Causes of thrush in women. Symptoms, possible complications. Photo of thrush: What does thrush look like in the vagina in women. Vaginal candidiasis: main symptoms

What is thrush? This inflammatory process, the cause of which lies in yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida. Under normal conditions, these components are contained in the microflora oral cavity, vagina and colon. If they permissible norm is exceeded, then the described pathological process occurs.

Risk factors

The causes of thrush include low immunity, concomitant diseases, improper use of antibiotics, and lack of personal hygiene. Let us consider the presented causes of thrush in more detail.

Immune system disorder

Thrush often occurs during pregnancy, because it is during this period that a woman’s body is weakened. Despite this, thrush during pregnancy is not a normal condition, as it can cause bad influence on the child's health.

In addition to pregnancy, the following factors can reduce the body’s protective functions:

stressful situations;
infectious diseases;
tumors.

Incorrect use of antibiotics

Very often, the causes of thrush are antibiotic drugs, the dosage of which was prescribed incorrectly. Despite the fact that these medications help cure many diseases, they often cause a number of other pathologies. A woman’s body will not be able to cope with the disease on its own, so at the first sign of illness, she will have to take pills.

The action of antibiotics can destroy all microorganisms, and it does not matter to them whether they are beneficial or harmful. As a result, microflora is disrupted skin and mucous membranes, and these are suitable conditions for pathogenic organisms to live.

Intimate hygiene

Often the causes of thrush in women are the lack or improper adherence to intimate hygiene. Many people believe that by using alkaline soap they can prevent fungal growth. This opinion is far from correct. In such conditions, harmful microorganisms thrive and multiply further. Special cosmetics for intimate hygiene that contain antibiotics will also not provide a 100% guarantee. When wearing tight and uncomfortable underwear, natural air circulation is disrupted, so bacteria and fungi can travel from the anus to the vagina.

Related ailments

Thrush is a disease that often develops against the background of diabetes. The reason is that during this disease there is an increase in glucose in the tissues, and any fungi love sweets. For this reason, even in the absence of diabetes, you should not abuse sweets and flour products.

Another cause of thrush is fast food. Fans of this product often suffer from hypovitaminosis. It, in turn, suppresses the immune system and affects the mucous membranes, so fungi easily enter the organs. A lack of vitamins and minerals often also affects a decrease in immune functions, thereby creating favorable conditions for the proliferation of bacteria.

What woman doesn't want to have a beautiful body? For these purposes, she uses various diets to lose weight, but as a result of this, she can get a fungal infection such as thrush in women. Due to dystrophy, this disease is difficult to treat. And even with successful therapy, after a few weeks it again affects the female body.

Sexually transmitted infectious diseases

What is thrush? This is a disease that can be carried by two regular sexual partners. The only thing is that in women this pathology has a more pronounced character. In the male population, thrush is most often asymptomatic. For this reason, treatment for thrush should be carried out in two partners at the same time.

There are also cases when thrush in women occurs due to infection with diseases transmitted through sexual intercourse. The causative agents of sexually transmitted diseases contribute to the formation of a sharp change in the state of microflora and the suppression of beneficial microbes. The result of this pathological process and the active phase of yeast reproduction serves, as a result of which thrush appears.

How does the disease manifest itself?

Every woman experiences thrush symptoms differently. The reason for this individual characteristics of an individual organism, the degree of progression of the disease and the cause that caused it. In addition, the signs of thrush in women are different for each type of this disease.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis

This is a pathological process in which thrush affects the mucous membrane of the external genitalia and vagina. Characteristic symptoms of this type of thrush are:

discharge from the genital tract in sufficient quantities;
formation of itching, burning sensation and irritation in the external genital area;
white coating on the mucous membrane, the appearance of which resembles sour milk;
painful sensations that affect a woman during sexual intercourse;
an unpleasant odor reminiscent of sour milk.

Candidal vaginitis

This type of pathological process is one of the most common development options. His characteristic feature is the fact that the fungus that causes the inflammatory process not only affects the vaginal mucosa, but also persists there. The following are signs of thrush:

On the mucous membrane, the symptoms of thrush are sharp redness and the presence of a dense, thick white coating.
Itching and burning sensation. Symptoms of this type of thrush affect the vaginal area.
Painful sensations when trying to touch the mucous membrane.

Candidal pyelocystitis

This option is a complicated course of candidiasis. It is characterized by deep spread of infection into the vaginal mucosa. Highlight following symptoms thrush in women:

Symptoms of thrush include the formation of deep erosions on the vaginal mucosa. Their color is yellow-white; if you try to remove them, a bleeding wound opens.
Painful sensations.

