Prevention of thrush: ointments, creams, suppositories, pills

What is the prevention of thrush, or candidiasis? The main goal of preventive measures is to create conditions in the body that are unfavorable for the growth and reproduction of fungal infection. The list of such measures includes changes in nutrition, hygiene, etc.

Prevention recommendations should be followed especially carefully if there are frequent episodes of thrush. The risk group also includes people with weak immunity, patients undergoing treatment with antibacterial agents or hormones, as well as women during pregnancy.

Prevention of thrush in women

Preventive measures to prevent the development of thrush should begin with changes in nutrition. Many note a significant decrease in the frequency of relapses of the disease after adjusting the diet. After all, it is known that many products contribute to the growth and reproduction of fungal flora, so their exclusion from the diet already becomes the first preventive step.

What foods should you avoid:

• from yeast baked goods;
• from any confectionery, sugar, sweets;
• from blue cheeses (Dor Blue, Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, Epoisses, etc.).

It is recommended to place emphasis in nutrition on plant foods (fresh and stewed vegetables and fruits, greens, berries), as well as on other products:

• fermented milk products, yoghurts;
• garlic, onion;
• propolis;
• vegetable oils;
• legumes, cereals.

In addition to nutrition, women must follow special hygiene rules. First of all, you need to be careful when choosing intimate hygiene products: soap or shower gel should not cause dry skin or allergies. It is also important to pay attention to other important points:

• Underwear should be chosen as natural as possible, breathable and not cause excessive sweating.
• When choosing lubricants, it is advisable to opt for water-soluble products that do not affect the quality of microflora. If thrush occurs against the background of the use of latex barrier products, then condoms on a neutral polyurethane base should be preferred.
• Genital hygiene should be performed twice a day - not less often, but not more often. As a hygiene product, you can choose soap with antifungal activity. It is not recommended to use detergents with antibacterial components such as triclosan and triclocarban, which grossly disrupt the normal microflora of the human body.

Medicinal preventive measures are appropriate during antibiotic therapy or hormonal treatment. Taking powerful antibacterial and hormonal drugs can cause an unfavorable restructuring of the microbiome not only in the intestinal cavity, but also on the mucous tissues. To avoid this, treatment is often supplemented with prophylactic use of antifungal agents.

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Prevention of thrush during pregnancy

It is better to start preventing thrush before conception by contacting a doctor and undergoing diagnostics or appropriate antifungal treatment. If pregnancy has already occurred, the woman should strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations to avoid a relapse of thrush.

The diet of the expectant mother requires special attention during pregnancy. A woman should be extremely careful when consuming all kinds of baked goods, sweets and simple sugar: it is best to completely eliminate these products from the daily menu. Fast carbohydrates, especially in large quantities, easily provoke a relapse of a fungal infection.

Medicinal prophylaxis of thrush during pregnancy is not carried out in order not to expose the child to unnecessary risk.

What additional preventive methods are appropriate and applicable for the expectant mother:

• regular examination and diagnosis by a doctor;
• maintaining a healthy lifestyle;
• proper implementation of genital hygiene procedures;
• strengthening and maintaining immune defense;
• wearing quality and comfortable underwear.

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Prevention of thrush before childbirth

Prevention of thrush in expectant mothers on the eve of the upcoming birth consists of several basic nuances. The first is observing the rules of intimate hygiene. The second is supporting your own immune defense. The third is following a diet and avoiding contact with sick people.

There can be no talk of any self-medication during pregnancy. All such issues are resolved exclusively with the attending physician.

When planning precautions, it is necessary to take into account that thrush can be caused by such factors as eating a lot of sweets, using unsuitable detergents, deodorants, and pads with fragrances. That is why pregnant women are advised to pay special attention to their diet and carefully choose cosmetics. It is not advisable to use new cosmetics and detergents during pregnancy and before childbirth: it is better to leave experiments with any new products "for later". Use proven products that will definitely not cause any unpleasant reactions from the body.

In most cases, drug prophylaxis for pregnant women is not indicated, but in some situations, topical drugs may be prescribed - for example, Epigen Intim Spray. This drug is based on the properties of glycyrrhizic acid and was originally intended for the treatment and prevention of papillomavirus and herpesvirus infections. However, in practice, the drug is successfully used as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent for non-specific colpitis, vaginitis and candidiasis.

