A large number of women are faced with a disease such as vaginal candidiasis or thrush. This disease is considered by many to be harmless, but it brings serious discomfort and contributes to the development of complications. Its occurrence is provoked by fungi of the genus Candida, which are classified as conditionally pathogenic. In the article we will look at what thrush is, what are the causes, symptoms of thrush in women and men, as well as methods of treating thrush in women and pregnant women.

What is thrush? And what causes thrush?

Thrush or candidiasis is a fairly common disease and affects not only the outer skin, but also the internal organs. The causative agent of thrush is the yeast-like fungi Candida, which are constantly found in the mouth, vagina and rectum of a woman.

Photo of thrush: What does thrush in the vagina look like in women

If the body's microflora is normal, their number is insignificant and does not affect the person in any way. Thrush in women develops due to the rapid growth of Candida fungi, which is provoked by some unfavorable factors.

Thrush in women is an inflammatory lesion of the vaginal mucosa. It is characterized by causing discomfort to the woman, and if thrush is not properly treated, it can develop into a chronic form, expressed by constant relapses. At the same time, thrush in women appears at least 4 times a year and approximately a week before the start of menstruation. If you do not consult a gynecologist in a timely manner, then the treatment of thrush is difficult to quickly recover, and thus candidiasis is fraught with the development of complications.

When it enters the chronic stage, thrush can have a negative effect on the organs adjacent to the vagina: the bladder, urethra and cervix. If this disease occurs together with other genital tract infections, then thrush in women can cause infertility.

Causes of thrush in women

Thrush develops under the influence of certain factors that lead to changes in the vaginal microflora. At the same time, the number of beneficial bacteria that inhibit the growth of Candida fungi decreases, so they begin to actively multiply, exhibiting their pathogenic properties.

The main reason for the development of thrush (candidiasis) is decreased immunity. Also, the causes of thrush may be the following:

• hormonal imbalance;
• diabetes;
• poor nutrition;
• sexually transmitted infections;
• treatment with antibiotics, which destroy not only pathogens, but also beneficial bacteria;
• stress;
• pregnancy;
• hypothermia;
• sudden climate change;
• long-term diseases that depress the body: oncology, HIV, tuberculosis.

The causes of thrush can also occur after contact with its carrier:

1. By airborne droplets.
2. Direct contact both with the carrier of the disease and with objects containing mushrooms
3. During sexual intercourse.
4. Infection in the first year of life.

Other causes of thrush include: wearing tight underwear, oral contraceptives, poor personal hygiene, using sanitary pads with fragrances, and a tendency to allergic reactions.

Symptoms of thrush in women

Symptoms of thrush in women are often confused with other diseases of the genital organs. Representatives of the fair sex, as a rule, notice symptoms of thrush shortly before the onset of menstruation. In women prone to allergies, the disease manifests itself more actively. The main symptoms of thrush are as follows:

Often thrush can have subtle symptoms, when there is only one clinical manifestation or several, but mild ones. Symptoms of thrush may disappear at the beginning of menstruation, which is associated with the formation of a more alkaline environment in the vagina during this period, which is not so favorable for the proliferation of fungi.

Symptoms of thrush in men

Men can also suffer from candidiasis (thrush). In this case, the glans penis is mainly affected, and the following symptoms of thrush in men appear:

1. Itching and burning.
2. Redness of the penis.
3. White coating on the genitals.
4. Painful sensations during sexual intercourse.
5. Pain when urinating.
6. Swelling of the glans penis.

Symptoms of thrush in men are more pronounced in the evening or during sleep, as well as after washing in warm water.

Can thrush be transmitted to men?

Most often, women suffer from thrush, but candidiasis can also occur in men. At the same time, there is a possibility of infection from a woman, but some subtleties must be taken into account. They consist in the fact that thrush affects the male body from the inside, and only a superficial effect appears on the genitals. This is due to the fact that the structure of the male genital organs does not allow fungi to gain a foothold, and infection occurs only as a transmission of the pathogen.

In almost a third of cases of infection, thrush is transmitted to a man from a woman through sexual contact. In another half of the cases, through household means through clothing, dishes, and personal hygiene products. Another way of transmitting thrush in men is orally. Often a man is a hidden carrier of thrush, so if it is detected in a woman, it is advisable to treat both partners.

The risk of contracting thrush in men also increases with decreased immunity and the presence of concomitant diseases. A strong male body can often get rid of the development of thrush on its own. But, if you suspect a disease or have persistent symptoms, you should definitely consult a doctor. Often other sexually transmitted diseases are disguised as thrush.

Sometimes, thrush in men is manifested by the following conditions:

To diagnose thrush in men, the doctor will conduct a blood and discharge test, as well as conduct a visual examination. If the urinary organs are affected, urine microscopy is performed. Although thrush in men usually does not cause complications, if the disease is not treated, the partner can constantly become infected from it. Treatment of thrush is carried out both locally with the help of ointments, and systemically by taking antifungal agents orally.

