Vulvovaginal candidiasis is the same as thrush, that is, inflammation of the vagina and external genitalia caused by the action of a fungus called Candida. There are several such fungi, they differ from each other. If thrush recurs frequently, it doesn't necessarily have to be caused by the same Candida every time (with the same symptoms), and even if it does, it doesn't mean the microbe will respond to the same treatment all the time.
How does vulvovaginal candidiasis manifest itself?
This is a copious discharge that often has a creamy white color, the consistency of thick sour cream (more often written "curdled"), an unpleasant, mostly sour smell. These secretions cause itching, which worries in itself, increases when rubbing against clothes (jeans, thongs), during sex. Urination can be painful if the vulva is scratched a lot, they can bleed if you have candidiasis. Photos of the inflammation zone in this disease clearly demonstrate redness, swelling of the genital organs, on which a whitish flaky coating is visible.
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 these drugs have been taken for a long time.
2) Weakening of immunity due to pregnancy (this is a physiological phenomenon), HIV infection, congenital lowering of the immune defense, severe illness.
3) Reduced local immunity of the vagina when a woman is already sick with some kind of venereal disease or vaginal candidiasis.
4) Endocrine diseases, in particular diabetes mellitus.
5) Chronic diseases of the digestive system.
6) Eating with a predominance of simple carbohydrates in the diet (sweets, muffins).
How is the diagnosis made?
Vulvovaginal candidiasis can be diagnosed using the following tests:
- examination of a smear under a microscope;
- immunofluorescence assay;
- bakseeding;
- PCR smear.
Thrush is a disease that, although it seems visible to the naked eye, requires careful diagnosis. It is advisable to carry out not just a smear on the microflora, but also the sowing of the microflora with the determination of its sensitivity to drugs for the fungus. For example, there is such a species of Candida as Candida glabrata. It, unlike the most common Candida albicans, is difficult to treat, but very often recurs. Only by resultsThis bacteriological study can prescribe the correct treatment.
How is candidiasis treated?
It depends on the results of seeding for sensitivity to antibiotics, as well as on the general condition of the woman at the time of the disease, the frequency of recurrence 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. Less commonly prescribed systemic drug "Fluconazole" ("Fucis", "Mycosyst", "Diflucan", "Diflazon") - 150 mg once.
In case of recurrent thrush, Fluconazole is prescribed twice already, the second time - three days after taking the first pill. In addition, local preparations are also used: these can be Clotrimazole suppositories or Candide gel, Nystatin vaginal tablets.
When pregnant, the drug "Pimafucin" is prescribed in candles for 6 days.
Folk treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis
Douching is carried out with such decoctions:
1) 1 tbsp chamomile and 2 tbsp. calendula is poured with boiling water, insisted at night, filtered and used in the morning;
2) in equal proportions (a tablespoon) mix oak bark, chamomile, sage leaves, add three measures (3 tablespoons) of nettle leaves. 2 tablespoons of this mixture are poured with a liter of boiling water, they insist at night, you can use it in the morning.