General manifestations

As a rule, the symptoms of thrush in women cause her a lot of inconvenience when another exacerbation occurs. The most frequent symptoms Thrush in its uncomplicated course are:

Education cheesy discharge, having a white color and a characteristic sour odor. Their number may vary depending on the severity of the lesion.
Symptoms of thrush in women appear as painful sensations while going to the toilet.
Pain during sexual intercourse.

Diagnostics

Before you appoint effective treatment thrush, the doctor should send the patient to diagnostic test. It includes an examination by a gynecologist, as a result of which he will be able to take a smear and examine it for the presence of fungus. Symptoms of thrush in women are important in making a diagnosis. No other diagnostic methods will be needed anymore.

Therapeutic measures

How to treat thrush? For these purposes, a set of therapeutic measures is provided, the purpose of which is to eliminate all manifestations of the disease and the lesion itself. Treatment of thrush in women involves the following measures:

Restoration and normalization of the immune system.
Relief of local manifestations of the disease.
Systemic treatment of thrush in women.

Local treatment of thrush involves the use of external remedies such as suppositories and vaginal tablets for thrush for women. Effective external remedies for thrush are:

suppositories and tablets for thrush Antifungol, Kanison, Clotrimazole;
Gyno-travogen Ovulum suppositories;
suppositories Ginezol 7;
Pimafucin suppositories;
Polygynax and Terzhinan candles.

Doctors also prescribe a 5–10% solution of borax in glycerin for this ailment. But this remedy for thrush is considered ancient and today is ineffective.

If the disease occurs in mild degree, then medications for thrush are replaced by a single dose of Fluconazole, 150 mg orally. Also for these purposes, medications for thrush such as Diflucan and Forkan are used.

If you don’t know how to get rid of thrush, then you should not self-medicate and you need to know that using suppositories and tablets wide range action is inappropriate. The reason is that such candles promote development. Suppositories and preparations that have antibacterial properties broad action, disrupt the normal microflora of the vagina.

How else can you cure thrush? By effective means from thrush are antifungal drugs. Immunotherapy and physiotherapy will also help with the question of how to get rid of thrush.

All these remedies (suppositories, tablets) can be used to treat thrush at home. But suppositories and tablets should be used in the dosage prescribed by an experienced doctor.

Preventive actions

To prevent a disease such as thrush, the following recommendations must be followed:

When taking antibiotics, it is better to use the tablet form of the drug orally.
The underwear should be comfortable and made of cotton fabric.
Avoid casual sexual contacts.

Thrush is very insidious disease, providing a woman with mass discomfort. Exists a large number of remedies for thrush, thanks to which you can overcome the disease and eliminate the cause of its formation.

Is everything correct in the article? medical point vision?

Answer only if you have proven medical knowledge

Good day, dear readers!

In today's article we will talk about such a disease as candidiasis (thrush), and to be more precise - thrush in women And thrush in men.

But first, let’s figure out what’s what, because... There is a lot of information on the topic of thrush.

Let's start with the fact that the disease candidiasis (thrush) is a type of fungal infection caused by microscopic yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida (Candida). It’s immediately worth noting that these fungi are present in the normal microflora of most people - in the mouth, vagina and colon.

The disease itself, thrush, is caused by the excessive proliferation of Candida fungi in large quantities, as well as the development of their more pathogenic strains. The immune system is responsible for controlling the amount of candida, therefore, weakened immunity is one of the main reasons for the development of thrush, both in women and men.

Thrush in women (vaginal candidiasis, vulvovaginal candidiasis) is an inflammation of the vaginal mucosa due to the growth of colonies of yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida.

Thrush most often occurs in females, because... in the vagina more favorable environment for rapid reproduction of Candida fungi. Almost every woman is familiar with this disease and most of them independently diagnose and treat this disease. But, self-medication of thrush, like any other disease, may not have the best effect on your overall health.

Thrush in men (candida balanoposthitis)– inflammation of the surface of the head of the penis, as well as its foreskin.

14-18% of healthy men are carriers of yeast-like fungi on the penis. Most often, a man becomes infected with thrush through sexual contact from a woman.

Thrush pathogens can be sexually transmitted, but most cases of thrush are not associated with sexual contact. Thrush does not apply venereal diseases and is considered together with them only because of a similar clinical picture.

Types of thrush

There is no uniform classification of thrush, but experts still distinguish different types thrush.

Acute candidiasis. This type is characterized by abundant complaints, bright clinical manifestations and lasting no more than 2 months.

Chronic candidiasis. The complaints are minimal, but last for more than 2 months and are resistant to antifungal therapy.

Candida carrier. Complaints and symptoms are completely absent, but a yeast fungus of the genus Candida is found on the mucous membrane.

