Colpitis
Content:
- What is candidal colpitis?
- Symptoms of candidal colpitis
- Causes of candidal colpitis
- Treatment of candidal colpitis
- Prevention of candidal colpitis
What is candidal colpitis?
Colpitis is an inflammation of the vaginal mucosa that affects the cervix and vulva, caused by yeast-like bacteria belonging to the genus Candida. This disease does not belong to the category of sexually transmitted infections, since fungi are conditionally pathogenic microflora and always live in the vaginal mucosa. Normally, their activity is suppressed by lactobacilli. However, in the presence of certain factors, they begin to show excessive activity and contribute to the development of a disease such as candidal colpitis.
Most often, women of reproductive age are susceptible to the pathological process, most cases of the disease occur during the period of bearing a child. However, the infection occurs in children, including newborns, and in the elderly. However, the main age when women are diagnosed with the disease is 20-45 years.
Symptoms of candidal colpitis
Among the symptoms of candidal colpitis, the following can be noted:
- Constant itching and burning in the genital area. Unpleasant sensations tend to increase after long periods of time on your feet, as well as in the afternoon and night. This leads to the emergence of neuroses, insomnia. Sometimes women, trying to avoid unpleasant sensations, avoid urination, which leads to stagnation of urine and the development of inflammatory processes of the bladder.
- Pain and burning during intercourse.
- Itching in the anal area.
- Leucorrhea, leucorrhoea in which thick or curd flakes, but not abundant. The discharge often exudes an unpleasant but subtle odor. In special cases, they can be watery or foaming.
- The appearance of rashes on the mucous membranes and on the skin. They proceed as vesicles, localized on the membranes of the vulva and vagina. In the chronic form of the disease, infiltration and tissue atrophy are observed on the skin.
Causes of candidal colpitis
Among the factors influencing the development of the disease are the following:
- Mechanical injury to the vaginal mucous membranes, as well as damage to the skin of the genitals.
- Wearing substandard synthetic underwear.
- Long-term use of an intrauterine device.
- Woman pregnancy.
- Hormonal imbalance.
- Disruptions in metabolism.
- Disorders in the functioning of the adrenal and gonads.
- Development of diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism.
- Immunodeficiency states of various etiologies.
- Taking certain medications, in particular, the disease develops against the background of antibiotic therapy, during treatment with immunosuppressants, first-generation hormonal agents and corticosteroids. Also, uncontrolled use of oral contraceptives can cause illness.
- Undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
- Diseases of an allergic nature.
- Strict diets, serious nutritional errors.
- Violation of the vitamin balance in the body.
- Chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and genitals.
Treatment of candidal colpitis
Since the disease is not a sexually transmitted infection, but is caused by factors in the dysfunctional state of the body and its immune forces, not only antimycotic therapy is important, but also the elimination of the provoking factor.
The choice of a drug that acts directly on the fungus depends on each specific case, on whether the bacterial flora is detected during the examination. Do not hope that it will be possible to get rid of the disease by drinking only an antimycotic agent.
An integrated approach to treatment is needed, in particular:
- Taking medications containing natamycin, introconazole, ketoconazole, fluconozole, butoconazole, terbinafine. All of them are aimed at suppressing the vital activity of the fungus. In addition, the treatment is supplemented with local drugs, including vaginal suppositories (for example, Geksikon, Pimafucin, Levarol), antifungal creams (for example, Ginofort).
- Douching with antiseptic solutions and drugs, for example, miramistin, potassium permanganate, etc.
- The use of vitamin complexes, which include biotin.
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When attaching bacterial flora, it is necessary to use antibacterial agents, the choice of which is carried out by the doctor on the basis of the tests performed.
- Compliance with a diet, which boils down to general recommendations and the inclusion of fermented milk products in the menu.
- After completing the course, it is necessary to restore the normal microflora of the vagina, which can be achieved by using zubiotics. These drugs include: bifidumbacterin, lactobacterin, vagilak, biovestin.
It should be understood that the disease requires a course of treatment and if the provoking factor is not eliminated, then it will recur. Therefore, it is advisable six months later to undergo treatment again.
Prevention of candidal colpitis
As for preventive measures, in order to prevent the development of an infectious process, it is necessary to regularly visit a gynecologist. This measure is especially relevant for women of reproductive age, in whom the disease develops much more often. In addition, colpitis of candidal origin can provoke complications from the work of the pelvic organs.
Do not forget about wearing high-quality underwear made from natural materials, as well as observing the rules of personal hygiene. To avoid the transfer of pathogenic microflora from the intestine to the vulva, it is necessary to carry out washing movements from front to back.
As for taking any medications, they should only be prescribed by a doctor. In particular, we are talking about antibacterial therapy.
Strengthening the body's defenses and timely treatment of diseases. When the first signs of candidal colpitis appear, you need to see a doctor, and not self-medicate.
The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist
Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.
