If you don't treat thrush, what's the point? Is it possible not to treat thrush - what will happen?

Every woman should know what happens if thrush is not treated. To treat the disease, it is necessary to make a correct diagnosis. As the disease develops, the following symptoms appear in women:

• severe itching and burning in the external genitalia;
• discharge that resembles cottage cheese;
• discomfort when urinating;
• sexual intercourse with pain.

Signs of the disease can occur in combination or individually.

Medical indications

The characteristic white discharge for thrush is similar in composition to thick cottage cheese. With this pathology, a woman experiences severe itching in the perineal area, and tight-fitting underwear made of synthetic fabrics causes discomfort. The inflammatory process can spread to the area where the anus is located, and swelling of the labial mucosa is observed. If the above symptoms appear, it is recommended to make an appointment with a gynecologist.

Thrush in men occurs with the following symptoms:

• the head of the penis and foreskin have an unnatural red color;
• itching and burning of the genitals;
• the head of the penis becomes covered with a white coating;
• feeling of pain during urination and sexual intercourse.

Candidiasis is a disease caused by Candida fungi. Active yeast flora, which is a component of vaginal microbiocinosis, multiplies in the body and provokes the disease.

Normally, microbes should be supported by beneficial bacteria.

Often a woman tries to independently get rid of the unpleasant symptoms (itching and discharge) characteristic of the acute form of the disease. This treatment numbs the discomfort. At the same time, the fungus continues to develop, having a negative effect on the woman’s genitourinary system.

Complications and consequences

Recurrence of thrush occurs due to untimely treatment of the male partner. When the first unpleasant symptoms of the disease appear, the woman begins therapy for the acute form of the disease. To do this, it is recommended to take fast-acting medications. Fluconazole and Diflucan help get rid of itching and discharge, as they contain substances to which the Candida fungus is sensitive.

Women should know that it is impossible to completely get rid of vaginal thrush without treating your partner. Often a man does not feel the disease and its pronounced symptoms. At the same time, he is a hidden carrier of Candida fungi. Repeated infection leads to relapse. The acute form of the disease develops into a chronic form.

Read also: Is it possible to get pregnant with an IUD inserted?

Doctors recommend that if a woman develops an acute form of vaginal thrush, two partners undergo a course of treatment. If there are characteristic signs of the disease, a man should seek help from a specialist. He will be prescribed topical Candide cream or prescribed systemic treatment.

Otherwise, various complications (cervical erosion) may occur. The chronic advanced form of the disease is dangerous for the female body. The fungus continues to actively multiply, having a bad effect on the vaginal environment, provoking the development of erosion. Children and adults with weak immune systems are at risk of infection entering the blood. If candidiasis in men is not treated for a long time, then the disease will spread to various organs. The following patients are at risk:

• HIV-infected;
• patients with types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus;
• men taking immunosuppressants;
• dialysis patients and those who have received high dosage radiation and chemotherapy.

An untreated fungus will begin to infect the uterus, promoting the development of an inflammatory process in the genitourinary system (appendages) and adhesive diseases. At the initial stage, women begin to experience pain in the lower abdomen after sexual intercourse, then the symptom becomes permanent.

To relieve it, painkillers are taken. It is recommended to treat the disease at an early stage. If thrush is accompanied by cervical erosion, then the Candida fungus is first removed. The patient must be tested for infection. Then the sensitivity of the flora to the active substance included in the drug is determined. The course of treatment is prescribed taking into account the stage and nature of the disease. Therapy lasts 5-14 days. Upon completion of complex treatment, the doctor prescribes antibiotics.

Candidiasis is a common disease among women and men. Itching and irritation of the mucous membranes can develop into more complicated symptoms if thrush is not treated. Patients are disturbed by unpleasant sensations in the area affected by the Candida fungus; they manifest themselves in the form of inflammation, burning and swelling. With timely and adequate therapy, it is possible to get rid of these painful manifestations, but not treating the disease causes many negative consequences.

