What is thrush and how to treat it. How to cure thrush in women, men and children? Hygiene procedures - lotions and washings

Thrush is an unpleasant disease caused by special yeast-like fungi Candida, which almost every woman has encountered in her life. To increase efficiency, treatment of candidiasis should be comprehensive, aimed at destroying pathogenic microorganisms and strengthening the immune system. Correctly selected folk remedies will help not only improve a woman’s condition, but also speed up the healing process.

In order to reduce the manifestations of unpleasant symptoms, eliminate the inflammatory process and increase the body's defenses aimed at combating pathogenic fungi, it is necessary to reconsider your diet. It is very important to normalize the acid-base balance in the intestines and throughout the body.

There are food products that activate the growth and active reproduction of fungi; during the treatment of thrush, they must be abandoned.

Provoke the development of the disease:

1. Sweets - confectionery, butter pastries, chocolate, honey, refined sugar.
2. Flour products - especially yeast bread, pizza, pies.
3. Spicy, smoked and pickled foods.
4. Alcoholic drinks.

It is necessary to create a sufficient and balanced diet consisting of foods that prevent the growth of fungi:

• fermented milk drinks – kefir, fermented baked milk, yogurt, whey;
• cereals – buckwheat, millet porridge, rice;
• legumes – beans, peas, lentils;
• vegetables, boiled and stewed with a small amount of vegetable oil;
• fresh carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers;
• fruits – citrus fruits (lemons, oranges) are especially effective for candidiasis;
• fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, lingonberries);
• lean meat (veal, turkey, chicken);
• Fish and seafood;
• natural yogurt;
• herbal infusions instead of tea (rose hips, mint, lemon balm).

The main condition for a balanced diet for candidiasis: products should not contain preservatives, dyes, flavor enhancers and flavorings, and be fresh and simple. It is recommended to take additional multivitamin complexes and enrich the diet with foods rich in vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and B12.

You should definitely include foods such as garlic and onions in your daily diet. The essential oils contained in these root vegetables have a pronounced antibacterial and antifungal effect, which makes them effective in the treatment of candidiasis.

The diet should be followed for a long time (for 6-12 months), even after recovery. Compliance with this condition will contribute to the complete restoration of the normal microflora of the genital tract and gastrointestinal tract and will help avoid relapses.

Treating thrush with baking soda

Regular baking soda is an effective remedy for treating candidiasis. Availability, inexpensive price and good results from treatment with this drug have made it very popular among women suffering from thrush.

Baking soda, otherwise known as sodium bicarbonate, is an alkali. When interacting with the mucous membrane of the genital tract, it lowers the pH. Fungi of the genus Candida can actively reproduce only in an acidic environment, so alkalizing the vagina with soda solutions can suppress their development and speed up the healing process.

There are many ways to use baking soda for candidiasis:

• Wiping the affected mucous membrane and skin with a cotton-gauze swab dipped in a warm soda solution. This procedure is recommended to be carried out 2 times a day (morning and evening), before bedtime. After treatment, the solution does not need to be washed off the skin.
• Wash the woman’s genitals twice a day with a weak soda solution.
• Warm sitz baths.
• Douching once a day for 2 weeks.

In order to quickly cure candidiasis with soda, you need to properly prepare the solution. To do this, add 1 tbsp to 1 liter of warm boiled water. baking soda and 0.5-1 tsp. alcohol solution of iodine, stir thoroughly until completely dissolved. The iodine present in this solution prevents the addition of concomitant bacterial infections and reduces the intensity of inflammation in vulvovaginal candidiasis. Homemade medicine for thrush cannot be stored for longer than a day; it is advisable to prepare the remedy immediately before using it.

Before using a soda solution, you should make sure that you are not allergic to iodine.

Aloe for candidiasis

The aloe houseplant, known to many under the other name “agave,” is effective in treating vaginal thrush in women. Good results can be achieved by starting to use aloe internally or as an external remedy at the first symptoms of the disease.

