When candidiasis or thrush appears in women, the disease must be treated when the first signs appear. The presence of thrush can be determined by the symptoms: discomfort when urinating, viscous pain 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 opportunistic and does not normally develop into a disease.

What is thrush

The causative agent of candidiasis is found in the body of 80% of people as part of its own healthy microflora. Its role is to maintain normal acidity and the functioning of the epithelium involved in the process of fertilization. The fungus develops and multiplies when unfavorable factors occur, which can cause various diseases.

How quickly it develops

Some cases of thrush are asymptomatic, and slight discomfort is felt during sexual intercourse and urination. When exposed to 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:

• curdled discharge - looks like mucus with white lumps;
• itching, burning in the vagina - do not scratch, so as not to damage the epithelium and allow the fungal infection to penetrate the bloodstream, increasing the area of ​​​​inflammation of the vaginal mucosa;
• pain and discomfort when urinating - due to increased sensitivity of receptors;
• pain and burning during sex;
• slight sour smell of discharge.

First signs

The following first signs of candidiasis in women will help make you wary and suspect the presence of the disease:

• acute burning, itching of the external genitalia, worsening in a warm environment, after taking a bath;
• redness (hyperemia) of the vagina and labia;
• copious white vaginal discharge with a cheesy 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	Unpleasant fishy	Abundant, purulent, foamy, yellow-green	Itching inside, redness of the mucous membrane
Bacterial vaginitis		Abundant, liquid, foamy, gray-white	Accompanied by itching, burning, irritation

Causes

Experts and doctors identify the following most popular and well-known causes of candidiasis in women:

1. Taking antibiotics - they do not act selectively, they have a bad effect on the vagina’s own microflora, without suppressing fungi.
2. HIV – because of this, candidiasis manifests itself in parallel in the intestines and oral cavity.
3. The presence of chronic inflammatory diseases, infections, bacteria, reduced immunity.
4. Metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus, and a sweet environment provoke the proliferation of fungi.
5. Poor nutrition, unbalanced, irrational.
6. Hormonal imbalance, pregnancy, incorrectly selected oral contraceptives, hormonal drugs.
7. Diseases of the endocrine system - tuberculosis, dysfunction of the gonads, hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia.
8. Wearing tight synthetic underwear and frequent use of sanitary pads without changing them create warm, humid conditions for the growth of fungal diseases.
9. Hypothermia.

In pregnant women

The following factors cause the development of unpleasant symptoms of thrush or candidiasis in pregnant women:

• wearing synthetic underwear;
• hormonal changes;
• rough sexual intercourse – traumatizes the vaginal walls;
• 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 treatment for a woman, the disease takes on a chronic form, causing complications:

• adhesions in the pelvic organs;
• obstruction of the fallopian tubes;
• increased risk of infertility, damage to the ovaries by fungal infections;
• decreased immunity, frequent illnesses;
• intrauterine infection with fetal candidiasis;
• recurrent thrush syndromes;
• fungi entering the bladder, rectum;
• candidal sepsis - when fungi enter the blood.

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 mycelia are identified. The type of pathogen can be determined by inoculation on special nutrient media. They also determine the quantitative factor of the colonies - if there are few of them, this is the norm.

Doctors advise conducting a comprehensive examination of the body, because most cases indicate a connection between thrush and sexually transmitted infections. To do this, you need to visit a venereologist and get tested for gardnerellosis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, genital herpes and ureaplasmosis. Additionally, they may prescribe a visit to an endocrinologist to detect diabetes, a gastroenterologist to conduct an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and donate stool, and a urologist to perform a urine test.

Treatment of thrush in women

If the disease is mild and you seek help in a timely manner, you can cure thrush with local mild medications - tablets, creams, suppositories inserted into the vagina. This helps them get to the scene of action faster. How to treat thrush in women:

• antifungal agents;
• symptomatic from itching, burning;
• combination drugs;
• hepatoprotectors;
• vitamins, minerals, probiotics - to quickly strengthen the immune system and normalize intestinal microflora.

Preparations for thrush

Drugs against vaginal candidiasis have a wide spectrum of action. The following medications are available in therapy for vaginal use:

1. Antibiotics(help fight bacteria and fungi): polyene group (Natamycin, Nystatin), triazoles (Fluconazole), imidazoledioxolane (Livarol), imidazoles (Clotrimazole).
2. Local remedies– vaginal tablets, suppositories, ointments, creams – Betadine, Canesten.
3. Combined products with antiseptic, antioxidant, antiplatelet properties - Vaginorm, Gynoflor, Irunin, Kanison, Neo-Penotran.
4. Antifungal components– Ginezol, Dalatsin, Dermazol, Diflazon, Diflucan, Zalain, Itrazol, Itraconazole.
5. Fungicides– Itrakon, Klion D, Mikoflucan.
6. Anti-inflammatory- Clindacin.
7. Antiyeast– Livarol, Mikomax, Nystatin, Orungal, Pimafucin.
8. Antiseptics- Miramistin.
9. Disinfectants– Povidone-iodine.

