Thrush is a serious pathology that affects the mucous membrane of the genital organs. This is one of the most common fungal infections of the female genital area. With its development in the microflora of the vagina, the number of fungi of the genus Candide increases. They are present there initially, but in smaller numbers. Their growth is due to many factors, including stress, hormonal failure and reduced immunity.
Douching with thrush at home is one of the ways that every girl living in the post-Soviet space knew about. However, not everyone has an idea of how to properly carry out this procedure so as not to harm their he alth.
What is thrush?
Thrush affects predominantly women. Even in a he althy female body, Candida-type fungi are present. Their increase leads to the appearance of thrush. As a result, the norms of the acidic environment are shifting and the existing microorganisms gradually “remove” the masks of he althy ones and “get used to the role” of pathogenic ones. These changes show up in symptomatic signs:
- cheesy profuse vaginal discharge;
- burning and itching on the outer part of the genitals;
- redness, swelling, irritation;
- severe pain during intercourse;
- possible bloody streaks in discharge after intercourse.
The defeat of the vaginal mucosa by fungi occurs due to reduced immunity, endocrine system disorders and during pregnancy.
As a traditional treatment, a gynecologist, after an appropriate examination and tests, prescribes the antifungal drug Fluconazole. It is usually taken on the first and seventh days of starting therapy.
However, for the fastest effective complex treatment, local treatment is also prescribed - vaginal suppositories or tablets at night with clotrimazole or nystatin for 10 days. And they almost always recommend special baths with an anti-inflammatory solution or douching.
During the treatment of thrush, it is necessary to abandon intimacy, as well as the use of alcoholic beverages and products that contain yeast. In order to avoid relapse, it is necessary to undergo treatment for the sexual partner as well.
Douching: do or not?
Douching with thrush is a special therapeutic procedure, the purpose of which is to treat the vaginal mucosa with a medicinal solution. If douching is carried out correctly, then this method of self-treatment is quite possible.
There are a number of reasons why you shouldn't douche:
- duringpregnancy (the procedure affects the natural microflora of the vagina, so it can cause increased dysbacteriosis or dryness, which can have a negative impact on the he alth of the baby and mother);
- before visiting a gynecologist - washed microflora may show an incorrect analysis result;
- during the menstrual cycle - during douching, you can bring the infection into the uterus and also spread a number of pathogenic microorganisms;
- during the course of acute inflammatory processes;
- after abortion and childbirth.
It should be noted that douching with thrush on your own at home does not guarantee a complete recovery. It is necessary to visit a specialist for medical treatment. In addition, gynecologists around the world agree that douching is a big risk, because:
- due to the douching procedure, an infection can spread and an inflammatory process of the uterine appendages (endometritis and endometriosis) develops;
- during douching, the natural environment of the vaginal microflora is disturbed, which leads to the development of bacterial vaginosis and thrush, respectively.
Complete treatment of thrush involves taking effective medications, which are prescribed by the doctor based on the patient's tests. Among the most effective drugs in the form of suppositories and tablets, it is necessary to highlight Livarol, Terzhinan and Clotrimazole.
Douching during pregnancy
Thrush is a fairly common occurrence during childbearing. In the bodywomen undergo significant changes, the immune status directly changes. The body perceives the fetus as a foreign body and fights with it due to the immune system. As a result, the pathogenic flora is activated and thrush is formed.
The treatment of this disease is almost the same as in ordinary women. However, immediately after the detection of thrush, it is impossible to resort to douching in any case. This action can unwittingly cause the threat of spontaneous abortion.
The bottom line is that during douching, not only a special solution, but also air enters the vagina. The action entails increased pressure, and air through the cervix enters the uterus itself, thereby forming a threat of miscarriage. In addition to these terrible consequences, a number of infections can enter the uterus.
Douching for thrush at home
The first day you need to carry out two procedures: in the morning and in the evening. Then cut down to one. The course consists of about 8-10 so-called sessions. In this case, a number of conditions must be observed.
- Be sure to thoroughly wash your genitals before douching.
- It is necessary to "arm yourself" with an ordinary douche, but it is better to purchase Esmarch's mug. This device is presented in the form of a container with a hose with a tip for the vagina and rectal administration. The tips must be boiled, and the container should be washed well with hot water, then rinsed with boiled water.
- Solution for douchingshould correspond to body temperature - 37 ° С.
- The irrigation process can be carried out in the bathroom. Esmarch's mug must be placed on a door or wall at a height of 75 cm from the waist (focusing not on the “lying” position).
For the procedure, you need to lie on your back and be as comfortable as possible. Legs should be bent at the knees and slightly spread apart. Pre-lubricate the tip with petroleum jelly so as not to damage the mucous membrane. Then insert it into the vagina with a depth of 5-7 cm and open the clamp. The jet of the solution should be weak so as not to cause severe discomfort. The therapeutic composition flows in and out of the vagina on its own, gradually washing the vaginal walls.
- For maximum beneficial effect, lie down in the bath for 20-25 minutes after washing.
- 200-300 ml of medicinal or herbal infusion (approximately 1 cup) per douching session.