Prevention of thrush in men

Most people tend to associate thrush only with the female sex. However, men are no less often ill with candidal infection: however, thrush in the strong half of humanity almost always proceeds without any special symptoms, so there are practically no visits to the doctor about the disease.

Compliance with preventive measures for men is very important, and not only for maintaining their own health: asymptomatic course of thrush leads to the fact that a woman who is near a male carrier is practically doomed to constant relapses of the disease. This is why thrush should be treated in both partners, then the chances of self-infection can be reduced to zero.

Prevention of thrush in a partner is based on the following measures:

• compliance with individual hygiene standards (regular water procedures, change of linen, use of personal clean towels, etc.);
• maintaining intimate culture, excluding promiscuous sexual life;
• timely referral to doctors upon detection of any suspicious symptoms, including those characteristic of thrush;
• strengthening the immune system, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, nutritious, high-quality nutrition, and quitting drinking alcohol and smoking.

The rules of prevention are simple, but they significantly reduce the likelihood of contracting thrush, as well as the possibility of infecting your partner.

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Prevention of thrush in newborns

There is a certain risk group, which includes newborn children, who require special attention from doctors in terms of preventing thrush. Thus, preventive measures are mandatory for such children:

• babies born to women suffering from thrush, or to those who have any gynecological pathologies of an inflammatory or infectious nature;
• newborns born during complicated labor;
• children born prematurely, prematurely, with various physiological or physical disorders or developmental defects;
• infants with impaired respiratory capacity, diagnosed with encephalopathy, as well as those who had birth injuries to the central nervous system.

As a preventive measure against thrush, such newborn babies may be prescribed Fluconazole. The dosage is calculated from a proportion of 3 to 5 mg per 1 kg of the child's weight, once a day. The daily amount of the drug depends on the degree of probability of the disease, as well as on whether the baby is undergoing antibiotic therapy or not.

Prevention of thrush after sexual intercourse

What to do if one of the partners has thrush? Is it possible to have sexual intercourse, and are additional preventive measures necessary?

Thrush is a disease caused by a conditionally pathogenic fungus, because Candida is also present in the microflora of a healthy person. It’s just that under certain conditions its development accelerates, and there is a massive reproduction of the fungal infection. However, it is not superfluous to carry out infection prevention: doctors advise using a barrier method of protection during an exacerbation of the disease. In most cases, a condom is sufficient, and no additional measures are required.

By the way, medical experts do not advise women to have sexual intercourse during the period of exacerbation of thrush. The mucous membrane is very vulnerable during the acute period of the disease, it is easy to damage, which can lead to a worsening of the problem.

If the partners are worried that the disease will worsen after intercourse, they should wash their genitals thoroughly and change their underwear immediately after sex. Additional use of tablets, suppositories or other medications is not necessary.

Prevention of oral thrush

Since fungal infection can affect most mucous tissues in the body, and not only the genitals, it makes sense to mention the prevention of oral thrush. Such prevention is generally simple and consists of the following points:

• regular visits to the dentist, examination and improvement of the oral cavity;
• avoiding self-medication with antibacterial drugs;
• support of immunity, timely treatment of any diseases in the body, active lifestyle;
• giving up bad habits;
• proper nutrition, with minimal consumption of sweets and yeast baked goods;
• regular oral hygiene, care of teeth and dentures.

You should rinse your mouth periodically: for example, after each meal, and also after brushing your teeth (use a special mouthwash that can be purchased at any pharmacy).

Prevention of thrush when taking antibiotics

Taking certain medications to prevent thrush after antibiotic therapy is a common situation. Medicines are also prescribed to restore the balance of microflora in the body - on mucous tissues, inside the intestines, etc.

The most common preventive drugs in such cases are:

• Diflucan (Fluconazole), Pimafucin;
• Nystatin, Levorin;
• Lactiale, Lactobacterin, Bifidumbacterin, etc.

