The thrush constantly worries. The main causes of thrush in women. The main causes of frequent thrush in women

The causes of thrush are a topic of discussion not only in the female circle of the inhabitants, but also among physicians. Mushrooms of the genus Candida, the causative agents of the disease, have the ability to again and again affect the mucous membranes of the genital organs of women. Is it possible to exclude the causes of thrush in women in order to reduce the frequency of relapses?

Unfortunately, there is hardly a guarantee that even if you try to eliminate as much as possible all the favorable conditions for the development of this fungus, the disease will leave you forever. After all, the cause of thrush can be a physiological condition - pregnancy or menstruation. However, if you try at the same time to exclude favorable conditions as much as possible and carry out proper treatment chronic process - everything can work out. And such a common phenomenon as thrush before menstruation will be clarified.

Often, vaginal candidiasis, as thrush is correctly called, in women occurs when taking oral contraceptives and using local contraceptives. Both of these lead to a violation of the microflora of the vagina. If very often thrush occurs in women, while the specified contraception is used, then the doctor may recommend replacing it. For example, on an intrauterine system or a condom - that is, on non-local and non-hormonal contraception.

Frequent thrush has causes related to the intake of various medicines. First of all, antiseptic, antibacterial and antibiotics. Many doctors still prescribe antibiotics for any ailment. But they do not always help, only if the infection is bacterial, and even side effects render in the form of a recurrence of vaginal candidiasis. That is, you do not need to take such strong drugs, especially for a long time, if you are not sure of the appropriateness of this treatment.
Such an example. The woman was diagnosed with Helicobacter pylori, microorganisms that provoke stomach cancer. You can get rid of them by taking antibiotics. Usually they are prescribed for 10 days. But many people, fearing cancer, take them longer. Or they start drinking regularly at some intervals, sort of like “for prevention”, because the bacteria can return again. Well, antibiotics kill the microflora of the vagina. The causes of thrush in women often have similar ones.

In addition, various sexual infections can provoke vaginal candidiasis, as well as bacterial vaginosis - vaginal dysbacteriosis. Often, against the background of this dysbacteriosis, a woman has thrush. In such cases, a very good remedy is complex treatment. For example, a topical antibacterial and an oral antifungal may be prescribed.

Of course, you need to find the causes of thrush if possible. But it is not always possible to exclude them. Fungi of the genus Candida usually begin to multiply actively with a decrease in immunity. Its significant weakening occurs in HIV, oncological diseases and blood diseases. Often it is impossible to completely recover from them, which means you just need to live and periodically undergo treatment for chronic vaginal candidiasis.

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There are many factors that cause thrush in women. Intimate communication without protective equipment, hypothermia, past diseases that weaken the immune system - all this leads to the activation of the fungus.

Thrush (yeast candidiasis) is a lesion of the vaginal membrane caused by the fungus Candida.

The pathogen is always present in the body, but with good immunity it does not manifest itself. At adverse conditions candida begins its activity, uncontrollably and rapidly multiplies, causing symptoms of thrush.

The disease is diagnosed during a gynecological examination and on the basis of a vaginal smear. During therapy, systemic or local antifungal drugs are used. Self-medication is unacceptable, drugs are prescribed only by a gynecologist.

Symptoms

Hormonal disbalance

A change in hormone levels is a reason for the development of thrush. Characteristic:

• In adolescence. The body is preparing for the first menstruation.
• Before menopause. The process of fading reproductive function leads to a change in hormonal balance.
• Certain days menstrual cycle.

All conditions are associated with an increase in the concentration of estrogen. A large amount of it causes the growth of the fungus and the appearance of symptoms.

Antibacterial therapy

The cause of the pathology may be in the treatment of anti-inflammatory drugs. Antibiotics prescribed for bronchitis, pneumonia, adnexitis and other diseases kill the natural microflora.

This creates favorable conditions for the activation of pathogenic fungus.

Improper hygiene

Daily pads, synthetic underwear create a greenhouse effect in the vulva. These are excellent conditions for the appearance of vaginal candidiasis.

Provokes the development of pathology violation of hygiene:

• Rare replacement of pads, tampons during menstruation.
• Incorrect washing (should be only from front to back).
• Abuse of soap, foams, gels for intimate hygiene.

What else could cause thrush? With improperly selected barrier contraception. The use of vaginal rings, condoms leads to irritation and changes in the normal microflora.

A number of spermicides are not suitable for women, causing characteristic white discharge and other signs of the disease.

During pregnancy

The development of thrush occurs very often. There are reasons for this:

The fungus is dangerous for a woman in position and a child. It is important to treat the disease in a timely manner. Drugs are prescribed only by a doctor, since not all are suitable and many are unsafe.

