Symptoms and treatment of severe thrush. Very strong, abundant, terrible, terrible thrush, what should I do? Prevention of thrush in women

According to medical statistics, thrush is the most commonly diagnosed disease of the female reproductive system. According to some reports, the number of women who have experienced unpleasant symptoms at least once reaches 97%. The appearance of this disease is associated with yeast-like Candida fungi.

When a favorable environment appears, this fungus begins to multiply pathologically rapidly. A very strong thrush gives a woman discomfort and does not allow her to lead the lifestyle to which she is accustomed, so urgent and proper treatment is necessary.

Reasons for the appearance

In rare cases, candidiasis may appear for no apparent reason. However, most often, the appearance of this disease is provoked by the following reasons.

1. Treatment with antibiotics. Unfortunately, this group of drugs is becoming more and more firmly established in our lives. And often even mild forms of the common cold begin to be treated with these remedies. But many people forget that antibiotics destroy not only pathogenic microorganisms, but also microflora that is beneficial for the body. And, therefore, nothing inhibits the growth and reproduction of fungi.
2. Chemotherapy.
3. Taking steroids.
4. Diabetes.
5. Pregnancy.

Symptoms

Severe thrush in women is usually accompanied by such unpleasant symptoms as:

• curd-like discharge from the vagina,
• burning,
• swelling in the genital area,
• discomfort during intercourse,
• pain during urination.

It is not necessary that all of the above symptoms appear with a very strong thrush, but the first three will appear in almost every woman.

Treatment

What should be done if a strong thrush has begun? First of all, you should visit a gynecologist. If this disease appeared for the first time, then the doctor will make an accurate diagnosis, because some diseases of the genital area have similar symptoms, so you can get confused with self-diagnosis. If candidiasis does not appear for the first time, and you are sure that it is he, then you need to visit a doctor to find the true cause of the development of the fungus. After all, in the treatment it is important not only to cope with the symptoms, but also to eliminate the cause.

After the true cause of the appearance of this disease is discovered, the doctor will prescribe the required treatment. To eliminate the cause, it may be recommended to temporarily stop taking antibiotics, increase immunity, or change contraceptives.

And for the treatment of candidiasis itself, suppositories, ointments, creams, and tablets are used. Also, the doctor may recommend making baths and washing the perineum with various solutions.

So, the diagnosis was made - a strong thrush, how should it be treated? First you need to increase the body's immunity. For this, medicines such as Echinacea tincture, Ginseng extract, Timolin are used. And an additional vitamin complex is prescribed.

Then antifungal drugs are used - Clotrimazole, Antifungol, Ketoconazole and the like. If thrush has begun, then drugs containing substances such as natamycin, nystatin, levorin will be effective.

Drugs with a general effect can be prescribed - Mycomax, Diflucan, Medoflucon. In the treatment of candidiasis, such a remedy as Terzhinan suppositories has proven itself, which can be used for treatment even during menstruation.

Vaginal suppositories with strong thrush are good because they have only a local effect and do not affect the functioning of the whole organism.

But this is also their disadvantage ...

- fungi that are localized in the intestine remain intact. So, after some time they can cause a relapse of the disease.

Therefore, complex therapy is often prescribed, mainly consisting of tablets and suppositories.

Thrush and pregnancy

Very often there is a strong thrush during pregnancy. And you can not ignore this pathology, because the following complications may occur.

1. Rupture of the perineum during the birth process. This is due to the fact that a strong thrush and the inflammatory processes that accompany it reduce the elasticity of tissues.
2. Prolonged healing of sutures.
3. Child infection. The risk of developing candidal stomatitis in such a child is very high.

In order to get rid of such unpleasant symptoms as itching and burning during pregnancy, a gynecologist may prescribe a woman to do vaginal baths with medicinal herbs that have antiseptic properties. Candles can be used only if candidiasis began in the early stages of pregnancy.

If a strong thrush has begun, then the treatment of the sexual partner is of great importance. Because if only a woman will do the therapeutic procedures, there is a very high probability that in the near future it will itch again and see white discharge. It is also worth remembering that some drugs can cause a local allergic reaction, so you should not use them without the appointment and supervision of a gynecologist. You should not even make your own seemingly harmless herbal baths.

Thrush or candidiasis in women- a disease caused by fungi of the genus Candida. If these microorganisms have developed on the mucous membrane of the vagina and external genital organs, then they speak of vaginal candidiasis.

This disease affects not only women of childbearing age who are sexually active, but also young girls and those who have reached respectable years. The reason is simple: candidiasis occurs not only after contact with a sick sexual partner. It can be the result of active reproduction of Candida, which used to be part of the normal microflora.

With candidiasis, women complain of abundant cheesy discharge from the vagina and itching in the genital area. According to statistics, 70% of gynecologist patients who come with such problems are diagnosed with thrush. This disease is not a sexually transmitted disease. Compared to them, it is less dangerous and much easier to treat.

The disease affects women on all continents, regardless of age and wealth. Moreover, the incidence in hot countries is higher. Statistics say that city dwellers suffer more from candidiasis. 30-40% of women have had thrush during pregnancy. During this period, the risk of getting sick increases by 2-3 times.

75% of the fair sex suffered candidiasis, and most of them repeatedly. Since this disease has an unpleasant property to return. So in 5% the diagnosis is recurrent candidiasis. In this case, exacerbations occur 4 or more times a year.

In recent years, the number of cases of thrush has steadily increased. This is due to the uncontrolled use of antibiotics and a decrease in the level of immunity. If you do not treat thrush in time, then from a small ailment it can turn into a serious problem when fungi affect most of the internal organs.

The composition of the normal microflora of the vagina and external genitalia

The genital organs of girls begin to be colonized by microorganisms within a few hours after birth. This is the moment when the microflora begins to form. From the first day of life, various types of bacteria constantly live in the vagina and on the external genitalia. There are more than 60 of them. Usually these microorganisms do not cause disease and do not harm the body.

