How does chronic candidiasis and chronic thrush manifest? Chronic candidiasis: can it be cured? Is thrush chronic?

Thrush, or vaginal candidiasis, is more susceptible to women than men. This is explained by the structural features of the genital organs, as well as the period of menstruation, which significantly suppresses women’s immunity. If the disease is not treated for a long time, it becomes chronic. Symptoms under such circumstances will be blurred, and thrush itself will be characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission (subsidence).

The opinion that chronic thrush in women cannot be treated is very erroneous. In fact, the disease responds well to treatment, and if the patient follows all the recommendations of the attending physician, then candidiasis will not make itself known very soon. Or maybe more and no more will arise at all.

Treatment for chronic thrush should be comprehensive and necessarily include diet. Otherwise, you will have to wait a very long time for recovery.

Reasons for the development of chronic thrush in women

Many women know that thrush is caused by yeast fungi of the genus Candida. We will try to find out in more detail the reasons why the disease becomes chronic.

Treatment of acute thrush should begin immediately after the first symptoms appear. The longer a woman delays visiting the gynecologist’s office, the more the pathology worsens. As a result, it can be complicated by other diseases, and also “rage” so much that the patient’s well-being becomes literally terrible.

But gradually the situation may begin to improve, and the woman will be suspicious that the disease has self-liquidated. From this emerges the first reason for the transition of thrush to a chronic form: the lack of timely treatment.

The second reason is incorrectly selected therapy. Especially often, vaginal thrush becomes chronic in women who try to cure it on their own using ointments or folk remedies.

This disease requires an exclusively comprehensive therapeutic approach, and in most cases it is not possible to get rid of it without resorting to taking tablets or capsules.

Folk recipes, as well as topical medications can be used as aids. But they are not suitable as independent methods of combating candidiasis, which not all patients know. Using such drugs, they unconsciously trigger the pathology, actually allowing it to enter the chronic phase.

Finally, the third reason for the occurrence of chronic thrush is incomplete treatment. When using medications prescribed by a doctor, it is important to use them for the period of time indicated in the therapeutic regimen. If this is not done, then you can only get rid of the symptoms, but not kill the fungi. Thus, they will remain to live on the mucous membranes of the vagina, waiting for a favorable moment to begin active reproduction.

The danger of candidiasis is that it is very contagious. That is, a man can become infected with the disease from an infected woman during sexual intercourse, as well as simply during a night’s sleep.

That is why both partners should undergo treatment for thrush at the same time, with the same drugs. But a man will take them for prevention, and a woman will take them in order to get rid of an existing disease.

Why does chronic thrush worsen, and how to recognize it?

If vaginal thrush has become chronic, the patient must understand that the disease will periodically worsen. This does not happen spontaneously, but under the influence of certain predisposing factors. This is especially true for situations where immunity is reduced due to:

• prolonged or uncontrolled use of antibiotics;
• hypothermia;
• alcohol abuse;
• excessive passion for certain foods (spicy, salty, smoked foods);
• menstruation and premenstrual syndrome;
• severe stress, anxiety, psycho-emotional shocks;
• taking immunosuppressants;
• hormone therapy;
• treatment of cancer pathologies with chemotherapy, radiation techniques;
• surgical interventions;
• having promiscuous sex life.

Important! Chronic thrush tends to often worsen during pregnancy. During this period, the disease can have extremely negative consequences, primarily for the fetus. Therefore, a woman is obliged to seek help from a doctor when the first alarming symptoms of pathology appear. It is unacceptable to resort to self-medication under such circumstances!

Symptoms of chronic thrush

Symptoms of the chronic form of vaginal thrush are vague. That is, even during the next outbreak of pathology, they will not appear as brightly as with acute candidiasis. We also note that the clinical picture of such a pathological process in women and men will proceed somewhat differently.

So, the symptoms of chronic, recurrent thrush appear:

• excessive dryness of the vaginal mucosa;
• pain, discomfort during sexual intercourse;
• atrophic processes in the tissues of the vaginal mucosa;
• active keratinization of vulvar tissue.

Every woman who has ever encountered acute vaginal candidiasis is very familiar with such unpleasant symptoms as swelling of the vulva, severe itching, burning, pain in the cervical canal, and intense discharge of curdled leucorrhoea. So, with the chronic form of thrush, such abnormal manifestations are not observed. The vulva does not swell; itching and burning may be present, but they will be extremely mild.

As for one of, perhaps, the most important symptoms of thrush - curdled discharge - they are present, but occur in minimal quantities. In addition, they may have the consistency of ordinary leucorrhoea - mucous, yellowish, “milky”.

