Is it possible to treat thrush? What methods of treating thrush exist and which method is better to choose? Tablets for quick treatment

Thrush is a common infectious disease that occurs in middle-aged and older women. There is no need to diagnose the disease based on special signs without consulting a doctor, and begin independent treatment.

What is female thrush

Thrush is medically called vulvovaginal candidiasis. The most common symptom of this disease is frequent itching in the genital area.

It especially intensifies during sleep, when a woman walks for a long time, after taking a shower or making love. Also, during sexual intercourse, a girl may feel pain, slight discharge, difficulty urinating, or the presence of copious curdled discharge. If a woman notices any signs, she should seek help from an experienced specialist.

Only if all the recommendations received do not give any result, women turn to a doctor for help. But you should know that an advanced disease is much more difficult to cure than at an early stage.

Recently, three main forms have been distinguished:

• candidacy;
• acute candidiasis;
• chronic candidiasis.

When carrying candidiasis, quite often a woman has no complaints about the presence of symptoms of thrush. If you do all the necessary research, you can notice mushrooms in small quantities. It is important to know that candidate carriage under certain conditions has the ability to develop into a complex form of the disease. Also, the possibility of transmission of fungi from mother to child during pregnancy cannot be ruled out. In addition, an infected partner can infect her man during sexual intercourse.

The acute form of candidiasis is characterized by more pronounced symptoms of the disease. A woman may experience swelling, various redness and rashes. As a rule, the duration of the acute form of the disease does not exceed two months. And the chronic form of the disease goes away over 3 months and has very pronounced signs of thrush

Causes that cause thrush

Thrush can occur for various reasons. Most often, this disease occurs during pregnancy. After all, it is during this difficult period that hormonal disruption and decreased immunity occur in the female body. As a result, all the necessary conditions for the proliferation of fungi arise.

In addition, antibiotics can cause thrush. The circumstances are such that while taking medications, a woman rids the body not only of harmful bacteria, but also of beneficial microflora.

This microflora is lactobacilli. They are necessary for full life. Lactobacilli live in the vagina and intestines. They control the increase in candida fungi.

If the body does not have the required amount of lactobacilli necessary for the body, then the fungi multiply, and their number becomes more and more every day. And all this leads to the formation of various diseases.

If a girl’s diet contains a lot of sweet foods, the vaginal environment changes its acidity. Quite often, thrush worsens after intimacy with a man. In this case, thrush occurs as a result of an exchange of microflora.

Some representatives of strong status are carriers of the fungus and do not even know it themselves. In the event that a woman is being treated for a disease, and a man lets everything take its course, the disease will return. Thrush can also be caused by: wearing uncomfortable panties, diabetes and hormonal medications.

Manifestations of thrush in women

The main symptoms of thrush include:

• an unpleasant odor that intensifies after lovemaking;
• copious curdled discharge;
• sometimes genital candidiasis is combined with candidiasis of the urinary system;
• frequent itching in the genital area;
• changes in hormonal balance;
• weak immune system;
• allergy.

Diagnosis of the disease

If characteristic symptoms of thrush occur, women must undergo a thorough examination to accurately determine the diagnosis. For this purpose, it is necessary to carry out laboratory diagnostics, which allows you to determine the presence of a fungus of the genus Candida using smears. Also, with the help of an examination, you can exclude other diseases transmitted from men to women.

Diagnostics allows you to establish the state of microflora and identify dysbacteriosis. For this reason alone, it is impossible to determine thrush just by your inner feelings. In addition, diagnostics makes it possible to find other sexually transmitted infections, the treatment of which requires specific therapy.

Quite often in the process of laboratory diagnosis of thrush the following can be used:

• PCR diagnostics;
• bacterial culture;
• microscopy of a vaginal smear.

Drugs for the treatment of thrush

There are now many good medications available to treat thrush. They are available in the form of suppositories, tablets and creams. The drugs are available without a doctor's prescription or with a prescription. However, in all these situations, positive results from treatment can be achieved under the careful supervision of a physician.

If thrush is mild, then local treatment is enough. Preparations for getting rid of thrush are: ointments and vaginal suppositories, which should include:

• natamycin (Pimafucin);
• clotrimazole (Canesten, Candibede, Antifungol, Kanizon);
• ketoconazole (Nizoral, Brizoral, Vetozoral, Livarol);
• nystatin (Terzhinan, Polygynax);
• isoconazole (Ovulum, Gyno-travogen).

Modern drugs that are taken orally are quickly absorbed. Of the variety of antibiotics that exist today, the most widely used are drugs containing fluconazole.

If the disease is mild, then only a single dose of fluconazole, 150 mg orally, is possible for local treatment. The most popular drugs are: Medoflucon, Diflucan, Forkan, Diflazon, Mikosist and Flucostat. If the disease occurs in a more severe form, then the doctor prescribes Fluconazole for treatment. On average, the appointment takes place once a week, and the treatment process itself lasts four weeks. An alternative to Fluconazole is Itraconazole.

It is important to know that many medications have contraindications. That is why it is more advisable to take only those medications prescribed by a specialist.

How to treat thrush at home

Common methods of treating vulvovaginal candidiasis at home are:

• soda;
• herbal tinctures;
• essential oils;
• laundry soap.

To get rid of thrush on your own, you should first correctly prepare a homemade solution. For this purpose, you need to have a liter of warm water, in which you must first dissolve a tablespoon of soda and a teaspoon of iodine. This special solution has antifungal and disinfecting effects. That is why it quickly helps to cure the symptoms of this disease.