This set varies depending on the woman's age, the phase of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and the presence of a permanent sexual partner. Periodically, pathogenic bacteria enter the vagina. But if their number is not large, then representatives of the microflora and immunity cells destroy these microorganisms.

The vagina contains:

• lactobacilli
• bifidobacteria
• enterococci
• clostridia
• coagulase-negative staphylococci
• coliform bacteria
• candida

Most of the microorganisms in the body of a healthy woman are various types of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria - up to 90%. They provide an optimal level of acidity pH up to 3.8–4.5 (in adult women). If their number falls, then the vaginal environment becomes slightly alkaline and the pH exceeds 6. This leads to the multiplication of pathogenic bacteria and the development of inflammatory processes.

In almost 80% of cases, Candida is present in the microflora of a woman. They are represented by single inactive round cells and do not form filaments of mycelium (pseudo-mycelium).

Normal microflora in a woman's body performs important functions:

• Releases beneficial enzymes that provide the necessary acidity
• Promotes the formation of vitamins
• Supports the tension of local immunity
• Prevents the penetration of foreign bacteria that can cause disease.

The microflora of the vagina has a balanced composition. At the same time, some bacteria regulate the number of others. So lactic acid bacteria produce acid, which inhibits the excessive reproduction of Candida. Therefore, normal fungi contained in the vagina do not cause thrush.

Causes of thrush

Why thrush occurs is one of the most common questions in women. After all, this problem is very common. Unpleasant sensations arise at the most inopportune moment. This fungal disease nullifies intimate relationships and spoils everyday life.

You can get candidiasis from a sexual partner. Especially if a man has obvious signs of this disease or he is a carrier of fungi. However, this reason is far from the most common. Much more often, thrush occurs as a result of a decrease in immunity and a violation of the natural balance of the microflora of the genital organs.

There are many factors that provoke the development of vaginal candidiasis in women.

• Decreased body defenses as a result of chronic diseases or after infections.
• Hormonal shifts during pregnancy and before menstruation.
• Hormonal changes at menopause.
• The use of hormonal contraceptives.
• Long-term use of antibiotics, corticosteroids and cytotoxic drugs.
• Intestinal dysbacteriosis, while fungi can be introduced into the vagina.
• climate change, which entails adaptation to new conditions, the composition of water.
• Use of intimate hygiene products: intimate gels, soaps, shower gels containing a lot of alkali and fragrances.
• Using panty liners. They violate the access of air to the genitals, increases humidity.
• Deodorized tampons and pads cause allergic reactions and disrupt the condition of the mucosa.
• Wearing underwear made of synthetic fabrics, narrow and tight. The most common culprit for thrush is thongs.
• Food rich in confectionery and carbohydrate dishes, strong coffee, carbonated drinks, yeast baked goods, spicy and fatty delicacies, ketchup and mayonnaise.
• Avitaminosis entails a decrease in the body's resistance and a deterioration in the condition of the skin and mucous membranes.
• Obesity- Favorable conditions for the reproduction of fungi are created in the folds of the body.
• Metabolic disorders. A prime example is diabetes mellitus. It not only weakens local immunity, but also increases the amount of carbohydrates in cells, which is a good breeding ground for microorganisms.
• Smoking causes vasospasm and disrupts blood circulation, including in the genitals.
• Sexual intercourse with a dry vagina and other actions that can lead to the appearance of microtraumas on the genital mucosa. Through them, Candida can penetrate deep into the tissues.
• chronic stress, strong mental and physical stress, overwork, lack of sleep.

The action of these factors leads to the fact that the number of lactobacilli that create a protective microfilm is reduced. They secrete less lactic acid, and an alkaline environment forms in the vagina. Fungi and other bacteria penetrate the cells of the mucous membrane and thin skin of the external genital organs. There they begin to multiply actively, feeding on glycogen and destroying host cells. In the absence of treatment, the inflammatory process gradually spreads.

What are the symptoms of thrush and what are they associated with?

1. Pain during intercourse.
   Most often, Candida reproduction begins on the vaginal mucosa. They destroy the upper epithelial cells, gradually affecting the deeper layers. In this case, the smallest lesions resembling sores are formed. The mucous membrane of the vaginal walls becomes inflamed and painful. Therefore, during intercourse, a woman experiences pain and other unpleasant sensations.


2. Swelling of the genitals.
   Inflammation causes the walls of the vagina to swell. This is due to the fact that small vessels on the surface of the mucosa expand. In this way, the body tries to eliminate the toxins released by Candida. Blood circulation is enhanced, and the tissue of the genital organs is saturated with fluid that has escaped through the walls of the capillaries.


3. White coating and cheesy discharge.
   Gradually, the number of fungi increases and colonies grow. They look like a whitish coating on the genitals. An inflammatory process begins, which is accompanied by abundant discharge from the vagina. They look like white curdled masses or curdled milk. These are mainly fungal mycelium, leukocytes and damaged mucosal cells.


4. Itching and burning.
   Candida feed on glycogen stores in cells. When this carbohydrate is broken down, acids are formed. Just they cause itching and burning in the vagina and irritate the skin of the genital organs damaged by Candida, while the woman feels severe discomfort. These symptoms are worse after urinating or washing. Therefore, every time the skin in this area must be dried. Preferably with soft paper towels, so as not to further injure.


5. Rash with thrush.
   The inflammatory process in thrush also extends to the vestibule of the vagina, large and small labia. On the skin of the genital organs, the epidermis is stratified as a result of the activity of fungi, and small burgundy pimples-vesicles with liquid contents inside are formed - vesicles. After a day or two, they burst and small erosions and crusts form in their place.


6. Spread to nearby skin areas.
   Signs of candidiasis: redness, small rash, itching, white plaque formation can also occur in the perineum, on the skin of the intergluteal and inguinal folds. More often this form of the disease occurs in women who are overweight.