Diagnosis of thrush

To accurately diagnose thrush, a gynecologist or urologist, in addition to the patient’s complaints and symptoms, needs the results of a laboratory test - microscopy of a vaginal smear. It is taken with a special spatula or sterile swab, and then examined in the laboratory under a microscope.

There is also a culture test that helps determine the type of Candida fungi, as well as their sensitivity to drugs. To do this, after scraping the affected area of ​​tissue, culture is done on nutrient media, and then the grown colonies are studied. Their quantity and characteristics are taken into account: a small number of mushrooms is the norm. Most often, this method is used to determine severe forms of candidiasis.

If thrush is confirmed, the doctor prescribes appropriate treatment for the patient. Also, if candidiasis is detected, it is recommended to donate blood and urine to determine sugar levels: sometimes thrush is a symptom of diabetes. It is also recommended to consult with a gastroenterologist: Candida fungi normally live in the intestines, and with a pathogenic increase in their number, they can enter the vagina.

Chronic candidiasis (thrush), manifested by frequent relapses, becomes the reason for a complete examination of the patient in order to identify the negative factors that cause the disease. If thrush in a man causes complications in the urinary organs, then a consultation with a urologist is necessary for referral for testing.

Treatment of thrush in women

Treatment of thrush in women is carried out only in accordance with the doctor’s recommendations, which are individual for each patient. Bacteriological cultures are taken into account so that the treatment of thrush has both a general effect on the fungi and a local one. It is also taken into account that thrush is a secondary disease, so you need to look for concomitant diseases and the factors that provoked it.

It is important to strengthen the immune system and restore normal microflora of the vagina and intestines. During the treatment of thrush in women, a special diet is followed, stressful situations are avoided and sufficient sleep is taken into account.

Medicines for the treatment of thrush are divided into: local and systemic drugs. Local effects are provided by: creams and ointments, tablets and vaginal suppositories. The former are used to treat thrush on the skin and external genitalia. Tablets and vaginal suppositories are necessary for the development of candidiasis in the internal female genital organs. Tablets are most often prescribed for recurrent manifestations of the disease.

Typically, the following topical preparations are used:

• nystatin (Poliginax, Terzhinan);
• clotrimazole (Canbibene, Kanesten, Antifungol);
• ketoconazole (Nizoral, Oronazole, Livarol, Ketoconazole);
• natamycin (Pimafucin);
• miconazole (Ginezol, Gina-daktarin, Klion-D).

Local treatment of thrush in women is sometimes replaced by taking Fluconazole tablets or its analogues (Medoflucon, Diflazol, Mikosist, Flucostat). This drug is also prescribed for recurrent disease and is taken once a week for a month.

The course of treatment for thrush during primary development lasts at least 10 days. In this case, the asymptomatic period is captured. For effective control, local drugs are used, as well as, if necessary, general antifungal and immune-strengthening agents. This helps prevent relapse of the disease.

Any medicine has its own contraindications and side effects, so they can only be used after consulting a doctor. If the dosage of drugs is chosen incorrectly or the course of treatment for thrush is not completed to the end, it does not give the desired effect. It is also worth paying attention to the fact that Candida fungi quickly develop resistance to drugs.

In addition to drug treatment, you can also add treatment for thrush in women with folk remedies:

1. Soda bath (dilute 1 tsp of soda per 1 liter of warm boiled water). Sit in the solution for 20 minutes.
2. The soda bath can be alternated with the same solution, but with the addition of another 1 tsp. Yoda. This treatment must be carried out until recovery.
3. Washing with a decoction of oak bark or calendula.
4. Drink a glass of carrot juice before meals for several weeks.
5. Use echinacea decoction and other folk remedies to increase overall immunity.

Thrush cannot be treated only with folk remedies: they remove the symptoms of thrush, but not the causative agent of the disease. Such methods must be combined with medications.

The effectiveness of thrush treatment is confirmed by repeated laboratory testing, since the disappearance of symptoms does not always guarantee a cure.

Thrush during pregnancy

Thrush often manifests itself during pregnancy. According to statistics, thrush during pregnancy is found in every third expectant mother, regardless of the period of her pregnancy. This is due to a decrease in the immunity of a pregnant woman, as well as changes in hormonal levels.

Thrush is one of the ailments that affects both women and men. In medicine, the disease is known as candidiasis. Many people will probably be interested in learning in more detail what thrush in women is, what symptoms it manifests, how it progresses and is treated.

The disease appears as a result of the development of a yeast infection in the body, which is caused by the fungi Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida krusei.

Once in the body, they begin to actively multiply on the mucous membranes, tongue, mouth, throat, and also in the vaginal area. Children can get candidiasis; it manifests itself as a rash on different parts of the body. The disease most often affects newborn children and elderly people with weakened immune systems. Thrush in women and men is not a pleasant phenomenon; its symptoms bring many alarming moments. If treatment is started on time, the disease will pass without complications.