The importance of timely treatment for thrush

Often, thrush appears in women in the vagina, and there is a white discharge with an unpleasant, sour odor. Candidiasis can affect the genitals in men, the mucous membrane of the mouth, nails and skin, the walls of the digestive tract and the urinary canal. If thrush is left untreated for a long time, it will develop into a chronic form. Timely therapy will relieve many unpleasant consequences.

Chronic thrush when the problem is ignored

The chronic form is characterized by exacerbations of the disease. It is very difficult to get rid of, because of it the following complications can occur:

• the development of allergic diseases that cannot be calmed with allergy medications because they do not eliminate the cause of the allergy - thrush;
• a patient with candidiasis is a spreader of this disease; the fungus is especially often transmitted during sexual intercourse;
• fungus in the vagina in women contributes to the development of cervical erosion;
• spread of the fungus to the genitourinary system and other internal organs;
• development of cystitis;
• infertility.

Consequences for women

The consequences of thrush in women appear due to a frivolous attitude towards their health. By starting the disease, a woman exposes her body to the following complications:

1. Ectopic pregnancy. The fungus affects the reproductive system, which increases the likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy.
2. Infertility. Inflammation of the female internal organs occurs, creating an unfavorable environment for conceiving a child.
3. Erosion of the uterine cervix. The basis for the development of cancer, a large number of small ulcers appear on the lining of the cervix.
4. Inflammation of the genitourinary system. The fungus spreads in the body and affects the reproductive organs, urethra and other systems of the female body.

Thrush during pregnancy

Every second pregnant woman has encountered thrush; the disease often manifests itself in the 3rd trimester. During pregnancy, a woman’s immune system is suppressed, and her hormonal levels change completely. Therefore, during this period of time the risk of developing the disease increases. Candidiasis in a pregnant woman causes the same unpleasant symptoms, but its danger increases because there is a high probability of infection of the fetus.

Complications of pregnancy in a woman

The problem for expectant mothers is that they cannot be treated with medications, since they have a detrimental effect on the fetus, and stressful situations and hormonal imbalances only aggravate the situation. The infection directly affects the course of pregnancy and the development of the fetus in the womb. During pregnancy, the likelihood of adding other bacterial diseases to thrush increases. Bacteria firmly settle and multiply quickly in the body, causing harm to the woman and the embryo.

Under the influence of candidal fungus, the mucous membrane of the fallopian tube loses its elastic function, which makes childbirth more difficult. Tissues need elasticity for better passage of the fetus; due to the inability to expand, the likelihood of rupture of the walls of the uterus increases. Fabric fibers in this place tend to diverge, so the recovery process takes a long time.

Consequences for the embryo

The consequences of the disease for the child are sad. Chronic thrush in the 1st trimester has a particularly strong negative effect. It is during this period that the rudiments of the organs and internal systems of the fetus are formed. There is a high probability that a child will develop thrush from birth. In newborns, candida appears in the mouth, which complicates the process of milk consumption and can cause breathing difficulties. The fungus appears on the skin and internal organs.

Risks for men

Men also suffer from candida fungus. Thrush in men causes the following unpleasant symptoms:

• redness of the head of the penis;
• white plaque on the genitals with an unpleasant odor;
• pain during urination;
• pain during intercourse.

All these manifestations are associated with the development of infection. Not treating the disease increases the risk of the following complications:

• inflammation of the foreskin of the penis;
• inflammation of the mucous walls of the urinary canal;
• fungal infection of the kidneys and bladder;
• weakened immunity;
• development of other bacterial diseases;
• infertility.

What is the danger of not treating a child’s illness?

Almost every child under 2 years of age has encountered candidiasis. If the parents paid due attention to the fight against the fungus, the disease disappeared. If the disease is advanced and there is no adequate therapy, the disease causes disastrous consequences:

• light weight;
• retardation in physical and mental development;
• weakened immune system;
• spread of fungus to internal organs;
• pain when eating food (if the fungus is in the oral cavity).