7. Deterioration of the general condition.
   Itching, constant discomfort and unpleasant sensations cause nervousness, bouts of bad mood, as well as sleep disturbance. The latter is due to the fact that the burning sensation intensifies at night. Unpleasant symptoms increase after a long walk and during menstruation.


8. Urethritis and cystitis in thrush.
   Frequent urination and the appearance of pain indicates that Candida has penetrated the urinary system and caused urethritis and cystitis. Another sign that the inflammatory process has spread to other organs is the appearance of aching pains in the lower abdomen. In this case, an increase in temperature is possible. If you notice such symptoms, then be sure to consult a doctor and do not self-medicate.

Diagnosis of thrush

If you notice signs of thrush in yourself, contact your gynecologist. This is especially necessary if the appearance of discomfort was preceded by unprotected sexual contact. The fact is that the symptoms of candidiasis are in many ways similar to the manifestations of dangerous sexually transmitted infections. In addition, the mucous membrane damaged by fungi becomes vulnerable to pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, taking only antifungal drugs is not enough. A visit to a specialist is mandatory if signs of thrush reappear soon after treatment. Otherwise, the disease can become chronic.

In order to clarify the diagnosis, the doctor takes a smear of the contents from the vagina. Flora smear (gynecological smear, bacterioscopy) necessary to determine the composition of the microflora and the presence of pathogenic bacteria. Ideally, the analysis should be 90% lactobacilli. Gardnerella and Candida can be in single copies. And such microorganisms as Trichomonas, should not be.

In the laboratory, a sample of the contents of the vagina is examined under a microscope and the number of immune cells of leukocytes and bacteria, the presence of pseudomycelium Candida is determined.

In some cases, carry out culture of microflora on special nutrient media. As a result, it is possible to determine which of the 150 Candida species caused inflammation, to which drugs these microorganisms are most sensitive. This must be done if a woman suffers from recurrent thrush.

Also an informative method of research is colposcopy - examination of the vagina with a special device called a colposcope. The doctor applies Lugol's solution to the walls of the vagina. If after that small inclusions in the form of semolina are clearly visible on them, then this indicates the presence of thrush.

If necessary, the doctor prescribes an additional study for sexually transmitted infections, a stool test for dysbacteriosis, an immunogram, an analysis aimed at detecting diabetes mellitus - a glycemic profile with a load.

In the event that the gynecologist believes that chronic diseases provoke thrush, he will advise you to contact a therapist, endocrinologist or immunologist.

How to treat thrush

Local therapy of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the female reproductive system not only allows you to destroy pathogens, but also inevitably leads to an imbalance in the beneficial microflora of the vagina and a decrease in local immunity. If you do not make a quick recovery of lactoflora, activation of conditionally pathogenic microflora is possible, which will lead to an exacerbation of thrush or bacterial infections. For the same reason, antifungal therapy for vaginal candidiasis may not be effective enough. Therefore, after the first stage of treatment aimed at eradicating the infection, it is important to carry out the second stage - to restore the balance of beneficial microflora with the help of Lactoginal capsules. This is the only tribiotic drug registered in the Russian Federation. Laktozhinal quickly restores pH, vaginal microflora and protects against re-exacerbation of bacterial vaginosis and thrush for a long time. Two-stage therapy has recently become the gold standard for the treatment of conditions accompanied by pathological discharge. Many experts are confident that only this method can provide a pronounced and long-term therapeutic effect, strengthen local immunity, which serves as a prevention of subsequent exacerbations.

How to treat thrush during pregnancy?

Treatment must necessarily take place under the supervision of a gynecologist. He prescribes drugs that are not toxic, are little absorbed into the blood, do not harm the child and have the maximum therapeutic effect. Almost always, this local treatment is Pimafucin suppositories. The drug causes the destruction of the walls of the fungal cell and leads to its death. This tool can be used both in the first weeks and immediately before childbirth.

Another drug allowed during pregnancy is Terzhinan. It contains the antifungal antibiotic Nystatin. But besides this, it contains substances that fight bacteria. You can supplement the treatment with a complex of vitamins to maintain immunity.

Drugs in tablets that have a systemic effect on the body are usually not used.

During pregnancy, it is better to refrain from douching. With the pressure of the liquid, you can bring the infection into the uterine cavity. This procedure can only be prescribed by a doctor in exceptional cases. Instead of douching, it is better to use a weak soda solution, decoctions of chamomile and calendula for washing.

What suppositories are effective for the treatment of thrush?

Candles and vaginal tablets for the treatment of thrush are topical treatments. They are prescribed when the lesions are not deep and there are no complications. Here is a list of the most effective remedies for thrush. The active ingredient is indicated in the arches.

• Pimafucin (Natamycin) - the least toxic. Can be used during pregnancy. Causes the death of various fungi. Candles are used before bedtime. They quickly relieve symptoms, but treatment must be continued for another 2-3 days after improvement. The average course is 3-6 days.


• Antifungol, Yenamazol 100, Candibene, Kanesten, Canizon, (Clotrimazole) its components dissolve the Candide shell. Candles or vaginal tablets are inserted into the vagina 1 time per day at bedtime. The course of treatment is 6-7 days.


• Gino-Travogen Ovulum (Isoconazole) disrupts the permeability of the cell wall of fungi. It has an antifungal and anti-inflammatory effect. Quickly eliminates itching. It is used to treat forms of fungi that are resistant to other agents. A suppository (candle) is inserted deep into the vagina at bedtime once a day. The course of treatment is 3 days.


• Ginezol 7, Gino-Daktarin, Klion-D 100 (Miconazole) - destroys fungi and some bacteria. Treatment is carried out for 14 days. One suppository deep into the vagina at bedtime.


• Polygynax, Terzhinan (Nystatin) - these vaginal tablets must be moistened before insertion into the vagina.

  Use one before bed for 10 days.

  It should be noted that slight itching and other discomfort may occur for up to two weeks after treatment.

What pills are effective in the treatment of thrush?