Any woman can douche with thrush in a specific way. In case of indecision to carry out this procedure at home, it is necessary to contact a gynecologist. He will perform it in a hospital setting.
Soda douches for thrush
Soda is a unique non-toxic natural remedy with which you can defeat almost any infectious disease. Douching with soda during the course of thrush is the most common method used by women. The acidic environment of the vagina, in which fungi "reign"Candida, soda turns into alkaline. The development of the disease stops, and pathogenic microorganisms are destroyed, and as a result, unpleasant discharge and itching are eliminated after douching with soda for thrush. How to cook? The question is simple. There are only two necessary components: soda and boiled water.
So, how to prepare a solution for douching with soda for thrush? Mix 500 ml of boiled water and one teaspoon of soda.
The procedure must be repeated in the morning and evening. However, douching is indicated only in the absence of an allergy to alkali. Among the prohibition of douching with soda is the case of a woman taking birth control pills.
Chamomile douching
From the side of traditional medicine, a fairly common method is also known - douching with chamomile infusion. In order to prepare a decoction, you will need the following components: 2 tbsp. l. dry flowers and 1 liter of hot water. Flowers must be poured with boiling water and brought to a boil. Wait for the broth to cool down to 37-38 ° C. After that, you can use it as a solution for the procedure.
Chamomile is a natural antiseptic. If desired, to enhance efficiency, you can add oak bark (taken in equal proportions). Douching for thrush at home can combine the use of two methods: the use of a solution of chamomile and soda treatment.
Usinghydrogen peroxide
Douching with peroxide for thrush is a less used method, but not inferior in effect. Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful antioxidant that can destroy various types of bacteria, including fungal and viral.
Solution for douching with thrush: mix 1 tbsp. l. hydrogen peroxide with 0.5 liters of warm boiled water. The resulting liquid can be used for douching. If thrush is accompanied by abundant frequent discharge, then the procedure with this solution will help immediately. If the cause of the discharge is not thrush, then you should not use this method without the consent of the gynecologist.
Potassium permanganate
The use of a weak solution of potassium permanganate is recommended by gynecologists for the treatment of various diseases, including thrush. Potassium permanganate is a strong antiseptic, which is why many doctors are of the opposite opinion about its benefits, arguing that this remedy does more harm than good. Inept douching with potassium permanganate for thrush can provoke negative consequences: severely burn the vaginal mucosa, thereby completely “killing” the beneficial microflora.
To avoid burns, care must be taken to ensure that each grain of potassium permanganate is dissolved in water. Moreover, it is better to dilute the solution in a separate bowl. Then pour the resulting solution into the base for the solutiondouching - well-boiled water and carefully monitor the color of the liquid. It should take on a pale pink color, and by no means a bright purple.
The action of potassium permanganate is based on the unique ability of a substance to release atomic oxygen. During the connection with proteins, albuminates appear. It is the protein properties that can have antimicrobial and drying effects. In addition, potassium permanganate has a positive effect on the neutralization of toxins that secrete Candida-type fungi, and also normalizes the acid-base vaginal environment.
Furacilin
The use of a solution of furacilin for douching can help relieve the unpleasant manifestations of thrush, namely: itching, burning, swelling and inflammation.
In order to prepare a solution, you need 5 tablets of furacilin and 500 ml of hot water.
Malavit
"Malavit" is a popular herbal remedy. This tool can be easily purchased at a pharmacy. Malavit has a beneficial effect and destroys harmful microorganisms (anaerobic and aerobic), and also helps to relieve swelling.
To douche with thrush using Malavit, you need to prepare a solution. 15 ml of the drug must be diluted in 300 ml of boiled water. The procedure must be carried out within 5 days.
Chlorhexidine
Already prepared solution is sold in a pharmacy at the best price. The drug is presented in a convenient form (with its own spout for injecting the solution), which does not require the use of a syringe.
It is necessary to lie comfortably on your back and insert the spout of the bottle into the vagina. Squeeze out the solution carefully. After the introduction, lie down for 2-3 minutes. Douching with chlorhexidine on an ongoing basis is harmful - bacterial vaginosis may develop.
It's important to remember here: douching with Chlorhexidine for thrush can provoke an allergic reaction.
Necessary precautions
Reviews about douching with thrush are mostly positive. However, it should not be abused, since such actions are dangerous and aggressive for the body. In European countries, many gynecologists have completely abandoned the douching procedure, preferring safer methods.
The duration of the procedures should not exceed the period prescribed by the gynecologist. Many experts believe that this method provokes the development of dysbacteriosis. During douching, not only the pathogenic, but also the beneficial microflora of the vagina is gradually washed out. Thus, there is an increase in the imbalance of the microflora of the vagina.
Douching should not be done for preventive purposes. For in this case, there is a violation of the balanced vaginal environment, and this directly affects the occurrence of vaginosis and thrush.
Remember that douching is an additional step in the treatment of thrush. It is necessary to complete a comprehensive course of research andtreatment. In no case do not self-medicate. Since the possible negative consequences of this will be much more difficult to eliminate than the disease at the initial stage. Be sure to carefully read the necessary ratios of the components for the solutions and be he althy!