Antifungal drugs

The first medications to start treating female patients with are antifungal capsules, suppositories, creams and tablets. Popular medications are:

1. Diflucan - capsules with fluconazole, which inhibits the growth of fungi. Take one 150 mg capsule.
2. Pimafucin - suitable for pregnant and lactating women, available in the form of suppositories, creams, tablets. Well tolerated, non-toxic, does not cause allergies. The active ingredient is natamycin, an antifungal antibiotic.
3. Clotrimazole – vaginal cream, tablets, ointment, powder, solution, prohibited during pregnancy.
4. Livarol is a safe drug with ketoconazole, available in the form of suppositories. The course of treatment is 5-10 days for chronic candidiasis.
5. Hexicon - an antiseptic in the form of suppositories, gel and solution actively treats thrush in pregnant women.

Traditional methods

Traditional medicine prescriptions can only be used in combination with medications, because they cannot relieve the symptoms of thrush forever. The effect will be short-lived. The following options are used:

• washing the genitals with saline solution;
• 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 a teaspoon of iodine to a liter of hot water, steam in a basin for 20 minutes, and do it once a week for 2-3 days.

Prevention

In order not to suffer from discomfort, it is necessary to take measures to prevent thrush:

• undergo regular examination by a gynecologist, identify exacerbations of a chronic disease or infection, and treat in a timely manner;
• eat right, monitor the balance of vitamins and minerals;
• if your sexual partner has signs of infection, you can only have sex with a condom, otherwise you can become infected with thrush;
• do not take medications uncontrollably, without consulting a doctor, especially antibiotics;
• wear loose cotton underwear, do not overuse panty liners;
• Maintain hygiene and avoid frequent douching.

Any appearance of unusual vaginal discharge should alert a woman. If they are abundant, have a white-curdled appearance, are accompanied by itching and an unpleasant burning sensation, you should immediately consult a gynecologist. Such signs may be a signal that the genitourinary system has been attacked by fungi of the genus Candida. The situation is unpleasant, but you can recover quickly if you treat it properly. As doctors note, thrush is common in women. Not only women of reproductive age are infected, but also little girls and women going through menopause. The success of treatment depends on the degree of neglect of the disease. Therefore, it is important to know the first symptoms of thrush in order to immediately begin the fight against the pathogenic bacteria.

Thrush is an inflammation of the genitourinary system caused by Candida fungi. In a healthy woman, these fungi are present in the body, but are dormant. The only reason for the awakening of bacteria is a violation of the acid-base environment in the vagina. It occurs due to a decrease in the number of lactobacilli, which are responsible for the production of lactic acid in the female body. At the same time, immunity is greatly reduced and the ability to resist pathogens is lost. The awakened bacterium, once in the moist vaginal environment, quickly multiplies and spreads the infection.
Scientifically, thrush is called urogenital candidiasis. In order to competently prescribe treatment, the gynecologist will conduct an examination and determine an accurate diagnosis.

The disease has two types:

• vulvovaginitis, which is characterized by inflammation of the vulva and vagina;
• Vulvodermatitis occurs when an inflammatory process appears exclusively on the skin of the reproductive system.

There are many provoking factors for the occurrence and development of the disease, namely:

• frequent and scrupulous hygienic water procedures lead to leaching of microflora and provoke the appearance of vaginal dysbiosis;
• injuries, microcracks, postoperative periods;
• pregnancy and postpartum period;
• frequent change of sexual partner;
• decreased production of lactobacilli, which is typical for women in old age;
• inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system, cystitis;
• taking medications and hormonal drugs, antibiotics;
• infectious diseases accompanied by fever;
• diabetes mellitus, immunodeficiency, allergic manifestations.

IMPORTANT: After confirmation of the diagnosis by the doctor, not only the woman, but also her sexual partner should undergo treatment. There should be no sexual relations until the end of treatment.

Symptoms of thrush

All women should know how thrush manifests itself in order to begin treatment on time. The sooner the proliferation of pathogenic fungi is stopped, the greater the chance of being cured without unpleasant consequences and no longer remembering this unpleasant illness.

The main symptoms of thrush that a woman will definitely notice are the following:

• the appearance of copious white discharge from the vagina, urethra, urethra, similar to cottage cheese;
• Having washed away the gray-white deposits from the genitals, after a few minutes the woman notices that new growths have appeared;
• the occurrence of a burning sensation, unbearable itching. It worsens during walking, intense exercise, and in the evening and during night sleep it becomes unbearable;
• It is uncomfortable to go to the toilet in small ways. Painful sensations are extremely unpleasant when urine enters an inflamed area of ​​the skin;
• the skin of the labia becomes red and swells. Painful small blisters appear on it;
• sexual intercourse is accompanied by pain and severe burning.

