Does it itch and burn? What you need to know about thrush and its treatment

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You took antibiotics. You are in a state of chronic stress. Or changed the brand of daily pads.

And you get an extremely unpleasant “bonus”, namely:

• itching and burning in the vulva;
• specific discharge from the vagina that resembles sour milk cheese, but without any specific smell;
• swelling of the vagina, the presence of mucous membrane damage.

It is quite possible that you suffer from thrush. In general, this problem is quickly and easily treated. However, there are exceptions.

We talked about problems with thrush and what to do about them with a candidate of medical sciences, a gynecologist Olena Pavlova.

Men also have yeast infections, including thrush. And not as rare as it might seem. Treatment is often similar, but it is a conversation with a urologist. Today we will focus on this problem in women.

What is thrush?

A woman’s vagina has a balanced “mix” of yeast, including Candida yeast and certain bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, which prevent yeast from growing.

But sometimes this balance is disturbed. For example, through:

• taking antibiotics;
• pregnancy;
• diabetes;
• weakening of the immune system;
• taking contraceptives or other hormonal therapy that can increase the level of estrogens, etc.

And it is the Candida fungus that is the cause of most vaginal yeast infections, including thrush.

Read also: Thrush: how to detect, treat and prevent

Some women may notice that the infection returns after severe stress. There is no evidence that stress causes thrush. However, stress can reduce your body’s ability to control yeast: Cortisol, the stress hormone, “undermines” our immunity and can raise blood sugar levels.

Candida albicans is the most common type of fungus that causes “thrush”. The terms “vaginal candidiasis” and “candidal vulvovaginitis” are also used. Other types of Candida fungi may require additional diagnosis, are more difficult to treat, and require more aggressive therapy.

Therefore, we can highlight the main rule of treatment: no self-medication!

It can be very tempting to go to a pharmacy and buy drugs that are advertised on television.

However, as Olena Pavlova explains, “milkmaid” from a woman’s point of view is a huge range of complaints, which are united by one goal – to remove discomfort.

“Thrush” from the doctor’s point of view is a specific disease that has a localization, pathogen, clinical picture and correct treatment.

“Why do I share? Because even a modern well-educated woman who seeks knowledge and self-understanding will not always be 100% able to distinguish the nature of her inflammatory process. And, therefore, treating inflammation of bacterial origin with an antifungal drug, we will not get the desired therapeutic effect. At the same time, there is a very high chance of getting flora that will be resistant to this drug next time“, the doctor explains.

She adds that vulvovaginitis, cystitis, sexually transmitted infections, allergies to latex, new underwear, detergent or hygiene products can have similar clinical manifestations and complaints. Therefore, you should visit a doctor, undergo an examination, and only then, if necessary, receive proper treatment.

In addition, even in the case of thrush, the intensity of complaints can be different. And it is the doctor who will determine the duration of treatment and how best to relieve symptoms.

Photo: IgorVetushko/Depositphotos

What to do if thrush comes back?

A frequent problem of thrush is not even treatment, but recurrence.

And here it is important to be attentive to yourself, the changes in your life and to understand what reasons can cause relapses. Sometimes the reasons can be extremely unexpected.

Olena Pavlova advises to pay attention to the following:

View personal hygiene. In particular, isn’t it excessive? Douching can disrupt the balance of microflora. Frequent use of daily pads, especially with fragrance – too.

“The best and first priority hygienic means – it’s water If you are somewhere on the way or at work – then napkins for intimate hygiene are acceptable. Ordinary wet wipes also have the right to life, but they must not be antibacterial, without alcohol, with neutral acidity and without fragrances. Toilet paper is the last step here, and there are also a number of wishes for it: uncolored, unscented, soft.”

The gynecologist advises not to wear tight underwear, to change it regularly, to pay attention to your condition and its changes, if you change the means for washing or intimate hygiene.

It is also important to avoid intimate deodorants, scented tampons, etc.

Review the hygiene of your intimate relationships.

