Candidiasis in women

Content:

• Causes of candidiasis
• Symptoms of candidiasis in women
• Diagnosis of candidiasis in women
• Folk treatment of candidiasis in women
• Non-standard treatment of vaginal candidiasis in women
• The prognosis of the disease and possible complications of candidiasis
• Medical diet for vaginal candidiasis
• Methods for the prevention of vaginal candidiasis
• Vaginal candidiasis during pregnancy
• Treatment of candidiasis in pregnant women

Normally, in the human body and mucous membranes there is bacterial microflora. Some microorganisms are conditionally pathogenic. This means that they can be detected in tests and smears in an acceptable amount, without causing any symptoms of the disease in the human body. However, when exposed to adverse environmental factors, reduced immunity, associated diseases of the pelvic organs, conditionally pathogenic microflora is activated, begins to actively multiply and infect organs and tissues, causing an inflammatory process. Conditionally pathogenic microorganisms include fungi of the genus Candida, which are in an acceptable amount on the mucous membranes of the female genital organs. Under the influence of some factors, Candida fungi begin to multiply actively, which leads to the disease, called in medicine Candidiasis, and the people - thrush.

Causes of candidiasis

Factors that activate the pathological reproduction of candidal fungus are:

• Decreased immune function;
• Frequent catarrhal and inflammatory diseases;
• Wearing underwear made of synthetic fabrics;
• Frequent change of sexual partners;
• Taking certain medications (especially long-term and uncontrolled antibiotics);
• Abuse of strong black coffee, sweet pastries, spicy dishes;
• Endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus);
• Concomitant diseases of the reproductive system.

Vaginal candidiasis is a very common and very unpleasant disease, bringing discomfort and inconvenience to a woman.

Symptoms of candidiasis in women

With the development of thrush mucous membrane of the genital organs in women is covered with white bloom. Plaque can be located on the entire surface of the mucous membrane or localized in the form of islands. Sometimes cracks appear in places where plaque accumulates. When urine hits the lesion site, the woman experiences burning, pain, and discomfort in the vaginal area and perineum. Visually, the external genitalia redden and swell (due to the inflammatory process and maceration of the skin secretions).

In addition to unpleasant sensations in the genital area of ​​the woman, there are abundant discharges from the external genital tract, similar in texture and appearance to cottage cheese, hence the popular name for thrush .

Excessive vaginal discharge irritates the skin of the external genital organs, this condition is accompanied by severe itching. Itching intensifies at night and becomes unbearable. Vaginal discharge has a grayish tint, but does not have any strong or peculiar odor.

When the symptoms of thrush appear, few women decide to have sex, since sexual intercourse also causes pain and increases the burning and itching of the vulva.

As a rule, the unpleasant symptoms of vaginal candidiasis worsen about 5 days before the onset of menstruation. In addition, the exacerbation of the clinical picture can be observed after taking a bath, drinking alcohol. Vaginal douching.

It is important to understand that the above clinical symptoms can be observed with other diseases of the pelvic organs. Very often, vaginal candidiasis is a concomitant disease of sexually transmitted infections - chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, genital herpes, trichomoniasis. That is why when detecting symptoms of vaginal candidiasis, a woman should always refer to a gynecologist and begin treatment.

Diagnosis of candidiasis in women

Diagnosis of vaginal candidiasis in women is based on complaints from the patient, laboratory data and the clinical picture of the disease. Early diagnosis and adequate therapy are key to the health of the female reproductive system. The main methods of diagnosis of thrush are:

• Microscopic examination - this method is one of the most simple and reliable ways to identify Candida fungi. The study consists in the collection of material (smear from the vagina and mucous membranes of the genital organs), which is examined under a microscope for the presence of Candida fungi;
• Cultural seeding of secretions - the method is based on the seeding of material taken from the mucous membrane of the genital organs on a nutrient medium. In addition to Candida mushrooms, using this method of research, it is possible to identify the causative agents of sexually transmitted infections, as well as to determine their sensitivity to antibiotic therapy drugs;
• Colposcopy - using this method, you can detect signs of inflammation of the vaginal mucosa and accurately determine the presence of cheesy discharge.

Additional methods of diagnosing the disease include general urine and blood tests, determination of blood glucose levels, detection of pathogens of other infections with a similar clinical picture using PCR (polymerase chain reaction).

It is very important to know that the identification of Candida fungi during laboratory studies in the absence of a clinical picture of thrush, the treatment is not prescribed to a woman.

Folk treatment of candidiasis in women

Probably, many people know that some folk remedies are very effective in treating thrush in women. However, it is important to understand that folk treatment should be carried out only in combination with medication, because although herbs can eliminate the symptoms of vaginal candidiasis, they cannot cope with the increased growth and reproduction of candidal fungus.