For candidiasis at home, use:

• A solution prepared from 1 tsp. fresh aloe juice mixed with 100 ml of boiled water. The resulting product should be divided into 3 equal parts and taken three times a day before meals. If desired, you can add 1 tsp to the medicine. honey
• To prepare vaginal tampons, carefully mix aloe juice with olive oil in a ratio of 1 to 3. The resulting gel-like composition should be moistened with ordinary tampons or tourniquets made from a sterile bandage and inserted into the vagina 2 times a day for 3-4 weeks.
• A mixture of aloe juice and Vaseline is used as a cream, which must be rubbed into the affected areas twice a day for 14 days.

The concentration of nutrients in the leaves increases over time. The most suitable for treating thrush at home are leaves that have been stored for 10-12 days in a cool, dry place (for example, on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator).

Douching

Douching is an effective treatment method aimed at combating candidiasis. To perform this procedure, you can use a solution of soda, decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs.

In order to douche, you need to prepare a warm medicinal solution and fill it with a syringe or Esmarch's mug. Before the procedure, the woman needs to perform a hygienic toilet of the external genitalia. Then you need to lie comfortably on your back, bend your legs at the knees and hip joints and spread them slightly to the sides. The tip of the syringe, lubricated with Vaseline, should be inserted to a depth of 5 cm into the vagina and the medicinal solution should be slowly introduced. The product will flow and flow out of the vagina on its own, while irrigating its walls and relieving inflammation. For greater effectiveness, you should remain in a horizontal position for another 15 minutes after the end of the procedure.

Indications and contraindications

Before starting such treatment, it is important to make sure that the diagnosis is correct, study the procedure, as well as the main indications and contraindications for it.

• During pregnancy. Abuse of this procedure during pregnancy can lead to disruption of the normal microflora of the vagina and excessive dryness of the genital tract, which will have a negative impact not only on the woman, but also on her unborn child.
• For acute inflammation of the pelvic organs(adnexitis, saplingoophoritis).
• During menstruation, since douching increases the risk of penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the uterine cavity and provokes the development of an inflammatory process in it.
• The day before visiting the gynecologist. The procedure can distort the results of flora tests and the clinical picture of the disease.

The choice of douching product can be limited only by individual intolerance to the medicinal plants used for its preparation. To perform one procedure, you will need to prepare 300 ml of soda or herbal solution.

Douching products

In order to prepare a medicinal solution for douching, it is recommended to use only clean boiled water. During the procedure, you must use a freshly prepared product that has cooled to room temperature.

The most effective ways to treat thrush at home are:

1. Tea tree oil. To prepare the healing product, you need to dissolve 1 tsp. essential oil in 1 bottle of ethyl alcohol. 5 drops of the resulting mixture are diluted in a glass of warm boiled water and used for douching.
2. Lemon. To obtain a solution, squeeze the juice from 1/2 ripe lemon into 200 ml of boiled water and stir.
3. Infusion of St. John's wort with onions. Boil 2 tbsp in 1 liter of water for 1-2 minutes. l. dried St. John's wort flowers. The juice from half the onion is added to the already cooled broth.
4. Hydrogen peroxide- an effective drug for thrush. To do douching, you need to dissolve 1 tbsp in 500 ml of warm water. l. peroxide and stir thoroughly.
5. Pharmaceutical chamomile- a remedy that has a unique ability to stop the inflammatory process occurring in the mucous membrane of the genital tract. To prepare a medicinal decoction, 3 tbsp. l. dried chamomile flowers should be poured with a liter of clean water and boiled over low heat for 10 minutes. The resulting solution is cooled to body temperature and used for douching.
6. Equal amounts of birch buds, chamomile and juniper(1 tbsp) boil in 1 liter of water, infuse overnight and then use for hygiene procedures.

The course of douching for vaginal candidiasis averages 10-14 days. In the first few days, the procedures should be carried out twice a day, then one douching in the evening will be enough.

Douching is an effective treatment method used for thrush, designed to reduce unpleasant symptoms such as itching, swelling and redness.

Homemade tampons

When treating thrush at home, tampons soaked in antifungal agents, infusions and herbal extracts are very popular. To prepare a tampon, you need to twist a tight tube of sterile cotton wool, wrap it with strong thread and moisten it in a pre-prepared substance.

