Unfortunately, most women (about 75%) in their childbearing age suffer candida vaginitis (thrush), which is caused by yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida. The disease goes away with severe symptoms of vaginitis or vulvovaginitis. It should be noted that this type of mushroom normally lives on the surface of the skin, the mucous membrane of the mouth and nasal cavity, intestines and the vagina. Therefore, approximately 20% of healthy women in the genital tract find fungi of the genus Candida. A pathological increase in the number of mushrooms is accompanied by inflammation in the vagina. Candidiasis vaginitis is most often diagnosed in young and sexually active girls. Factors that trigger the growth of fungi can be stress, emotional overexcitation, hypothermia, taking antibiotics, decreased immunity, and pregnancy.
Many experts do not include candidal vaginitis in the group of sexually transmitted infections. However, you can become infected with candidal vaginitis from partners whose fungi are localized in the genital tract or in the oral cavity. As a rule, in men, candidiasis infection does not manifest itself clinically.
Causes of candidiasis
This pathology is associated with risk factors that provoke vaginal dysbiosis, resulting in intense growth of yeast fungi. Risk factors include: genital tract dysbiosis (prolonged use of local anesthetics, antibiotics, the use of condoms that contain spermicides, the presence of genital infections); hormonal imbalance (pregnancy, the use of hormonal contraceptives and drugs); increased blood sugar concentration (excessive consumption of foods containing a significant amount of sugar, diabetes mellitus); secondary immunodeficiency (long-term use of immunosuppressants, HIV infection, chronic inflammatory diseases, tuberculosis, malignant neoplasms, radiation exposure).
Candidiasis vaginitis: symptoms
The acute form of the disease is characterized by pronounced symptoms. The clinical symptoms of the disease appear in the form of copious cheesy discharge from the vagina. On the surface of the skin and mucous membrane of the vulva and vagina, rashes, swelling and hyperemia are formed. Patients often complain that in the external genital area they are concerned about itching and burning, which intensifies after intercourse, water procedures, or during sleep.
The diagnosis is established on the basis of medical history, laboratory tests and clinical examination. Laboratory diagnosis includes microscopy (the smear should be fresh, no more than two hours from taking, the reliability of the method depends on the selection and preparation of the smear for the study); pH meter (determination of the acidity of the vaginal contents). Bacteriological culture of vaginal contents is the most sensitive method for diagnosing vaginal candidiasis. Using the polymerase chain reaction , yeast can be detected in a smear.
Candidiasis vaginitis: treatment
Gynecologists recommend that you follow the rules of personal hygiene, underwear should be cotton, tight-fitting synthetic underwear should be discarded. During menstruation, it is better to use sanitary pads, rather than tampons. Candidiasis is treated with antimycotics (antifungal antibiotics: Polygynax, Clotrimazole, Terzhinan, Flucostat, Cancidas, Flucoral, Clotrimazole), they are applied topically or internally. Before prescribing drugs, a test for the sensitivity of yeast to antimycotics is mandatory. After 7-10 days, the effectiveness of treatment must be monitored.