Diabetes

An increase in blood glucose is almost always the cause of the development of yeast candidiasis. The problem is eliminated only by constant monitoring of sugar levels.

The fungus is especially dangerous for diabetes in pregnant women.

Stress

Emotional overstrain leads to the release of cortisol. The hormone increases the tone of all systems, and as a result, immunity decreases. The body is affected by infections, including vaginal candidiasis.

On the video about the causes of candidiasis

Is it possible to get infected from a man?

Candida is passed from partner to woman and vice versa. If one has a fungus, then unprotected sexual intercourse and contact of the mucous membranes lead to infection.

Not only the vaginal act is dangerous, but also its oral and anal forms. Thus, thrush from intimate organs can turn into candidiasis oral cavity.

Men often do not have pronounced symptoms, that is, they are carriers. In this case, sexual contact will cause a recurrence of the disease in a woman. In the presence of a permanent sexual partner, treatment is necessary for both when symptoms occur. At the time of therapy, intimacy should be abandoned.

From what appears thrush - the answer is ambiguous. As a preventive measure, a woman should pay due attention to strengthening immunity.

What is needed for this according to doctors:

• Active lifestyle.
• Proper nutrition, the predominance of fruits and vegetables in the diet.
• Saturation of the body with vitamins.
• Weight control, weight loss.

Pregnant women need to be more careful. They have more risk factors than others.

Women are well acquainted with the concept of "thrush", which they associate with very unpleasant and painful sensations. But with the combination of “thrush and menstruation”, the state of health worsens several times.

Thrush: causes

Thrush is a fungal disease that develops on the mucous tissues of the genital tract in women. There are several reasons for its occurrence:

• weakening of the immune system;
• the use of antibiotics;
• oppression of the microflora of the vagina;
• hormonal imbalance.

Thrush occurs at any age and can appear quite often. The course of thrush is variable with periods of remission and sharp exacerbation. Doctors note that a particular exacerbation of thrush is observed in the periods before and during menstruation. Is there a direct relationship between thrush and the menstrual cycle?

Thrush and menstruation: what is the relationship?

Menstruation is by no means the cause for the occurrence of thrush, but they act as a provoking factor:

• During menstruation, a favorable environment is created on the mucous genital organs of a woman for the occurrence of a fungal disease.
• With the onset of critical days, the hormonal balance of the body is somewhat disturbed. And this can affect the activity of the development of the fungus.
• Menstrual flow with a change in the acidity of the vaginal environment, frequent use of hygiene products on such days - these reasons contribute to the manifestation of symptoms of thrush.

There are a number of factors that occur during menstruation that can cause the development of candidiasis:

• The use of tampons or pads during menstruation, which contain non-natural fibers, strong flavored impregnation or chemical components.
• Insufficiently frequent change of a woman's underwear.
• Use for intimate hygiene soap, which has an aggressive composition.

The main symptom of the appearance of thrush is itching before menstruation. Such sensations should alert a woman. Increased discomfort, as well as the appearance of curdled discharge, will be an accurate sign of an exacerbation of a fungal disease.

Thrush, with timely treatment, does not have a systemic effect on the body, but only creates local discomfort. Only in the case of the chronic nature of the course of the disease, the fungus can affect other organs. In such a situation, of course, there may be problems with menstruation due to dysfunction of the ovaries or the occurrence of adhesions in the fallopian tubes.

Thus, experts point out that menstruation and thrush have only an indirect relationship and only aggravate each other. Due to the constant discomfort with the combination of these processes, a woman’s well-being can greatly worsen and sleep can be disturbed.

Thrush and menstruation: features of the course

What are the features of the development of thrush during menstruation? First of all, there is an unpleasant odor that will accompany menstrual flow. The most unpleasant and painful moment before menstruation is a burning sensation that occurs during urination.

In the process of menstruation, such sensations only intensify. Critical days against the background of thrush can be more painful. Sometimes the discharge becomes more abundant, and their duration increases. Itching during menstruation is of most concern, since no local medicines are applicable at this time, and personal hygiene products in such a situation do not help much.

Thrush after menstruation usually does not go away. It can even get worse and cause painful accompaniment during and after intercourse. Itching after menstruation may be accompanied by redness of the skin in the intimate area.

Sometimes a combination of the appearance of signs of thrush and a delay in menstruation is noted. There are several explanations for this phenomenon, as they say "one bad and one good."

In women aged 45 - 55 years - this may indicate the onset of menopause and a serious hormonal restructuring of the body, which is often accompanied by the "flourishing" of fungal diseases. In young girls, similar processes can occur against the background of the formation of menstrual function.

Some drugs that are started to be used to treat the fungus can cause a delay in menstruation, but after stopping the drug, the menstrual cycle must be restored. If this does not happen, you need to look for another connection between the absence of critical days and thrush.

