Yeast colpitis is a fungal infection that causes characteristic discharge, irritation, and severe itching of the vagina and vulva (tissue at the vaginal opening). This disease is a type of vaginitis, or inflammation of the vagina.
This disease affects three out of four women, regardless of age and medical history, and often recurs.
Although yeast colpitis is not considered a sexually transmitted disease, the fungus can be infected through oral sexual intercourse. Available medications are used for treatment. With frequent relapses of the infection (four or more episodes over one year), the doctor will prescribe a longer course of therapy.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a yeast infection can be of mild or moderate intensity and manifest as follows:
- itching and irritation of the vagina and tissues at the vaginal opening (vulva);
- burning sensation, especially during intercourse or urination;
- pain and increased sensitivity of vaginal tissues;
- vaginal rash;
- redness and swelling of the vulva;
- watery discharge;
- thick, white, odorless vaginal discharge that looks like cottage cheese.
Severe cases
Severe cases of infection are when:
- you have been diagnosed with yeast colpitis, the symptoms of which are so intense that the vulva acquires a dark red hue and swells severely, and an intolerable itch leads to the appearance of microcracks, cracks and sores in the vagina;
- You have suffered four or more episodes of yeast infection in the past year.
- the disease is caused by fungi other than Candida albicans;
- You are pregnant;
- you have uncontrolled diabetes;
- your immune system has weakened due to certain medications or HIV infection.
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with a gynecologist if:
- You first discovered signs of colpitis
- you are not sure about the nature of the disease;
- symptoms did not disappear after treatment with available antifungal vaginal creams or suppositories;
- other signs of the disease appeared.
Causes
Yeast colpitis is caused by the candida family fungi. In the normal state, the vagina contains a natural balance of a variety of bacteria and fungi, including Candida. Lactobacilli produce an acid that inhibits the growth of yeast. Violation of the natural balance leads to the growth of fungus and infection of the tissues of the vagina.
The reasons for the excessive reproduction of the fungus can be:
- taking antibiotics that reduce the total number of lactobacilli in the vagina and change the natural pH level;
- pregnancy;
- uncontrolled diabetes mellitus;
- weakened immune system;
- taking oral contraceptives or hormonal drugs that increase estrogen levels.
Most often, women require treatment against Candida albicans. However, other types of yeast-like fungi can also cause colpitis, and in this case it is much more difficult to get rid of inflammation, and gynecologists prescribe more aggressive therapy.
Infection can also be infected through certain types of sexual activity, especially through oral sex. However, yeast colpitis is not considered a sexually transmitted disease. Even sexually passive women can suffer from this infection.
Before a visit to the doctor
If in the past you have already suffered yeast colpitis during pregnancy, you can not go to the gynecologist and follow his previous instructions or call a doctor by phone. However, if the symptoms of the disease appeared for the first time or significantly differ from the signs of the inflammatory process cured in the past, you should make an appointment with a qualified specialist.
Make sure that you have completed the following points before going to the clinic or health care center:
- Make a list of all the symptoms you have noticed and indicate how long you have been observing them;
- write down key information about your state of health, including current diseases and pathological conditions, as well as the names of all medications, vitamin complexes, and dietary supplements that you are currently taking;
- avoid douching or using tampons before visiting a doctor so that he can adequately assess the nature of vaginal discharge;
- make a list of questions that you would like to ask a specialist.
You may need a list of basic questions for your doctor:
- How to prevent yeast infections and other fungal diseases?
- What are the symptoms and signs of self-determination of yeast colpitis?
- How to treat the infection?
- Does my partner need to undergo similar examinations and therapy?
- Are there special instructions for taking this medication?
- What medicines can be purchased at a pharmacy on an over-the-counter basis?
- What to do if symptoms reappear at the end of the course of treatment?
Feel free to ask other questions if they seem important to you.
What the doctor will say
The doctor, in turn, will be interested in:
- What symptoms of the disease do you observe?
- Is there a strong vaginal odor?
- How long are signs of infection present?
- Have you treated vaginal diseases before?
- Have you tried to use any commonly available medicines that treat yeast colpitis: suppositories, ointments?
- How long have you been taking antibiotics?
- Do you have an active sex life?
- Are you pregnant?
- Do you use perfumed toilet soap or bath foam?
- Do you use douching or spray treatment for female intimate hygiene?
- What medications or vitamin supplements do you take on a regular basis?
Diagnostics
To determine if you have a yeast infection, your doctor:
- Ask you questions about your medical history . First of all, a specialist will be interested in past cases of vaginal infections and infection with sexually transmitted diseases.
- Will perform a gynecological examination . The doctor first examines the external genitalia for signs of infection, and then puts the gynecological mirror into the vagina to maintain its walls open and examines the vagina and cervix.
- Take a sample of vaginal discharge. In laboratory testing of a sample of vaginal fluids, you can determine the specific type of fungus that caused the infection. This is especially important in the treatment of recurrent colpitis.
Treatment for mild yeast infection
If the symptoms of the disease you are experiencing are characterized by mild manifestations or moderate intensity and the disease does not recur, the doctor may recommend the following methods to combat colpitis:
- Short-term course of therapy. Antifungal medications are available in the form of creams, ointments, tablets and suppositories (suppositories). Usually, inflammation disappears after a course of treatment lasting one, three or seven days, depending on the chosen medication. Effective Butoconazole, Clotrimazole, Miconazole (Monistat) and Terconazole. When used, side effects may occur in the form of a sensation of a slight burning sensation or irritation. You may have to use an alternative form of protection against unwanted pregnancy, as suppositories and creams are oil-based and may weaken the protection provided by latex condoms.
- A single dose of the drug . An antifungal agent called Fluconazole (Diflucan) is used only once inside. If you have severe yeast colpitis, treatment may consist of taking two of these doses with an interval of three days.
- Public treatment. Antifungal vaginal suppositories and creams sold in pharmacies on non-prescription conditions are an adequate measure of self-infection control and help many women get rid of the fungus without visiting a gynecologist. Topical treatment usually lasts from three to seven days. If the violation of the natural balance in the vagina is yeast, colpitis of pregnancy should be treated only locally.
What to do in severe cases
Therapy for severe yeast colpitis can be as follows:
- Long-term vaginal therapy . Doctors usually prescribe medications from the azole group, which should be used for one or two weeks to completely get rid of signs of infection with the fungus. Azoles are available in the form of vaginal creams, ointments, tablets or suppositories.
- As indicated above, in severe cases, several doses of fluconazole are used (up to three with breaks between taking the medication) . However, this method cannot be used to treat yeast colpitis during pregnancy.
- Preventative measures. If you suffer from a recurring infection, the doctor will recommend a preventive regimen, which should be strictly observed. The regimen begins immediately after getting rid of the symptoms of colpitis. Most often, a single dose of fluconazole (one tablet) is prescribed to be taken every week for six months. Some gynecologists recommend to their patients a more gentle therapy, consisting in the use of clotrimazole (in the form of suppositories) for the same period.
In the absence of appropriate symptoms, treatment of a partner is usually not required.