An increase in body temperature, especially basal (internal), as is often the case with acute thrush, may not occur during an exacerbation of the chronic form of the disease. Therefore, this symptom is not an indicator of the disease. But its presence can still be suspected from the clinical picture described above, and as soon as such symptoms appear, the woman should immediately make an appointment with her gynecologist.

Diagnosis of chronic thrush

During the appointment, the gynecologist must first of all collect a similar history of the disease. Studying complaints and conducting a visual examination of the vaginal cavity helps to clarify the situation, but accurate results can only be obtained after taking a smear for examination.

During this laboratory procedure, fungi of the genus Candida are detected in the selected secretions. But since even in healthy people they can also be present in some quantity, their detection does not always indicate the presence of candidiasis.

However, if these organisms were found in large quantities, then by comparing the test data with the information collected during the interview and examination, the doctor can confirm the diagnosis of chronic thrush, which is in the acute phase. After this, treatment begins immediately, since the longer it is absent, the more serious and unpleasant the consequences of an advanced disease can be.

Drug treatment of chronic thrush

The treatment regimen for the chronic form of vaginal candidiasis is developed strictly for each patient separately.

An individual approach to the issue of treatment is determined by the reasons for the development of the disease, its course, the presence or absence of complications, etc.

As already noted, a man and a woman should be treated at the same time, since even while taking medications, a girl can infect her sexual partner. Alas, it is not always possible to completely cure chronic thrush, even despite a wide range of antifungal drugs. This is explained, first of all, by the fact that candida fungi have already developed resistance to many active substances, so the healing process is delayed.

But this does not mean that the disease does not need to be treated. It can and should be cured - albeit not completely, but a properly developed treatment regimen will help to delay the exacerbation of chronic thrush for a long time.

What oral medications should I use?

How to treat chronic thrush, and what oral medications will help get rid of the pathology? The most popular medications available in the form of tablets or capsules for oral use are:

1. Fluconazole. This is both a drug and a separate active substance, which is part of other antimycotics. On its basis, both tablets and ointments and creams for topical use are made. Usually, to cure thrush, Fluconazole is taken in a dose of 1 tablet of 200 or 400 mg once. But since the chronic form of the disease is more difficult to treat, a longer therapeutic course may be necessary. Based on this, the medication regimen should be developed strictly individually. A popular analogue of Fluconazole is Fucis.
2. Nystatin. This drug has become a “classic” in the treatment of thrush. This is a fairly potent medication that helps cure various pathologies of fungal etiology in women and men. Of course, with the chronic form of the disease the situation is somewhat more difficult, but if you strictly follow the treatment regimen developed by the doctor, you can forget about the unpleasant symptoms for a long time. It is recommended to drink Nystatin 1 tablet 3 – 4 times a day. To cure chronic thrush, you need to continue the course of therapy for at least 10, but not more than 14 days.
3. Vfend. Oral tablets containing voriconazole as the main ingredient. The medication helps cure chronic thrush, and also, over a certain period of time, helps protect against recurrence of the fungal disease. Not only girls, but also men can take pills for different types of candidiasis. Treatment of chronic thrush in women with this medicine is carried out according to the following scheme: 400 mg every 12 hours for patients weighing over 40 kg, or 200 mg every 12 hours for girls weighing less than 40 kg. The duration of therapy is determined separately for each patient.

Treatment of chronic vaginal candidiasis with the use of systemic drugs should be carried out strictly as prescribed by the doctor. Self-medication can have serious consequences and this should not be forgotten.

Topical products

You can supplement the main treatment with medications for chronic thrush in women with ointments and creams. And sometimes such therapy is extremely necessary. Most often, in this case, gynecologists resort to prescribing:

• Nystatin;
• Pimafucin;
• Clotrimazole;
• Miconazole;
• Fluconazole;
• Nizoral;
• Candida;
• Ginofort, etc.

It is important to remember that such products are applied exclusively to clean, dry areas of the vulva and vagina. After this, you need to lie down for 15–20 minutes so that the medicine is absorbed. Only then can you put on underwear (if necessary, use panty liners).

It is worth remembering that ointments, creams, sprays and gels cannot independently cure acute vaginal candidiasis. With the acute form of the disease, the situation is somewhat different, especially if it has just begun to develop. Under such circumstances, local antimycotics are able to stop the inflammatory process and get rid of the pathology, but they need to be used for a long time.

What else do you need to know?

Chronic thrush in men and women can only be cured by following a diet. It is a mandatory addition to the main therapeutic regimen. So, the following are completely excluded from the menu:

• alcoholic and low-alcohol drinks;
• all products that can provoke an allergic reaction;
• sweets;
• pickles;
• smoked meats;
• fried, spicy, fatty, salty dishes and foods;
• citrus;
• too sour food.

