How to get rid of fungus in the vagina: the best medications and folk remedies

An infectious disease of the female reproductive system, which can spread to the uterus and labia, is called vaginal fungus.

Other names for the pathological condition are dysbacteriosis, candidiasis, thrush. Every woman has encountered it at least once in her life. Develops due to the accelerated growth of the Candida fungus. Conditionally pathogenic flora begins its active development only when favorable conditions arise. Do not underestimate this disease. An advanced stage can lead to the development of colpitis, cystitis, and urethritis.

Pathogenesis

The causative agents of candidiasis are found in the air, soil, vegetables, fruits, and confectionery products. Yeast fungi, in small quantities, are found on the surface of the mucous membranes and skin of a healthy person; they belong to the opportunistic flora.

If a pregnant woman is sick with candidiasis, the risk of infection of the newborn during passage through the birth canal increases. Also, a baby can become infected through the hands of the mother and staff, medical instruments, and caring cosmetics.

Factors that contribute to the development of pathogenic flora:

• negative impact of the environment;
• endogenous factors;
• virulent properties of microorganisms.

Workers in confectionery factories and canneries are the most affected by the development of Candida fungi. After all, their skin comes into daily contact with sugar-containing substances, as well as various types of acids.

Reasons for the development of vaginal fungus

Thrush affects the reproductive organs of girls and women

There are a number of reasons that can cause yeast in the vaginal area. Its development is facilitated by the active growth of opportunistic microorganisms of the genus Candida. They primarily live on the skin, in the digestive tract and in the human mouth. If the woman is healthy, then their growth and reproduction will be restrained by the immune system. It also protects her reproductive organs from these infectious agents.

Thrush in the vagina begins to actively develop due to the impact on the female body of the following factors:

1. Onset of pregnancy:
2. Premature termination of pregnancy;
3. Injuries to tissues located in the perineum and vagina;
4. Diabetes;
5. Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives;
6. Immunodeficiencies;
7. Conducting antibacterial therapy;
8. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment;
9. Long-term use of cytostatites or glucocorticoids.

It is for these reasons that the disease develops, since they negatively affect the hormonal background and immune system of a woman.

Causes

There are many factors that provoke the development of candidiasis, namely:

• decrease in the body's defenses;
• frequent hypothermia;
• pulmonary tuberculosis;
• recently started sexual activity;
• intestinal dysbiosis;
• venereal diseases;
• improper genital hygiene;
• frequent douching;
• taking hormonal and antibacterial drugs;
• unprotected sexual intercourse;
• stressful situations;
• rare change of panty liners;
• the presence of an intrauterine device;
• trauma to the vaginal mucosa;
• wearing underwear made of artificial materials;
• endocrine disorders in the body: diabetes mellitus, etc.;
• presence of bad habits: smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages;
• unbalanced diet, vitamin deficiency, large amounts of sweet and flour products.

Most often, vaginal fungus develops in the last days of menstruation. Rare hygiene procedures and untimely change of pads lead to the creation of favorable conditions for the development of pathogenic flora.

How to identify a fungal skin disease

The primary symptoms of skin fungus appear even before spots form on the skin; itching, dryness and flaking of the skin appear. Then spots appear on the skin, in some cases diaper rash, cracks and small wounds may appear.

The formation of fungus can cause poisoning in the body. In many cases, a feverish state, immune disorders, weakness, runny nose and swelling of the mucous membranes are noticed. Damage to the nails is also observed: cracking, yellowing, crumbling of the nail.

Symptoms

Vaginal fungus actively multiplies and leads to damage to the internal mucous membranes. If you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner, candidiasis goes from an acute form to a chronic form. The infection can spread to the bladder and intestines.

Mycosis of the vagina is manifested by the following symptoms:

• itching;
• burning and stinging;
• the discharge has a sour odor;
• swelling of the mucous membranes;
• discomfort when urinating;
• frequent urge to urinate, but the bladder is not completely full;
• increased vaginal dryness;
• pain in the intimate area;
• problems sleeping, insomnia;
• curdled discharge that is white in color;
• itching intensifies after sexual intercourse and showering;
• irritation of the genital organs due to contact with urine.

Chronic candidiasis can lead to a number of complications. If the development of the fungus is supplemented by a sexually transmitted infection, this can lead to changes in the uterus and ovaries, which can lead to infertility.

Symptoms of the disease in women and men

Symptoms of vaginal mycosis are usually quite severe. Manifestations of the disease are quite typical. A woman is bothered by vaginal discharge that is white or grayish in color.

Vaginal discharge appears with varying intensity. Some women may have few symptoms and little or no vaginal discharge. And for others, especially pregnant women, they are pronounced and cause severe anxiety; the volume of vaginal discharge can be quite large.

Another characteristic symptom is itching in the vaginal and vulvar areas. Burning and itching of intimate areas is very annoying. In addition, changes occur in the epithelium, the affected areas develop in the vestibule and the vagina itself.

Itching of the intimate area

In the case of a fungal infection, men develop the following symptoms: flaky discharge from the foreskin, redness, itching, burning, swelling, rashes in the form of blisters on the head of the penis.

Diagnosis of the disease

If negative sensations occur, it is recommended to immediately visit a gynecologist. A preliminary diagnosis is established after a visual examination. The diagnosis can be confirmed after laboratory tests.

Tests to be performed:

• examination of smears from the urethra, intestines, vagina;
• bacteriological culture on the medium;
• serological reactions;
• PFR test;
• enzyme immunoassay.

The fastest and most reliable method is smear analysis, and the most highly informative is bacteriological analysis. It allows you to identify not only the presence of fungus, but also its resistance to drugs. After this analysis, the most effective treatment therapy can be selected.

