagnostics
When the first signs appear, you should contact a gynecologist, who will examine the woman, ask about cases of previously manifested thrush and take a smear from the cervix and vaginal mucosa. The material is sent for microscopic examination, and fungal mycelium are detected in it. You can find out the type of pathogen by sowing on special nutrient media. According to them, the quantitative factor of colonies is determined - if there are few of them, this is the norm.
Doctors advise to conduct a comprehensive examination of the body, because most cases indicate the fact that thrush is associated with sexually transmitted infections. To do this, you need to visit a venereologist, get tested for gardnerellosis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, genital herpes and ureaplasmosis. Additionally, they may prescribe a trip to an endocrinologist to detect diabetes mellitus, a gastroenterologist for an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and the delivery of feces, a urologist for urinalysis.
Treatment of thrush in women
With a mild course of the disease and timely seeking help, thrush can be cured with local mild drugs - tablets, creams, suppositories, inserted into the vagina. This helps them get to the scene faster. How is thrush treated in women:
- antifungal agents;
- symptomatic from itching, burning;
- combination drugs;
- hepatoprotectors;
- vitamins, minerals, probiotics - to quickly strengthen the immune system, normalize the intestinal microflora.
Preparations for thrush
Drugs against vaginal candidiasis have a wide spectrum of action. In therapy for vaginal use, the following medicines are produced:
- Antibiotics (help fight bacteria and fungi): polyene group (Natamycin, Nystatin), triazoles (Fluconazole), imidazole dioxolans (Livarol), imidazoles (Clotrimazole).
- Local funds - vaginal tablets, suppositories, ointments, creams - Betadine, Canesten.
- Combined funds with antiseptic, antioxidant, antiplatelet properties - Vaginorm, Ginoflor, Irunin, Kanizon, Neo-Penotran.
- Antifungal components - Ginesol, Dalatsin, Dermazole, Diflazon, Diflucan, Zalain, Itrazol, Itraconazole.
- Fungicides - Itracon, Klion D, Mikoflucan.
- Anti-inflammatory - Clindacin.
- Anti-yeast - Livarol, Mikomax, Nystatin, Orungal, Pimafucin.
- Antiseptics - Miramistin.
- Disinfectants - Povidone iodine.
Antifungal drugs
The first drugs with which to start treating female patients are antifungal capsules, suppositories, creams and tablets. There are popular medicines:
- Diflucan - capsules with fluconazole, which suppresses the growth of fungi. One 150 mg capsule is taken.
- Pimafucin - suitable for pregnant and lactating women, available in the form of suppositories, cream, tablets. Well tolerated, non-toxic, non-allergenic. The active ingredient is natamycin, an antifungal antibiotic.
- Clotrimazole - vaginal cream, tablets, ointment, powder, solution, prohibited during pregnancy.
- Livarol is a safe drug with ketoconazole, available in the form of suppositories. The course of treatment is 5-10 days for chronic candidiasis.
- Geksikon - an antiseptic in the form of suppositories, gel and solution actively treats thrush in pregnant women.
Traditional methods
Remedies for traditional medicine prescriptions can only be used in combination with drugs, because they cannot get rid of the symptoms of thrush forever. The effect will be short-lived. The following options are used:
- washing the genitals with saline;
- douching with a decoction of chamomile, oak bark;
- baths of calendula decoction, borax solution in glycerin;
- during pregnancy, you can add a tablespoon of soda and teaspoonful of iodine to a liter of hot water, sit for a couple in a basin for 20 minutes, perform once a week for 2-3 days.
Prevention
In order not to suffer from uncomfortable manifestations, it is required to take measures to prevent thrush:
- regularly undergo an examination by a gynecologist, identify an exacerbation of a chronic disease or infection, treat on time;
- eat right, monitor the balance of vitamins and minerals;
- if the sexual partner has signs of infection, you can only have sex in a condom, otherwise you can get thrush;
- do not take medicines uncontrollably, without consulting a doctor, especially with regard to antibiotics;
- wear loose cotton underwear, do not abuse panty liners;
- observe hygiene, avoid frequent douching.