Prevention of complications

To prevent thrush from having complications, you must follow these rules:

1. Adequately treat all attacks of thrush. Visit your doctor once every six months.
2. Take vitamins and minerals, control your diet, food should be healthy.
3. Consult your doctor about the course of treatment for candidiasis.
4. The course of treatment for the disease must be completed to the end. Even if the discomfort has passed, this does not mean that the disease is completely cured.
5. In order to avoid infection of the genitals, you should not have sexual intercourse with an untested person.

When asked why thrush is dangerous, the answer can be unequivocal: nothing. Apart from discomfort and unpleasant sensations, this disease does not cause any harm to health. Another thing is that complications of candidiasis - the consequences of thrush in women, men and children - can be very serious.

Candidiasis can occur at any age, and the disease affects both men and women. Yeast fungus lives on the skin and mucous membranes of the human body all the time, but thrush develops only under favorable conditions. If a person’s immunity decreases or the population of beneficial microflora on the mucous membrane decreases, the fungus begins to actively multiply, which leads to disease.

Pathology manifests itself in:

• itching and burning in the genitals;
• painful urination;
• discomfort during intimacy;
• specific secretions.

As soon as the immune system is strengthened and the number of beneficial bacteria on the mucous membrane increases, thrush goes away because the balance of the microflora is restored, and again the beneficial flora inhibits the proliferation of the opportunistic fungus. For this to happen, candidiasis must be treated; for this, antimycoid drugs are used, presented in the form of ointments, gels, sprays and tablets. In addition, you should adhere to proper nutrition, take care of intimate hygiene and strengthen your immune system in every way.

The main danger of thrush is its complications; it must be said that they occur when the disease is not completely cured, if treatment is completely absent or it is incorrect.

Thrush is dangerous if you ignore its symptoms. If it is not treated for a long time, the fungus will spread to neighboring organs, in which case any part of the body and any organ can be affected. This disease is called “common candidiasis.”

Oral cavity

Complications of thrush can affect the oral cavity. Such candidiasis develops quickly and suddenly, and just as quickly the disease becomes chronic.

The symptoms of this pathology cannot be ignored. The mouth becomes covered with a white coating, the palate and tonsils are captured. The patient feels unwell, lack of strength, and dry mouth. The tissues of the mouth swell; upon examination, you can observe white plaques that bleed when touched. The fungus negatively affects healthy cells, resulting in ulcers on the mucous membrane.

If the disease is long-term and severe, then the deep layers of the oral cavity and throat are also affected by a fungal infection. Sometimes it can involve the pharynx and esophagus.

Untreated thrush threatens intestinal candidiasis. The fungus can infect the entire intestinal mucosa, but most often the duodenum, as well as the sigmoid, rectum, ascending colon and transverse colon are affected.

Thrush of the small intestine can be recognized by altered stool: it becomes pinkish, liquid, and contains white flakes. The amount of feces increases greatly - sometimes up to 10 liters per day.

If the large intestine is affected, constipation occurs, the frequency of urges and the amount of stool also increases significantly, and a large amount of blood is present in the stool itself.

Intestinal candidiasis causes bloating, vomiting, pain in the left and right hypochondrium and the lower abdominal cavity. In addition, the patient may experience headaches, weight loss, pale skin, acne, muscle weakness, fever, pain in the heart and various other unpleasant and dangerous symptoms.

For women, thrush is dangerous due to cervical candidiasis. Although this is a fairly rare complication, it is nonetheless very serious. Thrush in women is also dangerous due to infertility and even the formation of a malignant tumor in the cervix. The patient develops white-gray discharge with an unpleasant odor, pain in the uterus, burning sensation in the bladder, vaginal itching and swelling of the mucous membrane.

Fortunately, it is quite difficult for candidiasis to affect the uterine area, since many factors prevent this: cervical mucus, local immunity, and a closed uterine os (it opens only during childbirth and menstruation). But in very advanced stages of candidiasis this is possible, so it is necessary to completely cure thrush and prevent its recurrence.

