Overview of treatments for thrush in women

In order to get rid of thrush in women, it is necessary to go through several stages, which are determined by the doctor, based on the results of the tests and the general condition of the patient. Vaginal candidiasis is a disease in which a fungal infection affects the lower parts of the genital organs. Candida is present in the microflora of the oral cavity, intestines and genitals of a healthy person, but a decrease in the immune system leads to its activation.

It is difficult to determine the specific cause of the disease, but a number of predisposing factors are identified:

• Long-term use of antibiotics, corticosteroids and other drugs that weaken the immune system.
• Dysbacteriosis of the genital organs.
• Pregnancy and lactation. During pregnancy, a woman's body begins to undergo hormonal changes, which leads to a decrease in the body's immune status.
• Diseases of the endocrine system and diabetes mellitus.
• Unprotected sex with an infected partner.

As a rule, thrush in women affects the vagina, in rare cases the cervix, urethra and bladder. Patients complain of abundant cheesy discharge with an unpleasant odor from the genitals and severe itching. Pain occurs during urination, and burning and stinging are possible during sexual intercourse. During a gynecological examination, redness of the vaginal walls and small erosions can be detected.

There are many methods of eliminating the disease, but all of them have a comprehensive approach and are aimed at reducing the development of fungal infection in the female body. For effective therapy, a systemic approach is used, that is, tablets for oral administration and local treatment in the form of suppositories, creams and ointments for vaginal use. Treatment involves an individual approach when drawing up a therapy regimen. Drugs are selected depending on the stage of the disease. Thus, mild forms of fungal infection are treated with a course of local and systemic drugs.

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Treatment of thrush with tampons

Tampons are increasingly used to eliminate vaginal yeast fungal infections. They can be made at home with various herbal medicinal supplements or purchased at a pharmacy. Tampons with kefir, essential oils, honey, brilliant green, chamomile, onion, garlic, aloe vera, hydrogen peroxide and other antifungal agents are suitable for the treatment of candidiasis.

As for pharmacy options, you can find Beautiful Life and Clean Point on sale. They consist of plant extracts that have a strong therapeutic effect on the affected genitals. The course of using these products lasts about a month, until the symptoms of the disease completely disappear.

Tampons are rightfully considered an alternative to antibiotics and various painful procedures. Provided that the tampon product is chosen correctly, positive changes can be felt in just one day. Since herbal supplements are used for therapy, they are not capable of harming the body.

Treatment of thrush with douching

One of the common methods of eliminating thrush is douching. The procedure involves treating the mucous membranes of the vaginal walls with various antiseptic pharmacological solutions or herbal remedies. The method has a minimum of contraindications and does not affect internal organs and systems. But do not forget that self-medication can cause a violation of healthy vaginal microflora, increase the symptoms of the disease or provoke colpitis. Therefore, the number of procedures and the drug should be selected by a gynecologist, focusing on the form of the disease and the stage of the fungal infection.

Disadvantages of douching and the main dangers when using this method:

• The natural composition of the vaginal microflora is disrupted, which leads to bacterial vaginosis and exacerbation of yeast infection symptoms.
• Promotes the spread of infection, causes inflammation of the uterine appendages, endometriosis and endometritis.

Various solutions with antibacterial and antifungal components are suitable for douching: iodine, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, chlorhexidine. It is believed that these products destroy pathogenic microorganisms and relieve symptoms of the disease.

As a rule, the procedure is carried out at home. For a therapeutic effect, 1-2 douches per day are sufficient, preferably in the first half of the day or before bedtime. To wash the vagina, take a sterile syringe without a needle, Esmarch's mug or a gynecological syringe. It is better to carry out the procedure in a horizontal position, lying in the bath with bent and slightly apart knees. Let's consider the basic rules for the procedure:

• The solution should be at room temperature; 200-300 ml is enough for one procedure.
• The tip of the syringe or mug is carefully inserted into the vagina by 3-5 cm. If inserted carelessly, microtraumas of the mucous membrane are possible, which will aggravate the course of candidiasis and will facilitate the penetration of a bacterial infection.
• The stream entering the vagina should not be strong or sharp, as the liquid can get into the uterus, causing inflammation. After the procedure, it is better to lie down for 15-20 minutes. The course should not exceed 10 days.

There are many medications and medicinal infusions for douching. But an incorrectly selected remedy will not help in therapy, but will only increase the symptoms of the inflammatory process. Let's consider the most popular solutions for insertion into the vagina:

• Sage is a plant with essential oils and tannins that suppress the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. It heals damaged mucous membranes, eliminates itching, burning, and swelling.
• Chamomile – has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. Washing the vagina has a disinfectant effect, relieves inflammation and other painful symptoms.
• Miramistin is a broad-spectrum antibacterial medication, effective in the treatment of Candida fungus. It is safe, has a minimum of contraindications, and is available with a special nozzle for insertion into the vagina and spraying.
• Citeal - the solution is prepared from warm water and 1-2 caps of the medicine. After the procedure, the vagina must be washed with clean water.
• Furacilin is an antibacterial agent that helps relieve burning and itching.
• Chlorophyllipt is an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory medicine. It can be used for washing and irrigation. Eliminates itching, burning, redness.

Treatment of thrush during breastfeeding

Treatment of thrush during breastfeeding can be done only with the appropriate doctor's permission. Before starting therapy, do not forget that the fungus affects not only the genitals, but also very often the nipples. That is why the lactation process must be stopped. The location of candidiasis does not affect the methods used, so medications are applied both locally to the affected areas and systemically.

Drug therapy is divided into two groups: oral and for local use. Many doctors do not recommend using oral medications during lactation. Antibiotics and antifungal medications help get rid of the disease in a short time. Women are prescribed Pimafucin (tetraene antibiotics) in the form of ointment and tablets, Terzhinan - vaginal tablets and various douches as a local form of therapy. Douching is necessary to create an alkaline environment that suppresses the growth of fungus. Douching with a soda solution (a teaspoon of soda per 1 liter of warm water) is considered the safest during breastfeeding. In addition to soda, you can use herbal decoctions with an antiseptic effect (oak bark, calendula, chamomile).

But you should not rely entirely on drug therapy, as the medicine helps to get rid of candidiasis for a while and over time the disease may return. Therefore, special attention is paid to diet, that is, nutrition. During the period of illness, you should give up flour and confectionery products, starch, drinks with caffeine. Fermented milk products with bifidobacteria and lactobacilli (cottage cheese, yogurt, kefir) will be useful.