Genital candidiasis is an infectious disease caused by over-activity of the Candida fungi. With candidiasis, the genitals are affected: the vagina and vulva in women, the foreskin and, in men. The disease does not belong to sexually transmitted infections, but in many ways it is similar to them. The disease is also called vulvovaginal candidiasis.
Reasons for development
The disease occurs due to a decrease in the protective properties of the immune system. The main mode of transmission is unprotected intercourse. The main reasons contributing to the disease include the following:
- Long-term use of contraceptives - taking any oral contraceptives for over 2 - 3 years lowers immunity, provokes the development of thrush.
- Taking a number of medications - this includes antibiotics, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants. A long course of treatment with such means must be prescribed by a doctor. To avoid it, you should take medicines that normalize the microflora in the body in parallel with strong drugs.
- Stressful situations - prolonged nervous tension depletes the human body, contributes to the development of candidiasis at the first possible case.
- Pregnancy - expectant mothers often suffer from thrush. This is due to the fact that when carrying a child, the hormonal balance changes. Thrush is especially evident in the third trimester of pregnancy.
- Genital candidiasis occurs in the vast majority of people with AIDS, tuberculosis, diabetes and other chronic diseases.
- It develops after chemotherapy in patients with cancer.
Spring and autumn hypovitaminosis, a sharp change in climatic conditions (for example: moving from one climatic zone to another) contributes to candidiasis. Mechanical reasons for the development of thrush are also possible: the first sexual intercourse, wearing tight underwear made of synthetic materials, prolonged use of the intrauterine device.
Clinical picture of Genital candidiasis
Genital candidiasis is accompanied by a number of unpleasant symptoms:
- At the beginning of the disease, a woman feels itching, localized in the labia, vagina. The burning sensation intensifies over time. It is especially felt at night, interfering with sleep, and during the menstrual cycle.
- Swelling of the mucous membrane. On examination, you can notice swelling and redness of the vagina, clitoris, labia minora.
- Characteristic discharge - it can be abundant and rare. Usually it is a white discharge, similar in consistency to cottage cheese. But the shade can vary from yellow to brownish. The discharge may be liquid, but white, single blotches, similar to grains of semolina or cottage cheese, will be visible in them. Unpleasant odor is possible.
- The mucous membranes are covered with plaque (gray or white). The form of plaque depends on the degree of the disease. Often cracks appear on the mucous membrane, they can bleed.
- With an advanced disease, the entire mucous membrane is covered with a plaque, under which sores and erosion are visible;
- If the patient is sick with a primary erased form of genital candidiasis, then there are practically no signs. Women do not even suspect that this is a thrush.
Treatment with folk remedies shows effective results. But before using any prescription, it is worth consulting with your doctor.
Lifestyle during treatment
People who are being treated for thrush should adhere to certain rules that will help them recover quickly and come to a normal state.
During treatment, you should refrain from any sexual intercourse in order to exclude re-infection. Careful hygiene of the genitals must be observed. Women are advised to wash themselves with warm water twice a day. During the menstrual cycle - after each pad or tampon change.
Panty liners provide an excellent breeding ground for fungi and bacteria. It is worth refusing to use them. Replace synthetic underwear with cotton.
Possible complications
Genital candidiasis increases the risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease in the female half of the population. In the case when a pregnant woman is sick with thrush, then she has an increased risk of premature birth, the birth of a baby with a small body weight. In addition, passing through the birth canal, a newborn can become infected with thrush.
Candidiasis in men leads to the development of prostatitis. The appearance of balanoposthitis is also possible.
Prevention methods
Genital candidiasis is much easier to prevent. To do this, you should follow a number of specific measures. Prevention never guarantees one hundred percent protection against any disease, but significantly reduces the risks of its development.
Prevention is based on the following principles:
- careful observance of all rules of personal hygiene;
- safe sex - in case of promiscuous sexual activity, it is imperative to use condoms;
- women need to douch as little as possible. This procedure flushes out all the beneficial microflora from the body;
- timely treatment of any diseases;
- in the case of antibiotic treatment, you should simultaneously drink a course of drugs that normalize the microflora in the intestine;
- revision of the diet, it is necessary to reduce the use of sweet and starchy foods.
Conclusion
- an unpleasant disease, but it is treatable. At the first signs of the disease, you should consult a doctor, pass the necessary tests to make an accurate diagnosis. After a full course of therapy, all symptoms of genital candidiasis will disappear, and patients will forget about thrush.