TO andidosis

Thrush, or candidiasis, is an infection caused by the yeast Candida, which spreads throughout the vaginal mucosa and surrounding tissues. This type of fungus is present in the body of every person in moderate quantities. When some changes begin to occur in it, it is attacked by diseases, immunity decreases, fungi begin the active phase of reproduction, thereby increasing the level of their presence above the permissible norm. This can be prevented if a woman knows what thrush is, what causes it, and what methods and means are necessary to combat the disease.

The main location of infection is the intestines, oral cavity, and genitals. If the fungus does not cause harm to a healthy body, then in a person with reduced immunity, on the contrary, it begins to actively multiply, provoking the development of the disease.

Is thrush a sexually transmitted disease or not?

Nowadays, thrush is a disease that affects many representatives of the fair sex. Almost every one of them is familiar with the disease and has undergone appropriate treatment. Often, provoking factors that contribute to the active proliferation of fungi include reduced immunity, long-term use of medications (antibiotics), uncomfortable, tight underwear, and neglect of the rules of intimate hygiene.

People who have encountered this disease understand what thrush in women is, because the unpleasant sensations and discomfort are very difficult to forget. Often ladies, faced with unpleasant symptoms, get scared, thinking that it is a sexually transmitted disease. Actually this is not true.

Based on statistics, residents of large cities and pregnant women are most often exposed to candidiasis. And its treatment must be taken very seriously. After all, if treatment is not started in time and the disease starts, the fungi will multiply even more actively, affecting not only the mucous membrane of the genital organs, but also the surrounding tissues. In addition, neglect of treatment increases the risk of recurrent infection. About 5% of women get thrush several times a year. This is due to the fact that to treat other diseases they resort to long-term use of antibiotics.

What does the microflora of the female vagina consist of?

Before talking about what thrush is in a woman, you need to know that many types of different bacteria and fungi coexist on the mucous membranes, including bifidobacteria, candida, lactobacilli, streptococci, staphylococci, enterococci, etc. If the number of some of them in the vagina decreases, the habitat becomes alkaline and favorable for the proliferation of pathogens and bacteria, which provoke the development of various ailments and inflammatory processes.

Various microorganisms populate a woman’s genitals almost from birth, from the moment the microflora is formed. They do not cause disease or harm the body. With age, menstruation, the beginning of sexual life, pregnancy, their set and quantity changes all the time. Of course, among them there are not only positive and harmless ones, but also those that can provoke various diseases. Microorganisms enter the active phase of reproduction only if their number exceeds the permissible norm. When the number of bacteria is normal, then immune cells and other inhabitants of the microflora suppress them and destroy them, thereby preventing unwanted reproduction and the development of diseases.

The microflora of the female vagina is also represented by fungi of the genus Candida, which are present in the form of inactive round-shaped cells. But under favorable conditions, their presence does not in any way affect the woman’s well-being.

The influence of thrush on sexual intercourse

Many people are concerned about the causes of thrush in women. After all, itching and discomfort can appear at the most unexpected moment, which leads to bad mood, depression, the inability to build good intimate relationships, and difficulties in family life.

Thrush can be transmitted sexually if the partner has this disease. Women believe that by refusing intimate relationships, they can protect themselves from illness. On the one hand, this is true, but sexual intercourse is not the only (and not the main!) cause of thrush, and it is very important to remember this. Of course, having sex while sick is not very advisable; besides, sexual intercourse will only bring a feeling of discomfort and pain. It is better to first undergo the necessary course of treatment and make sure that the infection is completely gone. In this way, the sick person will prevent the recurrence of the infection and protect his sexual partner from infection. As a last resort, you should use a condom.

The most common causes of the disease

The causes of thrush in women can be associated with various factors, including chronic and infectious diseases, disorders of the immune system, pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, intestinal dysbiosis, and hormonal imbalance. The disease can also be caused by taking medications for too long, such as antibiotics, adapting to a new climate that is unusual for the body, panty liners, tampons, tight and uncomfortable underwear, and intimate hygiene products. Women who suffer from vitamin deficiency, obesity, diabetes, who abuse confectionery products, eat fatty, spicy, carbohydrate dishes, and baked goods often suffer from thrush. The causes of the disease can be smoking, microtraumas of the mucous membrane of the genital organs, overwork, stressful situations, and regular lack of sleep.

How do you know if a woman has thrush?

Itching, a burning sensation and discomfort in intimate places, cheesy discharge and a specific smell from the vagina indicate that it may be thrush. In women, the symptoms of the disease are peculiar and not too similar to the manifestations of sexually transmitted diseases. Complaints arise due to the proliferation of yeast microorganisms on the vaginal mucosa. The infection destroys the cell structure, penetrates very deeply, and forms microscopic damage. The mucous membrane inside the vagina becomes inflamed, and a sensation of pain and burning appears. The inflammatory process leads to dilation of small vessels of the mucous membrane and swelling of the vaginal walls. The body tries to fight the fungus and the toxins it produces.

