VAGINAL FUNGUS DISEASE, Recurrent Chronic Infections and Discharges
One of the most common factors in the middle of vaginitis that causes discharge in women is vaginal fungus. Millions of women are affected by this disorder every year. Studies show that 75% of healthy women have at least one vaginal yeast infection and 45% have more than one vaginal yeast infection. In other words, the disease tends to recur. It is an infection that can reduce the quality of life for reasons such as pain and severe itching, withdrawal from sexuality due to redness, and restriction of social life with the treatments used.
Unfortunately, in recent years, we have been witnessing that this type of fungal infections frequently recur in women due to many / multifactorial reasons, show resistance to drugs and affect the quality of life on the bad side, in our country and all over the world.
FEMALE DRAINS
In a healthy adult woman, one measure of vaginal discharge is natural and keeps the vagina moist. With the effect of lactobacilli, one of the beneficial bacteria found in the vaginal flow flora, this discharge is clear, odorless or has a unique odor that does not disturb, and its structure may change to some extent around the menstrual period and ovulation time. But a lot of discharge, burning and very itchy and disturbing odor (other factors should be checked in case of odor) can be caused by unusual reasons that require a physician’s examination. Vaginal yeast disease is only one of the discharges that cause disease in the vagina and it would not be wrong to describe it as the most common one.
85-90% causative agent in vaginal fungi is Candida Albicans, an opportunistic yeast type fungus. In recent years, we see that Candida Glabrata, which is more resistant to treatment, is increasing. This type of fungus can normally be found in the mouth, throat, large intestine, and vagina without causing any discomfort. It has been detected in the vagina of more than 20% of women who do not have a random complaint. In this case, vaginal yeast disease should not be considered as a dangerous disease transmitted by sexual contact. Candida, which is frequently found and waiting in the vagina without sin, does not necessarily have to be transmitted by connection, but systemic or local changes must also occur in order for it to cause disease. IN ANYWAY, if the systemic and local effects below continue in an individual, there will be not only fungal but also all kinds of frequently recurring or unresolved chronic infections.
SYSTEMIC:
Pregnancy,
Diabetes,
Weakening of the immune system (TENSION and some other metabolic diseases; thyroid hormone disorder…)
Obesity
DRUGS: Antibiotics, Steroids (Cortisone), Immunosuppressives (drugs that suppress the immune system, cancer drugs), Birth control pills, Estrogen therapy
LOCAL:
Non-compliance with hygiene conditions (common areas) , the use of infected damp laundry related to the other)
Hot and humid environment (Tight tight and synthetic clothes, synthetic underwear, pantyhose, wet swimwear)
Irritation (Increased-prolongation of sexual bond frequency, shaving and/or waxing irritations, deodorant and additive creams, perfumed pads, condom oils, contact with allergenic substances, intravaginal tampons …)
Unprotected sexual intercourse
Chronic Service t (Continuous cervical wound and inflammation)
HOW DOES VAGINAL FUNGUS DISEASE OCCUR?
There are normally many microorganisms in the vagina. The majority of these are beneficial microbes and do not harbor organisms that could be harmful to the body. Unnecessary and erroneous interventions to this natural stability of the vagina will remove beneficial bacteria, increase the number of harmful microbes waiting for an opportunity, and cause disease.
Candida likes hot and humid environments. With the beginning of the summer season, the pool and sea period opens, and non-compliance with the hygiene rules will facilitate the occurrence of the disease in this season. Waiting for a long time in hot water (swimming pool), staying in the sauna with wet swimwear, waiting for the swimsuits made of non-drying fabrics to dry on us, synthetic underwear that do not allow the air to pass through, pantyhose, tight clothing invites the disease because they retain heat and moisture. Candida living in the intestine is dragged from the anus to the vagina with sexual interest, non-compliance with the hygiene rules (such as incorrectly cleaning the toilet from the back forward). Transmission from the other can be through sexual interest and irritation, as well as towels, hand contact, laundry and bath water. Fungal cells can be found in the vagina, penis and mouth secretions and feces. Candida, which settles in the vagina in these forms, either quickly causes disease after a 2-5 day proliferation period, depending on regional resistance, or insidiously, the factor that can be found in a small number of normal in the vagina opportunistically awaits the development of the above-mentioned negative environments…
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF FUNGUS DISEASE?
The most obvious symptom of vaginal yeast disease is severe itching. There is usually a dark cheesy or curdled white discharge from the vagina, and there is a burning sensation. In addition, there may be a burning sensation during urination and pain during sexual intercourse. These symptoms are exacerbated before menstruation. The itching increases a lot with heat and at night. Unless the other infection is added on top of this, the smell is hardly visible. In men, itching on the head and skin of the penis, edema on the foreskin, adhesions and cracks on the skin, and mild discharge may be present.
TREATMENT OF FUNGUS DISEASE
When you have such doubts, you should consult your physician immediately. Accurate diagnosis is the most valuable factor in treatment. Vaginal fungus that is not treated on time turns into a more complex, more irritating and more difficult to treat form with the addition of other microbes over time. Today, there are very effective drugs that are used both orally and vaginally. However, since many factors such as resistance development, environmental and social factors, genetic structure of the person, and tension are effective in the event, it may become increasingly difficult to organize treatment, and these opportunistic infections may recur as these co-factors recur. chronic infections that do not improve. In case of recurrence, treatment of spouses may also be beneficial, although not always. Blood glucose should be measured when seen in menopause, childhood and lactating women. If it is seen in the last months of pregnancy, treatment prevents transmission to the baby. Sexual intercourse should be avoided for a while before and after treatment.
SOME TIPS TO PREVENT DRAIN AND VAGINITIS
– Do not try to treat yourself using your previous medicine or your friend’s medicine. This will disrupt the natural stability of the vagina, and will invite opportunistic and dangerous infections by killing the beneficial and protective natural bacterial flora in the vagina.
– Avoid synthetic underwear, pantyhose and tight and tight clothing. Keep the area around your genitals as dry as possible. Because cotton lets air through, wearing 100% cotton underwear helps keep this area dry.
-Change your underwear frequently.
-Use toilet paper: Your underwear should not be wet after using the toilet.
-Do not choose swimsuits that do not dry well. Go to the pool or the sea with two swimsuits, take a shower as soon as you get out of the water and put on your dry swimsuit. Do not let your swimsuit dry on you. Do not sit in the sauna in a wet swimsuit.
-Do not wash the inside of your vagina. Even if the interior washing is done with water, it will cause the beneficial microbes – lactobacilli – to decrease and disrupt the natural defense system. Dry enough also when you wash the exterior.
-Do not use perfumed pads, deodorant sprays.
-When washing the vulva, wash the truth from front to back. If you do the opposite, you will facilitate the rectal contamination.
-Do not keep tampons used inside the vagina for a long time. Avoid these tampons when you have a discharge. If possible, do not use tampons.
-Make sure there is no discharge or rash on your partner’s penis. Washing your partner’s penis before and after sexual intercourse reduces the chance of infection. Contrary to the general opinion, except for the above cases, although spouse treatment is not a condition for this problem, this situation will be decided together with the doctor.
-In some cases, the fungal disease does not go away completely or it may recur frequently. Recurrent chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis may require long-term and different treatments under the supervision of a physician.