Most often, a person has mycoses, or fungal lesions of the skin and nails. In the first case, the diseases are called dermatomycosis, and in the second, onychomycosis. The reason for this is clear: it is the skin that is the heaviest human organ, and it takes on all the adverse effects of environmental factors.
The genitals, such as the vagina in women, for example, are also border areas that communicate with the external environment. So, the vagina is lined from the inside with a special epithelium, which is not capable of keratinization. It is similar to the epithelium of the oral cavity, and this is different from the skin. In this environment, special conditions are formed: higher, in comparison with the skin, temperature and constant humidity.
That's why genital fungal diseases are slightly different from dermatomycosis: they have no common names, but there is a specific localization, for example, vaginal mycosis. The common name for this group of diseases is urogenital mycoses. Photos of fungal diseases of the genital organs, which occur most often: vulvar candidiasis.
Balanoposthitis brings no less trouble (and also looks unpleasant).
Etiology of urogenital mycoses
The spectrum of pathogenic fungi that cause urogenital mycoses is somewhat different: in the overwhelming majority of cases, infection with candidiasis or thrush occurs. In addition, there are such pathogenic fungi as:
- epidermophytes, trichospores, microspores. They cause fungal diseases of the external genital organs, which often occur after primary skin lesions;
- pathogenic yeast.
It is important that in most cases, these fungi are conditionally pathogenic flora: they settle only in the body with reduced reactivity, and suppressed immunity, both local and general. These fungal diseases are sexually transmitted, but besides this, a number of other factors are of great importance, which "help" the fungi to manifest their disease-causing properties.
These include:
- taking contraceptives;
- the appointment of corticosteroid hormones. This dramatically reduces immunity;
- taking antibiotics. They destroy the normal lactoflora of the vagina, causing dysbiosis. Against the background of the lack of competition and alkalization of the environment, a fungal infection occurs;
- pregnancy. This condition strongly "shakes up" the immune system;
- immunosuppressive state: taking cytostatics, stress.
Sexually transmitted fungal diseases are often in the "rear guard". In addition to them, during sexual intercourse, bacteria, viruses, protozoa enter the body. As a rule, first they begin to treat gonorrhea, chlamydia or herpes infection, and then, after taking medication, candidiasis "crawls out".
Other routes of infection
In addition to direct sexual contact, urogenital mycoses can enter the human body when using personal hygiene items, for example, when wiping with one towel, or using one washcloth.
In bedridden patients, infections occur when using poorly disinfected liners, when using ships.
Sometimes patients themselves are to blame for the spread of the fungal infection., which is brought in with your hands, combing the skin affected by fungi in other places. This type of self-infection is called autoinvasion.
How urogenital mycoses manifest
Fungal diseases of the genital organs in men are most often manifested by balanitis and balanoposthitis, less often urethritis is observed. In severe, ascending lesions, signs of cystitis and even pyelonephritis appear.
In women, the most common candidiasis of the external genital organs - vulvitis and vulvovaginitis.
Manifestations of mycoses of the genital organs
If we talk about men, then most often fungal diseases of the penis occur in the form of inflammation of the head (balanitis), and the inner layer of the foreskin - balanoposthitis. This is facilitated by the narrow and long foreskin, as well as the lack of habit of keeping organs clean.
The first signs are a burning sensation, itching, pain. Then swelling and redness of the head joins, the appearance of spots on the inner leaf of the foreskin.
In the case of joining urethritis, dysuric manifestations occur: pain and pain during urination, smearing discharge from the urethra, mucous membranes, or having a watery character appear.
In women, incomprehensible spotting appears, in which incomprehensible milky-white plaques are often found. Itching also appears. If you grind such a plaque, then you can feel a slight "mushroom" smell. In the event that an unpleasant smell of missing fish joins, then this indicates that bacterial vaginosis has joined, which proceeds against the background of candidal vaginitis.
With candidal vaginitis, usually with colposcopy and external examination, it is noticeable that the mucous membrane of the vagina is bright red, hyperemic, and the coating with plaque looks like sour cream spots or white crumbly plaque.
Women sometimes experience pain and discomfort during intercourse.
About the principles of treatment
Treatment of fungal diseases of the genital organs is often complicated by the blurring of the picture and the late visit to the doctor, as well as the presence of a mixed infection, associated, for example, with chlamydia or ureaplasmosis.