The following will help eliminate burning and reduce curdled discharge from thrush:

• Fresh natural honey has an anti-inflammatory, wound-healing effect. For the procedure, it is better to use light (linden) liquid honey. A tampon soaked in honey must be inserted into the vagina before bed for 1-3 hours.
• Kalanchoe. Fresh leaves of the medicinal plant must be crushed, squeezed and placed in a piece of gauze, folded several times. The resulting phytotampon is placed in the vagina overnight. The course of procedures is 1 week.
• A mixture of 1/3 chopped onion and 2/3 honey is effective against candidiasis. This remedy should not be used if there is increased sensitivity of the mucous membrane of the vagina and cervix.
• Sea buckthorn oil is effective not only against candidiasis, but also against other gynecological diseases, for example, cervical erosion. A cotton swab soaked in oil should be placed in the vagina for 4 hours, daily, for 14 days.
• A good result in eliminating the symptoms of thrush is obtained by using tampons soaked in a solution of tea tree essential oil.
• For treatment, plantain juice mixed with a decoction of oak bark and chamomile is used.
• A solution consisting of a glass of chamomile or calendula solution mixed with the juice of 2-3 cloves of garlic is effective against candidiasis.

The time of the treatment procedure depends on the chosen product and the individual tolerance of its components. It is especially important to monitor your own condition when using tampons containing onion or garlic juice. If you experience a burning sensation, itching or pain, you must immediately stop the procedures and wash with chamomile solution in order to soothe the irritated mucous membranes.

The time for using the product is selected individually and usually ranges from 3 to 8 hours. It is not recommended to leave a tampon in the vagina for longer, as this can lead to infection in the genital tract and the development of complications.

Hygiene procedures - lotions and washings

Widely used for vulvovaginal candidiasis in women are lotions and solutions for washing, made on the basis of anti-inflammatory medicinal herbs.

At home, the following are used to treat thrush:

• Rub garlic oil into the affected areas. To prepare the composition, mix 50 g of finely chopped garlic with 20 ml of vegetable oil (sunflower, olive). The resulting mixture should be stored in a dark place, transferring it to a glass container with a lid. The oil is used for rubbing into inflamed skin and mucous membranes once a day for 1-2 weeks.
• Washing and lotions from calendula infusion. To prepare it, 2 tbsp. l. dry flowers, pour 250 ml of boiling water and leave for 40 minutes. The resulting solution is ready for use.
• Lotions made from sage decoction with vinegar. Mix 20 g of sage, infused in 1 cup of boiling water, with 1/3 cup of food or apple cider vinegar.
• A decoction of oak bark, nettle, string and lavender. This decoction for washing has pronounced anti-inflammatory properties. A mixture of medicinal herbs, taken in the same quantity (1 tablespoon), is infused in 1 glass of boiling water and used as a means for intimate hygiene.

Sitz baths with sea salt are also effective against thrush. The course of such home treatment should be at least 10 days.

These remedies do not get rid of thrush, but only eliminate its unpleasant symptoms, which allows you to speed up the recovery process while carrying out drug etiological treatment.

Use of decoctions

Many medicinal herbs, when taken orally, have good antifungal activity and are widely used as part of complex therapy in the treatment of candidiasis. These include:

• Freshly squeezed carrot juice - for greater effectiveness, you need to dilute it with clean water in a 1:1 ratio, add 1 tsp to the resulting mixture. sour cream or vegetable oil, since the beneficial substances present in carrots are absorbed only in the presence of fats. If you have thrush, you need to drink 1 glass of the drink per day for 2 weeks.
• For thrush, coffee and tea should be replaced with decoctions of medicinal herbs such as chamomile, calendula, mytha and lemon balm.
• Pour 15 g of juniper cones with a glass of boiling water and leave for 4-5 hours. The resulting product should be drunk 1 tbsp. l. three times a day before meals.

The use of only traditional methods will eliminate only the symptoms of candidiasis, and not its cause, and this can lead to the formation of a chronic form of the disease.