The most effective tool is ordinary baking soda. A woman is recommended to wash off with soda solution, irrigate the mucous membranes of the genital organs, make sedentary baths. To enhance the antibacterial effect, add a few drops of an alcoholic iodine tincture to the soda solution.

A good effect and have decoctions of herbs - calendula, chamomile, oak bark. Herbal infusions can be washed genitals, do sedentary baths. Due to the anti-inflammatory properties of these plants, the woman quickly disappears symptoms of irritation of the mucous membrane of the vulva - itching, burning, swelling, pain when urinating.

Remember that during pregnancy it is impossible to prescribe yourself the treatment of thrush using folk methods. Some medicinal plants can harm the fetus, especially if candidiasis has appeared in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Non-standard treatment of vaginal candidiasis in women

Treatment of candidiasis in women with cold

This method of treating thrush may seem wild to many women, but it is quite effective. Any mushrooms and their spores are very fond of heat, which is why Candida mushrooms feel great in the human body.

The method of treatment of vaginal candidiasis with cold is based on the introduction of pieces of ice into the vagina for several minutes over a period of 5-7 days.

For the procedure, you can freeze the usual drinking water, and it is better to use for this purpose an antiseptic solution that has antifungal effects. So, the woman lies down on the bed, relaxes and gently inserts a piece of ice into the vagina as deeply as possible. You need to lie down for 3-4 minutes with ice, after that the woman takes a squatting position and “pulls” ice water out of herself. After 5 minutes, the procedure must be repeated. Duration of treatment is at least 5 days. Do not worry, short-term exposure of the ice to the mucous membrane of the vagina will not harm the body, but if you suffer from chronic cystitis or other pelvic inflammatory diseases, this treatment for thrush is not suitable.

Tea tree oil for the treatment of candidiasis

Tea tree essential oil is one of the most powerful antifungal agents. Method of treating candidiasis with tea tree oil: take 20 ml of any base oil (peach, grape seed, almond, sunflower), add 3 drops of tea tree essential oil to it. Apply the mixture on a cotton swab and enter into the vagina for 20 minutes. The procedure is performed 2 times a day for 10-15 days.

This method of treatment of thrush is great for pregnant women, but before starting the procedures, you should always consult with your gynecologist. The use of tea tree essential oil in the first trimester of pregnancy is undesirable in order not to harm the growing embryo.

The prognosis of the disease and possible complications of candidiasis

With timely treatment of the woman to the doctor and adequate therapy, the prognosis of vaginal candidiasis is usually favorable. However, if a woman ignores the symptoms of the disease and is not in a hurry to visit a gynecologist, Candida mushrooms continue to actively proliferate and spread the pathological process to nearby organs and tissues. With neglected severe forms of the disease, pathogenic microflora spreads to the kidneys, bladder and urethra.

If a woman persistently ignores the symptoms of the disease, her quality of life deteriorates greatly: insomnia develops, irritability against the background of constant and unbearable itching of the vulva, scratching and maceration of the external genital organs. Comb genitalia can become infected, and pathogenic pathogens will penetrate into the uterus ascendingly. Thus, symptoms of inflammation of the reproductive organs will be added to thrush. As you can see, the lack of treatment for vaginal candidiasis often leads to disastrous consequences for a woman. In severe cases, female infertility develops.

Especially dangerous is the lack of treatment of vaginal candidiasis during pregnancy. Candida fungi can penetrate the placental barrier and damage the internal organs of the fetus.

Medical diet for vaginal candidiasis

During the treatment of vaginal candidiasis diet is of great importance. Some foods can enhance the growth of candida mushrooms, so a woman is prescribed a special diet. It is important to understand that the diet for candidiasis is not a treatment for the disease and it must be combined with taking antifungal drugs. Compliance with the diet prepared by the doctor for thrush can significantly reduce the manifestations of the disease.

If a woman suffers from chronic vaginal candidiasis, then it is necessary to observe a therapeutic diet not only during the exacerbation of thrush, but also during stable remission, so as not to provoke new outbreaks.

In case of vaginal candidiasis, it is recommended to exclude foods rich in carbohydrates from the diet, since carbohydrates and sugars are a favorable medium for the pathological reproduction of pathogenic microflora.

During the exacerbation of vaginal candidiasis, it is recommended to exclude the following foods from the diet: pasta, oatmeal, semolina, chocolate, fresh bread and sweet pastry. Potato consumption should be limited due to its high starch content. Do not exclude it from the diet completely. Before use, it is enough to soak peeled and chopped potatoes in cold water for 1 hour so that the extra starch remains in the water.

You should also exclude the use of foods and drinks that are rich in yeast, as they also contribute to the reproduction of candidal fungus. Such products are beer, kvass, fresh bread, buns, cookies and others.

