Thrush
Thrush is an infectious disease caused by yeast—like Candida fungi. The cause of the disease is an increased level of fungi in a woman’s vagina (or on the intestinal mucosa, in the mouth) caused by sexual infection, improper nutrition, non-compliance with personal hygiene rules and other reasons. Thrush is characteristic not only for women, but also for men. But, unlike women, in whom Candida fungi are always present in the vaginal microflora in small quantities, they are not typical for men, which means that even a small level of them in a man’s body indicates the beginning of the development of an infectious disease. The main symptoms of the disease: itching, burning during urination and during sexual intercourse, curd-like discharge. It is possible to diagnose thrush not only by its characteristic symptoms, but also by smear microscopy, PCR diagnostics and bacterial sowing of the vaginal microflora. For the local treatment of thrush, clotrimazole, miconazole, nystanin and others are prescribed. Treatment of thrush in pregnant women proceeds well with the use of Miconazole and Clotrimazole.
The content of the article:
What is thrush?
Causes of thrush
Symptoms of thrush
Diagnosis of thrush
Complications of thrush
Treatment of thrush in women
Prevention of thrush
Thrush
What is thrush?
Thrush is a disease caused by yeast—like fungi of the genus Candida. Thrush occurs more often than any candidiasis of other organs, and all because Candida is a component of the normal microflora of the vagina. Of course, a small amount of fungi does not harm a woman’s reproductive system. However, as soon as Candida fungi become more and more, a disease called “vaginal candidiasis” or “thrush”, as it is often called by the people, develops in a woman’s body. It should be remembered that thrush is not only a female disease, its appearance is also possible in men. In the male version, thrush is called candidiasis balanoposthitis. 15-20% of healthy men are carriers of such yeast-like fungi, but most often infection with Candida fungus occurs from a woman. More often than others, such a disease is diagnosed in patients with diabetes mellitus, people with reduced immunity and the presence of obesity.
Causes of thrush
Thrush in women is usually transmitted sexually. However, sexual contact may not always be the cause of the disease. Thrush, the causes of which may be hidden in the household sphere, does not belong to venereal diseases, but it looks the same with them because of a similar clinical picture. The main cause of thrush is the yeast—like fungus Candida. In principle, such a fungus is harmless, since it participates in the metabolic processes of a woman. Candida is found in the body of any woman, its main location is the vagina, but Candida is also in the mouth, on the skin and in the intestines. When exposed to certain factors on the fungus, it becomes very aggressive, brings a lot of trouble to a woman.
Although it has not yet been reliably proven why some women begin to develop such a yeast infection, and other women do not have it, however, the factors contributing to the development of infection have been confirmed. Such factors should include weakened immunity, various chronic diseases, constant use of contraceptives, as well as prolonged use of antibiotics, diabetes mellitus and, of course, pregnancy.
Symptoms of thrush
Thrush, the symptoms of which we will consider further, often manifests itself with other diseases at the same time. The “partners” of thrush can be gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, gardnerellosis, genital herpes. As a rule, the appearance of the first symptoms of thrush falls on the period a few days before the start of menstruation.
The main symptoms of thrush in women, if thrush is localized on the genitals, are a sharp and strong burning sensation in the genital area, bright red color of the external genitals, as well as inflammation of their mucous membranes, special curd-like secretions that can be very abundant, but such a discharge does not have a smell. It should also be said that a woman may not immediately notice the discharge itself, since a sharp and frequent itching makes a woman wash herself more often in order to eliminate unpleasant sensations. Pain can also be caused by urine during urination, irritating the mucous membrane. During thrush, sexual intercourse will also not bring pleasure, since touching will irritate the inflamed mucous membrane.
If we talk about the symptoms of thrush in men, they are very similar to the symptoms in women. During the course of thrush, men also experience severe itching and burning in the area of the head, there is the appearance of a white plaque on the penis, which can also swell. During sexual intercourse and urination, men also feel pain.
Diagnosis of thrush
Diagnosis of thrush is carried out by laboratory tests, the purpose of which is to detect Candida fungus in the taken smear from the mucous membrane of the genital organs, as well as the exclusion of other possible diseases that can be transmitted sexually. Since in most cases, other infections can be detected along with thrush, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor, and not self-medicate.
It is possible to diagnose thrush with the help of material that is taken for the purpose of microbiological examination from the mucous membrane of the vagina and rectum, from the cervical canal, from the urethra. In men, a smear is usually taken from the mucous membrane of the urethra and rectum, as well as from the surface of the penis.
In laboratory diagnostics, different criteria are taken into account when examining a smear of men and women. If in women the presence of Candida fungi in a certain amount is natural for the functioning of the normal microflora of the genital tract, it is necessary to talk about thrush only when the level of Candida exceeds the usual several times, then it is unusual for a man to be a carrier of a yeast fungus called Candida. In the case of the latter, a man is diagnosed with thrush, which usually occurs in a latent form.
Whatever it was, laboratory diagnostics involves carrying out certain tests in order to finally diagnose thrush. Such analyses, first of all, include smear microscopy, which is taken from the surface of the vagina. The result of such an analysis does not take much time and is not carried out by a complex method of staining. PCR diagnostics is another mandatory way to detect thrush. And such an analysis as bacterial sowing of the vaginal microflora helps not only to identify the pathogen, but also to determine the type of fungus, finding out its sensitivity to a particular drug that will be prescribed for the treatment of this disease.