To quickly cure an unpleasant disease, the main therapy can be combined with chamomile, eucalyptus, sage lotions, applications, compresses or douches. The main thing is that the decoctions used are not too rich, otherwise there is a high risk of vaginal burns, and they can significantly aggravate the course of candidiasis in a woman.

A fungal disease such as thrush can be completely eliminated in almost all cases, but only with proper and relevant therapy.

Treatment of vaginal candidiasis includes medicinal use of drugs and adherence to diet, hygiene and care of the genitals and skin. Even today, a hot topic is the removal of thrush using folk remedies.

The first signs of eliminating candidiasis can be deceptive, and therefore the disease often manifests itself after some time. If it is not cured completely, the disease enters the chronic stage. In this form, it is more dangerous than acute thrush, so it is very important to have an understanding of this form of the disease, as well as how to eliminate it. What is chronic thrush in women

Periodic candidiasis leads to the fact that women often experience a feeling of discomfort in the vagina. In addition to feelings of discomfort, discharge, itching and dysuria appear. Such severe symptoms, which have a periodic form of manifestation, lead to the fact that the woman is diagnosed with chronic thrush at her next visit to the gynecologist.

In frequent cases, treatment of candidiasis with self-therapy leads to the development of relapses later. For it to be effective, you will first need to determine the exact type of disease, then find out the causative agent and prescribe the appropriate medications.

Women who self-diagnose themselves have a high risk of not detecting manifestations of the etiology. This will lead to the fact that the acute form of thrush will smoothly turn into chronic.

When a woman comes to see a gynecologist with complaints about suspected periodic thrush, the doctor during the examination pays special attention to severe irritation of the skin. If it is present on the vaginal walls and a cheesy discharge forms on them, a preliminary diagnosis of chronic thrush can be made.

To be sure, the doctor orders a fungal culture test. Although it has some limitations, it is still widely used to identify pathogens. Only after receiving accurate results can we talk about prescribing appropriate medications.

A smear of vaginal secretion makes it possible to conduct research for the presence of mycelium. In addition, laboratory testing for trichomoniasis may be required. It will allow you to determine the presence of infections that rapidly contribute to the development of a vaginal or bacterial type of illness. Female candidiasis is dangerous because the lack of treatment will not only lead to the development of a chronic form, but will also provoke problems with the reproductive system.

Causes of chronic thrush

Before you understand the question of how to cure periodic thrush, you need to find out why this type of disease occurs. The fundamental reason for the development of the chronic form of candidiasis is a violation of the protective function of the body. It is the weakening of the immune system that leads to a deterioration in health and the development of many infectious diseases. The following factors influence the decrease in the body’s protective function:

1. Frequent worries, stressful situations and emotional overstrain. This leads to the body becoming weak and overpowered by viruses.
2. Endocrine diseases. Its fundamental signs are diabetes and obesity problems.
3. Hormonal disorders. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, menstruation and other periods lead to hormonal disruption in the body, which contributes to a decrease in immunity.
4. Bad habits. Smoking and alcohol abuse have a negative impact on the defense system, which gradually decreases, thereby opening access to pathogenic bacteria.
5. Insufficient content of vitamins and minerals in the body. If a person does not use them, then as a result this will lead to not the best results.
6. Disorders of the digestive and intestinal systems.
7. Drug therapy that leads to a weakening of the protective function.
8. A diet that includes eating large amounts of carbohydrates and fats. The result is excess weight.
9. The use of various types of gels for intimate areas, which create favorable conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.
10. Infrequently changing pads during menstruation can also become a problem.

In addition to all of the above, special attention needs to be paid to clothing. Wearing tight and constricting panties, the main material of which is synthetic, will definitely have a negative impact in the form of the development of candidiasis. There are more than enough reasons for the formation of the disease, so sometimes it is not possible to completely eliminate them. If, nevertheless, cured candidiasis appears again, then it is necessary to resort to appropriate therapy. Treatment of chronic thrush in women differs significantly from the acute form of the disease. But first, let's find out the main signs of the disease.

Symptoms of chronic thrush

If in men the symptoms of thrush are mild, then in women it’s just the opposite. They are more susceptible to developing the disease, since the vaginal cavity is the best environment for the reproduction and spread of fungal spores.

Read also: What causes thrush in girls?

The main symptoms of this disease include:

• the formation of white, cheesy discharge from the vagina, which the woman does not find out about immediately, but after some time;
• change in color of the labia to bright red;
• the appearance of itching on the labia;
• pain is experienced during intercourse;
• formation of irritation in the perineal area.