For the period of treatment, in order to facilitate the work of the liver, which already suffers from systemic drugs, it is necessary to abandon fatty meat and fish, fried and smoked dishes, sausages, alcohol, strong black coffee.

Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. From meat, preference should be given to beef, turkey, rabbit, chicken. Accelerate the process of recovery from thrush use more fermented milk products (cottage cheese, sour cream, kefir, yogurt, yogurt without food dyes and additives, ryazhenka). Fermented milk products restore intestinal microflora, inhibit the pathological growth of candidal fungus and increase immunity.

Methods for the prevention of vaginal candidiasis

To prevent the development of vaginal candidiasis, it is necessary to exclude the effect on the body of adverse factors. To do this, simply follow the simple recommendations:

• Follow the diet (with a predisposition to thrush to follow the diet specified above);
• Wear underwear only from natural fabrics, suitable size;
• Watch your weight (overweight people are prone to vaginal candidiasis);
• Avoid casual sex and frequent change of sexual partners (if you do not have a regular partner, always use a condom);
• Never take antibiotics without a doctor's prescription;
• Strengthen the body's immune defenses;
• During critical days, change the sanitary pad more often, regardless of how full it is;
• Do not abuse alcohol and strong black coffee, give up bad habits;
• Long-term use of oral contraceptives also contributes to the violation of the vaginal microflora and the active reproduction of candidal fungus, so you can not choose their own drug, before you start taking, consult with the gynecologist;
• Do not abuse vaginal douches, as this procedure washes out the entire microflora from the vagina and violates its natural level of acidity.

Remember that vaginal candidiasis is a pathology, with the manifestations of which every woman meets at least once in life. Despite the prevalence of thrush, it is necessary to treat this disease as soon as possible! A timely visit to a gynecologist and adequate therapy will prevent the disease from becoming chronic and will relieve the unpleasant symptoms of thrush, which can severely affect a woman’s quality of life.

Especially carefully monitor your health should be future mothers! After all, they are responsible not only for themselves, but also for the health and life of an infant growing in the womb.

Vaginal candidiasis during pregnancy

Very often the clinical picture of thrush appears during pregnancy. This is directly related to the change in the hormonal background of the woman, weakened immunity and the influence of other factors. Despite the relative harmlessness of the disease, candidiasis during pregnancy can cause serious violations of the condition. First of all, due to the constant discomfort and severe itching of the vulva, the expectant mother becomes irritable, her sleep worsens, and a feeling of constant fatigue appears. In more than 70% of cases of candidiasis during pregnancy infection of the fetus is observed. Getting into the uterus ascending, pathogens of candidiasis can affect the membranes of the placenta, the umbilical cord of the fetus, the mucous membranes of the fetus and internal organs. In case of severe thrush and the presence of concomitant diseases of the reproductive organs, premature labor or fetal death are possible. The course of vaginal candidiasis is complicated by the fact that in the period of gestation, many drugs are contraindicated for a woman, therefore the treatment plan is made individually for each individual case.

Treatment of candidiasis in pregnant women

Immediately you should pay attention that self-treatment of vaginal candidiasis in women during pregnancy is completely unacceptable! If you have symptoms of thrush, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible, who will select the appropriate treatment method.

• As a rule, treatment of thrush during pregnancy consists of several stages:
• Drug therapy;
• Traditional methods of treatment;
• Correction of diet and lifestyle.
• Drug treatment of candidiasis in women

For the treatment of vaginal candidiasis using local and systemic drugs. Systemic are intended for oral ingestion, which act directly in the intestine, and then, being absorbed into the blood, penetrate into all organs and tissues of the body. Treatment with systemic drugs in the period of childbearing is complicated by the fact that many of the drugs are highly toxic and can harm the growing fetus. Pregnant women are often prescribed topical medication - vaginal suppositories, sprays, tablets, ointments and creams.

If candidiasis has already appeared in the first trimester of pregnancy, the gynecologist prescribes Pimafucin for the woman, since it is completely non-toxic, even in high doses, and therefore cannot adversely affect the developing embryo. As a rule, in late pregnancy, the symptoms of thrush bother the woman again.

Starting from the second trimester of pregnancy, women for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis prescribe a means of local exposure with a high antifungal effect. These include vaginal suppositories, tablets and creams based on clotrimazole (miconazole, isoconazole and derivatives). The course of treatment and the dose of the drug is prescribed only by the attending physician, depending on the degree of neglect of the pathological process, the duration of the pregnancy and the general condition of the woman. Moreover, the treatment is recommended to take place with a spouse or sexual partner. After 10 days, the pair prescribe control tests.

The second stage of treatment of vaginal candidiasis is to restore the intestinal microflora and strengthen the body's defenses. To this end, women are prescribed a course of immunomodulators, multivitamin preparations and probiotics (a complex of lacto and bifidobacteria that inhibit the growth of candidal fungi).

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