If thrush is not treated or has become a chronic disease, slightly different symptoms are observed, namely:

• the vagina becomes dry, natural lubrication is not produced, the mucous membranes atrophy;
• increased keratinization appears on the vulva;
• scanty white discharge becomes watery, reminiscent of mucus. They can only be noticed during thorough washing.

IMPORTANT: If you suspect candidiasis, you should not rely on intuition or self-medicate. Although the symptoms of thrush are eloquent, only a doctor can make a final diagnosis.

Candidiasis can be easily identified at an early stage by a gynecologist after examining a woman. Advanced thrush can be diagnosed only by microscopic examination. Using a microscope, the ratio of candida fungal spores, the number of lactobacilli and other microorganisms are studied. Based on the results obtained, a diagnosis is made and effective treatment is prescribed.

Drug treatment for thrush

A common mistake women make is visiting a gynecologist late. Acute candidiasis, provided that the woman has a strong immune system, can be treated with medication within a few days. The chronic and advanced form is difficult to treat. In most cases, recovery is temporary and the disease reappears after a while.

Having confirmed a woman’s thrush and determined the type, the doctor will immediately prescribe an antifungal medication. Each drug is taken differently. There are general rules of application that it would be useful for representatives of the fairer sex to know.

• Lightly moisten antifungal suppositories (Livarol, Clotrimazole, Pimafucin, etc.) and insert shallowly into the vagina at night after hygiene procedures. Close the entrance with a cotton swab and put on underwear.
• If creams, ointments, or gels are prescribed by your doctor, it is important to dry the perineum well after washing. Change used towels every day. Women administer medications internally using special instruments and tampons. If the drug is prescribed to girls, then carefully, without pressing, apply the product over the vaginal opening and on the labia.
• The gynecologist may prescribe tablets or capsules as an antifungal agent. Usually the medicine is taken 1-2 times a day, an hour and a half after meals. It is important to adhere to a clear time regimen.

In addition to antifungal medication, the doctor will definitely advise what means can be used to eliminate itching, reduce pain, and also prescribe sedatives and antihistamines.

IMPORTANT: During treatment of thrush, drinking alcohol is strictly contraindicated. Complete sexual rest and strict adherence to personal hygiene rules are recommended.

It would be useful to refuse
sweets, flour, smoked products, pickles and switch to a properly balanced diet.

After completing the course of treatment, you need to visit your female doctor and be re-examined. To prevent candidiasis from returning, you should follow the basic rules for its prevention.

Rules for the prevention of candidiasis

It should be understood that every time thrush in women is more difficult to treat. Fungi whose activity was first destroyed by a certain antifungal drug quickly adapt and become stronger. If the infection is repeated, the effective medicine that has been tried may be useless. To prevent recurrence of inflammation of the genitourinary organs, a woman needs to adhere to certain rules.

1. Daily hygiene should be regular, but adequate, without fanaticism. For procedures, use liquid soap specially designed for the care of intimate areas. Before purchasing, study its composition. Among all components of a hygiene product, lactic acid must be present.
2. Change your underwear regularly. It is desirable that it be cotton. Synthetic fabrics can cause fungal growth.
3. After going to the toilet or showering, be sure to pat your perineum dry.
4. Do not use scented pads or genital sprays.
5. Douching should be organized in extreme cases and only for medicinal purposes.
6. If you have allergies or chronic diseases, seek immediate treatment. Such actions will help strengthen the immune system.
7. Sports, proper nutrition, and taking vitamins also help strengthen the immune system.
8. While taking antibiotics, simultaneously use drugs that block dysbacteriosis.
9. Avoid promiscuity and use condoms during sexual intercourse.
10. Every year, even in cases when everything is fine, visit a gynecologist.

Folk remedies for the treatment of thrush

Traditional healers and representatives of alternative medicine have many recipes on how to help a woman fight thrush. It should be emphasized that without antifungal medicine, traditional medicine alone cannot cope with candidiasis. But some healer healing secrets are worth taking into account. They will help speed up recovery, boost immunity and relieve discomfort. These 5 recipes should be kept in mind just in case.