Treatment of thrush with pills has several advantages. You will get rid of unpleasant symptoms in 1-3 days. While the treatment with suppositories, vaginal tablets and gels takes an average of a week. Taking tablets provides a comprehensive treatment of fungi in all organs. Therefore, the likelihood of recurrence of thrush is reduced. If the course of the disease is mild, then one drug will be enough. In another case, you will need to take several antifungal agents of different groups. To enhance the effect and get rid of itching, additional local treatment is prescribed in the form of creams or suppositories.

There are several types of drugs designed to fight fungi. They have different mechanisms of action, but they all lead to the death of Candida and the destruction of their mycelium.

Here is a list of substances that destroy fungi and preparations based on them:

• Fluconazole (Diflucan, Mikosist, Medoflukon, Forkan) - a single dose of 150 mg of the drug is enough.


• Ketoconazole (Ketoconazole, Nizoral) - 1-2 tablets per day. Course 5 days.


• Natamycin (Pimafucin) - 1 tablet for 3-5 days.


• Miconazole (Miconazole, Mikatin, Funginazole) - take 1 tablet for three days.


• Nystatin (Nystatin) - 1 tablet 4 times a day. The duration of treatment is 10-14 days.

These drugs should not be taken to treat thrush in pregnant women. To prevent exacerbations of candidiasis in the future, it is desirable that both sexual partners undergo treatment.

How to treat thrush at home?

Treatment of thrush almost always occurs at home. Ideally, it should be done after consulting a doctor. Traditional medicine has many benefits. They have no side effects, are non-toxic and completely safe. However, in terms of the speed of treatment, they significantly lose to drugs.

• Washing and douching with soda solution are used to relieve itching and prevent bacterial complications. In 0.5 liters of warm boiled water, you need to dissolve 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Repeat the procedure 2 times a day.


• Such a composition has a strong antifungal and anti-inflammatory effect. Take 5 tablespoons of the collection from equal parts of oak bark, pharmacy chamomile, nettle and knotweed. Pour in a liter of water and bring to a boil. Cool, strain and use for douching in the morning and evening.


• Tampons with sea buckthorn oil heal erosion on the mucous membrane and relieve inflammation. Soak a swab from several layers of gauze with pharmaceutical sea buckthorn oil and insert overnight.


• Garlic oil tampons effectively get rid of Candida. To prepare the product, it is necessary to peel and chop 5 large cloves of garlic and pour 50 ml of refined vegetable oil. Leave for 3 hours, mix and strain. Soak a tampon with this product and insert it into the vagina for 2 hours. If there is a strong burning sensation, then the procedure must be stopped. Garlic phytoncides are a very powerful tool. Therefore, it is recommended to eat a few cloves daily.


• To restore the normal microflora of the vagina, tampons with bifidumbacterin are used. Dilute an ampoule of this drug in a tablespoon of refined vegetable oil. Soak a tampon and insert into the vagina for 1 hour. American doctors recommend lubricating the mucosa with pure natural yogurt without flavorings. It can be a pure culture of lactobacilli, which are sold in a pharmacy.


• If you do not have an allergy to honey, then you can dilute it with water in a ratio of 1:10 and lubricate the affected areas of the mucosa.


• For washing, use tar soap or brown laundry soap. Its components prevent the growth of microorganisms.

In order for the thrush not to return after a while, it is necessary to continue the procedure for another 2-3 days after the symptoms of the disease disappear. Folk remedies are best used as an addition to the treatment prescribed by the doctor.

What drugs should be used to treat thrush?

To get rid of thrush forever, one drug is not enough. It is necessary to reduce the number of Candida to normal levels, to cure the damage to the mucous membrane that arose as a result of the disease. After that, you can begin to normalize the microflora in order to increase the number of lactobacilli. It also needs to strengthen the immune system.

Therefore, for the complex treatment of thrush, various groups of drugs are used.

Antifungals (antimycotics) destroy the bulk of Candida. These are funds based on Fluconazole, Clotrimazole, Iconazole, Ketoconazole. In the form of suppositories and creams for local treatment of the genital organs, as well as in the form of tablets and capsules for oral administration.

Antibiotics to treat thrush fight not only with Candida, but also with some bacteria that join during candidiasis. They are also available for topical and general treatment.

• macrolide antibiotics: Pimafucin, Natamycin


• Triazole antibiotics: Flucostat, Mikosist


• Polyene antibiotics: Nystatin, Levorin

Combination drugs are drugs that contain several types of antibiotics. It also contains the hormone prednisolone for quick relief from itching, pain and inflammation. These are funds in the form of ointments and vaginal tablets Terzhinan, Neo-Penotran, Polygynax.

Probiotics normalize the composition of the microflora of the vagina and the level of acidity. They also often contain components to restore the mucous membrane of the vagina and external genitalia. These are vaginal tablets and suppositories with a complex of lacto and bifidobacteria: Gynoflor, Ecofemin, Vaginorm C and Vagilak, as well as Bifidumbacterin, Lactobacterin.

Immunomodulators or immunocorrectors prescribed to strengthen general immunity. Its task is to restrain the growth of Candida after the treatment is discontinued. These are oral tablets Likopid and rectal suppositories Viferon, Methyluracil.

Is fluconazole effective for thrush?

Modern antifungal drugs allow you to get rid of thrush in one day. In most cases, a single dose of Fluconazole 150 mg capsule is sufficient to eradicate the fungal infection. If a woman suffers from recurrent thrush, then it will be necessary to take one capsule once a week or a month for 6-12 months. The doctor selects the scheme individually.

For a quick recovery, it is desirable to combine systemic treatment with Fluconazole capsules and local treatment: suppositories with antifungal and anti-inflammatory drugs, the use of creams and douching.

Various pharmaceutical companies produce preparations based on Fluconazole: Diflazon, Diflucan, Mikosist, Medoflucon, Forkan, Flucostat. The active substance of these drugs disrupts the metabolic processes in fungi, which leads to their death. The drug is well absorbed into the blood and enters all organs, where it accumulates in the required amount. Thus, these drugs rid the body of any diseases caused by fungi.