Urethritis and pyelocystitis

It must be said that thrush is also dangerous for the urinary system. If candidiasis is not treated and progresses, then the urinary canal is gradually affected. This causes symptoms that resemble gonorrhea:

• painful and frequent urination;
• blood, mucus and pus in the urine.

Both men and women are at risk; this is a very insidious disease that can cause infertility and abscesses. If treatment is not provided in this case, then the disease enters the chronic stage or is complicated by candidal pyelocystitis.

With candidal pyelocystitis, the fungus combines with other pathogens, most often with those that cause sexually transmitted diseases. The temperature rises, the condition worsens sharply, severe pain is felt in the kidneys and bladder. Most often the patient is hospitalized.

Complications during pregnancy

If a woman develops thrush during pregnancy, the consequences can be very bad for both mother and child. Complications arise because during pregnancy the vaginal microflora changes, the female body’s immune system works worse, and hormonal levels change.

Candidiasis during pregnancy is dangerous due to erosion of the uterus - the tissue that lines the vagina becomes less elastic, so at the time of childbirth there will be more external and internal tears. In addition, it becomes even more difficult for an already weak immune system to protect the body from pathogenic flora, so quite often women who suffered from thrush during pregnancy are diagnosed with inflammation in the uterus after childbirth.

In the early stages of pregnancy, candidiasis is not so dangerous for the child, but if thrush appears closer to childbirth, then large colonies of fungi can cause abnormal development of the fetus, and with a 50% chance, the fetus can become infected with candidiasis through amniotic fluid. During childbirth, the fungus can get on the baby’s eyes, skin, and oral mucosa, which will cause various diseases in him.

Thrush poses a greater danger to the fetus if the fungus has spread beyond the vagina and affected the mother’s oral cavity or other organs. It can even cause miscarriage, but only if no treatment is given.

There is nothing more important than the health of a child. With thrush, a newborn may develop:

• stomatitis;
• diaper dermatitis;
• cutaneous candidiasis, etc.

Oral thrush makes breastfeeding difficult - the feeding process itself becomes painful for the baby, he eats poorly and cries a lot. Lack of normal nutrition affects its development, and constant crying weakens the nervous system and leads to its overload.

If no action is taken, the fungus will spread deeper into the baby's body and can affect the upper respiratory tract and lungs. Thrush can also negatively affect the child’s genitals, which will also be a big problem later.

Candidiasis must be treated, and the disease must be treated until complete recovery. To avoid relapses after treatment, it is necessary to follow preventive measures and monitor immunity.

Treatment of thrush

Treatment of thrush should be aimed at the cause of its appearance. First of all, you need to see a doctor and get tested for the sensitivity of the pathogen to a particular drug. After the analysis is ready, the doctor will prescribe antimycoid drugs to which the pathogen is sensitive.

In the early stages of the disease, taking 1 capsule of the drug is enough for the symptoms to disappear. However, the disappearance of symptoms does not mean that the thrush is over.

It is important to take the prescribed medications as much as prescribed by the doctor, otherwise expect relapses soon!

In addition to tablets, there is also local therapy, which is represented by a large number of ointments, gels, sprays, vaginal tablets, etc. They relieve the symptoms of the disease well, but it is impossible to cope with thrush without antimycoid oral medications.

Folk remedies are a good help in the treatment of candidiasis, but treating thrush only with their help is ineffective. It is necessary to increase immunity, it will also suppress the growth of the fungus. Hormonal levels are important; if there are any disturbances, they must be eliminated.

It is imperative to normalize the microflora in the vagina. When the number of beneficial bacteria is normal, they will be able to inhibit the proliferation of fungal infections. Consume more fermented milk products with live lactobacilli.

Video on topic

Most representatives of the fair sex know about the symptoms of thrush firsthand. It must be said that this disease does not bypass men either. Meanwhile, the causative agent of thrush is a resident of our normal microflora. Gynecologist Albina Romanova will tell you why he begins to behave aggressively and what to do about it.

How to properly treat thrush?