1. When the itching has become unbearable, a calendula bath will help. To do this, prepare a steep herbal decoction and leave it for an hour. Fill a basin with warm boiled water, add calendula decoction in a 2:1 ratio. Sit down in the basin so that the genitals are completely immersed in the healing water. The procedure lasts 15-20 minutes. As it cools, add warm water combined with the broth. After getting the perineum wet, you can begin medicinal manipulations.
2. A bath with potassium permanganate will relieve itching, redness, dry the skin of the genital organs, disinfect micro-wounds and speed up their healing. According to the folk recipe, it is necessary to dissolve several manganese granules in boiled water. The water should turn out slightly pink. Immerse the genitals in water, soak for 15-20 minutes, and get wet. The procedure is carried out before using medical gels, creams, ointments.
3. You can enhance the effect of antifungal medications using oil of oregano. The ether (2-3 drops) must be mixed with olive oil (3 tbsp. L). It is recommended to lubricate irritated and swollen genitals with the resulting mass; do not use it intravaginally. Oregano will reduce pain and eliminate external inflammation.
4. Eucalyptus has an anti-inflammatory effect against thrush. It also accelerates the healing process of wounds caused by candida attack. You need to pour 30 grams of eucalyptus leaves with a glass of boiling water and leave. Moisten a cotton swab in the strained broth, insert it into the vagina and lie down for about 2 hours. You can do the procedure at night. The itching will go away within half an hour, and the swelling will subside significantly the next day.
5. During drug treatment, healers recommend drinking fresh carrot juice mixed with a spoon of vegetable oil an hour before meals. It strengthens the immune system, and beta-carotene, which is part of the vegetable, will help strengthen the mucous membrane weakened after candidiasis.

In the search for traditional methods of treating thrush in women, it should be understood that the effectiveness of alternative medicine has not been scientifically proven. Experienced gynecologists strongly recommend not to delay examinations and to be treated with high-quality and effective medications. Only in this case is a complete recovery guaranteed.

On the other hand, when you are tormented by itching and feel unbearable pain, but it is not possible to get an appointment with a gynecologist, folk help in treating thrush will come in handy. In cases where the discomfort has disappeared after alternative treatment, a trip to a female doctor still cannot be canceled under any circumstances.

Thrush in women (candidiasis) is an inflammatory disease of the genital organs, which is caused by the fungus Candida albicans. It received its specific name because of the whitish vaginal discharge, similar to curdled milk.

The vaginal mucosa is involved in the process. There is also a common process that occurs on the skin of the external genitalia. This is one of the most common diseases that affects women of any age. A companion to candidiasis is reduced immunity. In this article we will talk about the main causes of thrush in women, its symptoms and treatment methods.

Causes of thrush

The pathogen is “own” when, for various reasons, rapid growth of a fungus begins, which is part of the opportunistic microflora of the vagina. Thrush is also transmitted sexually, often together with other bacterial sexually transmitted infections.

It is possible to completely cure thrush, which is caused by its own pathogen, only by eliminating the provoking factor. These include the following:

• Therapy with immunosuppressants, radiation, chemotherapy, used in oncology.
• Changes in hormonal levels: both physiological (pregnancy, menopause) and pathological (diabetes mellitus, pathology of the ovaries, thyroid gland, obesity).
• Chronic diseases that reduce immunity (liver cirrhosis, chronic pyelonephritis, respiratory tract diseases, tonsillitis, HIV infection).
• Poisoning and intoxication.
• Nutrition factor. Plays a primary role for normal immunity.
• Treatment with antibiotics. Any antibiotic therapy (especially uncontrolled) leads to varying degrees of intestinal dysbiosis. Fungi of the genus Candida first begin to multiply intensively in the large intestine, then spread to the genitals.
• Linen. Frequent swimming in pools and ponds, when a woman spends a long time in wet underwear, provokes candidiasis. Synthetic materials create an isolated, warm, moist environment in the genital area, which is a favorable factor for the proliferation of fungi.
• Hygiene reasons. There are many of them - both a long-term lack of hygiene and an excessive passion for aromatic products (intimate gels, vaginal sprays, scented pads, the use of panty liners, rarely changing tampons during menstruation).
• Stress, overwork, heavy sports and physical activity.
• Climatic factor. Both overheating and hypothermia, which reduces protective properties, are unfavorable.

With sexual transmission, itching and burning occur a few days after sexual intercourse. You should definitely consult a doctor. Incorrect self-medication with antibiotics can have irreparable consequences (generalized candidiasis).

The first signs and symptoms of thrush

The manifestation of thrush is characterized by specific symptoms, so there are no difficulties with diagnosis. The severity and severity of the process directly depends on the basic state of the vaginal microflora and immunity.

Typically, thrush occurs against the background of some provoking factor: hypothermia, prolonged use of antibiotics, stress. Typical symptoms are:

• Curd-like vaginal discharge. This is a symptom characteristic of the disease, which allows a correct diagnosis to be made already at the initial stage of the disease. Appearance: whitish or gray-white with grains of lumps.
• Itching. Appears even before discharge. It is painful, persistent, and does not disappear after hygiene procedures. The peak of sensations is evening time. Worsens when walking. Water does not bring relief, but increases the severity of symptoms.
• Microcracks. Their appearance is associated with the predominance of an acidic environment created by mushrooms. This is the entrance gate for the accompanying bacterial flora. If the disease is not treated on time, fungal-bacterial inflammation develops.
• Pain . It is felt during urination or sexual intercourse. Its mechanism is associated with irritation of microcracks.