This pattern of symptoms appears periodically. A woman simply may not pay enough attention to them, but one day, turning to a gynecologist with complaints, she learns about an unpleasant disease.

If the treatment of the acute form of thrush often requires from 5 to 10 days, then to eliminate the chronic form of the disease, an integrated approach is needed. It is nothing more than the use of systemic and local medications.

Chronic thrush can be determined using clinical tests, since the woman practically does not feel any particular discomfort and, moreover, sees no reason to remove the problems that arise. We will find out further what the treatment regimen for candidiasis in women looks like.

How to treat chronic thrush

Treatment of chronic thrush is a therapy in which it is important to adhere to all recommendations and prescriptions of the doctor. If the doctor has prescribed you to take pills for a certain period, then you need to follow this prescription. Chronic thrush, although a more dangerous form of the disease, can be eliminated. How to treat chronic thrush, we will find out further:

1. To begin with, you should resort to the use of local antimycotic drugs.
2. Systemic elimination of the disease helps destroy fungal bacteria from the inside.
3. Restoration of immunity, thereby increasing the protective function of the body.
4. Switch to proper and healthy nutrition.
5. Maintaining hygiene and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Clotrimazole

The main drug for the treatment of thrush is Clotrimazole. Many doctors know its effectiveness, so at the first sign they prescribe its use. It is available in different forms and a woman can choose the most suitable one for herself. Suppositories and tablets are inserted into the vaginal cavity, and creams and ointments are used to lubricate the labia and affected areas. Effectively fights all types of fungal spores, but to cure the chronic form, you will need to extend the course to several weeks. Clotrimazole is strictly prohibited for use by pregnant women in the first three months.

Fluconazole

Pimafucin and Livarol

Chronic thrush should be treated with Pimafucin or Livarol. They are no less popular than Clotrimazole. It has different forms of release: tablets, creams and suppositories. This drug, compared to Clotrimazole, is approved for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The duration of treatment is up to 10 days, but sometimes therapy can be extended to several months. Even if after 10 days of use all symptoms disappear, this does not mean that it is time to quit therapy. The longer the course lasts, the more effective it is, especially in relation to advanced forms.

Livarol is also popular because it is based on ketoconazole. The chronic stage of the disease can be treated for at least 10 days. Livarol suppositories for thrush should be placed in the vagina at night for 10 days, even in the absence of symptoms of the disease. Livarol, like Clotrimazole, is prohibited for use during pregnancy. The drug is caused by side symptoms, manifested in the form of itching and redness of the skin.

Analogs

In addition to the drugs described above for the treatment of chronic thrush, you can also use:

• Antifungol;
• Kandibene;
• Kanizon.

There is also a very large list of medications to combat thrush, but in order to really cure the chronic form, you must follow all the doctor’s instructions, the regimen and specifics of using the medications that are indicated in the instructions for them.

Chronic thrush or chronic vaginal candidiasis is an infectious disease that affects the woman’s vaginal mucosa due to the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria (Candida fungus). The incipient disease usually occurs in the acute phase, after which it progresses to the chronic stage in case of untimely treatment. Diagnosis of candidiasis is complicated by the fact that the disease can occur in a latent form for a long time. If you diagnose the disease in time and carry out proper treatment, you don’t have to worry about complications.

Features of the chronic form of candidiasis

Statistics say that every second sexually mature woman in the world has suffered from thrush at least once in her life. The chronic form of the disease is observed in about a quarter of them. For the most part, this is due to the fact that the fair sex is irresponsible about the symptoms of thrush, or they try to cure themselves with the help of dubious drugs.

The main difference between the chronic form of candidiasis is the alternation of periods of exacerbation and rest of candidiasis. If symptoms increase more often than 4-5 times a year, then the fungus is developing passively, nothing bad has happened yet, but you should urgently consult a doctor. In the event that thrush appears every month, it’s time to sound the alarm. This means only one thing - a severe inflammatory process is occurring in the girl’s genitourinary system.

Please note that the chronic form of candidiasis is quite often accompanied by various complications in the form of sexually transmitted diseases of varying degrees and extensive genital herpes.

Diagnosis of an advanced chronic disease is always very difficult. The situation is even more difficult for pregnant women. Gynecologists recommend undergoing a full medical examination at the planning stage of motherhood in order to either exclude or identify the disease.

Causes of chronic candidiasis

You will be surprised, but Candida fungus is present in the body of every girl from birth. But its concentration is so tiny that it is not always detected by tests and does not harm the body in any way. However, when the microflora begins to change and becomes favorable for the fungus, it “wakes up” and begins to act.