Sitz bath with soda

Make a solution: 1 liter of warm water and a tablespoon of soda. The procedure time is 10-15 minutes. It is done when chronic or recurrent candidiasis subsides.

In medicine, it is suggested to treat the fungus with herbal tinctures. They can be easily and simply prepared at home. It is best to use them in the form of tea, solution for washing and douching. Most often, douching occurs using birch buds, chamomile and juniper. For about a week, they help normalize the intestinal microflora, relieving inflammation.

Oak bark, sage, chamomile, etc. are perfect for treatment. You need to take one tablespoon of all this, pour a liter of boiling water and leave overnight. After this, you can wash yourself with this solution or douche. You can also take juniper, poplar buds, chamomile, and sage.

An excellent and quick way to cure thrush is with the help of antifungal essential oils: myrrh and tea tree. It is important to know that this is a concentrated substance and can easily burn the mucous membrane. It is for this reason that it must be well diluted before the procedure. To cure thrush, you need to mix two drops of oil with a teaspoon of vodka and dilute it all in 0.5 liters of water. After this, the solution should be used as a wash.

You can also easily get rid of the annoying symptoms of thrush using laundry soap. For this purpose, you must first grind the soap to fine crumbs, and then pour boiling water until a liquid mass forms. The resulting mixture should be used as a douche. After the procedure, you need to lie down for 10 minutes, and then repeat the treatment process to obtain a positive result.

If this method of treatment seems doubtful to people, then in this case you can take the advice of a doctor and treat the disease even in the chronic phase by washing with laundry soap twice a day.

It is important to remember that treating thrush on your own only eliminates the symptoms of the disease, and not the disease itself. That is why it is better to seek help from a doctor immediately when the first signs appear.

Bringing a lot of unpleasant symptoms, chronic recurrent candidiasis forces patients to spend a certain amount of money annually on medications, which is why the question of whether there is an inexpensive effective remedy for thrush for women is relevant in the current conditions. The answer to it, as well as the top ten of them, will be discussed in the article.

Not all consist of expensive substances and require high costs for their production, hence the low price. Also, most of the well-known representative companies have a high price just because of their “name”.

An important point that determines the effectiveness of therapy is the correct selection of medications, taking into account the sensitivity of the cultured pathogens, their dose and course duration.

For example, it is still believed that regular Fluconazole is the most effective remedy for thrush in women, although its average cost is 50 rubles per pack of tablets.

TOP 10 best drugs for women: “price/quality”

Among the abundance of antifungal drugs, we will consider the most effective and affordable ones.

Flucostat

The active component of the drug Flucostat is the aforementioned fluconazole, which is a triazole derivative. Its mechanism of action is to inhibit the production of specific sterols in the fungal cell.

The spectrum of action of Flucostat extends to yeast-like fungi, microsporia, trichophytosis, cryptococci and histoplasma. The drug is available in the form of a parenteral solution and 150 mg capsules for oral administration.

Indications for use:

• Generalized candidiasis.
• Pityriasis versicolor and other fungal infections sensitive to fluconazole.

As a treatment for acute forms of thrush, Flucostat is prescribed once in the form of one capsule (150 mg). It should be swallowed whole without chewing, since damage to the outer shell of the drug can lead to a decrease in its effect. To prevent recurrence of the disease, the drug is also used one capsule once every 4 weeks, for 4-12 months. The average pharmacy cost is 305 rubles.

The disadvantage of the product is that its use is prohibited for women with:

• Hypersensitivity to components.
• Lactose intolerance, malabsorption syndrome and galactosemia.
• With disruption of ventricular repolarization processes.
• Severe kidney or liver pathology.
• A history of arrhythmias.
• Pregnant women and mothers breastfeeding.

Clotrimazole

Clotrimazole suppositories are an inexpensive remedy for thrush for women, which, in addition to the main substance, contains glycerol, carbomer, propylene glycol, macrogol, high-percentage ethyl alcohol and ethereal extract from sage.

Being a derivative of imidazole, Clotrimazole blocks the production of nucleic acids, proteins and ergosterols, which are necessary for the fungal cell to build its membrane. As a result, the walls of the fungi are damaged, which leads to the destruction of the pathogen cells.

Clotrimazole is highly effective against dermatophytes, yeast-like and dimorphic fungi. In addition, it has the following dosage forms: vaginal tablets, 1% solution, gel, cream and ointment.

Its use is justified when:

• Therapy of acute and recurrent forms of thrush, especially with resistance to nystatin.
• Prevention of activation of fungal infection during long-term use of antibacterial agents.
• Pityriasis rosea.
• Onychomycosis, trichophytosis, epidermophytosis and dermatomycosis.
• Erythrasma.

A good effect is observed when conducting a 6-day course of vaginal suppositories, which are inserted one at a time as deep as possible into the vaginal cavity, preferably at night.

Intravaginal tablets can be administered in the following variations:

• One per day for 6 days.
• Two each for three days.

Use is contraindicated if you are allergic to the composition of the drug, pregnant women up to the 2nd trimester, etc. Thanks to its pronounced antimycotic effect, the drug copes well with various types of fungal infections, with an average cost of only 85 rubles.

Pimafucin

Available in the form of cream, tablets and vaginal suppositories, Pimafucin is a macrolide antibiotic from the polyene group. By blocking sterols in the walls of fungal cells, it has a powerful antimycotic effect. Highly active against fungi from the genus Candida.