Pain and discomfort during sexual intercourse, as well as swelling of the vagina, are not always alarming. Many people think that this is a normal reaction of the body that will pass over time, and only when discharge and odor appear do they determine that it is thrush. In women, symptoms appear at the very beginning of the disease. It is necessary to be treated immediately and only with effective drugs, without waiting for more alarming signs to appear, especially since today there are drugs that can suppress the infection in one or two days.

Alarming symptoms of thrush

The main and noticeable signs of the disease are a white coating and an unpleasant cheesy discharge from the vagina. This happens as a result of the active proliferation of fungi and an increase in their number. The fungus covers the labia with a white coating, causes an inflammatory process and profuse vaginal discharge, which looks like a curdled mass, like curdled milk. The discharge consists of fungal mycelium, leukocytes and damaged mucosal cells.

The unpleasant sensation of itching and burning is caused by glycogen, which breaks down in cells and forms acids. Symptoms become especially noticeable after taking hygienic baths or urinating.

Active phase of development of thrush

If treatment for thrush in women is not started in time, the disease can progress. In this case, the inflammatory process spreads beyond the vagina, affecting the surrounding tissues, the labia minora and majora.

In this case, the epidermis on the skin of the genital organs stratifies, small pimples with liquid inside form. After they burst, a small crust appears in this place and erosion occurs.

Symptoms of thrush can spread not only to the inner and outer area of ​​the vagina, but to the perineum, the skin between the buttocks and the inguinal folds. Women who have the symptoms described above become nervous, have sleep disturbances, and are in a bad mood. Particularly severe discomfort occurs during a long walk or during menstruation.

In what cases should you not self-medicate?

If the initial symptoms of thrush can be easily and quickly eliminated with the help of appropriate medications, then its more complex form requires medical intervention. During the period of illness, urethritis or cystitis may appear - ailments that aggravate the symptoms and course of thrush. This means that the fungus has penetrated deep into the body, has begun to actively multiply in the urinary system and is spreading to other organs. As a result, the patient feels aching pain in the abdomen and his body temperature rises. Such symptoms are very dangerous for the patient’s health, they require the intervention of a doctor, so self-medication in this case will not only not help, but will also harm!

Traditional and folk treatment of thrush

Understanding what thrush is in women, understanding its signs and symptoms, you can use traditional and traditional medicine for treatment. In this case, it is advisable to first consult a gynecologist who, based on the results of tests and laboratory tests of the smear, will prescribe appropriate treatment with the necessary drugs and herbal preparations. After all, self-medication can lead to serious complications.

Usually, for treatment, it is enough to take one drug that can reduce the amount of fungus to normal. After this, you will need to restore the microflora to a healthy state and increase the protective properties of the immune system. An excellent option is to carry out complex therapy using special drugs.

Effective drugs for thrush

Nowadays, there are many drugs for vaginal candidiasis that treat the infection at one stage or another. Therefore, in order not to make a mistake or harm the body even more, it is advisable to use a medicine for thrush for women prescribed by a gynecologist. Some medications only need to be taken once, others for a little longer.

Among antifungal medications, drugs such as Fluconazole, Iconazole, Clotrimazole, Ketoconazole, which can be purchased in the form of suppositories, creams, capsules and tablets, are considered effective. Pimafucin, Nystatin, Mikosist, Natamycin, and Levorin are used as local and general treatment to actively combat fungi.

In order to normalize the level of acidity, microflora, and restore the vaginal mucosa, tablets and suppositories are used: Ecofemin, Vagilak, Lactobacterin, Genoflor, etc. Taking immunomodulators and immunocorrectors will help strengthen the immune system.

Anti-thrush tablets for women can relieve the disease and unpleasant symptoms in just a couple of days, while treatment with gels, ointments and suppositories requires a week or even more. At the same time, the tablets provide comprehensive and effective treatment for fungus, which reduces the likelihood of recurrence of the disease. With a mild form of the disease, it is enough to use a remedy for thrush for women only once; a more complex form requires taking drugs that belong to different groups.

Treating thrush at home

As you know, any medicine for thrush for women is used at home; in very rare cases, hospital treatment is required. The use of alternative traditional medicine will not cause harm to the body, but will only improve the patient’s condition. Among other things, our grandmothers, who know many useful recipes, can tell us how to cure thrush in women quickly and without complications. But you should remember to consult a doctor.