With vaginal candidiasis after taking Fluconazole, a woman usually notices a significant improvement within a day. But full recovery occurs in 3-4 days. If a week after taking the drug you continue to be disturbed by the manifestations of thrush, then you need to re-consult a doctor.

There are several reasons why taking a Fluconazole capsule has not worked. This can happen if the fungi have developed resistance and are not sensitive to it. Other drugs may reduce the effectiveness of fluconazole while taking it. For example, the antibiotic Rifampicin. In some cases, a single dose is not enough. It is required to take one more capsule on the third and on the seventh day of treatment.
It must be remembered that Fluconazole has contraindications and serious side effects. Therefore, it must be taken on the recommendation of a doctor.

What are the traditional methods of treating thrush?

For the treatment of thrush in women, traditional medicine recipes are successfully used. They have significantly fewer contraindications and side effects than traditional medicines. However, even natural ingredients can cause an allergic reaction. Douching is generally not recommended for pregnant women. Keep this in mind during treatment.

St. John's wort is an excellent remedy against thrush due to its astringent, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. The high content of phytoncides guarantees getting rid of bacteria and fungi of the Candida genus. A decoction of St. John's wort is used for douching. To prepare it, take 3-4 tablespoons of herbs, pour boiling water in the amount of 1.5-2 liters. After that, let the medicine brew for 1.5-2 hours. It is necessary to douche with this infusion 4 times a day.

have long been used infusion of sage and raspberry leaves rich in estrogens and anti-inflammatory components.

How to use: mix sage with raspberry leaves in equal proportions - 2 tablespoons of each herb. Then pour the mixture with a liter of boiling water. We expect 20 minutes for brewing, then we filter the infusion through a sieve or gauze. Let the product cool down to room temperature. It is used for douching 2-3 times a day. For greater effectiveness, you can add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar per liter of product.

Oak bark- an effective way to get rid of thrush. The decoction has a strong antimicrobial effect, soothes inflammation and protects the genital mucosa from deep damage. To prepare a decoction, you need to take three parts of oak bark, one part of a string and one part of lavender. To prepare, pour one tablespoon of a mixture of herbs with 150 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for 2 hours. After this, the broth must be filtered and poured into it the same amount of boiling water. Douche with this composition 2 times a day.

Cranberry and viburnum- universal assistants in the fight against thrush. The polyphenols contained in these berries stop the growth of yeast fungi, alleviate manifestations and strengthen the body. Juices from cranberries or viburnum will prevent the development of thrush. But the main requirement is the use of only unsweetened juice. The presence of sugar has the opposite effect and the fungus develops even more intensively.

You need to drink juices 3 times a day, 2 tablespoons. You can add the same amount of water. For douching, take 1 tablespoon of strained juice in a glass of warm water.

Answers to frequently asked questions:

Can you get pregnant with thrush?

A woman who has an exacerbation of thrush can become pregnant. The processes that occur during candidiasis and the acid secreted by fungi can slightly impair the viability of spermatozoa. But if their number is large, and the mobility is high, then fertilization will still occur.

It is desirable that the woman at the time of pregnancy was absolutely healthy. But still, this disease does not pose a serious danger to the fetus. Unlike, for example, rubella.

Is it possible to have sex with thrush?

With thrush, sex is not recommended. This is due to the fact that with vaginal candidiasis, the mucosa becomes swollen and covered with erosions. During sex, she is traumatized. This contributes to the penetration of fungi into deeper layers and the attachment of a bacterial infection. In addition, during and after sexual intercourse, pain and itching in the genitals increase.

Is it possible to douche with thrush?

You can douche with thrush. This helps to cleanse the walls of the vagina from fungi and cheesy plaque. Various medicines can get rid of itching and inflammation. Most often, a weak soda solution, decoctions of chamomile and calendula are used.

Is it possible to use kefir or cottage cheese with thrush?

Kefir or cottage cheese contain a large number of lactic acid bacteria, which normally make up the bulk of the microflora. With thrush, their number decreases sharply. Therefore, the use of such products restores balance and will be very beneficial. It is necessary to include fresh kefir and natural yoghurts with a short shelf life and a minimum sugar content in the diet. They provide the most benefit.

Prevention of thrush in women

Prevention of candidiasis is based on the general strengthening of immunity. It is also necessary to strictly observe personal hygiene, the meaning of which is to maintain the normal microflora of the vagina. Gynecologists recommend using high acidity gels for washing, which include lactic acid and with a minimum amount of flavors.

Wear natural fabrics that allow your skin to breathe. But tight skinny jeans provoke the development of the disease.

You can get infected with thrush in pools and baths, where there are a lot of people and bleach affects the skin. If you notice such a tendency in yourself, then avoid visiting these places.

Eat more vegetables, fruits and dairy products. This will help keep the number of lactobacilli normal. Avoid uncontrolled use of medicines and do not forget about preventive visits to the doctor.

THERE ARE CONTRAINDICATIONS. CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE USE.

Often, severe thrush occurs against the background of the use of antibiotics or a decrease in immunity. At the same time, patients feel pain during defecation and sexual intercourse, itching in the genitals and note the presence of secretions similar to cottage cheese. With such symptoms, it is important not to delay a visit to the doctor, since a strong manifestation of thrush requires careful treatment.

Causes

Sometimes thrush appears for no apparent reason, but the following factors often provoke it:

Cause	Description
low immunity	Most often, severe thrush provokes a violation of the immune system and the presence of infectious diseases.
Pregnancy period	During pregnancy, the hormonal background is disturbed in the body and the immune system is weakened, due to which the appearance of a strong thrush is observed.
Antibiotic use	The second most common cause of thrush is the use of antibiotics. These drugs have a detrimental effect not only on pathogenic microorganisms, but also on beneficial ones. Because of this, dysbacteriosis appears, as well as often a terrible thrush, since the development of fungal microorganisms is not controlled.
Chemotherapy	Virtually all females who have undergone chemotherapy have thrush.
Diabetes	Endocrine diseases are often accompanied by additional pathologies, one of which is a terrible thrush.
Use of oral contraceptives	If a woman has good immunity and no chronic diseases, the use of oral contraceptives will not cause thrush. If there are additional diseases, then the use of such remedies can provoke thrush.
Personal hygiene	Soap, which contains alkali and with which a woman is washed, provokes the death of lactobacilli. Because of this, fungi that provoke severe thrush begin to actively multiply in a new environment. In addition, thong panties and tight jeans have come into fashion tightly. Thongs are one of the easiest ways for fungal infections to get from the anus to the vagina.

