Thrush (candidiasis colpitis, genital candidiasis, yeast colpitis) is a disease that 75% of women experience at least once in their life.
Yeast in a smear: causes
The causative agent of the disease is a yeast from the genus Candida. This fungus is present in small quantities in women and is normal, but the disease develops when the fungus begins to multiply intensively. Often this happens with violations of normal microflora in the vagina. The reasons for this may be: taking antibiotics, poor hygiene, wearing synthetics, a decrease in the level of estrogen (female sex hormones), chronic diseases (tuberculosis, an inflammatory process in the internal genital organs, diabetes mellitus), and a decrease in general immunity. It happens that the cause of recurring often relapses is the use of oral contraceptives.
Some believe that yeast colpitis is transmitted sexually. This is not entirely true. In the presence of the above causes, this disease may not be related to sexual activity. In such cases, the sexual partner can be healthy, so he does not need to be treated. In case of infection from a partner, the disease develops only under certain conditions that are favorable for the reproduction of the fungus (a decrease in the body's defenses, vaginal dysbiosis). In such cases, both sexual partners need to be treated, otherwise you will become infected again from each other (during treatment, the yeast in the smear may disappear for some period, but the elimination of certain reasons that caused their reproduction, the correction of immunity and microflora of the vagina take a long time) .
Yeast in a smear is one of the symptoms of thrush.
The most unpleasant symptom of thrush is itching in the vagina and vulva. He can bother a woman either throughout the day, or occasionally. As a result of this, nervousness, irritability, and sometimes insomnia appear.
The next symptom is white curdled discharge. Their number varies from insignificant to plentiful.
During intercourse or urination, pain and burning often occur.
On examination, you can observe a white coating, swelling and redness of the mucous membranes.
In order to make a diagnosis, it is usually enough to ask a woman about complaints and the presence of factors that can contribute to the development of the disease, and a gynecological examination.
To confirm the diagnosis and control the cure, an ordinary smear is given. Usually, an increased number of white blood cells is detected in it (which indicates inflammation) and yeast (fungus) is detected. But! Yeast in a smear in the absence of symptoms of the disease is not an indication for prescribing treatment, since they can be present in absolutely healthy people.
Sometimes (very rarely) it is necessary to sow vaginal discharge.
Yeast in a smear: treatment of genital candidiasis
The treatment for this disease is local and general. It is prescribed by a dermatovenerologist or obstetrician-gynecologist.
For local treatment, various creams and suppositories are used (one of the following drugs):
- Hexicon candles - twice a day for 1 candle (10 days);
- Betadin candles - for the night, 1 candle (7 days);
- Clotrimazole cream - twice a day (one to two weeks);
- Livarol candles - daily for 1 candle (5-10 days);
- vaginal tablets Clotrimazole - at night into the vagina one at a time (6-7 days) or twice a day, one at a time (3 days);
- Ginofort cream - one-time;
- Pimafucin candles - at night for 1 candle (6 days);
- vaginal tablets Klion D - at night in the vagina 1 tablet (10 days).
With candidiasis, drugs with lactobacilli are not used, since they create an environment favorable for the development of fungi.
The general treatment consists in taking antifungal tablets: Mikosist, Flucostat, Diflucan, Fluconazole or Diflazone - once in a dosage of 150 mg (all these drugs contain the same active substance called fluconazole, so it makes no sense, in case of inefficiency, to replace them with each other), or Pimafucin in a dosage of 100 mg four times a day for 7-10 days.
Levorin and Nystatin, which were used by our mothers and grandmothers, are currently not used to treat yeast colpitis, since it was proved that they are not absorbed from the intestines, therefore, they exert their effect only there. In addition, when taking these drugs, side effects are quite often observed.
In the case of a mild course of the disease, either general or local treatment is sufficient. But for a guaranteed result, they usually use a one-time tablet preparation in combination with local treatment.
With relapses and a chronic form, the treatment will be longer. Local appoint for a period of 10 days to 2 weeks. And preparations with fluconazole are used already at 150 mg once every 3 days (2 weeks), then every month, for 4-10 months, 1 capsule (150 mg).
In addition, it is necessary to find and eliminate those factors that contribute to the development of thrush. Cases of treatment failure can be explained by intestinal dysbiosis, colonization of the intestine with fungus. In such cases, the drug Pimafucin contributes to sanitation (four times a day, 1 tablet, 10 days).
To maintain normal microflora, you must correctly follow the rules of hygiene. For example, frequent douching is harmful because it removes lactobacilli, thereby lowering the protective barrier.
Viferon or Kipferon suppositories will help to correct immunity twice a day, one at a time - 10 days, then monthly once a day for 1 candle, also 10 days - and so 3-6 months. Vitamin therapy courses are also required.
Often you need a correction of the diet. Indeed, a large number of products containing sugar contributes to the development of genital candidiasis.
During menopause, women have lowered estrogen levels, which means hormone therapy is required.
Yeast in a smear during pregnancy and lactation: treatment
The frequency of thrush during pregnancy rises, especially in the last trimester. This happens due to a physiological decrease in immunity.
Fungi on their own do not adversely affect the course of pregnancy, however, symptoms can bother women. In addition to this, in case of genital candidiasis, a secondary infection can also join. In addition, on inflamed tissues, gaps in childbirth occur more often, and in the postpartum period, healing is slower. Therefore, it is advisable to treat thrush during pregnancy.
It should be borne in mind that drugs with fluconazole are contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation. Only pimafucin can be taken from tablets. For local treatment, Betadine, Hexicon, Pimafucin and Livarol suppositories are allowed for use (a course of treatment of such a duration as for non-pregnant).
Genital candidiasis in men
Thrush in men can be manifested by itching, swelling and redness in the area of the foreskin or the glans penis, white plaque on the genitals, and pain during urination can also be observed.
Usually, local treatment using a cream with clotrimazole or pimafucin is usually enough. Sometimes, fluconazole preparations are also prescribed additionally (once in a dose of 150 mg).
It must be remembered that despite the availability and variety of antifungal agents, it is better not to self-medicate, especially in relapses. The doctor will help you choose the right antifungal agent, describe the schedule for its use, and prescribe the correct treatment aimed at the very cause that caused the fungus to multiply, because without this point the relief will be temporary.
Be healthy!