Preventive use of complex preparations containing beneficial microflora is justified in the vast majority of cases. Such products help maintain the balance of the immune and nervous systems, improve the composition of the microbiome, which was disrupted during antibiotic therapy. As a rule, treatment with probiotics lasts about a month: this is quite enough to restore the microflora in the body and prevent thrush.

However, not all medical professionals approve of taking antifungal medications for preventive purposes: many doctors consider this step unjustified and even dangerous. Preventive medication can provoke the formation of resistant fungal strains, which over time can require more complex, long-term and expensive treatment. Doctors say: thrush after antibiotic therapy should be treated "after the fact", when the disease has already taken effect.

Names of drugs for the prevention of thrush

The main indication for prophylactic use of drugs for thrush is considered to be frequent recurrence of the disease. But it should be taken into account that even prevention can be accompanied by the development of undesirable side effects - for example, an allergic reaction.

Prevention of thrush with medications can be carried out by using vaginal suppositories or tablets. Less often, external agents such as ointments or creams are used.

Before using antifungal agents, it is highly advisable to first discuss this topic with your doctor.

As for the names of the most popular medications, we can talk about the following drugs:

• Nystatin in tablets, vaginal suppositories, and also in the form of an ointment - this drug was actively used 15-20 years ago, but today there are more powerful antifungal agents.
• Pimafucin (Natamycin) in tablet, ointment, or suppository form is indicated for use with virtually no restrictions, even for pregnant women.
• Livarol suppositories based on ketoconazole are considered a classic version of an antifungal drug.
• Mikozon is a miconazole preparation and is a modern and effective antifungal agent.
• Gino-Pevaryl suppositories based on econazole are well accepted by the body and can be used in the second half of pregnancy, but are prohibited for use in childhood.
• Zalain suppositories based on Sertaconazole are a powerful antifungal agent, used once (fast and effective action).
• Candid vaginal cream based on clotrimazole is a common antifungal drug for local use. Its analogues are Canison, Clotrimazole.
• Lomexin vaginal capsules are a disinfectant and anti-inflammatory medication that is effective against fungi and is well accepted by the body. The active ingredient is fenticonazole.
• Ginofort cream preparation is a powerful antifungal agent, which after a single application can remain on the mucous surface of the vagina for up to five days. The product is prohibited for use by pregnant and lactating patients.
• Medicines based on fluconazole: Mikomaks, Diflucan, Flucostat, Mikosist, Fluconazole, Diflazon, etc.
• Medicines based on intraconazole: Irunin, Rumikoz, Itrazol, Orungal, Orungamin.

You can find out more about some of the medications listed below.

Ointments and creams for the prevention of thrush

Ointments or creams are local preventive measures, and the most well-known of them are Pimafucin, Clotrimazole, Ketodin. The most common active ingredients of such products are clotrimazole, natamycin, iconazole, nystatin.

The prophylactic course of application is usually no more than ten days, but this period may vary at the discretion of the doctor.

Ointments or creams are always safer than tablets, as they have virtually no general effect on the body. However, they are most often prescribed to prevent thrush in men: this is due to some inconveniences of using this dosage form on female genitals.

There is another disadvantage: prevention with ointments should be carried out more often than with other means - for example, suppositories or tablets. This is due, first of all, to the small extent of the antifungal effect of external preparations.

Pills

The tablet form of medication is rarely prescribed for the prevention of thrush, due to the systemic effect on the entire body and the increased likelihood of developing side effects.

In rare cases, on the recommendation of a doctor, the following categories of antifungal tablets may be used:

• polyene drugs;
• triazole-based products;
• imidazoledioxolane-based products;
• imidazole-containing products.

Meanwhile, prophylaxis with tablets also has a number of advantages:

• the tablets act faster and more widely;
• Prevention of fungal infections is carried out not only in the genital area, but also in all tissues of the body;
• Sometimes a single dose of a pill is enough for prevention.

In any case, the decision about which preventive medication is preferable is made only by a medical professional.

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Candles for prevention

In the vast majority of cases, drug prevention of thrush comes down to the use of vaginal suppositories. The only thing is that suppositories will not have the necessary effect on thrush present inside the intestines or on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity.