Among the main causes of the chronic stage of thrush can be identified:

• improper, unbalanced diet;
• the presence of diseases that weaken a woman’s immunity;
• intimate intimacy with a carrier of the fungus;
• hormonal imbalance, pregnancy, menopause;
• improper use of antibacterial or antifungal medications;
• improper treatment of thrush.

Important! Incorrect treatment very often causes the fungus to develop resistance to various components of the drugs.

The danger of improper or late treatment of chronic candidiasis

Both young girls and mature women suffer from various forms of chronic canidosis. Advanced thrush is dangerous due to the following complications:

• the formation of adhesions in the fallopian tubes, which complicate the passage through them and interfere with the normal conception of a child;
• cervical erosion;
• cystitis;
• infertility;
• pyelonephritis, etc.;
• oncology.

Diagnosis of chronic thrush

In order to determine the degree of neglect of the disease, as well as to schedule the course of treatment, it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis. The following methods are used for this:

1. Microscopic examination of a smear taken from a woman’s vagina during examination. It is transferred to clean glass and then examined under a microscope.
2. Bac sowing. The same smear is placed in a nutrient medium where pathogenic microbes should multiply. This will happen even if a smear is given to a healthy woman. The amount of fungal deposits is important to the specialist.
3. Study of Candida fungus for resistance to various components of antifungal drugs. This type of diagnosis is necessary for accurate prescription of therapeutic medications.

Additional types of diagnostic tests may be prescribed if the girl is found to have any concomitant sexually transmitted diseases.

Development of a therapy program

Treatment of chronic thrush requires a strictly comprehensive approach. It should primarily be aimed at eliminating fungal deposits and maintaining the protective function of the body. In other words, before trying to completely get rid of a pathogenic bacterium, you need to restore your immune system.

An integrated approach to the treatment of chronic candidiasis consists of three parts:

1. Using a course of medications (antiviral, antifungal, etc.).
2. Intimate care adjustments.
3. Drawing up a special diet (temporarily or permanently).

It is important to understand that the course of treatment for a particular patient is an individually developed plan. Stop taking the pills your friend recommended and make an appointment with your doctor.

The most effective drugs against chronic thrush

Antimycotic drugs can deal the main blow to chronic candidiasis. At the pharmacy you can find them in three forms:

Please note that in some individual cases, in addition to direct antimycotic drugs, the patient may be prescribed additional drugs that stabilize the microflora. The best of them are sold in the form of suppositories: “Bifidumbacterin”, “Vagikal”, “Lactobacterin”. Their action is based on the proliferation of beneficial bacteria that defeat fungi and other growths.

The spread of candidiasis provocateurs in the body always disrupts its normal functioning, therefore, in order to enhance the effect of the body’s protective function, doctors often prescribe immunomodulators.

Intimate care adjustments

A woman suffering from chronic thrush can contribute to her speedy recovery by adjusting her care for her intimate areas:

• stop abusing hot showers;
• will refuse antibacterial products for intimate hygiene in favor of natural ones;
• will not use other people's intimate objects;
• refuse tampons and minimize the use of panty liners;
• will use only soft toilet paper;
• will begin to wear underwear made of cotton materials more often;
• will refuse sex during recovery.

Proper nutrition against chronic thrush

Proper balanced nutrition has a direct impact on the course of recovery from the disease. It’s not for nothing that popular wisdom says: “By what you eat, you either feed your disease or get rid of it.” Here are some tips on how to prevent the disease or overcome it as soon as possible:

• eliminate your bad habits;
• avoid heavily fried, smoked and spicy foods;
• limit your consumption of foods high in sugar;
• add more seafood and vegetables to your diet;
• limit lactose intake;
• add more sour berries to your daily menu;
• drink more cool, clean water.

Every woman suffering from chronic candidiasis has the power to defeat the disease so that it does not return. Make every effort to do this, remember our advice and be healthy!

Recovery during the treatment of thrush does not always occur; in this case, the disease recurs, and the person acquires chronic candidiasis. How to determine whether the disease has become chronic or appears against the background of unfavorable circumstances (stress, taking antibiotics, etc.)?

If you suffer from this disease 4 times a year or more, this is chronic thrush.

How does the disease manifest itself?

Candidiasis, as a rule, causes serious discomfort to any patient, regardless of gender. Unpleasant symptoms can be eliminated even by taking just one capsule, but if complete recovery does not occur, problems arise.

If thrush is treated incorrectly or due to its absence, complications may occur in men:

• suppresses reproductive function;
• prevents conception from occurring;
• may cause infertility.