Symptoms of thrush

In women, thrush affects the vagina and external genitalia; in men, the glans penis and foreskin are affected.

The picture on the right shows what thrush (candidiasis) looks like on the skin. In order to avoid possible trauma to the psyche of readers, I will not publish photos of the genital organs of men and women affected by thrush, but you, dear readers, can do this yourself through search engines. Thank you for understanding.

Symptoms of thrush in women

- burning and itching in the area of the external genitalia;
- redness in the vaginal area and external genitalia;
- white cheesy vaginal discharge with an unpleasant sour odor;
- pain during sexual intercourse;
- pain when urinating.

Symptoms of thrush in men

- burning and itching in the area of the glans penis and foreskin;
- redness of the glans penis and foreskin;
- white coating on the head;
- pain during sexual intercourse;
- pain when urinating.

Causes of thrush

There are a huge number of causes of thrush. Let us note the main ones.

Causes of thrush in women

— vaginal dysbiosis;
- taking antibiotics;
- changes in the hormonal background of the body (taking contraceptives, disorders menstrual cycle, pregnancy);
- poor nutrition (little and predominant carbohydrates in the diet - sweets, cakes, sweets);
- after surgical interventions;
- wearing tight synthetic panties;
- non-compliance;
- weakened immunity;
- metabolic disease;
- diseases and infections in the body;
- diseases transmitted through sexual contact.

Causes of thrush in men

Diagnosis of thrush

In case of symptoms of thrush, the specialist prescribes an examination, which consists of taking tests in the following areas:

- smear microscopy (flora study);
— PCR studies (to detect the DNA of yeast-like fungi);
- bacterial culture (to identify the fungus and the type, it also helps to determine the level of sensitivity of the identified fungus to the drugs that are planned to treat the patient).

Do not under any circumstances diagnose yourself. Since in most cases when laboratory diagnostics Concomitant infections are identified and comprehensive treatment is prescribed.

Important! Treatment of any disease can only be prescribed by a doctor!

Important! Both sexual partners need to be treated for candidiasis.

Treatment of thrush in men

For the treatment of thrush in men (treatment of candidal balanoposthitis (damage to the glans penis and foreskin)) it is enough local treatment. To do this, use a cream with clotrimazole. The product is applied to the affected areas in a thin layer 2 times a day, for 5-7 days.
At the same time, you can take fluconazole (150 mg) orally once, but as a rule, this is not necessary.

Commercial names of fluconazole:“Diflazon”, “Diflucan”, “Medoflucon”, “Mikosist”, “Forkan”.

Treatment of thrush in women

In case of mild vulvovaginal candidiasis (vaginal candidiasis - damage to the vagina and external genitalia), local treatment is sufficient, but sometimes additional antifungal drugs, restorative drugs, means to strengthen the immune system, physiotherapy, etc. are added to the set of measures to eliminate thrush.

Some drugs (in parentheses) based on active ingredients:

— clotrimazole (“Antifungol”, “Yenamazol 100”, “Candibene”, “Canesten”, “Kanizon”, “Clotrimazole”);
— isoconazole (“Gyno-travogen Ovulum”);
- miconazole (“Ginezol 7”, “Gyno-daktarin”, “Klion-D 100”);
— natamycin (“Pimafucin”);
- nystatin (“Poliginax”, “Terzhinan”).

Additionally, like men, they may be prescribed a single oral dose of fluconazole (150 mg) - Diflazon, Diflucan, Medoflucon, Mikosist, Forkan.

Application vaginal tablets and broad-spectrum suppositories (Terzhinan, Polygynax, Betadine) are not advisable for thrush, as they contribute to the development of gardnerellosis. These drugs contain antibacterial agents broad spectrum of action, suppressing the normal microflora of the vagina.

In addition to treatment with drugs for recovery, it is necessary to eliminate the causes that led to thrush. Also, after a course of treatment, it is necessary to come for a re-examination, because the symptoms may go away, but the thrush may still remain.

Treatment of thrush with folk remedies

Treatment at home should be used only after consultation with a specialist. Improper treatment can lead to thrush becoming chronic, which is already a more serious problem.

For men, for treatment from the following folk recipes You can use baths and solutions to wipe the affected areas.

Calendula oil and tea tree. To 1 teaspoon of calendula oil, add 2 drops of tea tree oil. At night, inject the solution with a syringe without a needle.

Calendula and chamomile. 1 tbsp. mix a spoon with 2 tbsp. spoons and pour 1 liter of boiling water overnight. In the morning, strain and syringe. Or brew the herb, let it brew a little and cool (until warm state) and use it as a bath.

