Vulvovaginal candidiasis is the same as thrush, that is, inflammation of the vagina and external genital organs caused by the action of a fungus called Candida. There are several such fungi, they differ from each other. If the thrush is often repeated, it is not necessary that it is caused by the same Candida each time (with the same symptoms), and even if this is so, it does not mean that this microbe will always respond to the same treatment.
How is vulvovaginal candidiasis manifested?
This is abundant secretions, which often have a creamy white color, the consistency of thick sour cream (they often write “cheesy”), an unpleasant, mostly sour smell. These secretions cause itching, which bothers on its own, intensifies when rubbing against clothing (jeans, thongs), during sex. Urination can be painful if the external genitalia are very scratched, they can bleed if you have candidiasis. Photos of the inflammation zone in this disease clearly show redness, swelling of the genital organs, which show a whitish, flaky plaque.
What can cause vulvovaginal candidiasis?
1) Taking medications such as antibiotics, hormones (and oral contraceptives, and
glucocorticoids - "Prednisolone", "Dexamethasone" and others). Especially often thrush occurs if taking these drugs was long.
2) Weakening of immunity due to pregnancy (this is a physiological phenomenon), HIV infection, congenital decreases in immune defense, and serious illness.
3) Decreased local immunity of the vagina when a woman is already sick with some kind of sexually transmitted disease or vaginal candidiasis.
4) Endocrine diseases, in particular diabetes mellitus.
5) Chronic diseases of the digestive system.
6) Food with a predominance in the diet of simple carbohydrates (sweets, buns).
How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis can be made using such studies:
- a smear examination under a microscope;
- immunofluorescence analysis;
- back sowing;
- PCR smear.
Thrush is a disease that, although it seems visible “by eye,” requires a thorough diagnosis. It is advisable to carry out not just a smear on the microflora, but also sowing microflora with a determination of its sensitivity to medications for the fungus. For example, there is such a kind of Candida as Candida glabrata. She, unlike the most common Candida albicans, is difficult to treat, but very often recurs. Only by the results of this
bacteriological study can the correct treatment be prescribed
.How is candidiasis treated?
It depends on the results of culture for sensitivity to antibiotics, as well as on the general condition of the woman at the time of the disease, the frequency of relapse of thrush, its complications.
So, the first episode of thrush can be cured by taking Clotrimazole suppositories for a week or Miconazole in suppositories - one suppository once. The systemic drug Fluconazole (Futsis, Mikosist, Diflucan, Diflazone) is prescribed less frequently - 150 mg once.
In case of recurrent thrush, Fluconazole is prescribed twice, the second time - three days after taking the first pill. In addition, local preparations are also used: it can be suppositories “Clotrimazole” or gel “Candide”, vaginal tablets “Nystatin”.
During pregnancy, the drug “Pimafucin” is prescribed in suppositories for 6 days.
Alternative treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis
Douching is carried out with such decoctions:
1) 1 tablespoon of chamomile and 2 tablespoons calendula is poured with boiling water, insist night, filter in the morning and use;
2) oak bark, chamomile, sage leaves are mixed in equal proportions (per tablespoon), three measures (3 tablespoons) of nettle leaves are added there. 2 tablespoons of this mixture are poured with a liter of boiling water, insist night, in the morning you can use.