The video describes in detail the test system for self-diagnosis of thrush and its treatment with medications at home.

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 pattern. 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 result, 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.

Vaginal candidiasis, better known to women as thrush, is an extremely unpleasant disease. The causative agent is a conditionally pathogenic fungus of the genus Candida, which lives in the vaginal microflora of every woman. These microorganisms, if favorable conditions arise, actively and unhindered multiply, which is accompanied by itching, the appearance of discharge and other symptoms. So, how to cure thrush once and for all? Is it possible? Let's talk about this.

Causes of the disease

There are quite a few factors that provoke active proliferation of the fungus:

• vaginal dysbiosis, caused, for example, by diabetes or pregnancy;
• failure to comply with intimate hygiene rules or excessive sexual activity;
• hot weather;
• weakening of immune defense;
• use of panty liners with perfume impregnation.

Thrush also develops during a course of taking drugs from the antibiotic category. During treatment, the natural balance between “good” and “bad” bacteria is disrupted in the human body. The results of the massive death of lactic acid bacilli, which inhibit the proliferation of Candida, is a typical clinical picture of candidiasis.

Symptoms

The pathology in question is a signal from the body about a decrease in immune defense. If appropriate measures are not taken in a timely manner, then getting rid of candidiasis is quite problematic.

The initial signs of many infectious diseases coincide with the symptoms of thrush. Therefore, if you want to cure it once and for all, you need to immediately contact a gynecologist, who, after the test results, will make an accurate diagnosis.

• The first distinctive symptom of the pathology is the presence of white thick discharge containing characteristic curd grains.
• The discharge has a specific sour smell of kefir.
• Redness and swelling of the genitals.
• Thrush is characterized by incessant annoying itching and a burning sensation in the vagina.
• Painful sensations during sexual intercourse.
• After the intimate hygiene procedure, increased burning and itching.
• During a gynecological examination, a white coating of varying intensity is detected on the walls of the vagina.

It is worth noting that colonies of the Candida fungus affect only the upper layers of the vaginal mucosa, without penetrating deep into the tissue.

The course of the disease is wave-like, that is, the symptoms of the disease may completely disappear, but with the slightest provocation they reappear.

How to cure thrush?

If the goal is to cure thrush once and for all, then self-medication must be eliminated completely.

Only a gynecologist, after taking a vaginal smear and identifying the causative agent of the disease, will be able to select effective medications. Choosing medications on your own can make the situation worse.

There are many drugs that are used to cure thrush. Most often prescribed:

• Pimafucin ();
• Flucostat;
• Diflucan and others.

Currently, doctors do not recommend douching with soda, although they recently prescribed the procedure. More

Medications such as are also suitable for manipulation.

Washing the vagina should be done twice a day - morning and evening for a week.

During treatment, intimate sex must be abstained. In addition, your partner should also use antifungal agents. Otherwise, there is a high risk of re-infection.

How about once and for all? Relapse Prevention

It is impossible to cure thrush forever, since yeast fungi are “registered in us for permanent residence.” They can begin active reproduction at any time. However, we are able to exclude the reasons that provoke an increase in the number of Candida.

Basic preventive measures:

• wearing only comfortable underwear made of pure cotton;
• refusal of panty liners, if this is not possible, then they need to be changed as often as possible;
• compliance with the rules of intimate hygiene;
• mandatory ironing of underwear on both sides;
• proper nutrition.

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

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

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

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

75% of the fair sex have suffered from candidiasis, and the majority more than once. Since this disease has the unpleasant property of returning. So in 5% the diagnosis is recurrent candidiasis. In this case, exacerbations occur 4 or more times a year.

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

Composition of normal microflora of the vagina and external genitalia

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

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

The vagina contains:

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

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

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

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

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

The vaginal microflora has a balanced composition. At the same time, some bacteria regulate the number of others. This is how lactic acid bacteria produce acid, which inhibits the excessive proliferation of Candida. Therefore, normally, fungi found in the vagina do not cause thrush.

