What is thrush: symptoms, treatment, causes of the disease
Many women experience itching, burning, and discomfort in the external genital area. This is called thrush or vaginal candidiasis.
What is vaginal thrush?
Vaginal thrush (vaginal candidiasis) is an inflammatory disease of the female genital organs caused by opportunistic yeast fungi of the genus Candida. It does not belong to the category of sexually transmitted diseases. This disease is characterized by the following symptoms: pain, itching, burning in the external genital area. Most often it occurs in women, but in some cases it also affects men (4 cases of women's disease account for 1 case of men's disease). This type of fungus is found in the body of all people, but in small quantities. When there is an imbalance of the body's microflora, the growth of Candida fungi occurs, accompanied by symptoms of thrush.
Why does thrush occur?
The causes of the disease can be divided into several types:
- Changes in the acidity of the vagina contribute to a decrease in the number of normal bacteria, and instead, fungi develop in large numbers;
- Antibiotic treatment provokes microflora disorders and the growth of opportunistic pathogens;
- Stresses, especially frequent and in large quantities, have a negative impact on the body's defense capacity. Yeast microflora is activated, and symptoms of thrush appear;
- Previous viral diseases or food poisoning can also provoke the appearance of candidiasis;
- Thrush can be associated with frequent changes in sexual partners;
- Hormonal changes in the body, such as pregnancy or menopause, can provoke the growth of fungal flora;
- Vaginal candidiasis can occur as a reaction to underwear made of synthetic materials that is too small and narrow, causing discomfort when worn;
- Thyroid gland disorders are one of the causes of thrush;
- Unhealthy diet - a large amount of carbohydrates in the daily menu contributes to the development of fungal microflora;
- Change of residence, especially if it is associated with climate change, affects the growth of opportunistic yeast fungi in the body;
- Non-compliance with hygiene rules.
Symptoms of vaginal thrush
Vaginal candidiasis has several key symptoms that clearly indicate the disease:
- very strong itching in the intimate area that does not stop for a long time
- burning sensation in the vagina, especially noticeable during sexual intercourse
- curd-like discharge, which is sometimes very profuse and has an unpleasant sour odor;
- redness of the vaginal mucous membranes;
If we are talking about candidiasis, then all of the above symptoms should be present. If one of them is disturbing, it may indicate a completely different disease.
In men, thrush is also characterized by burning sensation during urination, itching, swelling and redness in the glans penis, as well as pain during intercourse.
Stages of thrush
- acute inflammatory process: symptoms of vaginal candidiasis are very obvious;
- chronic vaginal thrush: in this case, the discomfort can be either completely imperceptible or mild.
If vaginal candidiasis has become chronic and almost does not bother you, this does not mean that you can forget about it. Treatment is necessary in any case, as the disease, left to its own devices, can recur again and again.
Methods of diagnosing the disease
To determine whether you are really concerned about thrush, it is not enough to feel all the symptoms. It is also important to visit a gynecologist. The doctor will conduct an examination, take a patient's history, listen to complaints about symptoms and their duration. In addition, an analysis is taken to study the microflora (bacterial culture) from the cervical and vaginal mucosa. Based on the results, the doctor makes recommendations for treatment.
In addition, recurrent vaginal thrush may indicate other diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. Therefore, a gynecologist may recommend a blood sugar test, followed by an endocrinologist's consultation.
Methods of treating thrush
A gynecologist may recommend several options for treating thrush, depending on the severity of the disease:
- Treatment with topical agents: gels, creams, ointments, vaginal pills. This type of treatment is aimed at restoring the local microflora and improving local immunity. It is used in the initial stages of the disease.
- Treatment with pills: in the case when thrush has become chronic, then gynecologists prescribe treatment with pills, often in combination with topical remedies. The course of treatment is from 6 to 14 days, depending on the patient's condition. It is important to follow all the recommendations of the doctor, not to interrupt the course of treatment, even if there is an improvement in the condition, otherwise a relapse is possible.
- Diet for thrush: during medical treatment, it is important to follow nutritional recommendations to increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestines. It is necessary to give preference to fermented milk products, fresh vegetables, fruits, cereals, excluding sweets, flour, and pastries from the diet.
Drugs for the treatment of thrush
The safest and most effective drugs for the treatment of thrush, in tablet form:
- Pimafucin;
- Fucis;
- Clotrimazole;
- Nystatin;
- Diflucan.
Clotrimazole and Pimafucin are also available in the form of a topical cream. This format is also suitable for treating thrush symptoms in men.
In addition, the gynecologist may prescribe probiotics to normalize the intestinal microflora. They are available in the form of suspension, capsules, powders, and tablets.
It is important to remember that you should not self-medicate, especially if you have already had recurrent candidiasis and are prone to allergic reactions. Doctors select medications for thrush according to individual criteria.
Prevention of thrush
To eliminate the risk of contracting thrush, a number of preventive measures should be taken.
- Underwear should be comfortable, preferably cotton.
- Wet clothes should be changed immediately to dry ones. This applies to visiting the pool, swimming in water. In a humid environment, fungi develop much faster.
- Hot baths also provoke the growth of yeast fungi of the genus Candida, so they should be taken as rarely as possible. But water at a comfortable temperature does not cause such fungal growth.
- Uncontrolled use of antibiotics provokes microflora disorders, causing the development of candidiasis. Therefore, the decision to prescribe antibiotics should be made only by a doctor.
- Diet is also an excellent prevention of thrush. Sugar and refined foods, as well as drinks containing yeast, should be excluded from the diet.
- It is important to remember to use protection during sexual intercourse, especially if you often change sexual partners.
- Regular preventive examinations by a gynecologist allow you to identify the disease at an early stage and start treatment in time.
Clinic doctors who treat the disease
The Universum Clinic employs highly specialized gynecologists who will help not only to detect and cure vaginal candidiasis in time, but also to prevent its recurrence in the future. The specialists use an individualized, step-by-step approach with modern laboratory equipment. If necessary, comprehensive consultations with other Universum Clinic doctors, such as endocrinologists and urologists, are used.
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