The female reproductive system is an intimate issue that requires a very delicate approach. The fact is that a fairly large number of girls, when examined by a gynecologist, experience unpleasant feelings, so many postpone going to the doctor even if there are any symptoms.
One of the causes of itching and discharge should be called candidiasis. In women, this disease is common. Therefore, we will talk about the causes, symptoms and treatment methods.
What is candidiasis?
Candidiasis is a disease that is caused by yeast. As a rule, they are normally present in all women in the intestinal mucosa, vagina and oral cavity. The development of the disease is completely due to the fact that due to an external cause, a sharp increase in the amount of fungus in the body begins. Often this occurs against a background of decreased immunity.
According to official statistics, this disease is the most common in women. However, it should be borne in mind that many girls cope with thrush (the second name of this problem) on their own, so there are much more cases of this disease.
It should be noted that candidiasis is transmitted from mother to child when the baby is still in the womb. Therefore, in order to completely protect your baby, you need to get rid of the disease or carry out prophylaxis even at the stage of pregnancy planning.
This disease is called thrush due to a characteristic symptom. We are talking about curdled vaginal discharge. They have a white tint.
It should be noted that not only in women candidiasis is a common problem. Men can also suffer from it. As a rule, those at risk are those who have diabetes, obesity, or have had contact with an infected woman. The male form of this disease is called balanoposthitis.
Causes
How to treat candidiasis depends entirely on the cause of its occurrence.
The main among them are problems with the thyroid gland, especially when it comes to diabetes. In addition, the presence of HIV (it can be either congenital or acquired), dysbiosis, weakened immunity after operations, long-term treatment with drugs such as antibiotics, cytostatics, and so on, nervous shocks that lead the body into a stressful situation also affect it. Incorrect douching, chemical, mechanical or thermal injury, which, unfortunately, causes problems with the mucous membrane, hormonal changes during pregnancy, deficiency of certain vitamins, poor hygiene, and some types of therapy in the presence of oncology, abortion, should also be highlighted. Sometimes the cause of candidiasis in women is wearing synthetic underwear, especially if it is tight.
Symptoms of vaginal candidiasis
Among the signs of vaginal candidiasis should be noted discomfort or any pain during sex, genital itching, problems with urination, and the presence of vaginal discharge that resembles cottage cheese. As a rule, in the early stages, this type of candidiasis can be easily treated without consequences for itself. The main thing is to see a doctor on time.
Candidiasis in the mouth: symptoms
If we talk about the spread of candida fungi in women in the mouth, then the symptoms will be the presence of white plaque, swelling of the cheek or tongue, as well as small red spots. This type of disease can be treated quite easily, again if you consult a doctor as quickly as possible. The photo below shows what plaque looks like with the development of this disease.
Digestive system candidiasis: symptoms
If we are talking about damage to the esophagus, then among the symptoms should be highlighted a lack of appetite, heartburn, diarrhea, discomfort when eating food, nausea and vomiting, body temperature, which rises sharply, severe pain in the upper stomach, as well as pain in the chest. It should be noted that esophageal candidiasis is quite difficult to determine, since these symptoms are characteristic of a large number of other diseases. About 30% of patients do not even suspect that they have thrush.
If we are talking about the spread of candida fungus in a woman in the intestines, then the presence of diarrhea, bloating, flatulence should be highlighted, and there will be blood streaks in the stool.
Varieties of candidiasis
There are currently several varieties of candidiasis.
The most common is the sexual form. It is divided into three types.
- vaginal candidiasis, which affects the vagina;
- vulvitis - it develops on the organs of the external reproductive system;
- vulvovaginitis - combines the signs of the above forms.
These three types of disease are quite similar to each other, therefore it is almost impossible to independently distinguish which particular candidiasis a woman has. If you experience any symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.
According to the principle of prevalence, the disease is divided into several types:
- Superficial thrush - this disease has a mild course, localized in only one place.
- Systemic candidiasis. As a rule, it is formed against the surface. It differs in that internal organs are affected. The reason is often severe stress, as well as other psychological problems. This candidiasis has a complex course, secondary symptoms may develop.
- Sepsis. This is a fungal infection that first enters the bloodstream. Then it spreads throughout the body. This form is the most severe, and often if untreated, it will be fatal. Therefore, if a woman has symptoms of candidiasis, you should immediately consult a doctor.
By the nature of the course, the disease is divided into three types:
- Candidate carriage is a condition in which a person does not know that he has a thrush. There are no complaints and symptoms, however, during laboratory tests, fungi can be found on the mucous membrane of the mouth, vagina, esophagus, and also on the skin. Carriers of this form are almost 20% of non-pregnant women. Among those who carry the baby in the womb, this figure rises to 30%.
- The second form is acute. It is characterized in that the duration of its manifestation does not exceed 60 days.