Thrush(vulvovaginal candidiasis) is a fungal infection that is caused by microscopic yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida (most often Candida albicans), and is characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the vulvar ring, vagina, urethra, and perineum as a whole. These fungi are classified as opportunistic microorganisms (that is, they are part of the normal microflora of the mouth, vagina and colon of almost all healthy people), therefore, for the development of this disease, it is important not just the presence of fungi of this genus, but their reproduction in very large quantities, and this, most often, occurs when immunity decreases.

Doctors call thrush and candidal colpitis, and vulvovaginal mycosis, and urogenital candidiasis, and genital fungus, but the essence does not change, it is the same pathological process.

Unfortunately, thrush is a very common disease among the female population. More than 75% of women all over the planet have suffered from this disease at least once in their lives, and a third of them, who have received sufficient therapy, get sick again (a relapse of the disease occurs).

Factors contributing to the spread of thrush

• wearing synthetic, tight-fitting underwear (for example, the well-known “thong”) - damage to the mucous membranes in areas of friction, transfer of microflora from the anus to the vagina.
• Use of daily sanitary pads.
• Unnatural sexual intercourse (anal, oral) - there is a disruption of the normal microflora of the vagina, which contributes to the development of thrush.
• Diabetes mellitus - strong changes in the immune system, frequent urination, obesity (usually accompanying diabetes mellitus), difficulties with personal hygiene, ulceration of the mucous membranes of the genitourinary tract - contribute to the development of thrush.
• Treatment with broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs - they kill not only pathogenic microorganisms that caused the disease (for example, pneumonia), but also opportunistic microorganisms inhabiting our gastrointestinal tract and genital tract: in the “empty” place, fungal flora develops and grows very well - thrush occurs.
• Pregnancy - during pregnancy, immune protection decreases so that the fertilized egg is not perceived by the body as a foreign body, so expectant mothers are more susceptible to any infections, including candidiasis.
• The use of high-dose oral contraceptives (containing 30 mcg or more of ethinyl estradiol), intrauterine contraceptives (spiral), spermicides, diaphragm (for contraception) - weakening of the local protective barrier in the vagina.
• The use of glucocorticosteroids is a factor in changing metabolism in organs and tissues, contributing to the development of thrush.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (thrush) is not a sexually transmitted infection, despite the fact that the same strains of fungi are detected in sexual partners. Most likely, this pathology can be associated with a defect in the immune system at different levels (decreased general or local immunity). Candidiasis carriage is not a disease, since a healthy person has these opportunistic microorganisms.

Thrush is classified into:

1. Acute candidiasis.
2. Recurrent (chronic) candidiasis.

Manifestations of thrush:

1. Itching and burning in the vagina and in the area of ​​the external genitalia, intensifies during sleep, after water procedures, after sexual intercourse, during menstruation.
2. Leucorrhoea is a profuse or moderate curdled discharge from the genital tract, white to gray-yellow in color, odorless.
3. Painful intercourse.
4. Painful (with pain) and frequent urination.
5. Swelling and redness of the mucous membranes of the external genitalia, traces of scratching (maceration of the skin and mucous membranes).

There may be all of the above signs of thrush, or some of them (the disease is erased, without pronounced complaints from the patient).

What is required to diagnose thrush (candidiasis)?

The patient has complaints of itching, curdled discharge from the genital tract, impaired urination, symptoms of local inflammation in the external genital area (swelling, redness, maceration), laboratory data: microscopy of vaginal smears - detection of yeast-like fungi and pseudohyphae, vaginal pH 4 -4.5, the amino test is negative (when alkali is added to the vaginal discharge - there will be no smell of stale fish), when sowing the vaginal discharge on appropriate nutrient media, the growth of fungi is observed (here you can evaluate their species, quantity, sensitivity to this or other antibacterial drug). There are additional (and expensive) methods for confirming the diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis - immunofluorescence diagnostics (“CandidaSure”), compliment binding reactions, immunological studies and express methods. They are most often based on an antigen-antibody reaction, that is, to a pathogenic microorganism (antigen), our immune system produces protection (antibody): the antibody binds to the antigen, neutralizing the latter. This complex (antigen-antibody) can be identified by these diagnostic methods, or only the antibody is recognized.

