Thrush is a serious pathology that affects the mucous membrane of the genitals. This is one of the most common female genital infections. With its development in the microflora of the vagina, the number of fungi of the genus Candide increases. They are present there initially, but in smaller numbers. Their growth is due to many factors, including stress, hormonal disruption, and decreased immunity.
Douching with thrush at home is one of the ways that every girl living in the post-Soviet space knew about. However, not everyone has an idea of how to properly carry out this procedure, so as not to harm their health.
What is thrush?
Thrush affects mainly women. Even in a healthy female body, mushrooms such as Candida are present. Their increase leads to thrush. As a result, the norms of the acidic environment are shifted and the existing microorganisms gradually “take off” the masks of healthy ones and “get used to the role” of pathogenic ones. These changes are manifested in symptomatic signs:
- cheesy copious discharge from the vagina;
- burning and itching on the outside of the genitals;
- redness, swelling, irritation;
- during intercourse, severe pain occurs;
- possible bloody streaks in the discharge after intercourse.
Damage to the vaginal mucosa by fungi occurs due to reduced immunity, endocrine system disorders and during pregnancy.
As a traditional treatment, a gynecologist, after appropriate examination and tests, prescribes the antifungal drug Fluconazole. It is usually taken on the first and seventh days from the start of therapy.
However, for the fastest effective complex treatment, local treatment is also prescribed - vaginal suppositories or tablets at night with clotrimazole or nystatin for 10 days. And almost always recommend special baths with anti-inflammatory solution or douching.
During the treatment of thrush, it is necessary to abandon intimacy, as well as the use of alcoholic beverages and products that contain yeast. In order to avoid relapse, it is necessary to undergo treatment and sexual partner.
Douching: do or not?
Douching with thrush is a special therapeutic procedure, the purpose of which is to treat the vaginal mucosa with a medical solution. If douching is carried out correctly, then this method of self-medication quite takes place.
There are a number of reasons why you should not douch:
- during pregnancy (the procedure affects the naturalness of the vaginal microflora, therefore, it can cause increased dysbiosis or dryness, which can have a negative effect on the health of the baby and mother);
- before visiting a gynecologist - washed microflora may show an incorrect analysis result;
- with the menstrual cycle - during douching, you can bring the infection into the uterus and also spread a number of pathogenic microorganisms;
- during the course of acute inflammatory processes;
- after abortion and childbirth.
It should be noted that douching with thrush on their own at home does not guarantee complete recovery. It is necessary to visit a specialist for medical treatment. In addition, throughout the world, gynecologists agree that douching is a big risk, because:
- due to the douching procedure, the infection can spread and the inflammatory process of the uterine appendages (endometritis and endometriosis) develops;
- during douching, the natural environment of the vaginal microflora is disturbed, which leads to the development of bacterial vaginosis and thrush, respectively.
A full-fledged treatment for thrush involves taking effective medications that the doctor prescribes based on the patient's analyzes. Among the most effective drugs in the form of suppositories and tablets, it is necessary to highlight Livarol, Terzhinan and Clotrimazole.
Douching during pregnancy
Thrush is a fairly common occurrence during the bearing of a child. The woman’s body undergoes significant changes, the immune status directly changes. The body perceives the fetus as a foreign body and fights it through the immune system. As a result, the pathogenic flora is activated and thrush is formed.
The treatment for this disease occurs in almost the same way as in ordinary women. However, immediately after the detection of thrush, it is impossible to resort to douching in any case. Such an action can inadvertently cause the threat of spontaneous abortion.
The bottom line is that during douching, not only a special solution enters the vagina, but also air. The action entails increased pressure, and air through the cervix enters the uterus itself, thereby forming a threat of miscarriage. In addition to these dire consequences, a number of infections can enter the uterus.
Douching with thrush at home
The first day you need to carry out two procedures: morning and evening. Then cut to one. The course has about 8-10 so-called sessions. In this case, a number of conditions must be observed.
- Before douching, be sure to thoroughly wash the genitals.
- It is necessary to “arm” with a regular syringe, but it is better to purchase Esmarch’s mug. This device is presented in the form of a container with a hose with a tip for the vagina and rectal administration. The tips need to be boiled, and the container should be washed well with hot water, and then rinsed with boiled water.
- The solution for douching should correspond to body temperature - 37 ° C.
- The irrigation process can be carried out in the bathroom. Esmarch's mug must be placed on the door or wall at a height of 75 cm from the lower back (not guided by the lying position).
For the procedure, you need to lie on your back and sit as comfortable as possible. Legs should be bent at the knees and slightly spread apart. Pre-lubricate the tip with Vaseline, so as not to damage the mucous membrane. Then insert it into the vagina with a depth of 5-7 cm and open the clamp. The stream of solution should be weak so as not to cause severe discomfort. The therapeutic composition infuses and flows independently from the vagina, gradually washing the vaginal walls.
- For maximum beneficial effect, it is necessary to lie in the bathtub for 20-25 minutes after washing.
- At one time, douching accounts for 200-300 ml of medicinal or herbal infusion (about 1 glass).