If a fungal infection is accompanied by a bacterial one (dirty yellow). Then thrush can be confused with bacterial vaginosis. Antibiotics prescribed in this case only worsen the disease.

Diagnostic methods

Any diagnosis, even the most obvious one, must be confirmed by laboratory tests. A typical picture may hide not only a fungal infection, but also concomitant pathology. With good immunity, the disease manifests itself with subtle symptoms, invisible to the woman.

To confirm the final diagnosis of candidiasis, there is a clear algorithm. In addition to analyzing complaints and collecting anamnesis, there are the following methods:

• Standard gynecological examination. Detects a characteristic plaque on the walls of the vagina.
• Smear of discharge. It is obtained using a tampon (it is passed in several places along the walls of the vagina and cervix).
• Bacteriological research. The resulting material is placed on a glass slide, dried, stained and analyzed under a microscope. The mycelium of the Candida fungus is clearly visible to the laboratory assistant. The sensitivity of the method is 95%.
• Cultural method. The biological material is placed on a nutrient medium and the mycelium is waited for growth. If this happens, the diagnosis is 100% confirmed.

Why don't they use the serological method? Single mushrooms are present in the microflora of healthy women. For the disease to occur, their number must exceed 10,000 CFU (colony-forming units). Serological reactions reveal even minimal levels of the fungus, which is not evidence of pathology.

Medications

When treating thrush in women, methods of combating any fungal infection are used. Depending on the severity of the process and the presence of general manifestations, local drugs are prescribed or combined with systemic agents.

Ideally, the drug that has shown the greatest effectiveness in determining sensitivity by culture should be prescribed for treatment. This is not always possible because it takes quite a lot of time. We will focus on proven methods that can be used at home.

Capsules and tablets

Refers to means of systemic action. They are absorbed into the blood and reach the site of infection. Tablets for thrush often have side effects, but without them it may be impossible to completely get rid of the problem.

• "Fluconazole". Available in capsules. It acts selectively on the enzymatic systems of many fungi, including Candida albicans. In vaginal secretions it reaches its maximum concentration after 8 hours of administration and persists for 24 hours. The drug is taken 1 time per day.
• "Flucostat". An analogue of Fluconazole, available in the form of capsules and solution for injection. It is administered intravenously in case of generalized candidiasis against the background of severe immunodeficiency. Both drugs are characterized by a moderate degree of toxicity and cause minor side effects.
• "Diflucan". It is also an analogue of Fluconazole, but is available in more varied forms. In addition to capsules, there is a powder for preparing a suspension (used in pediatric practice) and a solution for intravenous administration.
• "Clotrimazole". For oral administration it is available in the form of tablets. Has a wide spectrum of action. It is active not only against thrush pathogens, but also against some protozoa (vaginal Trichomonas) and bacteria. This is an effective remedy against combined vulvovaginitis.

With the help of the drugs described, thrush can be treated very easily. After the first dose, the main complaints disappear. The only limitation to the widespread use of tablets and capsules is pregnancy and severe concomitant diseases in women.

Creams and ointments

Local agents. They are prescribed primarily to pregnant women when there are contraindications for systemic tablets. They can help in isolation at the very beginning of the disease.

• "Candide". Cream containing clotrimazole. It is easily applied to inflamed areas of the mucous membrane and quickly brings relief from symptoms.
• "Clotrimazole". This is an ointment that spreads well on the surface of the genital organs and penetrates into the vagina. Has a wide spectrum of action (similar to tablets). It is applied twice a day to all affected areas (you should not get up right away, it is better to remain in a horizontal position for about 20 minutes). Sometimes it may cause a burning sensation at the application sites. Unlike creams, it is contraindicated during pregnancy, since it is slightly absorbed from the vaginal mucosa.
• "Pimafucin". Refers to broad-spectrum antibiotics. For topical use it is used in the form of a cream. The course of treatment is at least 14 days, but with longer use it does not cause adverse reactions. Well tolerated. Indicated during pregnancy.
• "Ginofort". A modern medicine with a single local application. Using a convenient applicator, the cream is injected deep into the vagina. The active ingredient, butoconazole, is effective against many types of fungal infections. Contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.

Among the creams and ointments for complex treatment, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing ones are widely used: Akriderm, Levomekol, Actovegin. They cope well with the symptoms of inflammation and heal microcracks in the mucous membrane.

Candles

Suppositories are the most convenient in the fight against thrush, so they are prescribed more often than creams and ointments. Their advantage is deep penetration into the vagina, which provides maximum impact on the pathogen.

• "Zalain". It is applied once and is very effective. During pregnancy, clinical data are insufficient. Local burning and itching may occur, which do not require discontinuation of the drug. Can be used during pregnancy.
• "Livarol". The active ingredient, ketoconazole, very quickly inhibits the growth of fungi. Course – 5 days. Usually well tolerated, but contraindicated during pregnancy.
• "Irunin". A drug that is used for chronic relapsing course, when other remedies have failed. May cause burning and itching. Contraindicated in the first trimester.