The best reason is pregnancy. After all, thrush is a frequent companion of a woman in this condition. During childbearing, the body future mother weakens a little and becomes vulnerable to diseases. In addition, it begins to produce the hormones progesterone and gonadotropin, which leads to a change in the hormonal background. Therefore, especially if there was unprotected sexual contact, it is necessary to do a test.

However, there is some clarification. Thrush during pregnancy occurs no earlier than a couple of weeks. If the first signs of a fungal disease begin to appear on the third day, then you should think about the “bad reason”. Namely, that thrush can be contracted from a partner. Therefore, along with him, you need to see a doctor.

Well, it should not be ruled out that thrush in the absence of menstruation can signal systemic problems in the body caused by serious diseases.

Without finding out the reason for the delay, an attempt to equalize the monthly cycle with hormonal drugs can significantly complicate the course of a fungal disease.

How to treat thrush during menstruation

As a rule, the combination of thrush itself and menstruation is not a particularly dangerous condition for health, but treatment should not be postponed.

At the first signs, especially if menstruation has not yet begun, it is necessary to start treatment in order to prevent complications during the period of critical days.

If, according to the calendar of the monthly cycle, it is noticeable that the time for passing full course treatment is not enough, it is better to postpone it on the seventh day of menstruation, when the discharge is already over. A specialist may advise taking the complex drug terzhinan during menstruation to relieve the most acute symptoms.

• the use of medicinal antifungal drugs in the form of tablets;
• the use of topical antifungal agents: ointments, creams, suppositories;
• douching with herbal infusions and baths with disinfectant solutions.

If a woman has a discharge, then the last two points are quite difficult to complete, and the use of candles is generally prohibited. Therefore, treatment will be incomplete and ineffective.

A good adjuvant is considered a special diet with the use of a large number dairy products and restrictions on all sweets.

Timely treatment will allow you to quickly get rid of thrush and discomfort during menstruation.

What are the causes of frequent thrush?

If you believe the statistics, candidiasis worried at least once every second woman, but is persistent thrush so common? Many believe that if candidiasis has occurred at least once, then periodically it will remind a woman of herself further. In part, these people will be right. This happens when a woman self-medicates.

After reading various articles on the Internet and “determining” by similar symptoms that she has thrush, the fairer sex rushes to the pharmacy and buys a remedy for candidiasis that she likes. And even if she guesses, and she actually had this particular disease, it is not a fact that in the future it will not return.

Thrush is a fungal disease caused by fungi of the genus Candida. But do not think that everything is so simple. Although the disease is one, there are 155 types of fungi that can cause inflammation of the vaginal passage. Each of these types requires its own treatment. Drugs that can cope with candidiasis should be prescribed by a specialist in the field of gynecology, and not personally. Only in this case, the disease can be defeated the first time.

But why does it repeat itself and what to do about it?

The most common causes of occurrence

Candida fungus is always found in the microflora of a woman's vagina, but they begin to actively multiply and spread through the woman's reproductive system only under favorable living conditions. The factors that provide such an environment are the causes of thrush.

They are prescribed by doctors for admission in many diseases, both infectious and fungal. They are designed to kill bacteria. It is worth making a clarification to destroy all bacteria in the body. Including useful, necessary for the normal life of a woman. They kill bacteria that prevent Candida from multiplying. In addition, a person's immunity is noticeably reduced, which gives room for harmful bacteria that affect a woman's body.

Nutrition is also an important factor that affects the entire body as a whole and the microflora of the female reproductive system, in particular. The key to health has always been a balanced diet, but nowadays many have begun to forget about it. Sweet and starchy foods are found at almost every step, and not every sane woman is able to refuse it. It's not even a matter of weight gain, but the fact that fungi of this species are very fond of sweets. Of course, this was said in a figurative sense.

Turning to a scientific way, we can say that due to the abundance of flour and sweet, the acidity in the vagina is disturbed:

• Initially, there are problems with the digestive tract;
• Then the microflora of the intestine itself begins to change;
• Then comes candidiasis.

Among other things, the cause of thrush can be overuse smoked and salty foods.

Factors provoking relapse

In some cases, without knowing it, the sexual partner is a carrier of this disease. He may not have symptoms of thrush, but if the woman is already for a long time cannot get rid of candidiasis, then this is a serious reason to think about whether the sexual partner is to blame. If the treatment is carried out by only one of the parties, then nothing can be said about a complete recovery. With each subsequent contact, the man will again spread the fungi, which, once in a good microflora, will begin to actively multiply there.

The amount of hormones in the blood also plays a role. The concentration of progesterone increases significantly after the process of ovulation. At the same time, a woman's immune system is significantly reduced, which creates a pleasant environment for bacteria to thrive. The same scheme works during pregnancy.