Any woman can carry out a specific method of douching with thrush. In case of hesitation in carrying out this procedure at home, you must consult a gynecologist. He will perform it in a hospital setting.
Soda douching with thrush
Soda is a unique non-toxic natural remedy with which you can defeat almost any infectious disease. Douching with soda during the course of thrush is the most common method that women resort to. The acidic environment of the vagina, in which Candida fungi “reign,” turns soda into alkaline. The development of the disease stops, and pathogenic microorganisms are destroyed, and as a result, unpleasant secretions and itching are eliminated after douching with soda with thrush. How to cook? The question is simple. There are only two necessary components: soda and boiled water.
So, how to prepare a solution for douching with soda with thrush? Mix 500 ml of boiled water and one teaspoon of soda.
The procedure must be repeated in the morning and evening. However, douching is indicated only in the absence of alkali allergy. Among the prohibition of douching with soda is the case of a woman taking birth control pills.
Douching with chamomile
From the side of traditional medicine, a fairly common method is also known - douching with infusion of chamomile. In order to prepare a decoction you will need such components: 2 tbsp. l dried flowers and 1 liter of hot water. Flowers must be poured with boiling water and brought to a boil. Wait for the broth to cool to 37–38 ° . Then it can be used as a solution for the procedure.
Pharmacy chamomile is a natural antiseptic. If desired, to enhance efficiency, you can add oak bark (taken in equal proportions). Douching with thrush at home can combine the use of two methods: using a solution of chamomile and soda processing.
We use hydrogen peroxide
Douching with peroxide in thrush is a less used method, but is not inferior in effect. Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful antioxidant that can destroy various types of bacteria, including fungal and viral.
Douching solution for thrush: mix 1 tbsp. l hydrogen peroxide with 0.5 l of warm boiled water. The resulting liquid can be used for douching. If thrush is accompanied by abundant frequent secretions, then the procedure with this solution will help immediately. If the cause of the discharge is not thrush, then you should not use this method without the consent of the gynecologist.
Potassium permanganate
The use of a weak solution of potassium permanganate is recommended by gynecologists for the treatment of various diseases, including thrush. Potassium permanganate is a strong antiseptic, which is why many doctors have the opposite opinion about its benefits, arguing that this tool has more harm than good. Inadequate douching with potassium permanganate with thrush can provoke negative consequences: severely burn the vaginal mucosa, thereby completely “killing” the beneficial microflora.
In order to avoid burns, it is necessary to carefully monitor that each grain of potassium permanganate is dissolved in water. Moreover, it is better to dilute the solution in a separate bowl. Then pour the resulting solution into the base for the douching solution - well boiled water and carefully monitor the color of the liquid. He should find a pale pink color, and in no case bright purple.
The effect of potassium permanganate is based on the unique ability of a substance to release atomic oxygen. Albuminates appear during compounding with proteins. It is the protein properties that can have antimicrobial and drying effects. In addition, potassium permanganate favorably affects the neutralization of toxins that secrete fungi such as Candida, and also normalizes the acid-base vaginal environment.
"Furacilin"
The use of a solution of furatsilin for douching can help relieve unpleasant manifestations of thrush, namely: itching, burning, swelling and inflammation.
In order to prepare a solution, you need 5 tablets of furatsilin and 500 ml of hot water.
Malavit
"Malavit" is a popular remedy, the basis of which is herbal. This product can be easily purchased at the pharmacy. "Malavit" favorably affects and destroys harmful microorganisms (anaerobic and aerobic), and also helps to relieve swelling.
To douch with thrush with the help of "Malavit", it is necessary to prepare a solution. 15 ml of the drug must be diluted in 300 ml of boiled water. The procedure must be performed within 5 days.
Chlorhexidine
Already prepared solution is sold in a pharmacy at the best price. The drug is presented in a convenient form (with its own nose for the introduction of the solution), which does not require the use of a syringe.
It is necessary to lie comfortably on your back and insert the nose of the bottle into the vagina. Squeeze out the solution carefully. After administration, lie down for 2-3 minutes. Douching with chlorhexidine on an ongoing basis is harmful - bacterial vaginosis may develop.
It is important to remember here: douching with "Chlorhexidine" with thrush can provoke an allergic reaction.
Safety Precautions
Reviews of douching with thrush are mostly positive. However, you should not abuse it, since such actions are dangerous and aggressive to the body. In European countries, many gynecologists completely abandoned the douching procedure, preferring safer methods.
The duration of the procedures should not exceed the period prescribed by the gynecologist. Many experts are sure that this method provokes the development of dysbiosis. During douching, leaching of not only pathogenic, but also beneficial microflora of the vagina gradually occurs. Thus, there is an increase in the imbalance of the microflora of the vagina.
Douching should not be done as a preventive measure. For in this case, a violation of the balanced vaginal environment occurs, and this directly affects the occurrence of vaginosis and thrush.
Remember that douching is an additional action in the treatment of thrush. It is necessary to undergo a comprehensive course of research and treatment. Never self-medicate. Since the possible negative consequences from this will be much more difficult to eliminate than the disease at the initial stage. Be sure to carefully read the necessary ratios of components for solutions and be healthy!