There is no point in doing treatment on your own. In case of prolonged forms, it is necessary to do a culture test for sensitivity to antibiotics and receive those drugs that are guaranteed to suppress the growth of the pathogen.

Treatment with folk remedies

Since the disease is widespread and often plagues women during pregnancy, traditional medicine offers many recipes for getting rid of this disease. All of them are based on local effects on the fungus.

The advantage of traditional methods is their availability and low price. Often symptoms occur in the evening, when it is too late to run to the pharmacy. Then one of the following recipes may help:

• Iodine, salt, soda. In a liter of water, dilute 2 tablespoons of salt and 1 tablespoon of soda. Boil for 2-3 minutes. Cool to 40°C and add 10 drops of iodine. The resulting solution should be douched twice a day. Course – 5 days.
• Carrot juice. Drink 1 glass freshly squeezed per day on an empty stomach. This is a stimulation of the body's protective properties.
• Herbs. Chamomile, sage, yarrow and calendula are suitable. To prepare the solution, mix three tablespoons of each, then take a tablespoon from the mixture and pour boiling water (0.5 liters). We insist, we filter. The solution should be douched twice a day.

Each recipe can be used in addition to the main therapy, as it effectively relieves discomfort. But it is better to consult a doctor before using traditional methods, as some may be useless, while others may cause allergic reactions.

Features of the treatment of chronic thrush

The transition to a chronic form easily occurs due to improper self-medication. Often women confuse the symptoms of the disease with bacterial vaginitis and begin to treat it with antibiotics. This only blurs the clinical picture, increases vaginal dysbiosis and leads to the formation of a chronic inflammatory process.

A disease is considered chronic when exacerbations occur 4 or more times a year. In this case, conventional treatment regimens will not be effective.

• Only a combination of local drugs and systemic drugs is used.
• Antibiotics and oral contraceptives are excluded.
• They are actively trying to improve immunity (vitamins, balanced diet, avoidance of stress).
• Probiotics are required, since the normal state of intestinal microflora is directly related to vaginal dysbiosis.
• Treatment of chronic diseases that weaken the body's defenses.

The basic antifungal drug is used the same, only the patterns of its use differ significantly in time. If chronic thrush is successfully eliminated (which must be confirmed by laboratory testing), a course of restorative medications (vitamins, pre- and probiotics) is administered.

Prevention measures

They are necessary for people at risk (with congenital or acquired reduced immunity). It is important to understand that yeast-like fungi are constant companions of the body and cannot be completely eliminated. Prevention is aimed at strengthening the protective functions that prevent fungi from creating large colonies and causing inflammation.

There is no point in describing all the ways to increase immunity; separate articles are devoted to this. Let's name specific measures to prevent thrush:

• Use of barrier methods of protection.
• Refusal of sexual intercourse during treatment of candidiasis.
• Refusal of hormonal contraceptives.
• A comprehensive examination to identify the causes of decreased immunity.
• Combination of a course of antibiotics with prophylactic antifungal drugs.
• Careful observance of personal hygiene rules.
• Rejection of bad habits.

A balanced diet plays a special role in preventing thrush. Our immune cells and the substances they synthesize need proteins. A deficiency of protein foods is unacceptable. It is important to add Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet.

Video: “How to get rid of thrush once and for all?”

The presented video explains in clear language the principles of getting rid of thrush. The problem with this disease is that you can only get rid of it by revising many of your habits. No miracle pill will help if a woman is plagued by stress, lack of sleep, and poor diet.

You need to treat the cause, not the effect. The pathological growth of candida fungi in the vagina is a consequence of many reasons, which are described by a women’s health specialist. The most effective and inexpensive treatment is lifestyle changes.

(vaginal candidiasis) is a fungal infection of the vaginal mucosa. Manifestations of thrush include itching and burning in the vulva, copious curdled discharge, pain during urination and sexual intercourse. It is possible for a fungal infection to spread in the body and become a generalized form, disrupting the normal course of pregnancy and childbirth, and infecting the fetus. Thrush is diagnosed according to a gynecological examination, colposcopy, microscopic and bacteriological examination of a smear. Treatment of thrush is carried out with local and systemic antifungal drugs.

General information

Thrush is an inflammatory lesion of the vaginal mucosa caused by fungi of the genus Candida. It is characterized by burning and itching in the vagina, white cheesy discharge. Thrush is also called neonatal candidiasis, most often manifesting as oral candidiasis. Thrush is diagnosed by detecting the fungus through microscopy and culture of vaginal smears. To exclude concomitant STIs, ELISA, RIF and PCR studies are performed. Chronic recurrent thrush is an indication for a complete examination of the patient in order to identify those disorders in the body that could cause such a course of thrush. Treatment is carried out by local and general use of antimycotic drugs.