Prescribed for:

• Candidal vulvovaginitis, isolated vulvitis.
• Dermatomycosis, fungal external otitis, candidiasis of nails and skin - in the form of a cream.
• Otomycosis, dermatomycosis, acute atrophic candidiasis in cachectic patients - in tablet form.

Suppositories (100 mg) are inserted into the vaginal cavity before bedtime (1 piece) for a course of three to six days. In case of severe thrush or its recurrent form, it is more rational to switch to taking Pimafucin tablets - one tablet 4 times a day for two to three weeks, which will also help sanitize the intestinal tube.

Contraindications are few and include intolerance to the active ingredients of the drug and pregnancy for up to 12 weeks. The average price is in the range of 250-370 rubles per package.

Livarol

Livarol suppositories are a local remedy for thrush for women. The main components of the drug: ketoconazole, macrogol and butyloxyanisole, which inhibit the bioproduction of ergosterols and change the lipid composition of the cell wall of fungi, thereby destroying them.

Vaginal suppositories (400 mg each) have both a fungistatic and fungicidal effect on yeast fungi and dermatophytes, and have moderate activity against staphylo- and streptococci.

Indications:

• Acute or chronic recurrent course of vulvovaginal candidiasis in women.
• Prevention of fungal infection with systemic administration of antibiotics, cytostatics or glucocorticoids and drugs that disrupt the normal biocenosis of the vagina.

The product in the form of a suppository is administered only in a lying position into the vaginal cavity. The frequency of administration is one suppository at night for 3-5 days, and for chronic forms - up to 10. It is important to remember that after the rapid disappearance of unpleasant symptoms, the course should be completed.

Livarol is not prescribed to pregnant women, children under 12 years of age and women with hypersensitivity to the active components of the drug. The price depends on the number of candles in the package: 5 pieces cost around 405 rubles, and 10 - 600 rubles.

Hexicon

Vaginal suppositories Hexicon are an effective remedy for thrush for women, the use of which makes it possible to achieve the elimination of the pathogenic pathogen from vaginal secretions.

When is it appropriate to use:

• Specific and nonspecific vulvovaginitis of a bacterial nature (syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, ureaplasmosis, etc.).
• Treatment of bacterial vaginosis.
• Genital candidiasis with acute or chronic course.
• Prevention of infectious and inflammatory pathology in gynecological and obstetric practice during minimally invasive surgical interventions.

According to the official instructions, Hexicon suppositories (16 mg) should be inserted one or two pieces into the vaginal cavity before bedtime. The duration of therapy is 7-10 days, which, if complaints and symptoms persist, can be extended to 20 days.

It is not contraindicated during pregnancy, but if you are hypersensitive to the composition of the product, use is not justified and is prohibited. When menstruation occurs, the course should be interrupted. Hexicon suppositories are available at any pharmacy for about 285 rubles.

Terzhinan

Terzhinan vaginal tablets are inexpensive complex preparations containing antimycotics (ternidazole and nystatin), aminoglycoside antibiotics (neomycin sulfate) and a glucocorticoid (prednisolone sodium methylsulfobenzoate).

Nystatin and ternidazole inhibit the synthesis of ergosterol by the cell membrane of fungi, which leads to the destruction of the cellular structure of the pathogen. In addition, ternidazole acts on Trichomonas, Gardnerella and aerobic flora. Neomycin has a cidial effect on a significant number of pathogenic microorganisms (staphylococci, Escherichia coli, Shigella, Proteus). The hormonal component in the form of prednisolone has anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effects.

Prescription is justified for the following diseases:

• Colpitis caused by fungi from the genus Candida.
• Vaginal trichomoniasis.
• Bacterial and mixed vaginitis.

Use one vaginal tablet at night, which should first be kept in plain water for 20 seconds. It is inserted deep into the vagina, with the woman in a horizontal position on her back with her knees slightly bent. The standard course of treatment is 10 days. In case of confirmed candidiasis, it is extended to 20 days.

It is not acceptable to prescribe to early pregnant women and women with hypersensitivity to at least one of the components. The pricing policy is loyal - 10 intravaginal tablets can be purchased for 300-400 rubles.

Mycomax

Mikomax, like many others for thrush for women, contains fluconazole, which has been successfully fighting against yeast for many years. The spectrum of effects is similar to Flucostat: fungi from the genus Candida, trichophytosis, microsporia and many others.

Indications for the use of systemic tablets:

• All forms of urogenital candidiasis.
• Disseminated candidiasis, candidemia.
• Cryptococcosis.
• Skin mycoses and candidiasis.
• Onychomycosis and pityriasis versicolor.

To relieve acute symptoms of thrush, take 1 tablet (150 mg) of Mycostat orally with a sufficient amount of water. If a woman is diagnosed with a chronic form of candidiasis, the course of treatment is carried out as follows: one tablet of the drug is taken once a month for six months.

However, there are also a significant number of contraindications:

• Allergy to fluconazole.
• Sugar intolerance.
• Any stage of pregnancy.
• The patient is taking medications with the following active ingredients: astemizole, terfenadine and cisapride.
• Breastfeeding a baby.
• Body weight less than 40 kilograms.

Mycomax is available in the form of tablets of 50, 100 or 150 mg and in the form of a solution for parenteral use (in particular, severe infections with dissemination). The average price is 400 rubles.

Polygynax

Polygynax vaginal capsules have both antifungal and antibacterial effects due to the content of neomycin sulfate, nystatin and polymyxin B.