For example, in order to relieve itching, you can use a soda solution for douching and washing. An excellent anti-inflammatory and antifungal agent is considered to be a collection of oak bark, knotweed, chamomile and nettle, which is used for morning and evening douching. Sea buckthorn oil treats erosion and inflammatory processes well, and a tampon dipped in freshly prepared garlic oil gets rid of fungus. To restore the vaginal microflora, you can use tampons previously soaked in bifidumbacterin. For intimate washing, you can use laundry or tar soap.

Traditional medicine for the treatment of thrush

Alternative treatment for thrush in women has virtually no contraindications, but you must first consult a doctor (this is especially true for pregnant women).

An infusion of St. John's wort, which must be douched, is very popular among people for the treatment of thrush; raspberry leaves and sage, and tea tree oil are used in the same way. Oak bark, which has antimicrobial and soothing effects, is also considered an excellent and effective component. It is good to drink freshly prepared and unsweetened cranberry or viburnum juice during illness. The components they contain prevent the development of the disease, alleviate symptoms and strengthen the immune system.

Also called candidiasis, this is a fungal disease. Appears as a result of the proliferation of fungi called candida. Occurs in women much more often than in men and is a very common disease today. Children, adolescents, women and men are susceptible to candidiasis.

This disease is also sexually transmitted approximately in 30% of cases, and with oral sex, the chances of becoming infected are much higher - about 60% of cases, so you need to be careful. People with low immunity are especially susceptible. There are three different types of thrush, with the chronic type being the least common.

In young girls, treatment is easy and quick, but in older women, treatment is more difficult, and the disease becomes chronic. Such a disease can be detected even in people who have not experienced any corresponding symptoms; it is detected by examining the microflora of the reproductive system, skin, and oral mucosa.

The presence of this fungus in the body is the norm, but an increased amount may be an indicator of disease. The reasons may be different, for example:

• hypothermia and temperature changes reduce immunity;
• Candidiasis can be caused by pregnancy, in which case a different treatment is selected, the disease can also be transmitted from mother to child, symptoms can appear at different times;
• recent treatment with antibiotics, such a drug, by its specificity, kills not only harmful bacteria, but also beneficial ones, and for the microflora this is a serious blow;
• diabetes mellitus can also be a cause;
• sexually transmitted diseases that are transmitted only during sexual contact;
• uncomfortable and tight clothing, because it can not only impair blood circulation, but also cause chafing;
• non-compliance with personal hygiene rules, it is necessary to take a shower one to two times a day, it is better to wear underwear only made of natural fabric;
• visiting establishments such as a gym or a swimming pool, wet clothes must be urgently changed to dry;
• hormonal contraception may also be a cause.

Symptoms

Symptoms in women, usually appear about a week before menstruation, symptoms may include the following:

• swollen genitals, redness;
• discharge resembling cottage cheese on the skin of the perineum and labia;
• felt discomfort, itching or burning in the area of ​​the external genitalia, vagina;
• the burning sensation may intensify when urinating;
• the discharge has an unpleasant odor;
• symptoms worsen during sleep, after sexual intercourse and going to the toilet.

Prevention

At the first symptoms, it is necessary consult a gynecologist, self-diagnosis and self-medication can be harmful. Prevention is an excellent way to prevent illness, especially for people who are at high risk. For prevention necessary:

• change the hormonal type of contraception to a barrier one;
• avoid intimacy with people who may be infected;
• understand the cause, what triggered the thrush;
• pay special attention to the genitourinary system;
• do not use douching, this will cause great harm to the microflora;
• refuse clothes made of synthetics, give preference to things made of cotton;
• Avoid personal care products with fragrances.

Myths about thrush

During the existence of this problem, enough myths on this topic, some of them are:

1. Think that any discharge, this is already thrush. No, this is not true, discharge in women is considered normal, you should worry when it does not correspond to the phase of your cycle, has a different color and a specific smell.
2. The disease appears as a resultbacteria, bacteriaentered the body. It is also incorrect, this fungus lives in the human body constantly, the causes of candidiasis are different.
3. Sweet tooth are most susceptible to this disease. This is another myth; the cakes you eat will only affect your figure.
4. Thrush does not cause much harm health. If not treated immediately, the disease will become chronic, with periodic exacerbations occurring.
5. Many are of the opinion that men can't get sick thrush. Males can also be carriers, but few show symptoms.
6. You can get infected only after intercourse with a sick partner. No, this is only one way of infection, because it is enough to use someone’s towel or violate the rules of intimate hygiene.

Do not use traditional methods for treatment, as this is fraught with consequences. Contact a specialist and he will select the appropriate course of treatment. After all, it depends on the type of thrush and the age of the patient. A timely visit to a doctor will help you forget about this disease.

Thrush or candidiasis is an infection caused by a fungus of the genus candida. In general, it is not a terrible, but very nasty itchy phenomenon that can occur both in the vagina in women and on the penis in men. The itching can be so severe that the person literally jumps up and has an irresistible desire to scratch a certain place.