Symptoms of severe thrush

With the development of a strong thrush, patients feel the following symptoms:

• itching and burning of the genitals;
• discharge;
• pain during emptying;
• pain during intercourse;
• swelling of the external genitalia.

In some patients, all symptoms are observed at once, in others - partially. Despite this, at the first appearance of similar symptoms, it is important to immediately contact a gynecologist. Self-medication and diagnosis is prohibited. Not only thrush has similar symptoms, but also other diseases that are sexually transmitted.

Why is the disease dangerous?

Chronic inflammatory processes can provoke infertility.

If you do not deal with the treatment of the disease, unpleasant complications can occur. Sometimes there is cervical candidiasis or cystitis and urethritis. The most serious danger is thrush, which is complicated by sexually transmitted infections. In such situations, inflammatory processes of the genital organs can begin, which often cause infertility.

At the initial stages of development, thrush does not pose a danger to the life of patients, however, it brings a number of inconveniences and interferes with sexual life. If after treatment of the disease after a certain time it occurs again, this indicates a weakening of the immune system or a failure in the hormonal background. In such situations, it is important not only to carry out treatment aimed at eliminating thrush, but also to find the cause that provokes a violation of the immune system. If you ignore this, thrush will continue to appear.

Diagnosis of the disease

First of all, the doctor interviews the patient, finding out how long ago the disease appeared, what could provoke it, whether there is a discharge, there is an unpleasant odor, whether pain is bothering you. This is followed by examination and taking a smear from the mucous tissues of the vagina. In the process of examining a smear, the absence or presence of a fungus that provokes thrush is revealed. However, this method is considered insufficiently effective because it does not provide information about the type of fungus. To find out these data, you need to do a bacterial culture on a nutrient medium.

If the thrush has a chronic form, you will also need to conduct a comprehensive examination. Such measures are due to the fact that often the development of the disease is the first symptom of diabetes mellitus. Therefore, it is important for the patient to donate blood, the analysis of which will show the amount of glucose in the blood. In addition, it is recommended to do an ultrasound examination of the peritoneum, to do a study on intestinal dysbacteriosis and stool analysis.

How to treat thrush?

A strong immune system contributes to a quick recovery.

Before you begin to treat the disease, it is important to identify the cause that provoked it. For example, if the reason for this was taking antibiotics, you need to consult with your doctor about the possibility of stopping their use. If reduced immunity has become a development factor, it is important to undergo a course of therapy aimed at improving the immune system. Only after this, the treatment of thrush is carried out directly. Often, topical drugs are used for therapy - suppositories, or creams and ointments. However, each of these drugs has disadvantages:

1. Inconvenience to use. You need to use these medicines by the hour, and since they are used vaginally, it is not always convenient to do this.
2. The occurrence of irritation. Sometimes when using medications for local exposure, allergies and irritations of the genital mucosa occur.
3. Action. Medicines have only a local effect, and they do not save from the fungi that are in the intestine. Because of this, the reappearance of thrush often occurs.

Based on this, in medical practice, complex treatment of thrush is currently used. In addition to local drugs, antifungal drugs are used that are taken orally. The effect of them is achieved quickly enough and patients feel their effect after the first application.

Candidiasis is caused by the yeast-like fungus Candida, which inhabit the body of any person. Fungi are part of the normal microflora of the mouth, genitals, and intestines. The disease occurs when microorganisms multiply. The increase in the number of fungi occurs due to a decrease in the protective functions of the body.

What will the article tell you?

Ways of infection

Candida fungus is quite easy to catch, because it is found everywhere. A person usually becomes infected with opportunistic fungi. It is also possible that more pathogenic strains can penetrate and cause the disease.

The main ways of penetration of the fungus:

• intrauterine through amniotic fluid;
• when passing through the birth canal;
• when applied to the chest, on which fungi are found;
• household way (infection occurs through hands, kisses);
• penetration with meat, vegetable, fruit, dairy food;
• carriers are young pets;
• sexual contact, including oral sex.

Candidiasis is often a side effect of taking antibiotics. The most common complication is amoxicillin, an antibiotic from the penicillin group. Women who take antibiotics too often for any colds are at greater risk. It is they who have a very strong thrush and diarrhea. With immunodeficiency, invasive candidiasis extends not only to the vaginal area, but also to the intestines. The disease also occurs against the background of hormonal disruptions, for example, due to oral contraception.

Symptoms of the disease

Candidiasis provokes candida, of which there are more than 200 species. Vaginal and other internal candidiasis often caused by the microorganism Candida albicans.

With vulvovaginitis, a woman finds in herself:

• curdled white discharge from the vagina,
• swelling of the mucous membranes,
• mucosal redness,
• possible itching or burning,
• there is a sour smell
• there is discomfort when urinating,
• possible pain during intercourse.

Urogenital candidiasis can be sexually transmitted. When treating thrush, a woman needs to treat her partner as well. If a running thrush is detected, it is necessary to pay attention to other organs: the intestines, the bladder.

For intestinal candidiasis the patient may notice increased gas formation, white flakes in the stool, frequent disorders in the form of diarrhea. The disease is usually a side effect of severe dysbacteriosis, in which the beneficial microflora dies, and the pathogenic one, on the contrary, multiplies.