Treatment of thrush

Carried out only under the supervision of a specialist, self-medication of thrush is fraught with the transition of the acute form of candidal colpitis to chronic, with frequent exacerbations and difficult cure.

Stages of treatment for thrush:

1. Combating predisposing factors(rational antibiotic therapy, maintaining and protecting the immune system, personal hygiene)
2. Diet(restriction of carbohydrates)
3. Rejection of bad habits.
4. Drug local treatment of thrush (choose one drug):

• Butoconazole, 2% cream 5 g once, topically.
• Ketoconazole, suppositories 400 mg, 1 suppository x 1 time per day for 3 or 5 days.
• Fluconazole, orally 150 mg once (Flucostat).
• Itraconazole, orally 200 mg x 2 times a day for 3 days or 200 mg (Irunin) x 10 days tablets that are inserted deep into the vagina.
• Sertaconazole, 300 mg (1 suppository) once.
• Clotrimazole, 100 mg (1 tablet in the vagina) for 7 days.
• Miconazole: vaginal suppositories 100 mg (1 suppository) at night for 7 days.
• Nystatin: vaginal tablets 100,000 units (1 suppository) daily x 1 time, before bed, for 14 days.

1. Drug treatment of chronic thrush:

- systemic antimycotic (itraconazole 200 mg orally 2 times a day for 3 days or fluconazole 150 mg once a day for 3 days) and

- local therapy with azole drugs (most often within 14 days):

Imidazole preparations:

• ketoconazole (nizoral) - Use 400 mg/day for 5 days;
• clotrimazole (canesten) -Used in the form of vaginal tablets, 200-500 mg for 6 days;
• miconazole - 250 mg, 4 times a day, 10-14 days.
• bifonazole - 1% cream, 1 time per day at night, 2-4 weeks;

Triazole preparations:

• fluconazole - 50-150 mg 1 time per day, from 7 to 14 days;
• itraconazole (orungal) - 200 mg 1 time/day, 7 days.

Despite the high effectiveness of local treatment of thrush, many patients experience a relapse (exacerbation) after 1-3 months. This is due to taking antibiotics that change the normal microflora of the vagina, concomitant diabetes mellitus, taking oral contraceptives, pregnancy (increased glycogen levels in the vaginal epithelium - a good environment for the proliferation of fungi), an increase in the number of infected patients who are more pathogenic (and more resistant to traditional methods of treatment ) species of fungi - C.pseudotropicalis, C.glabrata, C. parapsilosis.

Is it necessary to treat the patient’s spouse for thrush?

Thrush is not a sexually transmitted disease, and most often there is no need to treat your spouse. But there are situations when a man has clinical manifestations (symptoms of itching, irritation and scratching on the penis, white discharge that worsens after sexual intercourse) with a confirmed diagnosis of candidiasis in a woman. In this case, the treatment regimen for thrush is the same as for a woman. Only treatment is carried out not with local drugs, but for oral administration (Pimafucin, 100 mg x 1 tablets 4 times a day for 10 days).

Typically, a man does not have symptoms of this disease, even if the woman is sick and undergoing treatment. If symptoms of thrush occur in a man, then his body as a whole should be examined to exclude infections that significantly reduce immune surveillance (such as HIV (AIDS), hepatitis B and C, acute leukemia).

What to do to prevent thrush recurrence

In order to prevent relapse (exacerbation) of the disease, it is necessary to use:

- systemic antimycotic (itraconazole 200 mg orally or fluconazole 150 mg on the first day of menstruation for 6 months, that is, 6 courses);

- therapy with local drugs once a week for 6 months (drugs that are used in suppositories for vaginal use).

Monitoring the treatment of thrush

— In the acute form of thrush, treatment control is carried out 7 days after the end of treatment (smears and cultures are taken to test the sensitivity of the microflora to antibiotics).