Oral contraceptives also contain hormones, which means they can affect the development of candidiasis. Do not think that all females who take birth control tend to get thrush. Most often, it appears only in those who start taking oral contraceptives, and in those who switch to others that contain more hormones than the previous ones.

A completely healthy woman may not notice anything, but if she has a chronic disease, then taking birth control can "awaken" it.

The herpes virus lives in the human body in a passive state. Only a decrease in the body's immune defenses can activate it, and it will also cause thrush. If herpes is not given due attention, candidiasis will occur with any cold.

A stressful environment can even awaken cancer cells, let alone Candida fungi! Yes, in fact, with strong experiences in the body, the production of cortisol begins. This hormone allows you to be in good shape all the time, but its constant presence in the body significantly reduces immunity, and a lot of harmful microorganisms attack a weak body. Hence the frequent occurrence of thrush. What to do? Representatives of the weaker sex should limit the likelihood of a stressful situation at times.

In any case, a woman should not drink beer, and even more so in the case of a thrush that has appeared at least once. Beer contains maltose, one of the sugars that makes candidiasis so common in women.

It happens that any means of intimate hygiene can also contribute to the development of this disease. You should be very sensitive to the brand of condoms, tampons and other personal care products. Many of them may not be suitable for a woman due to some of the chemical components contained in their composition. Here again, weakened immunity will affect the occurrence of thrush. Where without him? The fact is that the reaction of the body to the components of contraceptives or personal hygiene products will manifest itself in the form of an allergy, and that, in turn, affects the protective functions of the body. Therefore, if thrush appears after using a certain brand of condoms or pads, then it is worth considering whether it is not the cause of it.

Diabetes mellitus also affects the development of candidiasis. The reason for this is a large amount of sugar in the blood.

It is extremely important that intimate hygiene is observed in accordance with all the rules. Do not use shampoos and shower gels for washing, as well as soaps that are not intended for this area! It is also worth remembering that the shower water jet should be directed from top to bottom, and not vice versa. Therefore, at risk are those women who masturbate in this way. It is worth remembering the possible risk and do not forget to follow the rules of personal hygiene, because they are not just spelled out.

If all the symptoms indicate that a woman has thrush, then she needs to consult a gynecologist, and not start self-medicating. It is possible that in a certain case it will help get rid of such a nuisance as candidiasis. But only for a while. In most cases, after taking the wrong drugs, it developed into a chronic one and had to deal with a more serious form of thrush.

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What factors lead to the appearance of thrush

Thrush or vaginal candidiasis is a disease caused by an opportunistic fungal flora. Namely fungi of the genus Candida. They are normally found in the body. healthy person in small quantities. They are on the skin, in the intestines and on the mucous membranes of the genital organs. It would be wrong to say that this disease can only appear in women. Both men and children suffer from it. Only the clinical picture is somewhat different.

Before answering the question of what causes thrush in women, it should be noted that this disease in the human body, as a rule, is caused by one of more than 150 types of yeast:

• Candida albicans causes acute thrush, which responds well to treatment and, with proper therapy, goes away completely;
• Candida non-albicans is a more complex form of yeast. If it was he who caused the thrush, the disease can develop into a chronic form with frequent exacerbations and a long course. In this case, the treatment will be specific, since conventional antifungal therapy is powerless.

The first symptom that appears is a cloudy white mucous discharge from the vagina. Further, the clinical picture is as follows:

• after one or two days, the discharge acquires the consistency of liquid cottage cheese with a sour smell;
• itching and burning are noted in the vagina and external genital organs, which are aggravated by urination and sexual intercourse, which causes severe discomfort;
• swelling of the external genital organs - the vulva and labia;
• possible appearance of white plaque on the external genitalia.

These symptoms can appear at any age. A girl who does not have sexual experience may also be susceptible to this disease. After all, the method of transmission of the fungus is not only sexual contact, which is far from the first place in the list of reasons.

Ration as one of the reasons

The first factor that causes thrush is diet. The reasons lie not so much in the products as in their quantity.

If the diet is dominated by foods that can create a favorable environment for the development of the fungus, frequent thrush will occur. Moreover, a woman will not even be aware that she will then suffer from breakfast, lunch or dinner, consisting of her favorite dishes.

It is this reason that makes it possible for candidiasis to occur in a very young girl who has no experience of sexual relations.

Among the most "loyal friends" of the fungus are the following:

• all kinds of sweets - sweets, cakes, cakes, desserts and other goodies that women are used to seizing stress or pampering themselves at the end of the working day;
• rich pastries prepared with yeast, a large amount of sugar and fat;
• spicy, too salty, fried foods;
• alcoholic beverages (beer is among the most dangerous);
• carbonated sweet drinks;
• products containing food chemicals;
• conservation - regardless of whether it is homemade or purchased.