Shown for:

• Nonspecific vaginitis.
• Mixed vulvovaginitis.
• Colpitis of fungal etiology (mainly candidiasis).
• How to prevent inflammatory complications during a number of gynecological examinations.

Vaginal capsules are inserted into the vagina in the amount of one piece before bedtime. Duration of therapy – 12 days. For prevention, as a rule, six days of use are sufficient.

These suppositories are not prescribed to pregnant women or those who are allergic to the active ingredients. The price is in the range of 450-500 rubles for a package of 12 intravaginal capsules.

Lomexin

Inexpensive and effective remedies for thrush include Lomexin suppositories with fenticonazole in their range. The high fungicidal activity of the drug is aimed at yeast fungi, dermatophytes and some bacteria. Fenticonazole is directly involved in fungal necrosis.

Lomexin suppositories are prescribed for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis and trichomoniasis, some mixed forms of vulvovaginitis. One capsule (200 mg) of the drug is administered into the vaginal cavity once. If the symptoms have not completely regressed, the next course can be carried out after three days.

Contraindications include only individual hypersensitivity to the drug. The average cost fluctuates around 400 rubles. That is, these suppositories cannot be called expensive, but the effectiveness is at a high level.

Epigen Intim

Antiviral agents against thrush in women are presented in the form of Epigen Intim spray, consisting of glycyrrhizic acid and excipients.

The drug has the following effects:

• Antiviral.
• Antipruritic.
• Reparative.
• Anti-inflammatory.
• Immunostimulating.

Most often it is prescribed for vaginal candidiasis, treatment of infections caused by various types of herpes viruses, nonspecific and bacterial vulvovaginitis, and discomfort in the area of ​​the external organs of the reproductive system.

You need to use the product strictly following the instructions (everything is simple here): to eliminate external deposits from candidiasis, the bottle is first shaken and sprayed at a distance of 5 cm onto the affected areas with 1-2 presses.

For insertion into the vaginal cavity, I use a special tube 6-7 cm long with a sprayer at one end. It is carefully inserted into the vagina, after which the substance is injected with 1-2 presses. The frequency of use is no more than 3-4 times every 24 hours for 7-10 days. Contraindicated only in persons intolerant of its components.

This article is for informational purposes only. If you discover symptoms of any disease or feel unwell, consult a doctor first! The tips in this material can help you in emergency situations when it is not possible to contact qualified medical personnel.

The appearance of thrush in women is due to a decrease in local and general immunity. This disease is not strictly classified as sexually transmitted, but it can act as a marker for the presence of STIs. This fungal pathology causes a lot of inconvenience for both women and men. Therapy should be carried out on both partners at the same time. Let's look at the causes, symptoms and methods of treating thrush.

General information

Treatment of thrush should be carried out comprehensively. For successful therapy at home, you should know the following important points:

• The development of thrush occurs when immunity decreases. Various diseases can lead to this condition, for example, diabetes or tuberculosis. Also, a decrease in general and local immunity is associated with long-term use of antibiotics, oral contraceptives, the presence of chronic infections (including sexually transmitted infections), tumors, and HIV infection. It is possible that thrush may develop due to severe stress, since it also acts as a factor in reducing immunity.
• The causative agent of thrush is a fungus that normally lives on the skin and mucous membranes. That is, a woman always has a small amount of fungus in her vagina, which is not capable of causing pathology.
• Against the background of decreased immunity, the activity of the fungus increases, its ability to attach to the walls of the vagina increases, which is accompanied by colonization and the formation of inflammation.

Considering these important aspects, treatment of thrush or candidiasis at home should be carried out comprehensively. It should be understood that the development of such a disease is a signal of immune failure, the cause of which must be 100% determined.

Components of thrush treatment

How does it manifest?

The development of symptoms in candidiasis is due to the active growth and development of the fungus. It is worth noting that the clinical picture in women is more pronounced than in men. In the stronger sex, such a fungus can cause balanitis, inflammation of the urethral canal. But in general, the disease is more common in women.

Symptoms that occur with thrush in women:

• Severe itching in the vagina. When the disease develops, girls experience a burning sensation that causes constant discomfort. Itching with candidiasis intensifies at night, after taking a shower, during and after sexual intercourse.
• The second most important symptom is the appearance of discharge. With thrush they have a peculiar character. They resemble cottage cheese in appearance, are white and have the appropriate consistency.
• Sometimes the urinary tract is involved in the inflammatory process. As a result, dysuric disorders are added to the symptoms described above. A burning sensation occurs when going to the toilet, unpleasant and often painful sensations.

Also, women who develop thrush experience pain during sexual intercourse. Girls experience discomfort because the vaginal mucosa is in the stage of acute inflammation. Sometimes after intercourse against the background of candidiasis, bleeding may form.

For men, the situation is different, since the symptoms do not have a clear picture. In general, the disease rarely develops in the stronger sex. It is accompanied more by urinary disorders. Therefore, men may complain about the following:

• Frequent and painful urination.
• Redness of the head of the penis, its swelling.
• Sometimes itching may occur.

It is worth understanding that only a doctor can determine the presence of thrush. Even against the background of the presence of a clearly characteristic clinical picture, one should not assume that it is candidiasis without examining a doctor.