Symptoms in men and women

Signs of chronic thrush in men:

• feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen;
• incessant;
• discharge (may or may not be abundant, have an unpleasant odor);
• discomfort and even .

Symptoms of chronic thrush in women:

• (can have );
• external genitalia;
• possible swelling due to scratching;
• possible;
• discomfort and

Candidiasis is a disorder of the flora and is not an STI, so it occurs not only in adults, but also in girls who are not yet sexually active, as well as in children.

Treatment of candidiasis

Since childhood, many women have known that if they experience discomfort in the genital area (burning, itching), they can relieve unpleasant symptoms in a fairly short time using products that are available in any home.

Does folk remedy treatment work? As a means of combating the symptoms and manifestations of the disease - definitely yes!

So, how can you relieve such unpleasant symptoms as burning, itching and swelling at home?

1. Warm baths with medicinal herbs (based on chamomile) are a must. Suitable for everyone, regardless of gender and age. A decoction of herbs has a calming effect on the skin and mucous membranes, relieves inflammation.
2. Washing using solutions of soda and hydrogen peroxide. It helps very well with itching, but it will not relieve swelling and redness.
3. For women and girls who are already sexually active, using sea buckthorn oil would be an excellent solution. It is actively used in gynecology. You can buy sea buckthorn suppositories at the pharmacy and use them according to the instructions. If this is not possible, tampons made from bandages and cotton wool soaked in oil from your own production will do. Attention! Regular tampons are not suitable for such purposes, since their main task is to absorb; you will dry out the mucous membrane and only make things worse.

How to solve the problem with thrush

As soon as you experience the first symptoms of the disease, the question immediately arises: which doctor should you contact? For women it is a gynecologist, for men it is a urologist. During the examination, they will take a smear for mushrooms.

Ask for a detailed analysis, since healthcare organizations often test only for Candida albicans, and the cause of thrush may not be this species.

Also, do not forget about disease prevention:

1. Include in your diet foods that prevent the growth of fungi - these are any fermented milk products (kefir, yoghurts), grapefruits. Add red pepper and garlic to your dishes (if you can’t eat it in its pure form).
2. Wear comfortable cotton underwear that breathes. If a woman constantly wears thongs, this will in any case cause microflora disruption, so you should definitely give up wearing such underwear every day for the sake of health.
3. A mandatory rule for women is to wash themselves several times a day during menstruation and change a pad or tampon every 4 hours.
4. If the symptoms of the disease are minimal (slight itching begins, slight discharge appears), include washing with a decoction of herbs in the water treatment program. And in general, use only special intimate hygiene products (sold not only in pharmacies, but also in any supermarket).
5. If you use a lubricant during intercourse, choose one that is water-based.
6. If you are taking antibiotics, be sure to also add antifungal drugs to your course of treatment, otherwise thrush cannot be avoided.

Flora disorders - treatment

If hygiene rules are not followed, wearing uncomfortable underwear, while taking antibiotics or stress, other diseases may develop that have symptoms similar to thrush:

1. Vulvitis is an inflammation of the female external genitalia. It is dangerous because it can spread to the internal genital organs. It is especially dangerous for girls, so consultation with a gynecologist and tests are necessary.
2. Colpitis - characterized by copious discharge. The nature of this disease is different - allergies, infections, due to chlamydia or the presence of Trichomonas. Only the female half is susceptible to the disease.
3. Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra. Both men and women are susceptible. The cause of the disease is urogenital infections. The main symptom is pain during and after urination.

There is also chronic candidal stomatitis, which has the same fungal nature, but is localized not on the genitals, but in the oral cavity. A characteristic sign of a chronic disease is a permanent white coating on the tongue. It appears at any age, but most often in children and the elderly.

Treatment of chronic thrush takes place in several stages and under strict medical supervision to avoid relapses.

The treatment regimen for each will be different and selected individually, but will include antifungal drugs, restrictions on sweets and alcohol, suppositories for women without fail, because it is not possible to cure thrush in women with pills alone, you need to treat the problem “from the inside.” "

Most representatives of the fair sex know about the symptoms of thrush firsthand. It must be said that this disease does not bypass men either. Meanwhile, the causative agent of thrush is a resident of our normal microflora. Gynecologist Albina Romanova will tell you why he begins to behave aggressively and what to do about it.

How to properly treat thrush?

Thrush(vulvovaginal candidiasis) is a fungal infection that is caused by microscopic yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida (most often Candida albicans), and is characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the vulvar ring, vagina, urethra, and perineum as a whole. These fungi are classified as opportunistic microorganisms (that is, they are part of the normal microflora of the mouth, vagina and colon of almost all healthy people), therefore, for the development of this disease, it is important not just the presence of fungi of this genus, but their reproduction in very large quantities, and this, most often, occurs when immunity decreases.