Oak bark, chamomile, sage and nettle. Mix 1 tbsp. spoon of oak bark, 1 tbsp. spoon of chamomile, 1 tbsp. spoon and 3 tbsp. spoons Take 2 tbsp. spoons of the resulting mixture and pour 1 liter of boiling water and let it brew overnight. In the morning, strain and use for douching.

Soda and iodine. During the day, syringe with the solution: 1 teaspoon baking soda for 1 l boiled water. Before going to bed, take a bath: 1 tbsp. a spoonful of baking soda per 1 liter of warm boiled water with the addition of 1 teaspoon of iodine. Pour into a bowl and sit in the product for 15-20 minutes. Repeat these baths and douches throughout the week.

Thrush or candidiasis is an infection caused by a fungus of the genus candida. In general, it is not a terrible, but very nasty itchy phenomenon that can occur both in the vagina in women and on the penis in men. The itching can be so severe that the person literally jumps up and has an irresistible desire to scratch a certain place.

What is this for fungal infection received such a “milk” name? It's very simple: if candidiasis affects the vagina, whitish cheesy “flakes” appear inside it, which then turn into discharge of the same color.

If the fungus settles on the penis, it becomes covered with a white “milky” coating. In this case, the genitals itch equally and constantly in both sexes.

The reasons for its occurrence

In both girls and women, the normal environment in the vagina is moderately acidic: its microflora consists mainly of lactobacilli. As long as such an environment inside the vagina remains, and lactobacilli multiply and function normally, they create a kind of barrier to the development of a fungal infection.

For favorable living conditions of lactic acid bacteria in female body The hormone estrogen is responsible: its balanced production contributes to the formation of natural microflora.

It has been proven that spores of fungi of the genus candida are also normal small quantity inhabit the vagina. Only, while lactobacilli are in force, the number of these spores is insignificant, so a person does not feel their presence in any way.

If a change occurs in the vaginal microflora, the number of lactobacilli decreases significantly, the acidity level increases and the environment becomes extremely favorable for the proliferation of fungi. As a result, candida becomes active, begins to grow and multiply - thrush occurs.

Taking antibiotics

All other things being equal, if a person is generally healthy, thrush most often develops after antibiotics. Even a gynecologist or urologist who discovers thrush in a patient who does not suffer from chronic diseases first of all asks the question: “Have you taken antibiotics recently?”

In the destruction of harmful bacteria, these strong drugs They do not operate on the principle of “precision strikes”. They kill all bacteria that are not resistant to this species antibiotics. Therefore, the “beneficial inhabitants” of the microflora living in the intestines, vagina, mouth and even on the skin can suffer.

The consequence of the death of lactobacilli, as noted above, is a change in the microflora of the internal environment of the body in an acidic direction, and this contributes to the proliferation of the fungus.

Thus, in cases of strong or prolonged exposure to antibiotics on the body, thrush can develop not only in the vagina in girls and women, or on the penis in men, but also in the intestines, in the oral cavity, as well as on the surface of the skin and nails.

Having untreated or chronic diseases

Chronic infections diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) - all these are also causes of thrush. All of these diseases weaken the immune system, affect the natural microflora, and are accompanied by the growth of fungal infections.

Well, STDs also serve as an independent channel for transmitting thrush from person to person. This means that if one of the sexual partners already has it, then the other will most likely get it too.

Weakening of the immune system

A decrease in the body's immune forces associated with stress, hypothermia, vitamin deficiency, and overwork can also lead to candidiasis.

Reduced immunity for any of the above reasons is characterized by a change hormonal levels, and therefore a violation acid-base balance. And we already know: if the microflora changes in an acidic direction, conditions arise for the proliferation of fungi.

Pregnancy period

Pregnant women experience hormonal changes that are so dramatic that they can be compared to a hormonal storm. And not just strong, but also long-lasting.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to acid-base “imbalance”, leading to increased acidity vaginal microflora. And as we remember, such an environment is favorable for the development of candidiasis.

Symptoms of thrush

We found out why men and women get thrush and what it is. But what kind characteristic features allow us to determine that it is she and not something else?

Actually, milky and cheesy discharge from the vagina or on the penis is the most main symptom candidiasis.

In addition to this, thrush may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

Since the mucous membrane of the vagina or penis is irritated by the fungus, both women and men may experience extremely unpleasant sensations during urination: burning, pain.
The genital area may become quite red and swollen. In this case, the white coating already mentioned above will appear on top of the reddened mucosa. For men it’s just a coating, for women it’s something like curdled flakes with a slight sour smell.

Sexual relationships no longer give pleasure: during sexual intercourse, severe discomfort, pain, burning or itching.
In girls, all of the above manifestations of the disease before menstruation can also intensify.

Actually, the listed symptoms of thrush in themselves force it to be treated, since the sensations in its carrier are extremely unpleasant, and the quality of life, including sexual life, is noticeably reduced.