Namely:

• shower before and after intercourse;
• use latex wipes during cunnilingus and remember that saliva is not a lubricant for any kind of sex! It dries quickly and contains a lot of atypical flora for the vagina;
• if you need hydration during sex, you should buy a water-based lubricant;
• anal sex should not overlap with vaginal penetration, unless you showered and changed the condom between them;
• intimate toys should not be made of cheap, low-quality materials. They should also be properly washed and stored.

Example:

✅ Wash thoroughly with water and special detergents, for example, toy cleaners: soap can damage silicones, then pathogenic flora will settle and grow in the toys, and the toy itself will fail faster.

✅ If the device is connected to an electrical device, use warm water and detergent, being careful not to immerse the electrical components in the liquid. Of course, the appliance should not be connected to the network during washing!

✅ If there are no electrical components, you can soak the device in a 10% aqueous solution of bleach for 10 minutes or put it in the dishwasher. However, glass products cannot be exposed to high temperatures. Silicones also react poorly to boiling.

✅ Hard plastic: clean with antibacterial soap and water. Do not boil.

✅ Silicone: Can be washed with warm water and antibacterial soap. Do not boil silicone vibrators, because you can destroy its mechanism.

If you have frequent thrush or symptoms similar to thrush and have one constant partner, then he should also be tested for infections. Of course, not at the gynecologist. However, the probability of transmitting thrush to a man is quite low.

But if your partner is a woman, then you should be careful and monitor the symptoms. Although in general, thrush is not a disease that is often sexually transmitted.

Thrush symptoms may worsen

This can be explained by the fact that there are certain hormonal fluctuations.

“IN this is the period when estrogen and progesterone levels are at their lowest in the cycle. Minor changes in pH (acidity) occur, which in turn can create a more favorable environment for the reproduction of conditionally pathogenic and pathogenic flora, because the Candida fungus lives in the vagina in extremely small quantities, which is the norm. And generally does not cause problems in such cases“, the doctor explains.

The gynecologist explains the increase in symptoms at night by the fact that before going to bed we are always more relaxed, tired after a working day, have significantly fewer distractions and listen to our body more, therefore we feel its signals more strongly, especially uncomfortable ones.

How to deal with thrush before you get to the doctor

First, do not delay the visit.

Secondly, while you are waiting for the visit, remove additional irritating factors as much as possible: allergens, artificial fabric, daily pads, rough paper or napkins. In personal hygiene, preference should be given to water.

“Try not to scratch the vulva, because this only further injures the skin and mucous membrane, the symptoms and treatment will last longer. Under conditions of severe irritation and injuries, complaints may last for a short time even after the completion of treatment. There are additionally antiseptic means for intimate hygiene and soothing creams, but your doctor will tell you personally about this, also informing you about contraindications“, Olena Pavlova emphasizes.

Separately, the doctor notes about…

Folk methods of treatment of thrush

“People’s imagination is really rich: aloe and Kalanchoe juice, decoction of chamomile and oak bark, calendula tincture, soda, honey, “manganese” (yes, people still buy it somewhere) – and this is not the whole list“, says the gynecologist.

She emphasizes that some of these “drugs” can cause allergies (and it’s good if it’s just additional itching and not swelling of the airways). Do you like chamomile and honey? Drink tea with them. Some of these remedies can cause not only a more pronounced disturbance of the balance of the flora, but also a serious burn, which will lead to long-term treatment and recovery.

“In the spring of 2022, I allowed the use of soda for some patients who found themselves in the occupied territories or abroad without the possibility of seeing a doctor in time, but there were forced (!) measures, not a “good alternative”. – adds the doctor.

Today, there are many studied medications that have been studied for many years. These medicines work, treat, help. Therefore, there is no point in exposing yourself to danger.

Photo: HayDmitriy/Depositphotos

Thrush and pregnancy

Due to immune features during childbearing, pregnant women are at risk of relapses. However, the most important myth surrounding pregnancy and thrush is that it cannot be treated. You can and you should.

The doctor says that all hygiene measures are the same as for non-pregnant women.

But in terms of drugs, doctors are somewhat limited. However, there are drugs that are safe for pregnant women, you should use them and enjoy life and pregnancy, and not suffer discomfort and pain.

But only a doctor should prescribe them for you!

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