All these products create a favorable environment for the development of conditionally pathogenic flora, in particular, fungi. This is not to say that they should be completely excluded from the diet, but it is necessary to make consumption more reasonable.

If you already have thrush, especially in an acute form, then for a while you will have to give up such food.

Hormonal problems

We will not mention serious diseases associated with changes in hormonal levels. In such cases, all body systems fail. A change in the level of estrogen production is what causes thrush in women. Such conditions are observed:

• in teenage girls in puberty, even before the start of the first menstruation or just with its arrival;
• in case of menstrual irregularities caused by estrogen imbalance;
• during some periods of the menstrual cycle;
• as one of the symptoms of menopausal syndrome.

Another reason why there may be thrush, which is associated with hormones, is prolonged and uncontrolled use. hormonal contraceptives. This does not happen in every case, but the risk of its occurrence increases significantly.

Pregnancy

There are several reasons why thrush occurs in pregnant women. These include:

• during the bearing of a child, the body changes its hormonal status. Throughout the period, estrogen levels are very high, which affects the vaginal flora, which becomes more acidic. And such an environment is favorable for the reproduction of the fungus;
• the load on the body increases many times, which requires the activation of additional reserves. This state of affairs causes a decrease in immunity, as a result of which the body cannot adequately respond to the development of pathogenic flora;
• inevitable changes in nutrition, the predominance of starchy, sweet and sour foods creates fertile ground for candida.

The woman and fetus may experience serious problems associated with both gestation and childbirth and the further health of the newborn. Treatment of thrush during pregnancy should be carried out without fail. Moreover, modern medicine has a whole arsenal of safe means to fight this disease.

Where does thrush come from in women who follow the rules of intimate hygiene carefully and carry out hygiene procedures more often than twice a day?

Excessive zeal leads to unpleasant consequences:

• the first thing that causes thrush is the use of intimate hygiene products with inappropriate pH. Individual reactions to the gel or foam cleanser are also possible;
• washing under the shower, when the water jet is directed from the bottom up, causes the habitual microflora to be washed out and the pathogenic one to develop, which is not so sensitive to such manipulations;
• the use of scented pads or the abuse of "one-night-stands".

But non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene is also a risk factor. You need to know why thrush appears in such cases:

• rare change of pads during monthly or daily pads; the use of tampons during critical days creates a "greenhouse effect", which is very favorable for the development of fungi;
• rare hygiene procedures without the use of antiseptic detergents for intimate hygiene;
• frequent wearing of synthetic or uncomfortable underwear, which can damage the mucous membrane of the external genital organs.

In addition, the use of unsuitable barrier contraceptives can affect the microflora of the vagina and provoke the growth of pathogenic bacteria. But it is not the only reasons from which there may be thrush. It’s just that they are the easiest to eliminate in order to avoid such an unpleasant phenomenon as constant thrush.

Diseases, nerves and medicines

Thrush can appear in chronic pathologies of various organs and systems:

• endocrine disorders that provoke hormonal imbalance;
• diabetes and diabetes insipidus;
• chronic diseases of the stomach and intestines accompanied by frequent dysbiosis.

These diseases not only reduce general and local immunity, but also become a source of fungal flora (in the case of intestinal dysbacteriosis).

Where does thrush come from in a perfectly healthy person? It's all about stress and chronic fatigue syndrome. During such states, the body needs to mobilize reserve energy reserves to ensure vital activity. For this purpose, the production of the hormone cortisol is stimulated. It keeps the body in good shape. But over time, with such an intense load, immunity decreases and thrush may appear.

The intake of certain drugs that affect the microflora of the body gives impetus to the growth of fungi. These drugs mainly include antibiotics and sulfonamides.

At the first symptoms of thrush, treatment should be taken. And only a specialist can prescribe adequate therapy. It should be borne in mind that some of the symptoms of thrush are similar to the symptoms infectious diseases sexually transmitted.

The medical name for thrush is candidiasis. This is one of the types of infection caused by fungi of the genus Candida. Microscopic colonies can appear anywhere in the body on the internal organs and skin. The disease of permanent thrush itself is caused not so much by the very presence of the above fungi, but by their uncontrolled growth in big size and the subsequent penetration of more resistant strains of candida, usually due to a decrease in human immunity.

The female half of the population around the world often wonders why thrush constantly appears. For each woman, the reasons are individual in nature (lifestyle, concomitant diseases, etc.).

