Medical expert of the article
New publications
Candidiasis of the vagina
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Candidiasis of the vagina is a fungal infection caused by the reproduction of yeast-like Candida fungus . Normally, a pathogenic fungus is present practically in any microflora, its carriers are domestic animals, birds, and food can be sown. Fungal infection settles on any surface of the body (nails, skin, mucous membranes) are most often affected by mucous membranes. There is candidal stomatitis, candidal vaginitis.
Symptoms of vaginal candidiasis
In women, the symptoms of vaginal candidiasis are manifested most often by discomfort and discharge. Discomfort causes a multiplying fungus. Which releases the products of vital activity, which, in turn, irritate the mucous and cause sensations of burning, itching. As a result of irritation of the mucosa there are curdled abundant discharge, sometimes with an unpleasant odor, there may be combs with secondary infection, in the urethra can be sensations of burning.
Candidiasis of the vagina in children
Candidiasis affects any age group, for example, candidiasis of the vagina in children can be diagnosed at a very early age, which is associated with the transmission of a pathogenic strain from mother to child in the process of birth. Similarly, children's vaginal candidiasis is manifested as a consequence of taking antibiotics and reducing immunity, may be the result of child allergization in 2-3 years, sometimes candidiasis accompanies puberty due to hormonal instability. Candidiasis of the vagina in children more often than in adults, causes painful urination, itching and burning sensation are sharper, excretions may be absent or be colorless with minor curdled inclusions. Girls are asymptomatic, candidiasis is acute, chronic, recurrent and complicated.
Candidiasis of the vagina in women
Among the population, the candidiasis of the vagina in women is common with candidiasis in men (the head and foreskin are affected). Fungal infection occupies mucous membranes only in the case of a decrease in immunity and is itself a signal of hidden problems in the body. The sexual mode of transmission is not for candidiasis the main pathway. The provoking factors for the disease are: the presence of chronic infections (including HIV), prolonged uncontrolled use of antibiotics, pregnancy, diabetes (and any systemic disease), instability of the hormonal background, stress. As a rule, candidiasis of the vagina in women is diagnosed by gynecologists, since many symptoms of the disease are similar to those of venereal diseases.
If a woman does not seek help, is treated haphazardly, then the acute period of candidiasis turns into a chronic vaginal candidiasis that lasts for years. This diagnosis is made in the case of a permanent manifestation of a disease that has 4 or more periods of exacerbation per year. Urogenital candidiasis is increasingly difficult to treat, despite the abundance of antifungal agents. The reason can be in the deteriorating quality of the habitat, which leads to a decrease in the immunity of whole generations, the complexity in the recovery of microflora due to the abundance of preservatives and entrainment with antibacterial agents, due to self-treatment, an increase in the incidence of systemic diseases in the population. Chronic candidiasis of the vagina changes the quality of life, leads to nervous exhaustion and is increasingly difficult to treat.
Read also:
Where does it hurt?
What's bothering you?
What do need to examine?
What tests are needed?
Who to contact?
Treatment of candidiasis of the vagina
The process of treatment of vaginal candidiasis must necessarily be systemic and consistent. Before the beginning of treatment it is necessary to establish the causes of the disease. Since, for any reason not established, treatment of the candidiasis of the vagina will only lead to the removal of symptoms and the emergence of resistance (addiction) to the culture of the fungus to the drugs. In the case of candidiasis of pregnant women, one must be aware of the level of risk to the fetus and apply the drugs only topically. If candidiasis is caused, for example, by HIV infection, then its treatment is impossible without the use of drugs that improve the quality of immunity of HIV-infected people (such as antiretroviral therapy).
If the patient is facing a choice than treating the candidiasis of the vagina, he should pay attention to such drugs as clotrimazole, nystatin (analogue - polyginachus), miconazole (analogue-klyon), pimafucin, fluconazole (analog-flukostat, diflucan, forkan). Practically all of these preparations have both tableted forms and forms for topical application (cream, candles). It should be remembered about the need to monitor the state of the intestinal flora and the constant colonization of its acid and bifidum by bacteria. It is extremely necessary to have adequate nutrition and rest, to perform general restorative treatment.
Modern treatment of vaginal candidiasis involves the use of an anti-fungal drug, such as fluconazole at a dosage of 150 mg. Taking just one capsule, a sufficiently high concentration of the drug in the vaginal discharge is achieved for 3 days.
After restoration of immunity, healthy intestinal microflora and a pathogenic strain of fungi Candida, the vaginal colonization by the necessary lactobacilli can occur independently, in the extreme case, the necessary culture can be populated.
More information of the treatment