Almost every woman at least once in her life encounters thrush (candidiasis). Thrush is often considered along with sexually transmitted diseases due to the similarity of symptoms. But this does not mean that thrush is a sexually transmitted disease. In addition, contrary to popular belief, thrush is not a consequence of a violation of personal hygiene.
Thrush is an infection caused by an increase in the activity of Candida fungus munching in the body . Their sharp increase is due to many factors, the main of which is a decrease in immunity.
Depending on the localization of the growth of fungal activity, various organs (mouth, intestines, genitals) can be affected. For women, the problem of the thrush of the genital area (genital candidiasis), in particular the vagina, is most acute.
Normally, about forty species of bacteria coexist in the vagina of a healthy woman in a certain ratio. With a decrease in immunity, the number of some decreases sharply, while others increase, which causes various malfunctions in the body. If Candida begin to multiply (that is, exceed the permissible level for this flora) and invade the vaginal epithelial cells , then a response (inflammation) and large-scale “peeling” of the affected cells develop, that is, vaginal candidiasis.
The reasons for the occurrence .
· Decreased immunity;
· Pregnancy (the restructuring of the body is in rapid progress, and the immune system is "not keeping up" with it);
· Taking antibiotics, leading to a violation of the flora;
· Uncontrolled frequent douching;
· The habit of wearing tight synthetic underwear, which is an ideal environment for the propagation of fungi;
· Subcooling;
· Diabetes mellitus, obesity, diseases of the genitourinary sphere, bowel disease;
· Chronic diseases;
HIV
· Taking hormonal drugs.
Vaginal candidiasis, or thrush, can occur in several forms: acute, chronic and latent (candidacy). In a latent form, the symptoms of thrush do not appear, and the woman does not even suspect that she is a carrier of infection.
The acute form is characterized by cutting pain during urination and sexual intercourse, itching of the vagina and copious white discharge. The duration of this stage does not exceed two months.
The chronic form is characterized by a mild manifestation of symptoms. The diagnosis of "chronic vaginal candidiasis" occurs if a woman has had more than four clinically expressed exacerbations during the year.
Candidiasis: Symptoms
Symptoms may be completely absent, for example, at the stage of carriage. As for the obvious symptoms, these are:
Ø Itching in the vaginal area (in the stage of sleep in a chronic course, this is often the only reminder of thrush);
Ø Pain and pain during urination ;
Ø Unpleasant pain during sexual intercourse;
Ø Curdled discharge of various consistencies. Depending on the course of the disease, the discharge may have a greenish or brown tint and have a sharp "fishy" smell.
Vaginal candidiasis: treatment.
Treatment is prescribed by a doctor, since only he can draw up a course of treatment based on the results of analysis and examination. Effective treatment includes several points:
a) suppressing the growth of "harmful" bacteria (antibiotics are usually taken only if the cause of the thrush is a genital infection. Otherwise, local procedures are more effective);
b) restoration of the normal flora of the vagina (for this purpose, live bacteria are used);
c) restoration of damaged epithelium (immunomodulators are used), which maintains the balance of various bacteria in the vagina.
As a rule, treatment lasts up to three weeks. During this time, the vaginal flora is restored, the vaginal walls are strengthened and again control the ratio of microorganisms, preventing imbalance.