Causes of thrush

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

You can become infected with candidiasis from a sexual partner. Especially if a man has obvious signs of this disease or is a carrier of fungi. However, this reason is far from the most common. Much more often, thrush occurs as a consequence of decreased immunity and disruption of the natural balance of the microflora of the genital organs.

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

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

The action of these factors leads to a decrease in the number of lactobacilli that create a protective microfilm. They produce less lactic acid, and an alkaline environment is formed in the vagina. Fungi and other bacteria penetrate the cells of the mucous membrane and thin skin of the external genitalia. There they begin to actively reproduce, feeding on glycogen and destroying host cells. If left untreated, the inflammatory process gradually spreads.

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

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


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


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


4. Itching and burning.
   Candida feeds on glycogen stores in cells. When this carbohydrate is broken down, acids are formed. They cause itching and burning in the vagina and irritate the skin of the genital organs damaged by Candida, while the woman feels severe discomfort. These symptoms are worse after urinating or washing. Therefore, each time the skin in this area must be dried. It is advisable to use soft paper towels to avoid further injury.


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


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


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


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

Diagnosis of thrush

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

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

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

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

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

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

If the gynecologist believes that thrush is caused by chronic diseases, he will advise you to consult a therapist, endocrinologist or immunologist.

How to treat thrush

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

How to treat thrush during pregnancy?

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

Another drug approved during pregnancy is Terzhinan. It contains the antifungal antibiotic Nystatin. But besides this, it contains substances that fight bacteria. Treatment can be supplemented with a complex of vitamins to support immunity.

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

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

What suppositories are effective for treating thrush?

Suppositories and vaginal tablets for the treatment of thrush are local treatments. They are prescribed when the lesions are not deep and no complications have arisen. Here is a list of the most effective remedies for thrush. The active substance is indicated in the arms.

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


• Antifungol, Yenamazole 100, Candibene, Kanesten, Kanizon, (Clotrimazole) its components dissolve the Candida shell. Suppositories or vaginal tablets are inserted into the vagina once a day before bedtime. The course of treatment is 6-7 days.


• Gyno-Travogen Ovulum (Isoconazole) disrupts the permeability of the cell wall of fungi. Has antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects. Quickly eliminates itching. Used to treat forms of fungi that are resistant to other agents. A suppository (candle) is inserted deep into the vagina before bedtime once a day. The course of treatment is 3 days.


• Ginezol 7, Gino-Daktarin, Klion-D 100 (Miconazole) - destroys fungi and some bacteria. Treatment lasts 14 days. One suppository deep into the vagina before bed.


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

  Use one before bed for 10 days.

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

Which tablets are effective in treating thrush?

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

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

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

• Fluconazole (Diflucan, Mikosist, Medoflucon, Forkan) – a single dose of 150 mg of the drug is sufficient.


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


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


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


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

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

How to treat thrush at home?

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

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


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


• Tampons with sea buckthorn oil heal erosions on the mucous membrane and relieve inflammation. Soak a tampon made of several layers of gauze with pharmaceutical sea buckthorn oil and insert it overnight.


• Garlic oil tampons are effective in getting rid of Candida. To prepare the product, you need to peel and chop 5 large cloves of garlic and add 50 ml of refined vegetable oil. Leave for 3 hours, stir and strain. Soak a tampon with this product and insert it into the vagina for 2 hours. If a strong burning sensation occurs, the procedure must be stopped. Garlic phytoncides are a very powerful remedy. Therefore, it is recommended to eat several cloves daily.


• To restore normal vaginal microflora, tampons with bifidumbacterin are used. Dilute an ampoule of this drug in a tablespoon of refined vegetable oil. Soak a tampon and insert it into the vagina for 1 hour. American doctors recommend lubricating the mucous membrane with pure natural yogurt without flavoring additives. This may be a pure culture of lactobacilli, which are sold in pharmacies.


• If you are not allergic to honey, then you can dilute it with water in a ratio of 1:10 and lubricate the affected areas of the mucous membrane.


• To wash, use tar soap or brown laundry soap. Its components prevent the proliferation of microorganisms.