Yeast-like fungi Candida, which provoke the development of thrush, are opportunistic flora of the vagina of most women and do not cause any pathological symptoms. Therefore, unlike classic STIs, thrush cannot be 100% classified as a sexually transmitted disease, although Candida fungi can be transmitted from sexual partners. Clinical gynecology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of candidiasis due to the similarity of its clinical picture with sexually transmitted infections and the frequent cases of a combination of these diseases.

Causes of thrush

The development of thrush is caused by various factors that disrupt the healthy microflora of the vagina. As a result, there is a decrease in the number of beneficial bacteria that normally inhibit the growth of fungal flora, and intensive proliferation of fungi. Active growth of fungi leads to the manifestation of their pathogenic properties with the appearance of inflammatory changes in the vaginal mucosa such as colpitis or vaginitis.

Violation of the normal ratio of microorganisms in the vagina with the development of thrush can be caused by treatment with cytostatics and other immunosuppressants, the use of hormonal contraception, decreased immunity due to somatic diseases (HIV, chronic bronchitis, tonsillitis, chronic pyelonephritis, cirrhosis of the liver, etc.), hormonal abnormalities ( diabetes mellitus, ovarian dysfunction, menopause, hypothyroidism, obesity), anorexia, pregnancy, stressful situations, sudden climate change.

Long-term or frequent antibiotic therapy, the use of antibacterial drugs without additional probiotics primarily cause intestinal dysbiosis. Since the intestines are a reservoir of Candida fungi, its diseases (dysbacteriosis, colitis, etc.) lead to the spread of Candida to other organs and primarily to the vagina with the development of thrush.

Various local factors can have an adverse effect on the vaginal biocenosis with the appearance of thrush: poor personal hygiene, irregular change of pads and vaginal tampons, the use of local contraceptives, the use of deodorized pads and scented colored toilet paper, wearing synthetic underwear. Frequent use of antibacterial products (antibacterial soap, intimate gel, vaginal spray) for hygienic purposes often leads to a decrease in local natural immunity and can provoke the occurrence of thrush.

Some women experience thrush after wearing wet underwear, visiting a pool or swimming in open water. This is due to the beneficial effect of a humid environment on the vital activity of Candida fungi. Poor diet with excess consumption of sweets can also contribute to the development of thrush.

Newborns born to mothers with thrush may develop thrush as a result of infection during the fetal period or passage through the birth canal. The development of thrush in such cases is facilitated by the weakened state of the child’s body due to birth trauma, premature birth, hemolytic disease, intrauterine hypoxia, and asphyxia of the newborn.

Symptoms of thrush

Thrush is manifested by severe burning and itching in the area of ​​the external genitalia and vagina. These symptoms are accompanied by the appearance of a white discharge characteristic of candidiasis. Thrush is characterized by a heterogeneous consistency of discharge with small lumps resembling grains of cottage cheese. The discharge may have a sour odor. Many women suffering from thrush note an increase in the amount of discharge after sexual intercourse, water procedures, and at night. Redness of the labia minora is often observed, and sometimes swelling of the labia minora and majora is observed, which can reach the anus. Swelling and inflammatory changes in the vaginal mucosa during thrush lead to pain during sexual intercourse. There may be painful urination.

Quite often there is an erased course of thrush, when its clinical manifestations are mild or only one of the indicated symptoms is present. Symptoms of thrush can spontaneously resolve with the appearance of menstrual flow, since during this period the vaginal environment shifts to an alkaline side, less favorable for fungi. However, thrush can also become chronic. Its relapses, as a rule, occur at least 4 times a year and usually occur a week before the start of menstruation. Chronic thrush is much more difficult to treat and can lead to complications. A combination of thrush with other infectious lesions of the vagina (ureaplasmosis, chlamydia, genital herpes, etc.) is possible.

The most common manifestation of thrush in newborns is candidiasis of the gums (gingivitis), soft palate, buccal mucosa (stomatitis) and tongue (glossitis). It is manifested by the appearance of areas or spots covered with a white coating on the mucous membrane. When the plaque is removed, the red and inflamed mucous membrane underneath is exposed. A newborn suffering from thrush is restless, often cries, sucks poorly and may refuse to breastfeed. Less commonly, neonatal thrush manifests itself in the form of candidal conjunctivitis. The consequence of intrauterine infection can be pneumonia caused by fungi.

Complications of thrush

Chronic thrush can cause a number of complications. Primarily, they are caused by the spread of fungal infection to structures located near the vagina: the cervix with the development of cervicitis, the urethra with the development of urethritis, and the bladder with the development of cystitis. The combination of thrush with other STIs with a long-term recurrent course can lead to the development of infertility in women.