Treatment of thrush

Most women face the problem of relapse of the disease. It seems that the treatment was carried out, but the problem comes back again. The causes of frequent thrush may be:

These are the key points in the treatment of thrush. In order to correctly and competently undergo a course of therapy, you need to know the following:

• To treat the disease, local and systemic drugs are used.
• A prerequisite is sowing.
• Search for the cause of the development of pathology. As already mentioned, the fungus that causes thrush lives on the mucous membranes under normal conditions. Accordingly, it is necessary to determine exactly what reasons led to its active growth and development. Without identifying the underlying cause of decreased immunity, thrush can return again many times.

In general, treatment is carried out using local and general therapy. Some doctors practice only locally, provided that the disease was detected for the first time.

If thrush is treated at home on your own, you should follow the instructions for using the drug. It is strongly recommended that you consult a doctor if symptoms occur.

Drugs for the treatment of thrush

Let's consider what drugs are used to treat candidiasis. For local women, candles, balls, and creams are suitable. Also, girls need to take medications orally for treatment, since the problem of developing thrush can be closely related to the intestines (it has been noted that fungi in some quantities enter the vagina from the gastrointestinal tract). That is, by taking tablets or capsules, a possible reservoir is destroyed.

Treatment for thrush should be carried out simultaneously in two partners. Ignoring this important aspect increases the risk of developing the disease again several times.

Systemic therapy

Women should take medications to treat thrush strictly according to the instructions. Usually three capsules are enough for therapy, which are consumed after three days. As a result, therapy lasts approximately two weeks. Simultaneously with systemic treatment, local therapy is carried out. Let's look at what medications are used to treat thrush.

Fluconazole

Available in capsules containing 50 and 150 mg of active substance. There are a large number of drugs on the market based on Fluconazole. These include:

• Fluconazole capsules;
• Diflucan;
• Flucostat;
• Mikosist.

The difference in these drugs lies in their cost and severity of side effects. It is noted that with Fluconazole tablets, the risk of developing negative reactions when taken is higher than other drugs from this list. But which drug to choose depends on the patient himself and his purchasing power. Let's look at the main points.

Mechanism of action

When using the drug, the activity of the fungus is inhibited. This means that Fluconazole capsules actively cope with thrush by increasing membrane permeability and disrupting the growth and replication of fungal cells.

The drug practically does not inhibit enzymes in humans, compared to other antifungal drugs. Does not have activity against androgens. When used, the growth and development of the following fungi is inhibited:

• Candida (which causes thrush);
• Cryptococci;
• Microsporum;
• Trichophytum.

The product is used both for the treatment and prevention of the development of vaginal candidiasis. It is worth understanding that the drug inhibits the activity of fungi not only in the vagina, but also in other systems too. Therefore, the medicine is also used for frequently recurrent candidiasis.

Dosage and adverse reactions

According to the official instructions for the use of Fluconazole, it is used once orally. The optimal dose is 150 mg. In general, doctors recommend taking capsules every three days. As a result, the course consists of taking 3 tablets and no more.

It is also necessary to take the drug:

• To reduce the risk of relapse. In this case, one capsule of 150 mg is drunk once a month.
• For preventive purposes, use 1 capsule once a day. Typically, taking Fluconazole for prophylaxis is required for long-term use of antibiotics, cytostatics, and so on.

The doctor selects a more precise dosage, taking into account the course of the disease, the frequency of its relapses and concomitant pathologies.

Side effects are as follows:

• From the gastrointestinal tract: changes in appetite, taste, nausea, sometimes vomiting, liver dysfunction in the form of jaundice, development of bloating.
• Nervous system: headache, dizziness, rarely convulsions.
• Allergy. Sometimes a skin rash may appear. Rarely, anaphylactoid reactions.

When using the drug, changes in the heart and kidneys rarely occur.

The cost of Fluconazole-based drugs varies from 50 to 300 rubles.

Itraconazole

Refers to drugs that have a broad antifungal effect. When used, membrane protein is inhibited, which leads to its high permeability and causes the death of the pathogen. As a result, an antifungal effect is formed. It is worth noting that the mechanism of action of Itraconazole is similar to Fluconazole.

Positive properties:

• high bioavailability of the drug;
• minimum time to achieve plasma concentration;
• Antifungal action develops quickly.

In general, Itraconazole is a thiazole derivative. Therefore, it has a wide spectrum of action, which is why it is used to treat many diseases, including vaginal candidiasis.

It is used according to the regimen prescribed by the doctor depending on the severity of candidiasis.

Nausea or vomiting may occur when using the drug. Liver function also suffers from its intake. Additionally, headache, dizziness and allergic reactions sometimes occur. During pregnancy and lactation, use only as prescribed by a doctor.

The following persons are not allowed to use this drug:

• Suffering from chronic heart disease.
• If you have hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

Caution in case of severe liver disease, kidney disease and in childhood. The cost of the drug is 300 rubles, depending on the region.

Ketoconazole

Available in tablets containing 200 mg of active substance. The mechanism of action is associated with inhibition of ergosterol synthesis, changes in the composition of the cell membrane and, as a consequence, cell death. Ketoconazole has a fungiostatic and fungicidal effect. This means that when taken, death and inhibition of the activity of fungal cells occurs.

Active against many pathogens:

• All representatives of the genus Candida.
• Causative agents of dermatomycosis, pityriasis versicolor and systemic mycoses.

Additionally, the product is active against a number of bacteria. It must be taken according to the official instructions:

• one tablet each;
• consume once a day;
• recommended during meals.

Side effects and list of contraindications are similar to the above remedies.