It is not enough to prescribe topical antifungal drugs. With urogenital chlamydia, the use of antifungal drugs is required. Along with this, measures should be taken to correct immunity, treat subsequent dysbiosis of the vagina or intestines, in the case of treatment of the secondary bacterial flora with antibiotics.
In conclusion, it should be noted that the prevention of urogenital mycoses includes the observance of elementary rules of hygiene, correct sexual behavior, as well as the implementation of measures that lead to the maintenance and enhancement of immunity.
It is necessary to eliminate all foci of chronic infection in the body, eliminate colds, introduce the practice of hardening, lead a healthy lifestyle, avoid casual relationships, and in an emergency, use special preparations for treating the genitals, for example, Miramistin.
Fungus of the genital organs (candidiasis) is a common disease that is equally common in men and women. The pathology is caused by yeasts of the Candida group. These microorganisms are already in the body of 80% of people, but in a minimal concentration. Under the influence of external factors, fungi begin to multiply, which leads to damage to the genitals.
Causes of fungal infection of the genitals
Fungi of the genus Candida are found in the mouth, intestines, skin, and vagina. They are a natural part of the microflora and normally do not cause disease or discomfort.
However, there are several factors that lead to their reproduction and the subsequent fungus on the genitals:
- Endocrine system disorders (hypothyroidism, obesity, diabetes mellitus);
- Slow or excessively accelerated metabolism;
- Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives, antibiotic drugs, cytostatics;
- Carrying a child;
- Venereal diseases;
- Chronic infectious diseases;
- Trauma and surgery;
- Lack of personal hygiene, occasional changes of underwear and the creation of a warm, humid environment for the development of bacteria.
Men are less likely to suffer from a fungus on the penis, since their bodies are not so susceptible to its pathogens. Most often, mycosis develops as a result of sexual contact with an infected partner. Also, risk factors can be: overwork and frequent stress, a sharp change in climate, dysbiosis, a violation of carbohydrate metabolism, HIV. External reasons include wearing tight and uncomfortable underwear, minor injuries to the mucous membrane, rubbing.
Symptoms of the fungus in men and women
Mycosis of the genital organs is manifested if yeast-like fungi begin to multiply actively... In women, this is a cheesy discharge of white color, in men, redness of the foreskin and glans. There are symptoms that are the same for people of both sexes:
- Severe itching of the mucous membrane;
- Skin irritation;
- Soreness during urination or intercourse.
When these symptoms appear, you need to contact your gynecologist and urologist. The doctor will take a smear and make a diagnosis to identify the type of fungus and, based on this, prescribe an appropriate treatment.
Medicines used to treat mycosis of the genital organs are divided into 2 groups - local and systemic. The former act on the fungus locally and are taken externally in the form of ointments and vaginal suppositories. The latter are available in pill form and are taken orally. For the treatment of candidiasis in women, vaginal suppositories are more often used. They are practically not absorbed into the bloodstream, do not cause side effects, and are often prescribed for the treatment of pregnant women. Below we will consider several popular drugs of this type:
To consolidate the result obtained, it is recommended to take systemic antimycotic drugs - Diflucan, Mikosist, Flucostat. If you do not know how to treat a fungal infection on your own, do not self-medicate. See your doctor for an accurate recommendation.
Treatment of genital fungus in men
Before starting treatment, it is recommended to consult with a specialist for an accurate diagnosis. Late therapy or improper treatment can lead to chronic candidiasis, prostatitis, narrowing of the urethra, and inflammation of the testicles. Doctors prescribe topical and systemic medications. The first group includes ointments and creams.
Fungus is a disease caused by specific fungal microorganisms, pathogenic or opportunistic. The fungus on the genitals is transmitted through sexual contact, but is not considered a sexually transmitted disease, and can even appear in a child. Its danger is that it releases toxins that reduce the body's immunity, cause allergic reactions and even diseases of internal organs.
The fungus on the male and female genitals causes unpleasant physical sensations, causes discomfort during intercourse and does not look aesthetically pleasing.
The reasons are varied: in general, a prerequisite for the onset of the disease is a decrease in immunity, and men are also at risk - certain types of fungus, for example, inguinal epidermophytosis, occur in them much more often than in women.
Impaired immunity can be caused by endocrine dysfunctions, diabetes mellitus, HIV, infectious and especially venereal diseases, and dysbiosis. Also, the prerequisite for the occurrence are individual diets (especially high-calorie ones), antibiotics, mucosal trauma, increased sweating, stress, overwork, and a sharp change in climate.