In cases where it is impossible to take a smear, they resort to serological reactions by taking blood from a vein.

Treatment

Drug treatment for vaginal fungus is prescribed by a gynecologist. You should not self-medicate. Incorrectly selected therapy can lead to various complications.

The basis of therapeutic therapy is the use of drugs that have local effects. External products include: ointments, creams, suppositories. They act effectively at the site of the lesion. They have practically no contraindications.

The most common drugs:

• Clotrimazole;
• Pimafucin;
• Livarol;
• Nystatin;
• Miconazole.

In cases where topical drugs are ineffective or the disease has become chronic, tablets and capsules are used.

When taking the tablets, a large amount of the active ingredient is concentrated in the mucous membrane, which neutralizes fungi in the vagina.

Tablets for candidiasis:

• Nizoral;
• Futsis;
• Fluconazole;
• Miconazole and others.

If a fungus is detected, both partners must undergo treatment. After all, the fungus is easily transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse. Until complete recovery, you should abstain from sexual activity.

For the treatment of men, ointments are used in combination with tablets. The ointment must be applied to the penis twice a day.

To get rid of fungal infection, you must adhere to the dosage and frequency of administration. After completing the course of treatment, you will have to take control tests. Sometimes fungi that are in the body can be resistant to the drug.

The causative agent of the disease and risk groups

The content of the article

Fungal infections of the vagina in women most often include fungal infections and ringworm of the vulva. The most common pathogen that causes this disease is a fungus called Candida albicans. Therefore, fungal infections are defined as candidiasis. Vaginal mycoses can also be caused by other species of the genus Candida.

The occurrence of dermatophytes in the vagina is a rare case, most likely the result of external contamination.

Vaginal candidiasis

About 70% of women suffer from vaginal and vulvar fungus at least once in their lives. There are groups of people who are more prone to candidiasis. These include: women, after antibiotic therapy, steroid treatment, pregnant women (vaginal itching during pregnancy).

Also susceptible to the disease are women taking hormones and their derivatives, as well as patients with hormonal dysfunctions. It often happens that recurrent vaginal yeast infections are one of the first signs pointing to diabetes.

Treatment with folk remedies

For a long time, our grandmothers struggled with candidiasis using folk remedies.

Traditional medicine recipes:

1. Fungi do not like alkaline environments. For treatment, you need to take a liter of boiled water, add 50 drops of iodine and one tablespoon of soda. Mix everything and add to the bath. The “sitz bath” procedure is performed before bedtime. The course of treatment is 10 days.
2. Alum has proven itself well and can be purchased at the pharmacy. Take one liter of water and add 2 tablespoons of alum. Bring the solution to a boil, stirring. Cool. Wash with warm solution.
3. Decoctions of medicinal herbs help well: calendula, chamomile, sage. Herbs have antiseptic properties.
4. The herb St. John's wort has an antibacterial effect. The prepared decoction is used for washing.
5. For genital hygiene, use tea tree oil. It is necessary to dissolve two drops of essential oil in a glass of water. This product is also suitable for washing, which must be done twice a day for a week.

Genital fungus in children

Unfortunately, infection of a child with a fungal infection in pediatrics is quite common.

Predisposing factors:

• pregnancy and childbirth against the background of candidiasis in the mother, • neglect of hygiene rules (bathing the baby in a shared bathroom, using shared bedding, towels), • teething, • prematurity, • artificial feeding, • weak immunity, • use of diapers, • increased room temperature with high humidity, • antibiotic therapy, • concomitant viral infection, • washing diapers with common powder, etc.

Signs and symptoms of fungus on the genitals of a child:

• redness, • white coating, • restlessness or crying when urinating, • poor appetite, • low-grade fever, • lethargy, adynamism, • swelling of the genitals.

A doctor prescribes a treatment regimen for candidiasis in a child, taking into account all the characteristics: age, clinical manifestations, concomitant pathology. For uncomplicated fungal infections, Pimafucin cream is used.

You can make lotions with Candida solution for mouth rinsing or herbal decoctions.

Preventive measures

To prevent the development of such a disease it is necessary:

1. Do not self-medicate with antibacterial drugs. Antibiotic treatment should only be prescribed by a doctor.
2. Maintain personal hygiene carefully. Change pads promptly during menstrual periods. Do not use tampons for more than 5 hours. Genital hygiene twice a day. More often during critical days.
3. Wearing underwear only from natural materials.
4. When visiting public baths, sit on a bench, covering it with a clean towel.
5. Carefully select intimate gels depending on the pH level.
6. Avoid sexual intercourse during treatment.
7. Exclude spicy, salty, pickled, sweet foods, as well as baked goods from your diet.
8. After treatment with antibiotics, take a course of probiotics. They will help normalize the microflora of the body.
9. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.
10. Don't get carried away with douching.

Correct and timely treatment will allow you to forget about vaginal fungus. You can prevent a relapse by following simple rules of prevention.

Fungus during pregnancy

Due to changing hormonal levels, pregnant women often develop candidiasis

Fungal microflora causes the greatest discomfort during pregnancy. The activation of fungi of the genus Candida during this period is due to changes in hormonal levels.

During pregnancy, thrush must be treated, but treatment is complicated by the fact that many drugs can negatively affect the development of the fetus. Adjusting the diet will help reduce the rate of increase in the population of fungal microflora. Additionally, special douching solutions or antifungal medications that do not affect the fetus may be prescribed. Treatment of fungus during pregnancy should be prescribed by a doctor.

The danger is that when passing through the birth canal, the child may become infected with a fungal infection. Thrush in infants is a fairly common disease, the development of which can be prevented by proper treatment of the fungus in a pregnant woman.