- Chronic candidiasis. The patient practically does not complain, he has a mild symptomatology. Signs do not appear for more than 2 months. Unfortunately, in the treatment of this form of candidiasis in women, drugs have a small therapeutic effect. The fact is that in the presence of a chronic disease, the fungus constantly mutates. Because of this, it is necessary to periodically change antifungal drugs.
Chronic thrush should be divided into persistent and recurrent. As for the first, during its course a person constantly feels any symptoms, the degree of their severity changes. With recurrent, there is an alternation of remission with rare relapses.
In addition to the above classification, thrush is also divided by localization. There is candidiasis that affects the palms, folds of the skin. There may be problems with the lips, tongue, oral mucosa. Sometimes there is a development of a disease that covers the entire oral cavity. If we talk about the disease of internal organs, then, as a rule, visceral candidiasis occurs.
For reasons of development, the disease is divided into two types - it is congenital and acquired.
Traditional therapy
As mentioned above, in the presence of symptoms of candidiasis in a woman, you should immediately consult a doctor. If we are talking about the treatment of a mild form, then the use of local medications is enough. In the presence of a running or severe form of the disease, systemic treatment of the disease is used.
Topical preparations
Such agents are used to treat uncomplicated candidiasis. These include candles, ointments and creams. As for the last two drugs, they are used to treat vaginitis and skin candidiasis. The fact is that these agents are capable of exerting a local effect on tissues that are lubricated. Their advantages include excellent tolerance, the absence of itching and burning, directed action. Also, ointments and creams do not have any effect on other organs. The most common medications prescribed by doctors are Nystatin, Pimafucin, and Ketoconazole. The cheapest among them is Nystatin. It is sold for less than 100 rubles.
If we talk about suppositories for candidiasis for women, it should be noted that they are most effective in treating ordinary thrush. They should be inserted into the vagina. Due to this, they affect the entire mucous membrane. The most commonly prescribed are “Clotrimazole”, “Livarol”, “Zalain”. Cheap means is “Clotrimazole”, which can be bought for 50 rubles.
Systemic (comprehensive) treatment
When treating candidiasis in women as part of complex therapy, antimycotics are usually prescribed. They affect the cause of the disease. However, this treatment is quite difficult for the body, so after it side effects appear. The drugs are available in the form of capsules, tablets, ampoule solutions. The latter should be introduced into the body using a syringe. Systemic therapy should be prescribed only by a doctor and carried out under his direct control, especially if the patient has visceral candidiasis, an acute or chronic form of the disease.
“Fluconazole” is considered the cheapest drug for the treatment of candidiasis in women. It costs less than 100 rubles. The second popular drug prescribed by doctors is Itraconazole. It can be purchased for 400 rubles.
Traditional treatment
Sometimes, in the presence of symptoms of candidiasis in women, the photos of which are presented in the article, you can be cured by folk remedies.
The most common way is oregano oil. It can be used externally, orally or intravaginally. Such an oil should be used if there is a mild degree of the disease. In this case, you need to pay attention only to the essential agent in which carvacrol is added in the range from 50 to 85%.
Carrot juice helps a lot. You must drink two glasses of freshly squeezed drink before meals. The course should be applied until the symptoms of candidiasis are completely eliminated.
An excellent remedy is the herbal collection of calendula, sage, chamomile and yarrow. One tablespoon should be filled with 500 ml of water. It is necessary to insist on collecting several hours, and then once a day they irrigate the vagina. Treatment does not need to be continued for more than 3 days.
The cheapest soap for candidiasis should be called ordinary soap. You can use both tar and household. It is necessary to make special soap baths during daily procedures. After half an hour, you need to re-rinse with clean water. The course should be carried out until the symptoms disappear.
You can also use kefir. It is necessary to make a mixture of 200 ml of dairy product. It should be heated to 37 degrees. This product needs to irrigate the vagina in the morning and evening. This should be done no more than a week.
Disease prevention
It is necessary to highlight that women should be prevented from candidiasis. You need to follow only simple rules that will prevent the development of the disease.
It is necessary to stop wearing synthetic underwear. The fact is that when sweat and normal discharge appear, this material creates the effect of a greenhouse. Because of this, harmful bacteria begin to spread. Instead of synthetics, natural materials such as cotton should be used.
In order to avoid the development of fungi and other diseases, it is necessary to abandon a large amount of sugar and food, which consists of carbohydrates.
Do not forget about the rules of personal hygiene. You need to wash every day (during evening and morning procedures). This should be done from front to back, then the bacteria do not penetrate from the intestines into the vagina.
Haphazardly taking antibiotics is strictly prohibited. They should be drunk only as directed by the doctor. If treatment is unavoidable, then you need to ask the doctor to prescribe drugs that restore the microflora in the intestines and directly into the vagina.
Permanent disinfectant douching should be discarded. Because of this, the body's natural defense may be impaired, and fungi will develop accordingly.
Summary
The article describes the symptoms and treatment of candidiasis in women. After reviewing them, the fairer sex should understand that thrush is a problem that any girl can face. The main thing is to remember that it is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it later, spending money, time and your energy.