How dangerous is it if left untreated?

To convince you of the need for treatment, here are a few more examples of negative consequences:

Untreated thrush can lead to deeper inflammation genitourinary system, for example, in women it affects the urethra and bladder, and the cervix. In men - provoke inflammation of the head of the penis and foreskin.
From the genitals, candidiasis can spread to other parts of the body: the mouth, stomach, intestines, external skin, nails.
Thrush that is not cured during pregnancy is terrible for the unborn baby: while passing through birth canal he can become infected with candidiasis from his mother. And since newborns have not yet developed their own immunity, the disease can be very difficult.

Can thrush occur in men?

Yes, and we have already mentioned this more than once. Dear men! Please do not underestimate the danger of candidiasis for you: this is not a purely female disease!

Take care of your health and receive timely treatment for any diseases, because they can weaken your immunity, and this, as we have already understood, is a favorable factor for thrush.
Be vigilant in your sex life, as candidiasis can be contracted from a sexual partner.
Carefully follow the rules of intimate hygiene.

If you become:

it became painful to urinate,
the head of the penis burns,
the skin on the penis itches relentlessly,
I feel indecently want to scratch the causal area,
the penis is covered with some kind of whitish coating - you know, this is how thrush appears.

These are the most characteristic symptoms and a reason for an urgent visit to the urologist!

What to do if you notice symptoms of candidiasis?

First of all, of course, visit a doctor. Women go to a gynecologist, men go to a urologist. To confirm the diagnosis, a smear is usually taken, which, after laboratory analysis, will allow you to give a confident answer, including about a specific type of fungus.

Remember, self-medication, independent choice of medications, as well as the use of all kinds of folk remedies (baths, douches) at home can only aggravate the course of the disease and even lead to complications.

Itching, burning and vaginal discharge are not limited to thrush; they are a frequent companion to other gynecological and urological diseases, for example, vaginosis and trichomoniasis.

Therefore, only a doctor can diagnose or deny the presence of thrush, as well as prescribe the correct treatment, based on the results of tests and examinations.

How is thrush treated?

Use of medications

Once the diagnosis is made, antifungal drugs are usually prescribed. Most likely for women it will be vaginal suppositories(suppositories) of local action, for men - a special ointment, also locally. For prolonged candidiasis, medications for internal use in tablets.

Maintaining hygiene and avoiding panty liners

To speed up the treatment of thrush, as well as prevent its recurrence, it is necessary to regularly wash your face and change your underwear. This applies to both women and men. Washing panties in a machine should be done at high temperatures.

Also, ladies are strongly recommended to at least temporarily (or better yet, permanently) stop using panty liners, especially colored and scented ones. It has been proven that they can provoke and even aggravate vaginal candidiasis, as they create a warm, moist environment on their surface.

Pads for critical days should also be chosen without fragrances with the maximum natural composition, and change them as often as possible. It is also better to avoid tampons until complete recovery.

Avoiding synthetic underwear

Continuing the hygienic topic, we note that the use of synthetic underwear when fighting candidiasis is highly not recommended, since synthetics prevent air circulation in the genital area and create a damp environment favorable for fungi.

Therefore, it is better to choose panties made from natural materials: cotton, linen, bamboo. In general, it is advisable to do this on an ongoing basis, but during the treatment of thrush it is mandatory.

Nutrition correction

In the process of treating thrush, it is necessary to pay attention to diet.

The following should be excluded from the diet or, at a minimum, seriously limited:

all types of sweets (replacing them with a moderate amount of fresh fruit);
foods rich in starch (potatoes, peas, corn, white rice, as well as white bread and other white flour products);
products containing yeast (baked goods, beer) and mold (blue cheese),
spicy, sour, pickled and smoked foods,
vinegar, ketchup, mustard, soy and other sauces and dressings.

Sugar and starch are an ideal environment for fungi, including candida. And sour and spicy foods, although harmful to fungal colonies, can increase irritation in the perineum.

But kefir, yogurt and others dairy products(no sugar!) should, on the contrary, be included in your daily diet.

Monitor your food reactions and monitor your diet. And be healthy!

Video: causes of thrush and its treatment

Almost every woman encounters manifestations of thrush. Many factors contribute to the occurrence of candidiasis. Among them - weak immunity, use of antibiotics and others. The first signs of the disease are easy to detect. By starting treatment right away, you can quickly get rid of symptoms. If thrush is not recognized in time, it becomes chronic. Cutting and burning in the vagina bring a woman to exhaustion and cause distress nervous system. There is a danger of complications. The fungus is often accompanied by other infections.