In medical practice, the following factors for the causes of persistent thrush are distinguished:

• uncontrolled use of hormonal drugs;
• violation of the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract;
• change in the acid-base balance of the internal environment of the genital organs;
• during pregnancy, persistent thrush is also a very common phenomenon, because during the bearing of a child in the body of a woman, a violation of the hormonal background occurs;
• it happens that thrush constantly returns with a weakened immune system;
• intestinal dysbacteriosis is another factor why thrush constantly worries the female population of the planet. This disorder often appears as a result of long-term antibiotic treatment;
• lack of protective barriers of the vagina (secretory immunoglobulins type A, T-lymphocytes and macrophages, as well as a violation of the natural microflora of the vagina);
• hypersensitivity to fungi of the Candida family in combination with atopic forms of allergy;
• incorrect medical tactics and the corresponding incorrect prescription of treatment, leading to the transition of the disease into a chronic form;
• the predominance in the diet of women of sweet, salty, smoked foods, as well as flour dishes that change the acidity of the vaginal environment and therefore contribute to the reproduction of a harmful fungus;
• activation, which is a consequence of a weakening of the body's immunity and creates favorable conditions for the development of thrush.

Symptoms of thrush in women

The classic manifestation of persistent thrush is discharge from the genital tract, which has White color, resembling cottage cheese in consistency, and accompanied by a sour unpleasant odor, combined with pronounced itching in the inguinal region. This itching tends to get worse after showering, urinating, or having sexual contact.

Treatment of persistent thrush

In many forums on medical topics, hundreds of women ask the same question - what to do if thrush constantly occurs. IN modern world There are dozens of drugs created to combat this disease. They are conditionally divided into two large groups:

• topical drugs that are taken locally directly in the vulva and vagina. This category includes drugs such as suppositories, creams, vaginal tablets and gels for thrush. However, given that only a small proportion of such drugs are absorbed into the mucous membrane, their overall effect on the body is very small, and the frequency of use, as a rule, is at least 14 days. The most common drugs in this group are Pimafucin, Lomexin and Sertaconazole.

• drugs of general action, taken orally and, when released into the blood, have a healing function of the whole organism from an acquired infection. Such drugs are quite toxic and are mainly used in the treatment of severe and chronic forms of thrush. Fluconazole and Intraconazole are among the most popular general medicines.

In the event that the disease becomes chronic, this is a serious reason to think about a complete examination of the body for the presence of diseases. endocrine system. It is important to know that with chronic thrush, damage to the intestines and bladder is often observed. In this regard, for a complete cure and prevention of secondary infection with thrush, it is necessary to apply A complex approach, combining both local preparations and those that are taken orally. At the same time, it is necessary to conduct a bacteriological study (smears, cultures) with the determination of the patient's sensitivity to antifungal drugs, since the fungi of the Candida family have the feature of rapid adaptation and resistance to the agents used.

Vaginal thrush caused by Candida

The health of the female reproductive system is a rather intimate issue that requires a delicate approach to its study.

Many women experience discomfort during a routine routine gynecological examination, so they often put it off until later, even in cases of discomfort in the genital area.

One of the causes of itching and discharge may be a disease such as candidiasis. Let's talk in more detail about the causes of its occurrence, the symptoms and, of course, the ways to treat this disease.

What is candidiasis?

Candida mushrooms under the microscope

Candidiasis is a disease caused by the microscopic opportunistic yeast Candida. They are present in the normal microflora of the intestinal mucosa, vagina and oral cavity, even in a healthy woman.

The disease itself is associated with a sharp increase in their number, which occurs, as a rule, against the background of a decrease in immunity (both general and local).

According to the official statistics of the Ministry of Health, candidiasis is one of the most common infectious vaginal diseases (percentage of detected cases per total treatment with venereal infections - 30%).

But if we take into account the fact that many women cope with thrush on their own, without resorting to the help of specialists, then the true number of cases of this disease can be many times higher.

Attention! Candidiasis is a type of disease that is passed from mother to child while still in the womb. In order to reduce the risk of infection of the baby (and it is about 70% in a sick mother), it is necessary to undergo treatment at the stage of pregnancy planning.

In the common people candidiasis is most commonly referred to as thrush, since it is characterized by the appearance of vaginal cheesy discharge that has a whitish tint.

However, thrush doesn't just happen to women. It can occur in children (most often in the oral cavity), as well as in men who are obese, diabetic, or simply infected by a female carrier of this disease.

The male form of infection with candidal fungus is called balanoplastitis.

