Vaginal candidiasis is a very common infection in women due to the increased population of the fungus Candida albicans, which is normally present in the flora of the woman's intimate region but develops very much in some situations.
Vaginal candidiasis is more common in pregnant women and women with weakened immune systems, and some of the major causes include excessive use of antibiotics or steroids, diabetes or poor hygiene habits, because they facilitate the growth of fungi.
However, vaginal candidiasis is curable and its treatment should be done with tablets that can be taken or put into the vagina or even with antifungal ointments prescribed by the gynecologist.
In addition, vaginal candidiasis is not a sexually transmitted disease, but during treatment the couple should use a condom to avoid transmitting fungi from one person to another, and in many cases treatment should also be done by the man, even if not have symptoms, to avoid recurrence of the infection.
How To Treat Vaginal Candidiasis
The treatment of vaginal candidiasis can last up to 15 days and is a treatment that does not hurt, being in most cases done with the application of antifungal ointments applied directly to the vagina, such as nystatin, gino-canesten, miconazole, itraconazole, terconazole cyclohexylmethylamine or ketoconazole, for example for at least one week.
These ointments should be applied up to 2 times a day or as directed by the gynecologist and it is more comfortable to apply before bedtime and there should be no intimate contact during treatment, especially without a condom.
In some cases, an antifungal tablet, such as Fluconazole, in a single oral dose or 3 doses, may be used for 3 days apart from 72 hours. In addition, especially in situations of recurrent vaginal candidiasis it is necessary to keep taking the tablet once a week for at least 6 months. Both oral tablets and ointments are effective, however, the symptoms decrease more rapidly when the treatment is done directly in the vagina, with ointment, tablet or eggs.
Feed to heal faster
A great strategy for curing candidiasis is to drink water with lemon, without sweetening it during the day, but in addition putting natural yogurt inside the vagina is another great natural strategy that has great results. See more tips on natural strategies and how nutrition can help cure candidiasis faster in this video by nutritionist Tatiana Zanin:
Home treatment for vaginal candidiasis
A great home treatment for vaginal candidiasis is to wash the intimate region with water and vinegar in the ratio of 4 tablespoons of vinegar to half a liter of water. See also a great natural remedy in: Lactobacilli for vaginal infection.
In addition, it is also important to take some precautions to avoid recurrence of vaginal candidiasis, such as:
- Wash and dry the intimately well before bed;
- Wear tight clothing and cotton;
- Give preference to the ingestion of probiotics and lactobacillus, such as yogurt;
- Sleep without panties;
- Do the intimate hygiene with vaginal gel with pH between 3.8 and 4.5, avoiding all products and soaps with chemicals.
It is also important to avoid foods rich in carbohydrates, fat and sugar, as they are the main food source of the fungus that causes vaginal candidiasis.
Symptoms of vaginal candidiasis
The symptoms of vaginal candidiasis usually appear when the body's immunity is decreased and include:
- White color, milk-like curd;
- Intense itching and burning sensation in the intimate region;
- Pain and burning during intimate contact;
- Swelling and redness of the intimate region.
The woman with these symptoms should consult the gynecologist to make the diagnosis of the infection through an examination to the vagina, such as the pap smear and if necessary start the appropriate treatment.
When the woman has candidiasis, it can transmit to the man during intercourse, but generally, the men do not develop symptoms and can re-infect the woman after the treatment and, therefore, when the woman has candidiasis the man must also do the same treatment without symptoms.
Other causes of itching in the vagina
One of the most common symptoms of vaginal candidiasis is itching in the vagina, but this symptom may also indicate other health problems. Mark the following symptoms and know what they can be:
- 1. Redness and swelling throughout the intimate region Yes No
- 2. Whitish plaques in vagina Yes No
- 3. Bleached white discharge similar to milled milk Yes No
- 4. Pain or burning sensation when urinating Yes No
- 5. Yellowish or greenish discharge Yes No
- 6. Presence of small balls in the vagina or rough skin Yes No
- 7. Itching that appears or worsens after using some type of panties, soap, cream, wax or lubricant in the intimate region Yes No
- 8. Presence of small swelling located on the side of the vagina Yes No