Doctors call thrush and candidal colpitis, and vulvovaginal mycosis, and urogenital candidiasis, and genital fungus, but the essence does not change, it is the same pathological process.

Unfortunately, thrush is a very common disease among the female population. More than 75% of women all over the planet have suffered from this disease at least once in their lives, and a third of them, who have received sufficient therapy, get sick again (a relapse of the disease occurs).

Factors contributing to the spread of thrush

• wearing synthetic, tight-fitting underwear (for example, the well-known “thong”) - damage to the mucous membranes in areas of friction, transfer of microflora from the anus to the vagina.
• Use of daily sanitary pads.
• Unnatural sexual intercourse (anal, oral) - there is a disruption of the normal microflora of the vagina, which contributes to the development of thrush.
• Diabetes mellitus - strong changes in the immune system, frequent urination, obesity (usually accompanying diabetes mellitus), difficulties with personal hygiene, ulceration of the mucous membranes of the genitourinary tract - contribute to the development of thrush.
• Treatment with broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs - they kill not only pathogenic microorganisms that caused the disease (for example, pneumonia), but also opportunistic microorganisms inhabiting our gastrointestinal tract and genital tract: in the “empty” place, fungal flora develops and grows very well - thrush occurs.
• Pregnancy - during pregnancy, immune protection decreases so that the fertilized egg is not perceived by the body as a foreign body, so expectant mothers are more susceptible to any infections, including candidiasis.
• The use of high-dose oral contraceptives (containing 30 mcg or more of ethinyl estradiol), intrauterine contraceptives (spiral), spermicides, diaphragm (for contraception) - weakening of the local protective barrier in the vagina.
• The use of glucocorticosteroids is a factor in changing metabolism in organs and tissues, contributing to the development of thrush.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (thrush) is not a sexually transmitted infection, despite the fact that the same strains of fungi are detected in sexual partners. Most likely, this pathology can be associated with a defect in the immune system at different levels (decreased general or local immunity). Candidiasis carriage is not a disease, since a healthy person has these opportunistic microorganisms.

Thrush is classified into:

1. Acute candidiasis.
2. Recurrent (chronic) candidiasis.

Manifestations of thrush:

1. Itching and burning in the vagina and in the area of ​​the external genitalia, intensifies during sleep, after water procedures, after sexual intercourse, during menstruation.
2. Leucorrhoea is a profuse or moderate curdish discharge from the genital tract, white to gray-yellow in color, odorless.
3. Painful intercourse.
4. Painful (with pain) and frequent urination.
5. Swelling and redness of the mucous membranes of the external genitalia, traces of scratching (maceration of the skin and mucous membranes).

There may be all of the above signs of thrush, or some of them (the disease is erased, without pronounced complaints from the patient).

What is required to diagnose thrush (candidiasis)?

The patient has complaints of itching, curdled discharge from the genital tract, impaired urination, symptoms of local inflammation in the external genital area (swelling, redness, maceration), laboratory data: microscopy of vaginal smears - detection of yeast-like fungi and pseudohyphae, vaginal pH 4 -4.5, the amino test is negative (when alkali is added to the vaginal discharge - there will be no smell of stale fish), when sowing the vaginal discharge on appropriate nutrient media, the growth of fungi is observed (here you can evaluate their species, quantity, sensitivity to this or other antibacterial drug). There are additional (and expensive) methods for confirming the diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis - immunofluorescence diagnostics (“CandidaSure”), compliment binding reactions, immunological studies and express methods. They are most often based on an antigen-antibody reaction, that is, to a pathogenic microorganism (antigen), our immune system produces protection (antibody): the antibody binds to the antigen, neutralizing the latter. This complex (antigen-antibody) can be identified by these diagnostic methods, or only the antibody is recognized.

Treatment of thrush

Carried out only under the supervision of a specialist, self-medication of thrush is fraught with the transition of the acute form of candidal colpitis to chronic, with frequent exacerbations and difficult cure.

Stages of treatment for thrush:

1. Combating predisposing factors(rational antibiotic therapy, maintaining and protecting the immune system, personal hygiene)
2. Diet(restriction of carbohydrates)
3. Rejection of bad habits.
4. Drug local treatment of thrush (choose one drug):

• Butoconazole, 2% cream 5 g once, topically.
• Ketoconazole, suppositories 400 mg, 1 suppository x 1 time per day for 3 or 5 days.
• Fluconazole, orally 150 mg once (Flucostat).
• Itraconazole, orally 200 mg x 2 times a day for 3 days or 200 mg (Irunin) x 10 days tablets that are inserted deep into the vagina.
• Sertaconazole, 300 mg (1 suppository) once.
• Clotrimazole, 100 mg (1 tablet in the vagina) for 7 days.
• Miconazole: vaginal suppositories 100 mg (1 suppository) at night for 7 days.
• Nystatin: vaginal tablets 100,000 units (1 suppository) daily x 1 time, before bed, for 14 days.