- In case of chronic candidal colpitis, the effectiveness of treatment is assessed during 3 menstrual cycles on the 5-7th day of the cycle (as soon as bleeding from the genital tract stops after menstruation - smears and cultures are taken for sensitivity).

In special cases, for example, treatment of thrush in pregnant women, local antifungal drugs are used, such as: Natamycin 100 mg (pimafucin) 1 suppository at night for 3-6 days (the drug is approved for use in pregnant women even in the first trimester of pregnancy, that is, up to 12 weeks), or clotrimazole, 1 vaginal tablet (100 mg) x 1 time per day at night, for 7 days (the drug is approved for use in pregnant women only from 13 weeks of pregnancy).

If the sick patient is a child, then thrush is treated according to the following regimen: fluconazole 2 mg per 1 kilogram of the child’s body weight; the entire dose is taken orally once with a small amount of water.

However, when describing in detail the drugs for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis (thrush), their dosage regimens and courses of treatment, it is necessary to understand that all treatment must be supervised by a doctor. After all, the clinical picture (symptoms of the disease) typical for thrush are also characteristic of many pathological processes in the vagina, for example: bacterial vaginosis, atrophic (cyanotic) colpitis, bacterial vaginitis, chronic cervicitis, leukoplakia or krause of the vulva (vagina), chlamydial cervicitis, adnexitis , gonorrhea, therefore the question of treatment should only be in the doctor’s office, under careful laboratory and clinical monitoring of the patient’s cure.

Be healthy!

Gynecologist Albina Romanova

It just so happens that most people turn to a doctor for help when “they can no longer endure it.” The same applies to gynecological problems. The most common disease that affects every fourth woman or girl is vaginal thrush.

The disease is triggered by the active proliferation of yeast-like fungi, which are part of the vaginal microbiocenosis and normally their growth is controlled by “beneficial” bacteria.

If symptoms of acute thrush occur, such as itching, burning, cheesy discharge, etc., the woman tries to eliminate them on her own by purchasing certain medications at the pharmacy.

Of course, self-medication in some cases can indeed be effective, but more often, as a result of such actions, only external symptoms are dulled, while the fungus continues to actively develop and affect the woman’s genitourinary system.

It is also worth noting that many women are not even aware of their disease, since in some cases thrush is practically asymptomatic (there is only a whitish discharge). But what happens if thrush is not treated promptly?

Relapse of the disease as a result of untimely treatment of a man

When certain symptoms of the disease occur, women try to treat acute thrush by taking certain “instant action” tablets - these are medications that allow you to cope with the problem in just one day.

For example, such treatment for the symptoms of thrush may include the use of a single dose of the drugs Fluconazole, Diflucan, Fucis, Pimafucin, etc. Indeed, in most cases, such treatment allows you to eliminate the fungus and forget about the disease.

But few women are aware that such treatment for vaginal thrush should be carried out not only for women, but also for men.

Why is this necessary? Very often, a man is a so-called “candidate carrier,” that is, he has no external symptoms of the disease, but during subsequent sexual intercourse he can infect the woman again, thereby provoking a relapse of thrush in her, which requires repeated treatment.

In other words, if a woman has a regular sexual partner and vaginal candidiasis occurs, then treatment for acute thrush should be carried out on both sexual partners (both the woman and the man), even if the man does not have any external signs diseases.

If there are no symptoms of the disease, a man will only need to take a tablet of Fluconazole, Diflucan, etc.

If thrush manifests itself with characteristic symptoms, then you will need to seek help from a specialist who will prescribe systemic and local drugs (for example, Candide cream, etc.).

If candidiasis is not treated, will there be cervical erosion?

If asymptomatic thrush is not treated for a long time, can there be cervical erosion? Thrush is really harmful to the body. If the fungus is allowed to grow, it can lead to very serious consequences, including provoking such an unpleasant and dangerous disease as cervical erosion.