Why did this fungal infection get such a “milk” name? It's very simple: if candidiasis affects the vagina, whitish cheesy “flakes” appear inside it, which then turn into discharge of the same color.

If the fungus settles on the penis, it becomes covered with a white “milky” coating. In this case, the genitals itch equally and constantly in both sexes.

The reasons for its occurrence

In both girls and women, the normal environment in the vagina is moderately acidic: its microflora consists mainly of lactobacilli. As long as such an environment inside the vagina remains, and lactobacilli multiply and function normally, they create a kind of barrier to the development of a fungal infection.

The hormone estrogen is responsible for favorable living conditions for lactic acid bacteria in the female body: its balanced production contributes to the formation of natural microflora.

It has been proven that spores of fungi of the genus candida normally also colonize the vagina in small quantities. Only, while lactobacilli are in force, the number of these spores is insignificant, so a person does not feel their presence in any way.

If a change occurs in the vaginal microflora, the number of lactobacilli decreases significantly, the acidity level increases and the environment becomes extremely favorable for the proliferation of fungi. As a result, candida becomes active, begins to grow and multiply - thrush occurs.

Taking antibiotics

All other things being equal, if a person is generally healthy, thrush most often develops after antibiotics. Even a gynecologist or urologist who discovers thrush in a patient who does not suffer from chronic diseases first of all asks the question: “Have you taken antibiotics recently?”

In destroying harmful bacteria, these potent drugs do not act on the principle of “target strikes”. They kill all bacteria that are not resistant to this type of antibiotic. Therefore, the “beneficial inhabitants” of the microflora living in the intestines, vagina, mouth and even on the skin can suffer.

The consequence of the death of lactobacilli, as noted above, is a change in the microflora of the internal environment of the body in an acidic direction, and this contributes to the proliferation of the fungus.

Thus, in cases of strong or prolonged exposure to antibiotics on the body, thrush can develop not only in the vagina in girls and women, or on the penis in men, but also in the intestines, in the oral cavity, as well as on the surface of the skin and nails.

Having untreated or chronic diseases

Chronic infections, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) - all these are also causes of thrush. All of these diseases weaken the immune system, affect the natural microflora, and are accompanied by the growth of fungal infections.

Well, STDs also serve as an independent channel for transmitting thrush from person to person. This means that if one of the sexual partners already has it, then the other will most likely get it too.

Weakening of the immune system

A decrease in the body's immune forces associated with stress, hypothermia, vitamin deficiency, and overwork can also lead to candidiasis.

Reduced immunity for any of the above reasons is characterized by changes in hormonal levels, and therefore a violation of the acid-base balance. And we already know: if the microflora changes in an acidic direction, conditions arise for the proliferation of fungi.

Pregnancy period

Pregnant women experience hormonal changes that are so dramatic that they can be compared to a hormonal storm. And not just strong, but also long-lasting.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to acid-base “imbalance”, leading to an increase in the acidity of the vaginal microflora. And as we remember, such an environment is favorable for the development of candidiasis.

Symptoms of thrush

We found out why men and women get thrush and what it is. But what characteristic signs allow us to determine that it is she and not something else?

Actually, milky and cheesy discharge from the vagina or penis is the most important symptom of candidiasis.

In addition to this, thrush may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

1. Since the mucous membrane of the vagina or penis is irritated by the fungus, both women and men may experience extremely unpleasant sensations during urination: burning, pain.
2. The genital area may become quite red and swollen. In this case, the white coating already mentioned above will appear on top of the reddened mucosa. For men it’s just a coating, for women it’s something like curdled flakes with a slight sour smell.

1. Sexual relationships cease to be enjoyable: during sexual intercourse, severe discomfort, pain, burning or itching may occur.
2. In girls, all of the above manifestations of the disease before menstruation can also intensify.

Actually, the listed symptoms of thrush in themselves force it to be treated, since the sensations in its carrier are extremely unpleasant, and the quality of life, including sexual life, is noticeably reduced.

How dangerous is it if left untreated?

To convince you of the need for treatment, here are a few more examples of negative consequences:

1. Untreated thrush can lead to deeper inflammation of the genitourinary system, for example, in women it can affect the urethra and bladder, and the cervix. In men - provoke inflammation of the head of the penis and foreskin.
2. From the genitals, candidiasis can spread to other parts of the body: the mouth, stomach, intestines, external skin, nails.
3. Thrush that is not cured during pregnancy is terrible for the unborn baby: while passing through the birth canal, he can become infected with candidiasis from the mother. And since newborns have not yet developed their own immunity, the disease can be very difficult.

Can thrush occur in men?

Yes, and we have already mentioned this more than once. Dear men! Please do not underestimate the danger of candidiasis for you: this is not a purely female disease!

1. Take care of your health and receive timely treatment for any diseases, because they can weaken your immunity, and this, as we have already understood, is a favorable factor for thrush.
2. Be vigilant in your sex life, as candidiasis can be contracted from a sexual partner.
3. Carefully follow the rules of intimate hygiene.