1. Drug treatment of chronic thrush:

- systemic antimycotic (itraconazole 200 mg orally 2 times a day for 3 days or fluconazole 150 mg once a day for 3 days) and

- local therapy with azole drugs (most often within 14 days):

Imidazole preparations:

• ketoconazole (nizoral) - Use 400 mg/day for 5 days;
• clotrimazole (canesten) -Used in the form of vaginal tablets, 200-500 mg for 6 days;
• miconazole - 250 mg, 4 times a day, 10-14 days.
• bifonazole - 1% cream, 1 time per day at night, 2-4 weeks;

Triazole preparations:

• fluconazole - 50-150 mg 1 time per day, from 7 to 14 days;
• itraconazole (orungal) - 200 mg 1 time/day, 7 days.

Despite the high effectiveness of local treatment of thrush, many patients experience a relapse (exacerbation) after 1-3 months. This is due to taking antibiotics that change the normal microflora of the vagina, concomitant diabetes mellitus, taking oral contraceptives, pregnancy (increased glycogen levels in the vaginal epithelium - a good environment for the proliferation of fungi), an increase in the number of infected patients who are more pathogenic (and more resistant to traditional methods of treatment ) species of fungi - C.pseudotropicalis, C.glabrata, C. parapsilosis.

Is it necessary to treat the patient’s spouse for thrush?

Thrush is not a sexually transmitted disease, and most often there is no need to treat your spouse. But there are situations when a man has clinical manifestations (symptoms of itching, irritation and scratching on the penis, white discharge that worsens after sexual intercourse) with a confirmed diagnosis of candidiasis in a woman. In this case, the treatment regimen for thrush is the same as for a woman. Only treatment is carried out not with local drugs, but for oral administration (Pimafucin, 100 mg x 1 tablets 4 times a day for 10 days).

Typically, a man does not have symptoms of this disease, even if the woman is sick and undergoing treatment. If symptoms of thrush occur in a man, then his body as a whole should be examined to exclude infections that significantly reduce immune surveillance (such as HIV (AIDS), hepatitis B and C, acute leukemia).

What to do to prevent thrush recurrence

In order to prevent relapse (exacerbation) of the disease, it is necessary to use:

- systemic antimycotic (itraconazole 200 mg orally or fluconazole 150 mg on the first day of menstruation for 6 months, that is, 6 courses);

- therapy with local drugs once a week for 6 months (drugs that are used in suppositories for vaginal use).

Monitoring the treatment of thrush

— In the acute form of thrush, treatment control is carried out 7 days after the end of treatment (smears and cultures are taken to test the sensitivity of the microflora to antibiotics).

- In case of chronic candidal colpitis, the effectiveness of treatment is assessed during 3 menstrual cycles on the 5-7th day of the cycle (as soon as bleeding from the genital tract stops after menstruation - smears and cultures are taken for sensitivity).

In special cases, for example, treatment of thrush in pregnant women, local antifungal drugs are used, such as: Natamycin 100 mg (pimafucin) 1 suppository at night for 3-6 days (the drug is approved for use in pregnant women even in the first trimester of pregnancy, that is, up to 12 weeks), or clotrimazole, 1 vaginal tablet (100 mg) x 1 time per day at night, for 7 days (the drug is approved for use in pregnant women only from 13 weeks of pregnancy).

If the sick patient is a child, then thrush is treated according to the following regimen: fluconazole 2 mg per 1 kilogram of the child’s body weight; the entire dose is taken orally once with a small amount of water.

However, when describing in detail the drugs for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis (thrush), their dosage regimens and courses of treatment, it is necessary to understand that all treatment must be supervised by a doctor. After all, the clinical picture (symptoms of the disease) typical for thrush are also characteristic of many pathological processes in the vagina, for example: bacterial vaginosis, atrophic (cyanotic) colpitis, bacterial vaginitis, chronic cervicitis, leukoplakia or krause of the vulva (vagina), chlamydial cervicitis, adnexitis , gonorrhea, therefore the question of treatment should only be in the doctor’s office, under careful laboratory and clinical monitoring of the patient’s cure.

Be healthy!

Gynecologist Albina Romanova