Conclusion on systemic therapy

It is necessary to treat vaginal candidiasis in women using tablets. Especially with the development of a relapse, that is, a repeated case of the disease. Men can only use local therapy.

In general, systemic treatment requires:

• Use barrier contraception and, if possible, abstain from sexual intercourse.
• Do not take oral contraceptives, and, if possible, corticosteroids and cytostatics at the time of therapy.
• Correct the main cause of thrush development.

If the cause of development is a sexually transmitted infection, then treatment for this disease is also required. That is, when treating thrush, it is important to eliminate aggravating factors that could contribute to the formation of candidiasis.

Local treatment

The development of thrush in women, as mentioned above, is due to a decrease in immunity, which leads to active colonization of the vaginal mucosa. As a result, an inflammatory process is formed, and as a result, a characteristic clinical picture develops. Since the whole process is localized in the vagina, local therapy is even leading. Without the use of local drugs, the risk of relapse increases. Let's look at what is suitable for treating thrush.

Econazole

The active substance econazole is found in creams for external and topical use. There is Ecodax 1% cream on the market, which is used for the treatment of mycoses of the skin and mucous membranes. This drug is suitable for the treatment of candidiasis in men, as it has a good effect.

The product is an imidazole derivative. Therefore it has the following actions:

• Fungicidal. That is, it causes the death of mushrooms.
• Bactericidal. Helps reduce bacterial activity.

It is active against the fungus of the genus Candida albicans, which usually causes the disease in the form of thrush.

Method of use:

The drug is suitable for the treatment of candidiasis in men, as it is quickly absorbed and causes the death of fungi.

Side effects and contraindications

• Itching and slight burning.
• Redness.
• Development of dryness.

Travogen cream

The active substance is isoconazole nitrate. It is also an imidazole derivative. Sold in the form of a cream that contains 1% of the active ingredient. It is worth noting that this drug is active against the most common representatives of the genus Candida.

Distinctive features:

• It has a fungistatic effect on fungi. That is, the medicine does not cause death, but rather inhibits growth and activity. When used in higher concentrations, it can cause harmful effects.
• It also fights bacteria that can complicate the treatment of candidiasis.

The cream is applied in a thin layer to the affected areas of the skin and mucous membranes. It should be used once a day, at night. The desired course duration is 3 weeks. The cost of the drug is 600 rubles and more.

• The medicine is active against fungi, bacteria, trichomanas and protozoans.
• Effectively fights against representatives of the genus Candida, as well as gram-positive microbes.

Vaginal tablets are used to treat not only candidiasis, but also vaginitis caused by Trichomonas. The cream can be used by men for therapy.

Mode of application

The tablets must be used once a day for 6 days. Before the procedure, it is necessary to carry out normal hygiene procedures. In general, vaginal tablets are used as follows:

• You should lie on your back. It is advisable to do this before bed.
• Bend your legs at the knee joint and insert the tablet deeply into the vagina.
• Next, it is recommended to lie down for half an hour for the medicine to take effect.

The cream must be applied in a thin layer to the affected areas of the mucous membrane. Use once a day for 14 days.

Dear friends, hello!

Today we will talk to you about thrush.

Do people often come to you with this problem?

I hear your unanimous “yes”!

Certainly! Going to the pharmacy is much easier than dragging yourself to the clinic, taking a coupon, waiting a week or more... And no one cares that “there” everything itches, itches and burns.

And if the female doctor’s advice is “douche with baking soda and chamomile” or “insert a tampon soaked in kefir” (this is not fiction), then I would like to say a lot of “warm” words to him.

What kind of rubbish is this - thrush? Where does it come from? What should you find out from a customer who asks you for something for thrush? How is this infection finally treated? Why does it sometimes not go away? What to offer in the complex?

Shall we figure it out?

How do mushrooms enter the body?

We already talked about mushrooms once. But this was a conversation about mycoses and skin.

Among other pathogens of mycoses, I mentioned to you yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida.

They are the cause of thrush.

We can acquire them in the course of our lives, or we can receive them as a gift from our mother at birth, if she was visited by thrush just before giving birth.

In the first case, vulvovaginal candidiasis, as thrush is otherwise called, can be contracted through direct contact with a sick person, including sexual intercourse, through a shared towel.

In the second case, when passing through the birth canal, the fungi enter the child’s skin, settle on the oral mucosa, penetrate the body with amniotic fluid and become permanent residents of the large intestine and vaginal mucosa.

Vaginal residents

However, mushrooms are not permanent and not the predominant representatives of the vaginal fauna. Now I wrote this word and thought: I wonder why, when we talk about microbes, they say microFLORA? After all, “flora” is plants, and “fauna” is animals. Or are microorganisms more like plants?

The main inhabitants of the vagina are lactobacilli. They make up more than 90%.

Bifidobacteria and opportunistic microbes also live here in minimal quantities: gardnerella, mycoplasma, streptococci, staphylococci, anaerobes, etc.

Lactobacilli perform a very important function: they protect the vagina from external microorganisms, restrain the excessive reproduction of “neighbors” and prevent them from going all out.

The vaginal epithelium is a multilayer structure. Like the stratum corneum of the skin epidermis, young epithelial cells are born in the lowest layer, which divide, mature, move to the upper layers, and then desquamate.

The epithelial cells of the vagina contain glycogen. Lactobacilli break it down to form lactic acid. This maintains the acidic environment in the vagina at a level of 3.8-4.5, which protects it from pathogenic bacteria.