The most common type of genital fungus is candida, which causes the well-known thrush (urogenital candidiasis).
In men, it causes candidal balanitis (inflammation of the glans penis) and balanoposthitis (inflammation of the glans and foreskin). This fungus belongs to yeast and is subdivided into several types. Candida lives in the body of any person, being part of the microflora, usually in the gastrointestinal tract, and is normally invisible, but with a decrease in immunity and other factors that stimulate the development of the disease, it actively manifests itself.
The fungus is able to spread throughout the body through the circulatory system in the vagina, the inner surface of the ear, nose, etc. The peculiarity of the functioning of this fungus is that it feeds on carbohydrates, and in particular, glycogen, which is produced by the cells of the vaginal epithelium.
Due to the fact that the fungus "eats" all carbohydrates, it disrupts the natural microflora of the vagina, in addition, it multiplies rapidly there, and other bacteria that maintain the natural balance die. In such conditions, inflammation can develop rapidly. Such factors are a warm and humid environment, in particular sweat - it is very favorable for the development of fungus.
In men, the fungus can occur during hard physical labor or sports, in hot weather, when there is no possibility of regular hygiene procedures and timely change of linen.
In children in kindergartens, infection occurs through shared towels and bedding. In a suitable environment, fungi begin to multiply aggressively, causing disruption of the genital flora.
Also, an additional factor of predisposition to the disease is phimosis, or narrowing of the foreskin, which interferes with hygiene and promotes the growth of bacteria and fungus.
In women, a predisposition to the disease is pregnancy, low estrogen, endocrine diseases, old age, surgery, previous infections, the last phase of the menstrual cycle and, of course, also stress, fatigue, general weakening of the body, a humid environment.
A severe case of the manifestation of complications of a fungal disease in women is vaginitis. You can become infected with a fungus of the genital organs through sexual contact, it is also transmitted by the household route, through common items, for example, towels. In addition to candida, there are other types of genital fungi that are less common.
Another "popular" fungus is epidermophytosis groin, or bordered eczema, popularly called "jockey itch". Infection with it occurs in the same way as with candida, but the manifestations are slightly different.
Symptoms
Genital fungus behaves differently in men and women. In women, this is usually a cheesy discharge, accompanied by itching inside the vagina, on the labia. In men, redness of the glans penis and foreskin, soreness to touch, itching and irritation of the skin, sometimes whitish rashes on the mucous membrane of the head.
, that is why accurate diagnosis is necessary, because the method of treating these diseases is significantly different.
Inguinal epidermophytosis much more often affects the skin of the groin than directly the genitals, which can be perfectly seen in the photo. Usually the fungus occurs on the inner thighs, in the groin folds, around the anus.
Diagnostics
It is important to remember that self-treatment leads to negative consequences. When signs of illness appear, you need to seek medical help for diagnosis and recommendations on how to treat the fungus. If it occurs in one of the couple, then both need to be treated in order to avoid a relapse of the disease when infected through sexual contact. Men need to visit a urologist or andrologist, women - a gynecologist. Diagnostics includes examination and bacteriological culture of a smear.
Drug treatment
Treatment is carried out with antibiotics and antifungal agents for external and internal use. For hygienic purposes, frequent washing with a weak solution of furacilin and soda is recommended. You should not use soap or potassium permanganate solution, so as not to dry out the skin of the genitals even more.
To avoid dry skin, you can use talcum-based baby powder. During treatment, vitamins and immunomodulatory drugs are also prescribed to raise the body's immunity and prevent the recurrence of the disease. In men, in the presence of phimosis, a simple operation is performed for hygienic purposes - circumcision of the foreskin.
Of the topical medicines, ointments and suppositories are usually prescribed for the fungus on the genitals: isoconazole, miconazole, natamycin. In case of relapses of the disease, tablets and capsules are added to them, the most famous drug for oral administration is fluconazole. It is necessary to treat yeast fungi in a timely manner, because in severe cases, the disease leads to complications, the most serious of which is infertility.
Hygiene and diet
Special attention should be paid to hygiene and protection during sexual intercourse, or completely abandon them for the duration of treatment, which usually takes about 2 weeks, in severe cases, three to four. A special diet is also prescribed, with a reduced content of sweet, flour, fatty, spicy, smoked meats and white bread.