Local use of suppositories usually lasts for one week: the product is administered daily at night.

The advantages of this type of prevention are as follows:

• the use of suppositories ensures the maximum concentration of the medicinal substance in the area of predominant fungal infection - on the mucous tissues of the vagina;
• suppositories have a strong antifungal effect even on dormant infections;
• there is no general effect of the drug on the body, and the severity of side effects is reduced to zero.

There are also known disadvantages to using suppositories for prevention:

• such remedies are effective only for preventing vaginal thrush;
• Often, sexual intercourse must be avoided during the entire prophylactic period.

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Fluconazole

The classic antifungal drug, Fluconazole, has a pronounced effect, inhibiting the production of fungal sterols. Fluconazole is available for use in many fungal infections, as well as for their prevention. Most often, the drug is taken orally, once a day (the average daily dosage is 200-400 mg). The possibility of prophylactic use of the drug should be discussed with a doctor, since it is prescribed mainly to get rid of an already existing infection.

Fluconazole is usually tolerated by the body without any complications. In rare situations, dyspepsia and skin rashes may occur.

Pimafucin

Pimafucin is often prescribed for the prevention of thrush - intravaginal suppositories with natamycin. Pimafucin does not have a sensitizing effect, does not cause allergies, and can be prescribed to pregnant and lactating patients.

The standard method is to use one suppository per night for three days in a row. Rarely, a slight sensation of vaginal burning is noted, which quickly passes and does not require discontinuing the medication.

Contraindications to the use of suppositories are childhood and hypersensitivity to natamycin.

Clotrimazole

The common drug Clotrimazole is a typical representative of the imidazole category, with a wide range of antifungal activity. Today, a lot of different drugs based on clotrimazole are known: they are used to treat and prevent mycoses, candidiasis.

Clotrimazole can be prescribed in ointment or tablet form, as an aerosol and as a vaginal preparation.

The ointment is usually spread over the affected area of skin (vulva and perineum), twice a day, rubbing in lightly.

Special vaginal tablets can also be inserted into the vagina (according to an individual regimen prepared by a doctor).

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Diflucan

The capsule preparation Diflucan is one of the many medications whose action is based on the activity of fluconazole. Diflucan is effective against yeast, yeast-like, mold fungi and can prevent the development of not only candidiasis, but also mycosis, onycomycosis.

To prevent vaginal thrush, in most situations a single dose of 0.05-0.4 g of the drug is sufficient. However, it is better to check this point with your doctor. Higher doses of the drug are used when there is an increased risk of fungal infection spreading in the body.

Common side effects when taking Diflucan: headache, dizziness, allergy, dyspepsia. The drug's analogue is Flucostat.

Livarol

The fungistatic and fungicidal agent Livarol is based on the properties of the active ketoconazole - an antimycotic imidazoledioxolane. The drug is allowed to be used for the prevention of thrush against the background of decreased immunity, antibiotic treatment, and disruption of the normal balance of vaginal microflora.

Suppositories are inserted intravaginally once a day for 3-5 days in a row.

Livarol is allowed for use in the second half of pregnancy, under the supervision of the attending physician. Use the drug with caution, as in some cases it can cause an allergic reaction.

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Nystatin

The well-known antifungal drug Nystatin was once considered the "number one remedy" for thrush and other fungal infections. The drug is available in various dosage forms, so each patient can choose the most convenient medication for themselves: suppositories, tablets or ointment.

Nystatin is successfully used for the prevention and treatment of diseases such as thrush of the vagina, oral cavity, skin, internal organs, etc.

Nystatin in tablets is used most often: for the prevention of thrush after antibiotic therapy, it is appropriate to prescribe the drug in a daily amount of 1,500,000 IU. The average duration of prophylactic administration is 10 days. The tablets are swallowed without chewing.

Rectal or vaginal suppositories containing 250,000 IU can also be used. They are administered twice a day (unless otherwise prescribed by the doctor).

Terzhinan

Complex vaginal tablets Terzhinan are represented by a whole range of active ingredients: the trichomonacid Ternidazole, the antibiotic Neomycin, the antifungal agent Nystatin and the glucocorticoid Prednisolone.