Content:

Forms of candidiasis in women

Thrush (candidiasis) – fungal disease, in which an inflammatory process occurs in the vagina. IN natural microflora There is always some Candida present. Under suitable conditions, the growth of a colony of these microorganisms begins. In this case, the mucous membrane is damaged and inflammation develops.

IN healthy body the development of infection is inhibited due to the presence beneficial bacteria producing lactic acid. An acidic environment is harmful to fungi. Candidiasis occurs when the natural balance of beneficial and harmful microorganisms is disrupted for any reason. Fungal waste products cause lactic acid to clot. With vaginal candidiasis, white lumps resembling cottage cheese appear in the discharge. The discharge has a characteristic weak sour odor.

There are two forms of thrush.

Uncomplicated– the most common. Symptoms of the disease appear moderately. No other infections are detected in the body. Exacerbation of the disease occurs no more than 4 times a year due to the fact that the woman’s immunity is quite strong.

Complicated– symptoms of acute thrush appear frequently in women. Relapses occur 5 or more times a year. This form of thrush is observed in diabetes mellitus, lack of nutrition, and also during pregnancy. That is, in cases where immunity is significantly reduced.

Signs and symptoms of thrush

First clear signs This disease in women causes abundant cheesy discharge. They do not have an unpleasant odor. They smell faintly sour milk. They cause irritation of the mucous membranes, so the woman feels a constant burning and itching in the vagina. They intensify in the evening.

If candidiasis occurs in a woman for the first time or recurs after a long break, the following symptoms are noted:

redness and swelling of the mucous membranes of the vulva and vagina;
the appearance of small cracks and hemorrhages on inner surface genitals;
the formation of a pale gray coating on the walls of the vagina, which is difficult to remove; the surface underneath is bright red;
damage to the mucous membrane leads to increased discomfort during sexual intercourse;
due to constant malaise, the woman quickly gets tired, becomes irritable, and feels discomfort;
pain occurs when urinating, appears constant feeling overflow Bladder. This indicates that the infection has spread to the genitourinary system.

If the disease becomes complicated and often recurs, then the symptoms become less pronounced. Happening partial atrophy mucous membrane, keratinization of the surface of the vaginal walls, resulting in dryness and increased pain. The discharge becomes scanty.

Causes of fungal proliferation

The growth of a fungal colony occurs only in a humid environment with low acidity and a lack of beneficial bacteria in the microflora. The causes of thrush are factors that create favorable conditions for the development of Candida fungi.

Taking antibiotics. These substances are capable of a short time neutralize dangerous bacteria, saving a person from death. However, they cannot act selectively, so along with the pathogenic bacteria, the beneficial ones also die. However, antibiotics do not act on fungi. Side effect These drugs create conditions for the pathological proliferation of the fungus and its unhindered penetration into other organs.

Improper metabolism. Impaired functioning of the liver and pancreas leads to the appearance of sugar in the blood. Sugar also accumulates in the mucous membranes of the genital organs, creating nutrient medium for candida mushrooms. Therefore, thrush occurs in women who are sick diabetes mellitus. To lower blood sugar levels, insulin injections are given to regulate glucose levels.

Metabolic disorders are also caused by poor nutrition: abuse of sweet, fatty and rich in carbohydrates food.

Reduced immunity. Reducing the body's resistance to infections makes their unhindered spread and development possible. The state of immunity is affected by past diseases, the nutritional system, physical development, bad habits and other factors. Candidiasis most often occurs in women after various diseases, stress.

Changes in hormonal levels. Reception hormonal drugs, birth control pills can create an imbalance of sex hormones in the body. For example, in the second half of the menstrual cycle, the ratio of estrogen and progesterone in the body changes dramatically. This affects the condition of the mucous membranes of the vagina and vulva and the acidity of the environment. Therefore, it is at this time, approximately 1 week before menstruation, that women often experience an exacerbation of thrush.

A reduced level of estrogen during pregnancy also provokes the appearance of symptoms of thrush in women, as the mucous membrane becomes looser and the volume of discharge increases. All this reduces the protective abilities of the mucous membrane.

Due to hormonal imbalance, candidiasis can occur when using inappropriate contraceptives, treatment hormonal drugs. Hormonal imbalances in diseases of the endocrine glands are also a factor contributing to the appearance of milk.

Addition: Incorrect execution hygiene procedures using cosmetics, frequent douching can cause the death of lactobacilli, drying out or damage to the mucous membrane. Tight, narrow synthetic underwear creates an obstacle to normal heat exchange. High humidity and heat contribute to the development of thrush.

Ways of infection with thrush

You can become infected with thrush either through household or sexual contact. Candida mushrooms can be found on bed linen, towels, washcloths and things of a sick person. If you do not follow the rules of hygiene, you can become infected in the sauna or swimming pool. Fungi die when high temperature, therefore, infection can be avoided by boiling and ironing bedding and underwear.