Diagnosis of thrush

As a rule, patients with symptoms of thrush consult a gynecologist. The doctor conducts an examination on the chair and colposcopy, takes smears from the mucous membrane of the cervix and vagina. Microscopic examination of smears for thrush reveals the presence of fungal mycelium in the preparation. This is a quick research method, but it does not provide accurate information about what type of fungus caused the disease. To answer this question, a smear is cultured on special nutrient media, followed by a study of the grown colonies and determination of the susceptibility of the isolated Candida fungi to antimycotic drugs. In this case, the quantitative characteristics of the identified Candida colonies are taken into account, since their small number is normal for a healthy vaginal microflora.

Clinical observations show that thrush quite often occurs against the background of other sexually transmitted infections and can “mask” their presence. Therefore, if thrush is detected, it is advisable to additionally consult a venereologist and undergo testing for STIs. Typically, complex PCR diagnostics are used, which, if necessary, can be supplemented by ELISA and RIF.

Since the development of thrush is usually associated with certain disorders occurring in the body, when it is detected, a complete examination of the woman is necessary. This is especially true in cases where thrush does not respond well to treatment or takes a chronic course. Thrush is often the first symptom of diabetes. Therefore, a woman needs to take a blood test for sugar and, if an increase is detected, contact an endocrinologist. An examination by a gastroenterologist is also recommended: analysis for dysbacteriosis, coprogram, gastroscopy, radiography of the stomach, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, irrigoscopy, X-ray examination of the small intestine.

If complications of thrush develop in the urinary tract, it is necessary to consult a urologist, examine urine and smear from the urethra, Zimnitsky's test, and ultrasound of the bladder. Differential diagnosis of thrush should be made with bacterial vaginosis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and trichomoniasis.

Treatment of thrush

Local treatment of thrush can be carried out in case of its primary occurrence and uncomplicated course. It is carried out with vaginal suppositories or tablets containing antifungal drugs: miconazole, clotrimazole, isoconazole, natamycin. Treatment of acute thrush lasts from 1 day to a week, depending on the drug prescribed. Its effectiveness reaches 80-90%. During treatment, it is necessary to carefully observe intimate hygiene and abstain from sexual intercourse.

Broad-spectrum vaginal preparations containing nystatin should not be used in the local treatment of thrush. They suppress the beneficial microflora of the vagina and often lead to the development of gardnerellosis. For mild thrush, local treatment can be replaced with a single dose of fluconazole. The disappearance of thrush symptoms is not always a sign of cure. After treatment, a repeat examination of the vaginal smear is necessary.

In case of insufficient effectiveness of local therapy or chronic thrush, systemic oral administration of antifungal drugs is indicated. Fluconazole is most often used for this purpose. After antifungal therapy, it is necessary to restore healthy vaginal microflora. For this purpose, eubiotics are prescribed. However, their use is advisable only after laboratory confirmed elimination of candidiasis.

Treatment of chronic thrush can last several months. It should include therapy for concomitant diseases, correction of intestinal dysbiosis, restoratives, exclusion of provoking factors (taking antibiotics, oral contraceptives, etc.). Physiotherapeutic methods are widely used in the treatment of recurrent thrush: SMT, magnetic therapy, electrophoresis, laser therapy, darsonvalization.

Treatment of thrush in newborns in most cases is carried out by local treatment of the oral cavity with a solution of chlorhexidine or sodium bicarbonate. General antifungal therapy is used only in complicated cases.

Treatment of thrush in pregnant women

Thrush occurs in more than half of pregnant women. Its treatment requires an integrated approach, taking into account the contraindications that exist during pregnancy. It is important to identify diseases and pathological conditions that can provoke thrush. In pregnant women, thrush is treated mainly with local remedies. Most often these are suppositories with miconazole or clotrimazole. If systemic antifungal therapy for thrush in pregnant women is necessary, natamycin can be used, since it does not have an embryotoxic effect.

During pregnancy, it is possible to use traditional methods of treating thrush. These include washing with a decoction of oak bark, calendula or soda solution, soda-iodine baths, etc. These methods are weakly effective in completely curing thrush, but can help relieve its symptoms during pregnancy.

Prevention of thrush

Prevention of thrush includes adequate antibiotic therapy along with the mandatory administration of probiotics; timely and correct treatment of chronic diseases, STIs, hormonal disorders; maintaining intimate hygiene; wearing cotton underwear. You should avoid the use of hygiene and intravaginal products that can change the pH of the vagina from the acidic side or cause an imbalance in its microflora. To prevent thrush from developing from improper use of tampons and pads, women should remember that they need to be changed every 3-4 hours. Women whose thrush is caused by a humid environment should dry themselves thoroughly after swimming, avoid wearing a wet swimsuit, and use a spare dry swimsuit when relaxing on a pond.

Prevention of thrush in newborns is facilitated by a complete examination of women when planning pregnancy, early detection and treatment of thrush in pregnant women.