If you become:

• it became painful to urinate,
• the head of the penis burns,
• the skin on the penis itches relentlessly,
• I feel indecently want to scratch the causal area,
• the penis is covered with some kind of whitish coating - you know, this is how thrush appears.

These are the most characteristic symptoms and a reason for an urgent visit to the urologist!

What to do if you notice symptoms of candidiasis?

First of all, of course, visit a doctor. Women go to a gynecologist, men go to a urologist. To confirm the diagnosis, a smear is usually taken, which, after laboratory analysis, will give a confident answer, including about the specific type of fungus.

Remember, self-medication, independent choice of medications, as well as the use of all kinds of folk remedies (baths, douches) at home can only aggravate the course of the disease and even lead to complications.

Itching, burning and vaginal discharge are not limited to thrush; they are a frequent companion to other gynecological and urological diseases, such as vaginosis and trichomoniasis.

Therefore, only a doctor can diagnose or deny the presence of thrush, as well as prescribe the correct treatment, based on the results of tests and examinations.

How is thrush treated?

Use of medications

Once the diagnosis is made, antifungal drugs are usually prescribed. Most likely, for women it will be vaginal suppositories (suppositories) of local action, for men - a special ointment, also locally. For prolonged candidiasis, drugs for internal use in tablets can also be prescribed.

Maintaining hygiene and avoiding panty liners

To speed up the treatment of thrush, as well as prevent its recurrence, it is necessary to regularly wash your face and change your underwear. This applies to both women and men. Washing panties in a machine should be done at high temperatures.

Also, ladies are strongly recommended to at least temporarily (or better yet, permanently) stop using panty liners, especially colored and scented ones. It has been proven that they can provoke and even aggravate vaginal candidiasis, as they create a warm, moist environment on their surface.

Pads for critical days should also be chosen without fragrances with the most natural composition, and changed as often as possible. It is also better to avoid tampons until complete recovery.

Avoiding synthetic underwear

Continuing the hygienic topic, we note that the use of synthetic underwear when fighting candidiasis is highly not recommended, since synthetics prevent air circulation in the genital area and create a damp environment favorable for fungi.

Therefore, it is better to choose panties made from natural materials: cotton, linen, bamboo. In general, it is advisable to do this on an ongoing basis, but during the treatment of thrush it is mandatory.

Nutrition correction

In the process of treating thrush, it is necessary to pay attention to diet.

The following should be excluded from the diet or, at a minimum, seriously limited:

• all types of sweets (replacing them with a moderate amount of fresh fruit);
• foods rich in starch (potatoes, peas, corn, white rice, as well as white bread and other white flour products);
• products containing yeast (baked goods, beer) and mold (blue cheese),
• spicy, sour, pickled and smoked foods,
• vinegar, ketchup, mustard, soy and other sauces and dressings.

Sugar and starch are an ideal environment for fungi, including candida. And sour and spicy foods, although harmful to fungal colonies, can increase irritation in the perineum.

But kefir, yogurt and other fermented milk products (without sugar!) should, on the contrary, be included in your daily diet.

Monitor your food reactions and monitor your diet. And be healthy!

Video: causes of thrush and its treatment

Vaginal candidiasis or thrush is a common disease caused by a fungus of the genus Candida. According to medical statistics, every third woman is familiar with its symptoms. This fungal disease got its name because the discharge in women suffering from its manifestations takes on a cheesy appearance. Knowing what causes thrush, it is not difficult to take effective measures to prevent it and reduce the likelihood of complications.

About the causative agent of the disease

Normally, fungi of the genus Candida coexist peacefully with humans, living on the skin and mucous membranes, including the vaginal mucosa in women. The pathogen exhibits its activity under certain circumstances, when favorable conditions appear for its growth and reproduction. Most often, thrush is caused by Candida albicans, one of one hundred and seventy representatives of this genus.

The transition of the disease to a chronic form, with frequent relapses and complications, occurs if it is caused by the fungus Candida non-albicans. In these cases, it is necessary to treat thrush using non-standard regimens, because conventional antifungal therapy is ineffective.

How does thrush manifest?

This disease occurs not only in women, it occurs in both men and children. Pregnant women and girls who have not had sexual experience also suffer from vaginal candidiasis. Symptoms of male thrush do not manifest themselves clearly; most often it has a hidden course.

The main sign of the onset of the disease in women is atypical vaginal discharge. At the beginning of a fungal infection, the discharge is cloudy and white, but after a day or two it acquires a characteristic cheesy consistency and becomes thick.

Additional symptoms of thrush:

• itching and burning in the vagina, spreading to the external genitalia;
• swelling of the vulva and labia minora;
• the appearance of a white coating in the form of curdled plaques on the external genitalia;
• pain during urination and sexual intercourse.