Thrush can be contracted from a sexual partner. Even using a condom does not guarantee complete protection, since the fungus is found not only in the mucous membrane, but also on the skin of a sick person. In men external manifestations the diseases are poorly expressed. If thrush is detected in a woman, not only she, but also her sexual partner should be treated.

Video: Why does thrush occur and how is it diagnosed in women?

Complications of thrush

Timely treatment of the disease in the acute phase with the help of antifungal agents allows you to quickly destroy harmful microorganisms and completely get rid of unpleasant symptoms.

If the course of treatment is not completed or the disease is advanced, then a chronic form of thrush appears with periodic relapses at the slightest discomfort experienced by the body (cold, stress, eating unusual foods, taking medications). It is much more difficult to cure a fungus.

Complications of chronic thrush may include:

Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the uterus and ovaries. Formation of adhesions that impair patency fallopian tubes, which leads to infertility or ectopic pregnancy.
Inflammation of the bladder (cystitis).
Intestinal inflammation.
Infection enters the blood and spreads to other organs.
A sharp weakening of the immune system, contributing to the development of other infections in the body. There may be such accompanying illnesses, such as trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, genital herpes and others.

If a pregnant woman is sick with thrush, then intrauterine infection of the fetus or infection of the child occurs during childbirth. He may develop pneumonia. Premature birth or termination of pregnancy in the 2nd trimester is possible.

Video: Complications of thrush

When is it necessary to see a doctor?

You should not postpone a visit to the doctor if, with thrush, a woman has a fever, pain in the lower abdomen and lower back. Such symptoms may indicate the spread of the inflammatory process. If the color and smell of the discharge still changes, then there is a high probability of other infectious diseases.

If treatment for thrush has already been prescribed, but does not produce results within a week, then additional examination and selection of another remedy is necessary. The doctor should also be informed about the appearance of skin irritation in the genital area that occurs after starting to take anti-thrush medications.

If the disease recurs, you should not self-medicate using previous prescriptions. The doctor must do a new examination and select more suitable drug. You cannot hope that the disease will go away on its own, especially when relapses of thrush occur frequently.

Methods for diagnosing thrush

The assumption about the cause of cheesy discharge and burning in the vagina requires confirmation by laboratory methods. Signs of chronic thrush can be confused with manifestations bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, especially if the infections develop together.

During a gynecological examination, a smear is necessarily taken from the surface of the vagina to study the composition of the discharge under a microscope and detect fungus and other types of microorganisms. A bacterial culture of the vaginal contents is done, which makes it possible to detect the size of the fungal colony and accurately determine its type. Sensitivity to antifungal agents is determined.

By using PCR method the genotype of infections present in the microflora is determined, pathogens are detected hidden infections(Trichomonas, Ureaplasma, Gardnerella and others).

Video: Causes and prevention of thrush in women

The direct cause of the development of candidiasis (thrush) is the activity of single-celled fungi of the genus Candida, which is related to yeast. Normally, these microorganisms are part of the microflora that lives in the mouth and intestines of most people, as well as in the female genital tract. Pathological phenomena are observed in cases where fungi begin to multiply too rapidly. In this case, an inflammatory process occurs that affects the mucous membranes and is manifested by very unpleasant symptoms: itching, burning, pain and heavy discharge, having a specific appearance. The problem is very common: according to statistics, about 30% of people have suffered from thrush at least once in their lives.

Despite the fact that the disease is successfully diagnosed and treated, there are also a large number of misconceptions about it. In this article we will try to dispel the most well-known myths about thrush.

Any vaginal discharge indicates the presence of thrush

This is wrong. Vaginal discharge can be very diverse, including those not associated with any pathologies. With thrush, the discharge has a creamy or cheesy structure. They are thick, painted white, less often grayish or greenish, and have almost no smell. The presence of a sharp, unpleasant odor, as a rule, indicates that the rapid development of fungi is combined with another infection.

The cause of candidiasis is tight underwear

The main factor in the occurrence of thrush is hormonal disbalance, creating an environment in the genital tract that is favorable for the rapid proliferation of fungi. It is not without reason that about half of the cases of vaginal candidiasis occur in the initial period of pregnancy. Tight underwear does not provoke the development of thrush, however, the greenhouse effect that occurs in the intimate area of the body when wearing tight panties made from synthetic fabrics for a long time can contribute to the development of favorable conditions to intensify the pathological process when it has already begun.

To reduce the risk of increased fungal activity, you should choose underwear made from cotton or linen fabric. Natural silk panties are also suitable. As for the style of underwear, the safest is the classic cut. Thongs and very tight shorts can only be worn occasionally.