Sometimes the treatment does not give results, this is most often due to the fact that complex treatment is necessary. Complications of candidiasis occur if:

• the patient has weakened immunity, it is necessary to make an immunogram;
• in addition to infection with the Candida fungus, other pathogens are also present in the genital tract (Trichomonas, chlamydia, ureaplasma, etc.);
• the focus of the disease is in the large intestine;
• the mucous membrane has suffered, restoration of the membranes will be required;
• the partner is also infected, the husband may need to be sanitized;
• reduced estrogen levels.

Comprehensive treatment is aimed at restoring the body's defenses, removing Candida fungi from those organs that are the primary focus. During therapy, topical antifungal drugs are continued.

Complex treatment

A competent treatment regimen will help cure annoying thrush. Since there are more than two hundred species of Candida fungi, it is necessary to establish the pathogen that caused vulvovaginitis.

If a woman has severe thrush, she needs to insist on sowing for sensitivity to antifungal drugs. The fact is that candida can be resistant to medications, so the treatment does not work - the fungus continues to multiply.

If there is a strong thrush, how to treat the fungus? The table shows the drugs that are mainly prescribed for diseases.

If candidiasis is complicated by a sexually transmitted disease, treatment is difficult. To eliminate STDs, antibiotics are used that are contraindicated in thrush. First, STDs are treated, then they begin to sanitize the vagina.

How and how to treat running thrushamong women? For treatment, it is possible to use ointments, suppositories and preparations for oral administration with one active ingredient: itraconazole, fluconazole, voriconazole. The main thing is that the treatment should be directed inward and outward. Therefore, taking pills with the simultaneous administration of candles gives the best result.

Since candidiasis can be an allergic reaction of the body to microorganisms, antihistamines are used in the treatment. To restore protective functions during therapy, ascorbic acid and B vitamins are used.

Restoration of immunity

Since neglected thrush in women most often occurs against a background of weakened immunity, it is necessary first of all take care of the restoration of the body's defenses. Immunity also decreases with hypothermia, therefore, during the treatment period and after it, it is necessary to insulate the problem area, but also to prevent overheating. Cold and excessive heat are equally harmful to women's health.

Immunity can also drop against the background of constant stress. Light sedatives usually solve the problem of overexertion and nervousness. Strong antidepressants are prescribed only by a doctor.

Immunostimulants are prescribed based on the type of disease. Restore immunity helps Lavomax. Additionally, you need to take a multivitamin. The doctor may also insist on vaccination.

Is it necessary to restore the microflora of the vagina

In the treatment, drugs for internal use are most often used in combination with local medicines (candles, gels, ointments).

The vaginal microflora is restored with the help of drugs Lactobacterin, Bifidumbacterin, Kipferon, Laktotsid, Vaginorm C, Laktonorm, Ecofemin, Laktagel. However, gynecologists do not recommend colonizing the body with lactobacilli during the treatment of thrush, as this method can provoke the growth of candida. If it is necessary to restore the microflora, this moment is discussed with the gynecologist after the main treatment.

Preventive measures

If a woman is tortured by thrush, you may need to pay attention to your lifestyle. Vulvovaginitis is provoked by:

1. Wearing synthetic underwear. To avoid the greenhouse effect, underwear should be made from natural fabrics.
2. Allergy to latex. In this case, it is better to use polyurethane condoms.
3. Frequent douching.
4. Lubricants for sexual intercourse (should be replaced with water-based products).
5. Frequent change of partners.
6. The use of antibiotics. If the treatment can be dispensed with without an antibiotic, it is better to take advantage of this opportunity.
7. Decreased immunity. It is necessary to carry out vitamin therapy, eat more greens, vegetables, fruits, dairy products.
8. Chlorine bleached pads. Should be replaced with a different brand.
9. Too much sweets.

The infection can be transmitted each time and together with a partner. For the duration of therapy, it is best to limit sexual contact or protect yourself with condoms. The partner is prescribed antifungal ointment and oral tablets. For example, 1 tablet of Fluconazole and Pimafucin cream on the intimate area.

What can be confused with vulvovaginitis

Candidiasis is similar to the symptoms of some sexually transmitted diseases: chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis. With STDs, as with thrush, itching and burning may occur, discharges of various colors (yellow, green, brownish, cream) with a fishy, ​​sour, rotten or onion smell appear. With STDs, sexual intercourse becomes difficult. Urination causes burning.

Worse, if vulvovaginitis is complicated by an STD. If only thrush is present in the body, without STDs, it is quite easy to recognize it by its characteristic white discharge. Also, with candidiasis, rashes on the genitals are not observed, which happens with sexually transmitted diseases. An increase in lymph nodes is not typical for candidiasis. An increase in body temperature is observed with STDs, with thrush, the temperature is kept at normal levels.

Disease recurrence

It happens that a woman manages to temporarily cope with the disease, but after a month everything returns. If the partner is healthy, but thrush appears again and again every month, you will need to take a blood test. Reduce immunity diabetes mellitus, HIV, hormonal disruptions during pregnancy, improper intimate hygiene. Too frequent washing is not desirable.

You may have to give up drinking and smoking, as tobacco and ethanol significantly reduce a woman's immunity. Before visiting a gynecologist, it is necessary to abandon the use of drugs, since it is possible to heal the disease and a smear from the vagina will not be reliable.

Oral contraception and the use of the spiral also provoke the role of fungi, you should consider replacing such protection with other methods (for example, switching to barrier contraception).

In case of relapse, a second course of treatment is carried out.

Thrush before menstruation

It happens that the disease does not make itself felt for several weeks, but suddenly worsens at the end of the cycle. What can cause a relapse every month? Before menstruation, every woman's hormonal background changes. Beneficial lactobacilli cannot cope with conditionally pathogenic ones, so the disease recurs. Before critical days, the level of hormones estrogen and progesterone decreases. The weakening of the protective functions causes the fungus to quickly activate in the body.