This makes it clear why you can’t use douching with a soda solution, which doctors love to recommend. Soda alkalizes the vagina and provokes gynecological problems.

And in general, any douching is harmful, because... wash away beneficial microbes, disrupt the ratio of good and conditionally bad bacteria. There are fewer good ones, but a holy place is never empty, so it is filled with those very conditionally pathogenic bacteria that were just waiting for this to begin to multiply.

In addition, soda dries out the mucous membrane, and dry mucous membrane is vulnerable. Therefore, a decrease in symptoms after this treatment method is the calm before the storm. The thrush will play out with renewed vigor, and other bad kids will join the mushrooms. Bacterial vaginosis will develop.

What does the first day of the cycle have to do with it?

You may have seen in doctors' prescriptions that for recurrent thrush they are prescribed on the first day of menstruation.

Do you know why?

The vaginal epithelium is hormone dependent. Estrogens help its cells accumulate glycogen and, therefore, break it down to release lactic acid. They also ensure the adhesion of lactobacilli to vaginal epithelial cells.

But in the first days of the cycle there is little estrogen.

During this period, a large number of destroyed endometrial cells and blood cells enter the vagina, and the environment here shifts to the alkaline side (pH increases to 5.0-6.0).

Therefore, the risk of getting thrush at the beginning of the menstrual cycle increases.

What causes vulvovaginal candidiasis?

Why is vaginal candidiasis called “thrush”?

Because the discharge in this disease resembles sour milk.

So, the most common factors that provoke the appearance of thrush:

1. . They destroy not only harmful, but also beneficial microbes, including those in the vagina, i.e. lactobacilli. There are fewer of them, they cannot fulfill their protective function, and the fungi begin to multiply intensively.
2. . During pregnancy, vaginal candidiasis occurs 2-3 times more often.

Sometimes thrush is a marker of pregnancy, when the test still shows nothing, but the fungus is already right there!

This is explained, firstly, by a physiological decrease in immunity during this period in order to reduce the activity of the immune system, which regards the fetus as a foreign body that needs to be expelled.

Secondly, hormonal changes occur, as a result of which there is too much glycogen in the vaginal cells, and this is also bad. Lactobacilli do not have time to break it down, and it provokes the proliferation of fungi.

1. Violation of hygiene rules. This is the use of tampons, which sometimes remain in an intimate place all day, collecting all representatives of the vaginal fauna. This also includes excessive use of antiseptic products not intended for intimate hygiene. They, like antibiotics, destroy everyone, without understanding who is right and who is wrong.

Keep this in mind and tell customers that tampons need to be changed every 2 hours!

Some gynecologists are not only against tampons, but also against panty liners, because they interfere with oxygen access to the intimate area.

1. Swimming pools. Chlorinated water dries out the mucous membrane, which leads directly to vaginal dysbiosis.
2. Clothes and some toiletries. These are tight trousers and jeans that pinch and rub in intimate places, disrupting blood circulation and reducing local protection. The same applies to thongs.

We already talked about the journey of microorganisms through thongs from point K (intestines) to point B (vagina).

Let's add here panties made of synthetic materials that retain heat and moisture, which is why mushrooms grow as if after rain. So, away with lace sexy lingerie, long live the good old hebeshechki!

1. Thrush is often brought from warm countries. Firstly, climate change is for the body, as a result of which it decreases. Secondly, this means increased humidity in an intimate area if you spend the whole day in a wet swimsuit.
2. Hypothyroidism. As you know, the thyroid gland regulates ovarian function. With its hypofunction, hormonal disturbances in the reproductive system are ensured. Little estrogen means little glycogen in the vaginal epithelium. There is little glycogen, lactobacilli have nothing to break down. There is nothing to break down - lactic acid is not formed in the required amount. Lactic acid is not formed - the acidic environment in the vagina is not maintained.
3. Love for sweets. It turns out that mushrooms have a terrible sweet tooth. Therefore, during the treatment of candidiasis, doctors advise giving up sweets and starchy foods. For the same reason, thrush often visits.
4. Combined hormonal. They are included in this blacklist because they create a lower level of estrogen in the female body than natural.
5. Estrogen-containing hormonal preparations for HRT. Here is the other extreme: there is a lot of estrogen, the level of glycogen in the cells increases, it draws water onto itself, the mucous membrane loosens, the pH shifts to the alkaline side. In 20% of women, glucose tolerance changes.
6. Glucocorticosteroids, immunosuppressants – i.e. drugs that reduce immunity.

How does thrush manifest?

It is not difficult to recognize thrush.

The following complaints may occur:

1. Itching, burning, discomfort in an intimate place, which intensifies in the evening.
2. White cheesy discharge without odor. People call them “beli”.
3. Pain during sexual intercourse.
4. Burning when urinating.

Thrush also occurs in men, and then white plaques, redness, and swelling appear on the genitals. The remaining complaints are the same as in women, but they are less pronounced.

To confirm the diagnosis of candidiasis, a smear is taken and a culture is done.

What forms of thrush exist?

There are 2 forms:

1. Acute candidiasis. Lasts no more than 2 months.
2. Chronic candidiasis. Lasts more than 2 months.

Chronic candidiasis is divided into 2 types:

• Recurrent – ​​symptoms go away completely after treatment, but exacerbations occur at least 4 times a year.
• Persistent – ​​symptoms are constantly present to varying degrees. After treatment they subside somewhat.

What questions should the buyer ask?