It must be remembered that some strains of fungi become resistant to antifungal drugs over time, so it is imperative to cure the fungus to the end. Hot bath and shower, swimming pool, public baths are contraindicated in treatment. It is necessary to eliminate stress, underwear should be loose, made of natural fabrics, after wearing it, it is advisable to boil it.
Prevention of ailment is timely hygiene procedures and maintenance of immunity at a sufficiently high level, treatment of other infections, good rest, and a decrease in the level of stress in life. Also, oddly enough, foods such as garlic and red pepper "scare off" the fungus; it is useful to add them to your diet.
Alternative medicine
Also, sometimes folk remedies are used against the fungus. These include ointments and herbal infusions. A popular recipe is, for example, tincture of common birch leaves in vodka for at least five days. Sore spots are treated with this composition until the visible symptoms disappear. For the same purpose, an aqueous infusion is prepared for compresses from flax seeds, oak bark and yarrow. The skin is pretreated with zinc ointment. On the area where the fungus is spread, a gruel of grated wild garlic and black radish seeds is placed.
For internal intake, pour boiling water into a mixture of equal parts of chamomile, St. John's wort, lingonberry, eucalyptus and yarrow, drink half a glass three times a day. The duration of this treatment is 20 days.
Traditional medicine does not replace full-fledged treatment with modern drugs prescribed by the attending physician. They can be used in addition to the main treatment, but not instead of it. Before using, you need to consult a doctor, because herbal remedies are not as harmless as they seem, and can cause side effects, including allergic reactions.
One of the most common infectious diseases of the genital organs in men and women is a fungal disease - urogenital candidiasis. This is not a sexually transmitted disease and there is no need to worry too much. Yeast fungi "Candida" are present in the body of 80 percent of people. They are found in the mouth, intestines, skin, vagina in women and on the external genitals in men.
Symptoms of the genital fungus
At a certain moment, these mushrooms begin to multiply actively and bring a lot of unpleasant sensations with their vital activity. In women, this is the appearance from the genital tract of a whitish discharge of a curdled consistency, itching and irritation of the external genital organs. In men - reddening of the extreme raft and the glans penis, burning and itching of the genitals, painful sensations during intimacy.
When these symptoms appear, it is better to immediately consult a gynecologist. It is very important to correctly identify the type of infection. After all, several more diseases can have similar symptoms. The main way to determine the disease is a smear test for flora. Some types of Candida are resistant to certain antifungal agents. Therefore, the definition of the type of fungus is a fundamental point in the treatment of this disease. The duration of the course of treatment and the dose of drugs is determined by reseeding the fungus from a smear. In the laboratory, the number of colonies and the rate of reproduction of the fungus are counted.
Genital fungus treatment
What factors influence the active growth of the fungus? This can be a decrease in immunity, stress, taking antibiotics. When the microflora of the body is disturbed, Candida mushrooms become aggressive and begin to be active. There is an opinion that even excessive consumption of glucose (sugar) can lead to an imbalance of microorganisms, which will become a favorable environment for the development of urogenital candidiasis. During pregnancy, as a rule, a fungal infection is especially active in the first trimester. Drug treatment during this period is undesirable, it is started at the end of the second to the beginning of the third trimesters.
To relieve itching and burning, you need to wash your genitals more often by adding a little furacelin or baking soda to the water. It is strictly forbidden to do this with soap, since soap can dry out the mucous membrane, aggravating the discomfort. The use of potassium permanganate will also not be beneficial. After water procedures, it is recommended to use talcum powder or baby powder - this will help to reduce the itching sensation.
Treatment of fungal diseases of the genital organs most often takes about two weeks. At this time, doctors recommend giving up intimate relationships. A prerequisite for treatment is that both sexual partners should be treated. If you do not complete the course of treatment, the fungal disease can return with a vengeance. Some strains of fungi become resistant to antifungal drugs over time, so treatment must be taken responsibly and seriously.
If the fungal disease is mild, then local treatment will be sufficient. These are ointments and suppositories that contain antifungal components (clotrimazole, isoconazole, miconazole, natamycin and others). With a recurrent course of the disease, pre-oral treatment should be added to local treatment. This is taking fluconazole by mouth (tablets or capsules). With a severe course of the disease, the course of treatment is extended to 3-4 weeks.
Remember that self-medication can not only fail to bring positive results, but also aggravate the situation. It is better to contact a specialist who will determine which medications are suitable for you personally.
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