Causes

The main reasons for the development of candidiasis in women include:

• Problems with the normal functionality of the thyroid gland. It is not uncommon for people with diabetes to become infected.
• The human immunodeficiency virus (abbreviated as HIV), which can be not only acquired, but also congenital.
• The presence of vaginal dysbacteriosis.
• Weakening of the protective functions of the body after surgery.
• Long-term treatment of other diseases with the use of cytostatics, antibiotics or glucocorticoid drugs.
• May occur against a background of nervous shock, as well as general stressful condition organism caused by a sudden change in climate.
• As a result of incorrect douching.
• With a chemical, thermal or mechanical injury that caused a violation of the normal function of the mucous membrane.
• As a result of hormonal changes female body during pregnancy and in the postpartum period.
• Deficiency of vitamins A and B group.
• Failure to comply with basic hygiene.
• Radiation and chemical therapy in oncology.
• As a result of abortion or curettage.
• When wearing synthetic underwear, as well as very tight models from other fabrics, the risk of infection with candidiasis increases.

How to recognize thrush: symptoms of the disease

Sign of thrush: curdled discharge

Signs of vaginal candidiasis are:

• Discomfort, or even pain during sex.
• The genitals itch, there is a burning sensation.
• Pain during the emission of urine (occur in case of penetration of the fungus into the urinary tract).
• The presence of whitish vaginal discharge, having a curdled consistency.

candidiasis in the mouth

Candidiasis in the mouth: white coating on the tongue

If we talk about candidiasis, the focus of which is the oral cavity, then it is characterized by the following symptoms:

• The appearance of a white coating on the tongue.
• Swelling of the cheek, gum mucosa, or tongue.
• Small reddish spots.

Candidiasis in the digestive system

Bloating as a sign of candidiasis in the digestive system

When the digestive system is affected, the following symptoms can be observed:

If the bowel is affected:

• diarrhea;
• frequent bloating and the associated feeling of discomfort;
• flatulence;
• the presence of mucus and blood streaks in the feces.

The site of injury is the esophagus.

• lack of appetite;
• pain in the retrosternal region;
• frequent heartburn;
• increase in body temperature;
• the occurrence of sharp pains in the upper abdomen;
• frequent bouts of nausea and vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• discomfort when swallowing solid food.

Important! It is quite difficult to identify esophageal candidiasis, since its symptoms are characteristic of most diseases. digestive system. About 30% of infected people are not even aware that they have esophageal thrush.

In addition to the above signs of the occurrence of candidiasis, its generalized forms may occur, manifested against the background of a strong decrease in the body's immune capacity.

In this case, lesions can occur not only on the mucous membrane, but also on the skin and internal organs.

There are several options for classifying candidiasis. The most common is the gradation according to the lesion of the female reproductive system. It looks like this:

1. Candida vaginitis (colpitis), the affected area of ​​\u200b\u200bwhich is the vagina.
2. Vulvitis, the focus of development of which are the organs of the external reproductive system.
3. Vulvovaginitis, combining signs of vulvitis and candidal vaginitis.

Attention! These three types of candidiasis appear quite similar. It is almost impossible to distinguish them yourself, since all the symptoms appear at different times with greater or lesser intensity.

Depending on the principle of considering the disease, the following qualifications can also be distinguished:

According to the prevalence of infection:

Superficial thrush

It has a focus localized in only one place (mucosa, skin or nails). It has a mild course of the disease.

Systemic candidiasis

Most often occurs against the background of superficial candidiasis. He is distinguished by defeat internal organs occurring against the background of severe immune stress of the body (in the period after surgery, in the presence of HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis, severe diabetes mellitus).

The course of the disease is quite complicated, with the possible development of complications.

Candida sepsis

With this form of the disease, the fungal infection first enters the bloodstream, and then spreads throughout the human body. It is the most severe form of the course of the disease, in some cases it can be fatal.

By the nature of the course of the disease:

candidacy

A person does not have any characteristic complaints and symptoms, however, in a laboratory test, Candida fungi can be found on the mucous membrane of the vagina, mouth, intestines, or even on the skin.

According to statistics, about 20% of non-pregnant women are carriers of this form of the disease. In women carrying a child, this figure is at the level of 30%.

Acute form of thrush

Such candidiasis is characterized by a course with the presence of almost all symptoms. It is characterized by a short duration of the course of the disease (less than 60 days).

Chronic candidiasis

The patient has a minimum number of complaints, as well as a mild severity of symptoms of the course of the disease. Symptoms continue for a long period (more than 60 days).

Therapy is complicated by the fact that in chronic patients the fungus mutates over time, and is not amenable to the effects of many antifungal drugs.

Chronic thrush can be divided into:

1. Persistent, which is characterized by a course with a constant presence of symptoms, the severity of which varies over time.
2. Recurrent, With characteristic periods remission and recurrence of symptoms.

In addition to diseases of the reproductive system, thrush can be classified according to the location of infection:

On nails and skin:

• palms;
• folds;
• smooth skin.

In the oral cavity:

• cheilitis (lips);
• glossitis (language);
• stomatitis (oral mucosa);
• oropharyngeal form (the entire oral cavity is affected).