Many people believe that candidiasis is a non-serious disease that is easily treated and does not pose any danger if it does not manifest itself with acute symptoms, such as itching and curdled discharge.

But this is not so, candidiasis occurring in a latent form is more dangerous and insidious, since it does not cause any inconvenience to the woman, but at the same time the fungus continues to actively develop.

Having a negative impact on the vaginal environment, an advanced form of candidiasis can lead to a number of other problems. For example, initially a fungus can cause a disease such as cervical erosion. If candidiasis is not treated at this stage (and, of course, erosion), the fungus can affect the bladder, uterus, and provoke inflammatory diseases of the uterine appendages and adhesions.

How does cervical erosion manifest? As a rule, in the early stages of the disease, a woman may have a stomach ache, more often after sexual intercourse. If there is constant dull pain, it intensifies after sexual intercourse.

There are cases when the stomach hurts so much that women begin to gradually take painkillers, explaining everything by saying that the stomach hurts before menstruation or that sexual intercourse was very rough, etc. Everyone understands perfectly well that the stomach should not constantly hurt. But a trip to the doctor is still postponed because “I’m scared to go to the hospital.”

If your stomach hurts constantly, there is no need to postpone a visit to the doctor, because if the problem is not treated in the early stages, it can cause more severe consequences. In most cases, women overcome their “fear” only when cervical erosion is manifested by intermenstrual bleeding or when blood appears every time after sexual intercourse.

Is it possible to treat candidiasis and erosion at the same time? The course of treatment for this problem initially begins with the treatment of a fungal infection. Proper treatment for chronic thrush begins with tests, during which the degree of sensitivity of the flora and the active substance that will help destroy the fungus will be determined. Next, drugs of local and systemic action are prescribed. The course of treatment is completely individual (from 5 days to two weeks).

After comprehensive treatment for (candidiasis) thrush, antibiotics or other drugs are prescribed to eliminate erosion.

Thrush as a cause of infertility

Women who dream of getting pregnant often “blame” thrush for long-term failures. But is this so, does candidiasis interfere with conception? Can the disease cause infertility? It all depends on the duration of the disease.

A fungal infection that occurs for the first time, as a rule, does not interfere with conception and it is possible to become pregnant against the background of primary candidiasis. It is only important to promptly seek help from a doctor, conduct a diagnosis and undergo appropriate, effective treatment for acute thrush (course 3-7 days).

The most dangerous form of candidiasis for conception is the chronic form of candidiasis, which can actually cause infertility. Thrush and possible infertility occur when the fungus penetrates through the cervix into the uterine cavity and provokes inflammatory processes there, including inflammation of the uterine appendages.

The inflammatory process actually interferes with the fertilization of the egg by the sperm, as a result of which it is impossible to get pregnant. If, during an inflammatory (or even adhesive) process, you become pregnant, there is a high risk of an ectopic pregnancy, which must be terminated.

To avoid all these problems, it is necessary to promptly carry out treatment for acute or chronic thrush, which involves the use of local and systemic drugs.

You should not treat vaginal thrush on your own, since unskilled actions can only relieve the external symptoms of the disease, while the fungus will develop further, provoking other diseases, which, as a result, can cause infertility.

In other words, thrush itself does not interfere with conception and it is actually possible to get pregnant against its background. It can only cause infertility if left untreated for a long time.

It is also important to note that vaginal thrush can occur against the background of certain hormonal changes, which can actually cause temporary infertility.

To avoid infertility, treatment for vaginal thrush should be carried out even in cases where there are no external symptoms of the disease, that is, when the disease occurs in a hidden (latent) form, acquiring the character of chronic candidiasis. It can be diagnosed by a gynecologist based on tests taken during a smear examination.

A vaginal infection can be suspected by the nature of the discharge. With candidiasis, the discharge can be either white or have a whitish tint (the so-called leucorrhoea). At the first suspicion of thrush, contact a gynecologist.

You should not naively believe that this is not a serious disease and that soon “it will go away on its own,” since this is a serious problem that requires treatment.