To ensure that thrush does not return after some time, it is necessary to continue the procedures for another 2-3 days after the symptoms of the disease disappear. Folk remedies are best used as an addition to treatment prescribed by a doctor.

What medications should be used to treat thrush?

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

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

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

Antibiotics for the treatment of thrush They fight not only Candida, but also some bacteria that join during candidiasis. They are also available for local and general treatment.

• Antibiotics from the macrolide group: Pimafucin, Natamycin


• Triazole antibiotics: Flucostat, Mikosist


• Polyene antibiotics: Nystatin, Levorin

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

Probiotics normalize the composition of the vaginal microflora and acidity level. They also often contain components for restoring the vaginal mucosa and external genitalia. These are vaginal tablets and suppositories with a complex of lacto and bifidobacteria: Gynoflor, Ecofemin, Vaginorm S and Vagilak, as well as Bifidumbacterin, Lactobacterin.

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

Is Fluconazole effective for thrush?

Modern antifungal drugs can get rid of thrush in one day. In most cases, it is enough to take one capsule of Fluconazole 150 mg to destroy the fungal infection. If a woman suffers from recurrent thrush, then she will need to take one capsule once a week or a month for 6-12 months. The doctor selects the regimen individually.

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

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

With vaginal candidiasis, after taking Fluconazole, a woman usually notices a significant improvement within a day. But complete recovery occurs after 3-4 days. If, a week after taking the drug, you continue to be bothered by symptoms of thrush, you should consult your doctor again.

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

What traditional methods of treating thrush exist?

To treat thrush in women, traditional medicine recipes are successfully used. They have significantly fewer contraindications and side effects than traditional medications. However, even natural ingredients can cause an allergic reaction. And douching is generally not recommended for pregnant women. Please take this into account during treatment.

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

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

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

Oak bark– an effective way to get rid of thrush. The decoction has a strong antimicrobial effect, calms inflammatory processes and protects the genital mucosa from deep damage. To prepare the decoction, you need to take three parts of oak bark, one part of string and one part of lavender. To prepare, pour one tablespoon of herbal mixture into 150 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for 2 hours. After this, you need to strain the broth and add the same amount of boiling water to it. Douche with this mixture 2 times a day.

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

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

Answers to frequently asked questions:

Is it possible to get pregnant with thrush?

A woman who has a flare-up of thrush may become pregnant. The processes that occur during candidiasis and the acid that fungi secrete can slightly impair the viability of sperm. But if their number is large and their mobility is high, then fertilization will still occur.

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

Is it possible to have sex with thrush?

It is not recommended to have sex if you have thrush. This is due to the fact that with vaginal candidiasis, the mucous membrane becomes swollen and covered with erosions. During sex, she gets injured. This promotes the penetration of fungi into deeper layers and the addition of a bacterial infection. In addition, during and after sexual intercourse, pain and itching in the genitals intensify.

Is it possible to douche if you have thrush?

You can douche for thrush. This helps cleanse the vaginal walls of fungi and cheesy plaque. Various medications can help relieve itching and inflammation. Most often, a weak soda solution, chamomile and calendula decoctions are used.

Is it possible to use kefir or cottage cheese if you have thrush?

Kefir or cottage cheese contain a large number of fermented milk bacteria, which normally make up the main part of the microflora. With thrush, their number decreases sharply. Therefore, eating such foods restores balance and will be very beneficial. It is necessary to include fresh kefir and natural yoghurts with a short shelf life and minimal sugar content in your diet. They bring the most benefit.

Prevention of thrush in women

Prevention of candidiasis is based on general strengthening of the immune system. Strict personal hygiene is also necessary, the meaning of which is to maintain normal vaginal microflora. Gynecologists recommend using intimate gels with high acidity levels, which contain lactic acid and a minimal amount of fragrances, for washing.

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

You can become infected with thrush in swimming pools and bathhouses, where there are many people and the skin is exposed to chlorine. If you notice such a tendency, then avoid visiting these places.

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

THERE ARE CONTRAINDICATIONS. BEFORE USE, CONSULT A DOCTOR.

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