In the internal organs:

• visceral candidiasis.

Due to the occurrence of the disease:

• congenital (infection occurred in the womb),
• acquired.

Traditional treatment

Drug treatment of candidiasis is carried out with the use of antifungal drugs that affect the biological activity of Candida.

If a mild form of the disease is being treated, then only local medications can be dispensed with.

In the case of more advanced and severe forms of the disease, systemic treatment of the disease is practiced.

Topical preparations

Usually used for uncomplicated forms of the disease, these include vaginal suppositories, ointments and creams.

Candles

Suppositories (candles) - refer to local medicinal preparations.

They are one of the most effective topical therapeutic agents for the treatment of thrush..

They penetrate deep into the vagina, due to which the drug acts on the entire mucous membrane.

A list of the 5 most commonly prescribed suppositories for the treatment of thrush:

Ointments and creams

Most often used to treat vaginitis and cutaneous candidiasis, as they have a local effect on the lubricated tissue.

The advantages of using ointments include:

• excellent tolerance, and does not cause discomfort in the form of itching and burning,
• directed action,
• does not affect other organs of the body (for example, the liver), unlike tablets.

The most commonly prescribed include:

Complex therapy of the disease

With this method of treatment, the so-called antimycotics of complex action. They have a wide mechanism of influence on the cause of candidiasis.

But such shock treatment also has many side effects.

Complex preparations are available in capsules, tablets, and also in the form of ampoule solutions, which are introduced into the body parenterally.

Systemic drugs are prescribed only by a doctor if the patient has visceral candidiasis, acute or chronic form of thrush.

List of generic tablets

Folk remedies for thrush

In some cases, you can try to cope with candidiasis at home with the help of unconventional remedies. traditional medicine. Let's analyze the most common:

Oregano oil treatment

For this method, it is used essential oil oregano. You can use oil in which the concentration of carvacrol is in the range of 50-85%. Treatment can be carried out in 3 ways:

inside

Dissolve 3 drops of oregano oil in a small amount of milk, olive or other base oil, and then add the resulting mixture to a glass of clean water.

Means to use in the morning and evening, after a week of admission, increase the dosage to 3 glasses.

Intervaginally

Dissolve 2 drops of oregano oil in 50 ml. olive or vegetable oil. Dip a hygienic swab into the resulting mixture for a few minutes.

The resulting suppository is inserted into the vagina at night. Continue treatment for 2 weeks.

Outwardly

Mix 3 drops of medicated oil with 3 tablespoons of vegetable or olive oil. Apply to affected areas at night.

In case of pain, reduce the dosage to 2 drops per 3 tbsp. spoons.

Infuse for several hours, then strain. The resulting solution (50 ml) is collected in a pear for douching and irrigate the vagina 1 time per day. Treatment is carried out within 2-3 days.

With salt, iodine and soda

Recipe:

In 1 liter of boiling water pour 2 tbsp. l. salt. Boil the resulting saline solution for 3 minutes, then cool to room temperature. Add 12 drops of iodine and 1 tbsp to the mixture. l. soda.

Do irrigation of the affected area in the morning and evening for 5 days.

With soap

For treatment, you can use both tar and ordinary laundry soap. During daily hygiene procedures, use instead of special means soap solutions.

Repeat the washing of the external reproductive system in half an hour with clean water. Repeat the course until complete recovery.

Weak water solution potassium permanganate is an excellent antiseptic, so it can be used not only for baths, but also for therapeutic douching.

Using borax in glycerin

Using a cotton pad, apply a 20% solution of borax in glycerin to the affected areas of the body 1-2 times a day for a week.

Douching can also be done with this mixture.

Prevention

To prevent the occurrence of thrush, you must follow a number of simple rules:

• Do not wear synthetic underwear. When interacting with sweat and normal secretions, synthetics create a kind of greenhouse effect, which is an excellent breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Instead of synthetics, use fabrics made from natural materials such as cotton.
• Minimize your sugar intake and foods high in carbohydrates. They contribute to the development of fungi in the normal microflora of the body.
• Don't Forget the Basics observing the rules of personal hygiene. Remember that you need to wash yourself daily, during evening and morning hygiene procedures. Moreover, this should be done in the direction from front to back, so that harmful bacteria from the intestines do not enter the vagina.
• Do not randomly take antibiotics. They can only be prescribed by a doctor. If such treatment is unavoidable, then you need to simultaneously use drugs that help restore the normal microflora in the intestines and vagina.
• Do not abuse disinfectant douches. In this way, you can disrupt the body's normal defense mechanism.

Thrush is a problem that absolutely any woman can face. It is important to remember that the disease is much easier to prevent the occurrence of the disease than to spend money, time and effort on treatment.