If the thrush returns every month, what to do in such a situation? First you need to wait for the bleeding to stop. Treatment begins only after the completion of menstruation. Orally take Terbinafine, Intraconazole, Fluconazole, Miconazole. If a woman notices that the disease appears every month, before menstruation, you should switch to a diet containing vitamins, drink vitamin complexes and immunomodulators. Be sure to pay attention to weight, to correct it, giving up fatty meat, sugar and yeast bread.

During menstruation, you need to wear only cotton underwear, do not wear thongs, you need to abandon deodorized pads, change tampons every 4 hours. Panty liners should only be worn 1-2 days before your period and the same amount of time after it. Before critical days, you can take a Duflucan tablet. This scheme must be followed for 6 months.

Exacerbation before menstruation may be evidence of problems with the thyroid gland, so it makes sense to check this body.

Candida in the mouth

Thrush in the mouth can cause the penetration of fungi to the internal organs. That is why it is worth giving up smoking, curing bad teeth, minimizing the use of sweets. With good immunity, fungi can live on the oral mucosa and not cause discomfort, but with a decrease in protective functions, thrush can begin even due to a simple kiss with an infected person.

Finally

Chronic candidiasis requires a careful look at your health.

1. Immunity is suppressed by diabetes mellitus, HIV, antibiotics, immunosuppressants after organ transplants and in the treatment of allergies.
2. Hormonal disruptions cause endocrine diseases, pregnancy, obesity, menopause, the postpartum period.
3. Violations of the microflora occur against the background of intestinal diseases and STDs.
4. Local immunity is weakened due to the intake of OK, poor-quality hygiene products, visits to baths, pools, and hypothermia.

Colpitis of pregnant women is treated only under the supervision of a doctor. It is necessary not to postpone treatment, since thrush provokes inflammatory processes in the reproductive organs.

Thrush is caused by small fungi of the genus Candida. They live on the mucous membranes, in the intestines and usually do not interfere with anything.

But sometimes they begin to actively multiply. Then there are unpleasant symptoms that indicate a disease. In a scientific way - candidiasis, in a simple way - thrush.

The most difficult relationship with Candida is in women. 80% at least once in their lives met with thrush.

Thrush is a capricious disease. For some, it appears after antibiotics or illnesses, but for someone it is enough to overeat sweets or get nervous - and now unpleasant symptoms have already appeared.

How to understand that it is thrush?

Thrush is difficult to confuse with something else. She announces herself with itching and pain, and the itching intensifies after water procedures. The skin turns red and swells.

The main thing is selection. There are many of them, they are transparent or white and thick, sometimes they look like cottage cheese. At the same time, there is discomfort during sex, sometimes pain is felt during urination.

Is thrush sexually transmitted? Should I treat my partner?

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Thrush is not sexually transmitted. If you get sick, then your “native” microorganisms are to blame, and not external infections.

Therefore, it is not necessary to treat a partner. But there is one thing: if the partner showed signs of candidiasis, he will have to undergo treatment. The main thing is to be treated at the same time and buy effective remedies. Fortunately, now there is a choice. It is convenient for women to use medicines in the form of suppositories, for men a cream is suitable, both partners can use pills.

Is it possible to treat thrush without a doctor?

The first "visit" of thrush should be treated together with a gynecologist, who will accurately establish the diagnosis and select the drugs. If you have already had thrush, then you know its symptoms. In such cases, you can be treated with drugs that are sold without a doctor's prescription, but only with reservations:

• Are you sure it's definitely thrush?
• You are sure that you do not have another disease that can be tolerated at the same time as thrush (this means that you are not sexually active, because if you are sexually active, you cannot be so sure).
• Thrush appears rarely (once a year or less), and you can use drugs without causing resistance to.

In all other situations, you must go to the doctor.

Does thrush happen if I'm not sexually active?

Yes, sometimes. Sex generally has little effect on the activity of fungi. Therefore, thrush affects even those who have not begun to live a sexual life, but it manifests itself just as strongly and unpleasantly.

In addition, thrush can appear in the mouth (this is not uncommon among young children) and even on the internal organs - this happens with oncological diseases.

Is it possible to have sex during thrush?

Thrush is not sexually transmitted, so the only restriction on sex is well-being. With unpleasant symptoms, there is usually no time for love, the skin is too irritated. Discharges and smells with thrush also do not contribute to a special passion.

But keep in mind that some medicines for the treatment of fungal infections (suppositories, creams) reduce effectiveness. And with thrush, the body may be more susceptible to infections. So either protect yourself additionally in other ways, or abstain if you are not sure about your partner.

Can pregnant women take medicine for thrush?

Emiliano Horcada/Flickr.com

You can, if these medicines do not harm the child. Due to strong hormonal changes in pregnant women, candidiasis appears 2-3 times more often than in the normal state. Now there are enough drugs that are safe during pregnancy. Of course, pregnant women should not choose their own treatment, it should be discussed with the doctor.

Unpleasant symptoms are very disturbing. When will it end?

Itching, burning and discharge during thrush are so strong that they interfere with sports, swimming, rest and do not allow you to concentrate on work. Many modern antifungal agents help relieve symptoms as early as the first or second day of taking, but this does not mean that the course of treatment should be abandoned as soon as it becomes easier. If it is not finished, the thrush may return. Full treatment takes about a week, a maximum of two.

Is it true that you can't get rid of thrush forever?

The thrush loves to come back like a boomerang. She comes to half of the sick women again and again. If this happens, then the body requires complex treatment.

The source of infection is usually in the intestines. It is from it that fungi spread throughout the body. But candidiasis does not develop just like that. If thrush often returns, this is an occasion to wonder why this is happening. Maybe you have a hidden chronic disease (for example, sugar begins), maybe your lifestyle is far from healthy and it's time to get rid of obesity and switch to proper nutrition.

Maybe folk remedies are better?

Folk remedies were needed when you had to deal with thrush without effective drugs. Therefore, all kinds of decoctions of herbs and soda solutions worked - there was nothing to replace them with. Modern medicines are tested, effective and help faster than any folk recipes.