Complications of thrush
A disease such as thrush can lead to a number of complications. One of these complications may be a secondary infection. The study showed that vaginal candidiasis very often leads to vaginitis or inflammation of the vagina, as well as the surrounding tissues, which causes itching and irritation. If thrush is not treated, then the appearance of cracks on the vagina may be a complication, which will subsequently make this area the most susceptible to infections.
Studies have shown that vaginal candidiasis is a very common disease among pregnant women. The latter is explained by very rapid hormonal changes in the woman’s body. If you do not treat thrush, the disease can be transmitted to a newborn.
Another complication, due to the lack of treatment for thrush, may be a sexual problem caused by constant unpleasant sensations, for example, burning and pain during sexual intercourse. In the absence of treatment, a decrease in sexual activity is also possible. And the most important thing that every woman and every man needs to know: the longer the disease remains untreated, the more likely it is that thrush can turn into a chronic condition.
Treatment of thrush in women
It is necessary to treat thrush starting from the first visit to the doctor. As soon as you suspect that you have thrush, follow simple hygiene rules, which are temporary refusal of sexual contact, frequent washing procedure, use of a clean towel and others. It should be noted that the water for washing should be with an alkaline reaction and have a disinfecting effect. For this purpose, a small amount of baking soda is usually added to the water. In no case should you wash yourself using ordinary soap. Soap will only increase the itching.
You can also cure thrush by properly composing your diet. It is necessary to exclude all kinds of sauces and seasonings that only increase itching and burning, as well as sweet and flour foods, which, due to the large amount of yeast in it, is a harmful pathogen of thrush. Without any restrictions, you can eat vegetables and fruits, as well as cereals and milk.
So, how to treat thrush, what medications to use? To date, there are a large number of various effective drugs for the treatment of thrush. They are produced in the form of tablets, capsules, creams and suppositories. Some of them are available only by prescription. If the course of thrush is mild, then local treatment is sufficient. Preparations for the local treatment of thrush are clotrimazole group drugs (Candibene, Canizone, Yenamazole and others), miconazole (Ginezol, Klion-D), nystanin (Terzhinan), isoconazole (Gino-Travogen), ketoconazole (Ketoconazole, Livarol, Brizoral, Dandruff and others).
Modern types of drugs are usually taken inside, they are quickly absorbed and reach the necessary organs with blood flow. Nowadays, drugs that contain fluconazole (Mycosyst, Medoflucon, Forkan and others) are in great demand. If the course of the disease is more severe, then a drug such as Fluconazole is prescribed. An alternative to it is Itraconazole.
Treatment of thrush in pregnant women
Many pregnant women are wondering: how to treat thrush during pregnancy, because many medications can be harmful to the health of the unborn child. Nowadays, the treatment of thrush in pregnant women will not be difficult. Today, the choice of gentle medicines is wide enough to choose the most suitable one. It should be said that thrush in pregnant women is quite common. Most often, pregnant women are prescribed Miconazole and Clotrimazole, which are available in the form of tablets. Less effective, but the safest is Pimafucin. It is this drug that does not have a toxic effect on the fetus.
In addition, the treatment of thrush during pregnancy is always possible and folk remedies. The most popular such means is washing with a saline solution or decoction of oak bark. A solution of sodium tetraborate (in glycerin) is also used, and calendula baths are also very useful.
Gynecologists agree that the treatment of thrush should be comprehensive. The first step is to determine the factors that initially provoked the exacerbation of thrush. These can be both infectious and chronic diseases, as well as a possible lack of a certain vitamin in a woman’s body.
The second step towards the treatment of thrush is the delivery of all necessary tests. The latter should be carried out not only in the form of a smear, but also in the form of blood tests, urine tests, an HIV test and an STI smear (a smear to detect a sexually transmitted infection). In addition, it would be good to visit an endocrinologist and gastroenterologist. The results of all studies will allow you to make the most complete picture of the disease and prescribe the correct treatment of thrush. In parallel with the treatment, it will also not hurt to take multivitamins and other means that help to raise immunity.
Prevention of thrush
To prevent thrush, it is necessary to stop all contact with patients with this disease. If possible, it is necessary to strengthen your immunity as much as possible, and also always follow the rules of personal hygiene. Prevention is also the timely detection of symptoms and diagnosis of thrush. The latter will help not only to start treatment of thrush on time, but also to identify possible concomitant venereal diseases. For those who have undergone treatment, gynecologists recommend using a barrier method of contraception, conducting timely examination and treatment of the genitourinary system. According to gynecologists, the first rule in the treatment and prevention of thrush is to refuse self-medication. At the moment of any malaise and the detection of characteristic symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.
If we talk about the daily prevention of thrush, then every woman should remember and follow simple rules. First, you should pay attention to what kind of underwear and clothes a woman wears. Clothing and especially underwear should be made of natural materials, since synthetics make it difficult for air to pass into intimate places, which means that it creates a moist and warm environment in them, which serves as a favorable condition for the reproduction of bacteria. Secondly, it is necessary to abandon the use of any intimate deodorants and perfume soap, since these products also create a favorable environment for the reproduction of bacteria and fungi. Thirdly, it is necessary to refuse any douching unless absolutely necessary. It is douching that destroys the good microflora of the vagina, only hinders its recovery.
As a prevention of thrush in the diet will be the rejection of the use of simple carbohydrates and various harmful products (preservatives, seasonings, sauces, food dyes), the rejection of bad habits and alcohol abuse.