When you are asked to give something for thrush, you do not need to immediately offer an antimycotic. Talk to the customer. Why did she think it was thrush?

Questions could be:

1. Did your doctor give you this diagnosis?
2. How does the disease manifest? Is there itching, burning, or pain when urinating? What kind of discharge? (interested in color, consistency). White, curdled ones are thrush. If others, then the big question is what it is. Possibly an STD, and it makes no sense to recommend Fluconazole.
3. Is this your first time, or have you already had similar symptoms? If you have already had thrush, find out how often exacerbations occur.

The fluconazole treatment regimen depends on the severity of symptoms and the frequency of exacerbations.

Now some of you are reading these lines and thinking:

- Yeah, the line is halfway across the pharmacy, and I’m going to be interested in the discharge?

In order not to embarrass the customer and not to embarrass yourself, it is better to go out to her in the hall with the words: “I’ll come out to you now, I need to clarify something,” then, taking her aside, ask her these questions, since without this your recommendations may not be entirely literate.

General treatment regimen for thrush

The treatment regimen depends on several factors:

1. Acute or chronic process?
2. Is it just thrush? Often fungi are combined with other representatives of opportunistic flora, so the task becomes more complicated.
3. How severe are the symptoms?
4. Are there any concomitant diseases?

Comprehensive treatment of thrush includes:

1. Systemic antimycotic.
2. Local antimycotic.
3. After the course of treatment - a vaginal eubiotic to restore vaginal flora.
4. For chronic thrush -.

Fluconazole and Itraconazole are most often used for systemic therapy.

Treatment regimen for thrush with Fluconazole

There are different treatment regimens for Fluconazole, but the most logical one seems to me to be the following:

1. Light discharge, minor itching and discomfort, or new-onset thrush:

Fluconazole 150 mg once for both men and women.

1. Itching, burning, discomfort, heavy discharge, 1-4 episodes of thrush per year:

Woman: Fluconazole 150 mg twice with an interval of 72 hours.

Man: 150 mg once.

1. Recurrent thrush (more than 4 episodes per year):

Woman: 150 mg three times with an interval of 72 hours. Then 150 mg once a week for 6 months.

Man: 150 mg once.

If Fluconazole is ineffective, see a doctor for examination!

If the diagnosis of candidiasis is confirmed, the doctor may prescribe, for example, Itraconazole 200 mg 2 times 1 day or 200 mg 1 time per day for 3 days.

Other

We influence mushrooms in their habitat

For local treatment, if the symptoms are definitely thrush, in my opinion, it should be a single drug: Pimafucin, Livarol, Zalain, Clotrimazole, Ginezol 7, Ginofort.

For women, most often these are suppositories or vaginal capsules/tablets, for men - cream.

The duration of treatment is different for each drug.

The average duration of use of the cream for a man is 7-10 days.

As for combined remedies (Terzhinan, Polygynax, Klion D, etc.), using them for thrush is like cutting your finger and at the same time smearing it with iodine. With the antifungal component we will destroy the fungus, and with the other, beneficial microbes, while reducing local immunity, which in itself is the cause of thrush.

They are usually prescribed for combined fungal and bacterial infections.

You ask: But how can you recognize her?

Firstly, a bacterial infection is manifested by “colored” discharge (yellowish-greenish).

Secondly, unpleasant smell.

Third, it can give in the stomach, deterioration in general health.

And then, most likely, you need Macmiror, Flagyl or a broad-spectrum antibiotic inside. Plus a combined local remedy such as Terzhinan or Polygynax.

Restoring microflora

Food for thought. In the instructions for such drugs, candidiasis is listed as a contraindication, but doctors prescribe them in the complex treatment of thrush. How to understand this?

I haven't found any clear explanations for this. Moreover, opinions are divided as to which environment Candida mushrooms reproduce best in: some say that it is acidic (which I do not agree with), others say that it is alkaline. If we assume that they like an acidic environment, then how can we explain their existence in the large intestine, where the environment is slightly alkaline?

And yet: why are these drugs contraindicated for candidiasis?

I believe that firstly, because of the excipients. For example, in the drug Acylact it is written that bacteria are cultivated with the addition of sucrose-milk medium, and mushrooms, as you now know, love sweets.

Secondly, against the background of candidiasis, the affected cells of the vaginal epithelium contain little glycogen, so lactobacilli will not have enough nutrient substrate, and candidiasis will only get worse.

But after the end of antifungal therapy, with negative smears for the fungus, these drugs will come in very handy.

What do you think about this?

Understanding immunity

For recurrent candidiasis, the doctor may prescribe Viferon, Genferon, Polyoxidonium in suppositories, etc.

We take proper care

And ideally, especially with recurrent thrush, it is good to use a special intimate care product that will maintain an optimal environment in the vagina (for example, Lactacid).

During treatment:

1. Use only cotton linen.
2. Avoid thongs, tight trousers and jeans.
3. Eliminate sweets and starchy foods from your diet.
4. You should abstain from sexual intercourse during this period.
5. Both need treatment.

Why is thrush treatment often ineffective?

I found 5 reasons for this:

By the way, if a woman has doubts that it is thrush, you can offer her the FrauTest Candida.

What can you do for thrush during pregnancy?

Pimafucin: suppositories, tablets. The rest is all with some reservations.

That's all I wanted to tell you today.

How did you like this article, friends? If you want to add something, comment, or ask questions, write in the comments box.

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With love to you, Marina Kuznetsova