These signs of the disease are usually not accompanied by hyperthermia. If the body temperature still exceeds the norm, then most likely an inflammatory process has joined the fungal infection.

If thrush is not treated, the process becomes chronic, complications arise: vaginal colpitis, cystitis, fungal infection of the intestines. Complications of this disease are especially dangerous for pregnant women:

• spread of the fungal process to the placenta;
• premature birth;
• spontaneous abortion during pregnancy up to 12 weeks;
• infection of the child during childbirth.

In newborns infected by their mother, lesions are observed in the mucous membranes of the mouth, intestines, and upper respiratory tract. The symptoms of this disease in girls who have no experience of sexual activity do not differ from the signs of a fungal infection that appear in women. In rare cases, men experience:

• white plaque on the head of the genital organ;
• redness and swelling of the foreskin;
• burning and itching;
• pain during sexual intercourse and urination.

Important: only a doctor can evaluate the symptoms of the disease and make a correct diagnosis, prescribe treatment: a gynecologist, a dermatologist - a venereologist. Self-medication is unacceptable, since symptoms similar to thrush are present in gonorrhea, genital herpes, gardnerellosis, and trichomoniasis.

Causes of fungal infection of the genital organs

The treatment process for the initial stage of this disease takes one to two days. In order to prevent the development of candidiasis, you need to know why thrush appears and what are the features of the activation of the pathological process.

Dietary disorders

The predominance of foods in the menu that affect the growth of yeast is one of the reasons for the appearance of thrush. It can be provoked in a similar way in young girls who have never had sexual intercourse. Eating large amounts of sweet and starchy foods inhibits the work of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, which create a balance of microflora.

With a decrease in their activity, the rapid development of pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms, including fungi, occurs. Prevention of thrush in this case consists of avoiding sweets, baked goods, beer, kvass, smoked meats and pickles. The glucose contained in these products is fertile ground for the growth of fungi.

Hormonal imbalance

Hormonal changes in the female body are the reason for the appearance of thrush. It can be expected in case of menstrual irregularities, before the appearance of the first menstruation in young girls, before the onset of menopause, and during certain periods of the menstrual cycle. All these conditions are associated with an increase in the main female hormone - estrogen. It provokes the proliferation of the fungus and, as a result, the appearance of the disease.

Contraceptives with a high estrogen content have the same effect on the body of some women. You should not think that thrush occurs in everyone who takes oral contraceptives, but the risk of its occurrence is higher in those who started taking the drug or changed it to pills with a high dose of estrogen.

Pregnancy and thrush

Most pregnant women suffer from this disease or become carriers of it. This spread of vaginal candidiasis in pregnant women is explained by several reasons:

• An increase in estrogen levels throughout pregnancy shifts the balance of the vaginal environment, making it more acidic, perfect for the growth of fungus;
• the increased load on the body of pregnant women reduces immunity, the body’s response to the rapid proliferation of the fungus is not adequate to the danger;
• changes in the diet of pregnant women, non-compliance with the diet, and excess of sweet and starchy foods create the ground for the development of fungi.

The danger to the health of pregnant women and their unborn children is so great that the gynecologist must offer treatment for this disease. There are safe medications available for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis in pregnant women.

Intimate hygiene disorders

This disease can be provoked by wearing synthetic underwear, rarely changing pads during menstruation, excessive use of panty liners, and the use of sanitary tampons. The “greenhouse effect” created in these cases in the area of ​​the external genitalia and in the vagina is an excellent breeding ground for the development of vaginal candidiasis.

The wrong way of washing can become a provoking factor for the development of thrush. It is caused by her excessive fascination with intimate hygiene foams, soaps and gels, which changes the balance of the vaginal microflora. A stream of water directed from bottom to top when washing, often, together with other factors, contributes to the occurrence of the disease. This method of intimate hygiene is especially dangerous for pregnant women.

Incorrectly selected mechanical means of contraception is another reason for the development of the pathological process. Condoms, vaginal rings and other barrier methods of protection, when in contact with the vaginal environment, cause its response to irritation in the form of a change in the balance of microflora. After using certain types of spermicides that are not suitable for a woman, it is necessary to treat the manifestations of thrush.

Diabetes

Stress and chronic fatigue

This connection between thrush and constant emotional stress is not obvious at first glance. However, stress requires the body to release a hormone called cortisol. Maintaining all organs and systems in constant tone, due to its work, reduces immunity.

The body becomes defenseless against infections, including vaginal candidiasis. Chronic fatigue has the same effect on modern man.

Use of antibiotics

Particularly dangerous diseases need to be treated with antibiotics - sore throat, cystitis, pneumonia, inflammation of the female genital area, bronchitis, postoperative conditions. A side effect of this use is the death of bacteria that maintain an optimal balance of microflora and inhibit pathogenic microorganisms. The protection of the vagina from thrush decreases, and colonies of fungi grow.