11 answers to naive questions about thrush

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

This inflammation can be treated on its own. But with some reservations.

What is thrush?

Thrush is a Vaginal Candidiasis infection caused by a yeast-like fungus from the genus Candida. It was they who gave the scientific name to the disease - candidiasis.

In general, Candida fungi normally live quietly on healthy mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, genitals, in the intestines, on the skin and do not manifest themselves in any way. But sometimes, for a number of reasons, they begin to multiply uncontrollably, causing an inflammatory process in the affected areas.

If the mucous membranes of the vagina are affected, a white, curd-like plaque often develops on them. Because of this similarity, a fungal infection of the vagina became known as thrush.

Why does thrush appear?

The main cause of vaginal candidiasis is a violation of the vaginal microflora.

Up to 75% of Candidiasis - Harvard Health women have had thrush at least once in their life.

But a variety of factors can provoke this violation, in the list and mechanism of which scientists have not yet fully figured out Vulvovaginal candidosis. Someone gets thrush after a severe illness (the same flu), taking antibiotics or inappropriate birth control pills. And for someone it is enough to overeat sweets, get nervous or wear synthetic underwear several times in a row - and now unpleasant symptoms have already appeared.

How to understand that it is a thrush?

In most cases, the disease manifests itself as characteristic signs of Yeast infection (vaginal):

• Itching and irritation in the vulva (external genitals) and vagina.
• Burning sensation during urination or intercourse.
• Redness and swelling of the vulva.
• Rash on the genitals.
• Allocations. As a rule, there are many of them, they are transparent, and more often cheesy - white and lumpy.

By the way, men also have thrush - in the sense, a yeast infection of the mucous membrane of the penis. It is much less common. What is Candidiasis? than in women, and makes itself felt by irritation and itching on the head of the penis and under the foreskin, an unpleasant odor and cheesy discharge.

Does thrush happen if I'm not sexually active?

Yes, sometimes. Fungi don't care if you have sex or not. Therefore, thrush affects even those who have not begun to have a sex life, but manifests itself just as strongly and unpleasantly.

Is thrush transmitted sexually? Do I need to treat my partner?

Candidiasis does not apply to Thrush in men and women as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Most often it arises on its own: it is caused by "native" raging microorganisms, and not brought from outside.

However, it is quite possible to share thrush with a partner during sexual intercourse. Yeast infection in men: How can I tell if I have one? …

If this happens and the partner shows signs of candidiasis, he will also have to undergo treatment. The main thing is to be treated at the same time and buy effective remedies. Fortunately, there is now a choice. It is convenient for women to use medications in the form of suppositories, for men, a cream is suitable, both partners can use pills.

Is it possible to treat thrush on your own, without a doctor?

If you encounter candidiasis for the first time, a visit to the gynecologist is required. The fact is that other, much more serious diseases of the genital area, including sexually transmitted infections, can hide behind the symptoms of thrush. They can be excluded only by a qualified doctor and often only after laboratory analysis. Your healthcare provider will recommend antifungal medications to help fight yeast infections. Most often they don't require a prescription.

If you have already had thrush, then you probably know its symptoms. In such cases, you can be treated with over-the-counter drugs that worked for you the first time. But with a few caveats, Yeast infection (vaginal):

• You are absolutely sure that this is exactly the thrush.
• You are not sexually active with a new partner or multiple partners. In this case, the risk increases that we are not talking about candidiasis, but about some kind of STI.
• You have no other symptoms other than thrush.

Having started self-treatment, be sure to monitor your well-being. The symptoms of candidiasis usually resolve within a week. Thrush in men and women. If they persist for more than 7 days, you still need to see a doctor. He will clarify the diagnosis and prescribe a more appropriate treatment.

Is it okay to have sex during thrush?

Undesirable. First, you run the risk of transmitting a yeast infection. Second, even if you use condoms, sexual activity can make your Thrush (genital) symptoms worse.

And thirdly, some medications for the treatment of fungal infections (suppositories, creams) reduce the effectiveness of condoms. With all the ensuing consequences - from an unplanned pregnancy to the acquisition of another infection from an unreliable partner. In general, it is better to postpone bed pleasures until the thrush recedes.

The unpleasant symptoms are very disturbing. When will it end?

Indeed, itching, burning and discharge during thrush are so severe that they interfere with sports, swimming, rest and do not allow you to concentrate on work.

Many modern antifungal agents help relieve symptoms as early as the first or second day of administration. But keep in mind: this does not mean that the course of treatment should be abandoned as soon as it becomes easier. If you do not finish it (how long you need to use candles, cream or tablets, it is written in the instructions for a particular drug), thrush can quickly return.

Can pregnant women take medications for thrush?

It is possible, if these medications do not harm the child.

Severe hormonal changes during pregnancy are a serious risk factor that provokes the development of candidiasis. Now there are enough drugs that are safe for pregnant women. But, of course, women in such a state should not choose the treatment on their own: all appointments can only be made by the gynecologist who is observing you.

Or maybe folk remedies are better?

Folk remedies were more or less justified when there were no more effective drugs to combat thrush. Therefore, all kinds of herbal decoctions and soda solutions "worked" - there was nothing to replace them, and the women douched until the inflammation and itching disappeared by themselves.

Modern medicines are tested, effective and help faster than any traditional recipe.

Is it true that you cannot get rid of thrush forever?

If we get lucky. It is definitely impossible to get rid of Candida fungi: they are part of a healthy microflora. But whether they will provoke thrush and at what point it will happen is an individual question.

Up to a quarter of all women never experience vaginal candidiasis at all. By nearly half of Candidiasis - Harvard Health, thrush comes back again and again. If this happens, then the body requires complex therapy.

The doctor should understand the causes of recurrent thrush.

He may recommend that you reconsider your lifestyle: normalize your diet, lose weight, be less nervous, wear cotton underwear. Sometimes recurring candidiasis is a sign of a latent chronic disease, such as incipient diabetes mellitus. To exclude this option, the doctor will offer you to pass a series of tests. Further treatment will depend on their results.