Terzhinan is successfully used to treat most types of infectious vaginitis: bacterial, non-specific, fungal, mixed.

However, Terzhinan is not suitable for purely preventive purposes: its use without appropriate indications may lead to the development of microorganism resistance and superinfection caused by these microorganisms. The drug is prescribed only for treatment, and the duration of therapy should be as short as possible.

Polygynax

The well-known antimicrobial drug and antiseptic Polygynax is a combination of an aminoside antibiotic, a polypeptide antibiotic and the polyene fungicidal antibiotic Nystatin.

Polygynax can be used for both medicinal and preventive purposes:

• The treatment involves using capsules intravaginally, one at night, for 12 days in a row;
• Prevention of thrush consists of intravaginal administration of a capsule at night, daily for six days.

The question of the need for preventive measures for a sexual partner is decided in each individual case.

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Miramistin

Miramistin is, in fact, a universal antiseptic and disinfectant. It has a strong antimicrobial effect against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms, aerobes and anaerobes, hospital strains, pathogens of sexually transmitted infections, herpes virus, as well as fungal infections (yeast, yeast-like fungi, dermatophytes, ascomycetes, etc.).

For preventive purposes, Miramistin is used in the form of vaginal irrigation or insertion of tampons soaked in the product. The duration of the preventive course is usually five days.

When used locally, Miramistin is not absorbed through mucous tissues, so it can be used even by women during pregnancy and lactation.

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Lactacid

Lactacid is a cosmetic product that can normalize the acid-base balance in the mucous tissues of the genitals, as well as prevent the appearance of signs of thrush.

In the pharmacy network, you can buy various products from the Lactacid series. A special antifungal option is suitable for the prevention of thrush - this is Lactacid with an antifungal effect. It is this product that can prevent the development of the inflammatory process and suppress the increased proliferation of fungal infection.

To achieve the desired effect, squeeze a small amount of the product onto your palm, mix it with water and gently apply it to the genital area, rinsing off with a stream of water. The water flow should be directed from front to back: this is done to prevent microbes from getting from the anal area to the genitals and into the vagina.

In addition to detergent, to prevent thrush, you can periodically use special wet wipes with the same name.

Depantol

Depantol is a vaginal suppository with antimicrobial and restorative action, which is due to the presence of chlorhexidine and dexpanthenol in the drug. This medication is not suitable for the prevention of thrush: it has no effect on spores, fungi and acid-resistant pathogenic microbes, so its use in this situation is pointless.

The use of Depantol can be justified only after unprotected sexual intercourse, when it is necessary to destroy possible pathogenic microflora that has entered the vagina. In such a situation, the active components of the drug affect the mixed pathogenic microflora: local protection is enhanced, and beneficial bacteria suppress the development of yeast and Candida fungi.

The suppository is inserted into the vagina up to two times a day for a week.

Prevention of thrush with folk remedies

Folk remedies have always been very popular among people: first of all, due to their availability and effectiveness. However, not many people know that folk medicine recipes can be used not only for therapeutic purposes, but also for preventive purposes. For example, the following remedies are excellent for preventing thrush:

• Dissolve 1 teaspoon of baking soda in one liter of warm boiled water. This solution is used to wash the genitals after intercourse, or in courses: every one and a half to two months, conduct a five-day course of soda douches (once a day in the evening).
• For washing, you can also prepare a more complex solution: dissolve 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of salt and 10 drops of iodine tincture in one liter of warm boiled water. Repeat the washing every evening for five days in a row.
• Drink fresh carrot juice daily, 200 ml 2-3 times a day before meals.
• An infusion is prepared from one tablespoon of an equal mixture of herbs such as sage, chamomile and calendula flowers, and yarrow. The specified amount of raw materials is poured with 500 ml of boiling water, infused for half an hour, filtered and used for douching (in three-day courses monthly).

If the disease recurs frequently, then thrush prevention should be built in a complex. There is no reason to believe that by periodically taking pills, you can rid yourself of this problem. It will not be possible to eliminate the problem without making changes to the diet, without optimizing your lifestyle and observing basic hygiene rules. Only by following all the recommendations in a complex can you cope with thrush.