Special personal hygiene products prevent thrush

The myth is introduced and strongly supported by companies producing detergents that supposedly have antibacterial activity. Actually the best hygiene product For the intimate area, use regular warm water. Regular use of any type of soap or gel leads to a change in acidity internal environment vagina with subsequent growth of colonies of pathogenic microorganisms. If a detergent really provides an antibacterial effect, when it is used, the beneficial microflora dies first, which gives extra space for the development of pathogenic microorganisms.

Many women, trying to get rid of thrush, resort to vaginal douching. This is very harmful! A jet of water actively washes away beneficial microflora, limiting the growth of pathogenic fungi.

It is worth paying attention to such personal hygiene products as panty liners. They should be changed as often as possible so as not to create accumulations of pathogenic microorganisms in intimate area. When choosing “daily items”, it is important to give preference to options that are not treated with wet impregnations and flavors.

Candidiasis is difficult to diagnose

Reliable diagnosis of thrush can be carried out in any laboratory. This involves microscopic examination of a vaginal smear and assessment bacterial culture. The analysis shows the presence of fungus in the contents of the genital tract and the intensity of growth of its colonies. Such research is quite reliable and inexpensive.

Thrush can be treated with any antifungal agent

Today there are many medicines, active ingredients which are active against a wide range of pathogenic fungi. However, in some cases, treatment is ineffective. In such a situation, the doctor prescribes additional laboratory research, allowing you to accurately determine the variety of Candida that is causing the problem. Based on the results of the analysis, they select medicines, having a narrower spectrum of action.

The medicine prescribed by your doctor for candidiasis can be used repeatedly.

The assertion has some basis. Indeed, some of the antifungal agents work successfully to cure thrush when it occurs for the second and even third time. However, do not forget that fungi can adapt to the effects of drugs and produce treatment-resistant strains.

In addition, repeated repetitions of attacks of candidiasis should be the reason for a general examination of the body. Such phenomena indicate the presence of a constantly operating factor that enhances the activity pathogenic microflora. As a rule, it is a chronic disease that requires specific treatment.

Single-dose antifungal medications completely cure thrush

It is impossible to completely rid the body of fungi. Single dose medications are very convenient. With proper selection, they quickly relieve unpleasant symptoms, but, unfortunately, do not destroy the root cause of the problem. To achieve a long-term absence of exacerbations, it is necessary to find out what factors provoke them and undergo comprehensive treatment.

You can get rid of candidiasis with a special diet

There is no diet that can help cure thrush or prevent its development. Experts note some connection between the activity of pathogenic fungi and an excess of fast carbohydrates in the diet, but this factor begins to act only in cases where candidiasis already exists.

For people with diabetes, the risk of developing thrush is increased. This is due to the instability of hormonal levels characteristic of such patients. A diet that involves reducing the amount simple carbohydrates in food, reduces the manifestations of diabetes and, accordingly, reduces the likelihood of developing candidiasis in diabetics.

Candidiasis can cause premature birth

Thrush in a pregnant woman is a very unpleasant, but unfortunately not uncommon occurrence. The disease cannot cause premature birth, but it undoubtedly creates a risk of infection of the fetus. Besides, to the expectant mother Most medications intended to treat candidiasis should not be taken. If symptoms of the disease appear, a woman should urgently consult a doctor leading the pregnancy to prescribe treatment that is safe for the fetus (usually local).

Thrush is a sign of immunodeficiency

People suffering from chronic candidiasis often experience a decrease in immunity, but thrush is not a symptom of immunodeficiency. It can be considered that the weakening protective forces organism increases the risk of developing candidiasis, but is not its direct cause.

Too frequent sexual intercourse and changing sexual partners contribute to the development of candidiasis

Contrary to popular belief, thrush is not a specifically female problem. Men also suffer from candidiasis, and transmission of fungi from a sexual partner is quite possible. However, the disease does not arise due to sexual intemperance or promiscuity. Its cause is a state of the body in which fungi living in the genital tract begin to multiply excessively.

Both sexual partners need to be treated for thrush

Fungi of the genus Candida can exist in the host’s body for decades without causing any inconvenience to him. A very real situation is when thrush torments one of the sexual partners, while the other is healthy. Considering that it is impossible to completely remove fungi from the body, and therapy is aimed at reducing the activity of their reproduction (that is, bringing their number to normal level), treatment of the partner who is just a carrier of opportunistic microflora seems useless.

A person who regularly suffers from candidiasis should seriously think about his health. It is not thrush itself that is dangerous, but the reasons leading to its development. In this situation, simply stopping the attacks will not help desired result, this is only a temporary solution to the problem. A comprehensive examination and adequate comprehensive treatment are necessary.

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