Subscribe
Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
How to treat candidal vaginitis during pregnancy
During pregnancy, due to the increased secretion of estrogen, the environment in the vagina will also increase, making this time very susceptible to yeast vaginitis. In the early stages of pregnancy, contracting yeast vaginitis can easily lead to threatened miscarriage, or the embryo stopping development, so it is necessary to treat it promptly. Common treatments include vaginal medication, such as clotrimazole vaginal tablets, miconazole cream, and externally applied traditional Chinese medicine preparations, which are very effective in treating yeast vaginitis and have no adverse effects on pregnancy, as the absorption of topical medications is minimal.
Treatment methods for fungal vaginitis
Yeast vaginitis can be classified into simple yeast vaginitis and complex yeast vaginitis. Simple yeast vaginitis refers to the initial occurrence of the infection, which often presents abruptly with severe itching of the vulva and typical cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge. This type of discharge can be diagnosed visually. The treatment for this type of vaginitis can involve the use of Clotrimazole vaginal tablets, or oral administration of Fluconazole or Itraconazole. Generally, one course of treatment is sufficient. Complex yeast vaginitis occurs when a yeast infection is accompanied by a bacterial infection. The treatment of this form of vaginitis starts with addressing the yeast infection using antifungal medication. If it is not cured, antibiotics are then administered. Additionally, probiotics can be placed within the vagina. Generally, treatment may require two courses to be effective.
Symptoms of yeast vaginitis
The symptoms of fungal vaginitis are quite typical, mainly including vulvar itching, cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge, and a burning sensation of the vulva. The vulvar itching can be particularly severe, sometimes causing restlessness in sitting or lying down. During gynecological examinations, a large amount of cottage cheese-like discharge can be seen in the vagina, and both the vulva and the vagina appear congested. Patients may experience a burning sensation of the vulva while urinating, which is indicative of fungal vaginitis. Common treatments for fungal vaginitis include vaginal medications and oral medications, both of which are very effective, and generally, one course of treatment can lead to recovery.
What causes yeast vaginitis?
Fungal vaginitis, clinically manifested as curdy or cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge, itching, and no peculiar smell, must be treated symptomatically based on diagnosis and test results if confirmed as fungal vaginitis. The cause of fungal vaginitis is generally very likely due to improper care. Normally, the vaginal environment is acidic. If improperly handled, such as washing with water or cleansers, and various intimate hygiene products daily, it can disrupt the vaginal microbiota and lead to recurrent fungal vaginitis infections. Long-term use of high doses of anti-inflammatory drugs can also cause microbial imbalance and trigger fungal vaginitis. Washing socks afflicted with athlete's foot together with underwear can also cause recurrent fungal infections. Furthermore, patients with diabetes who do not have good blood sugar control can also experience recurrent fungal infections. Routine attention to vulvar hygiene is necessary, as improper hygiene care can also lead to fungal outbreaks. Therefore, those with fungal vaginitis must receive proper symptomatic treatment.
What should a pregnant woman do if she has candidal vaginitis?
During pregnancy, changes occur in the vaginal flora of women, leading to decreased resistance in the vagina. Many pregnant women develop candidal vaginitis. Once diagnosed with candidal vaginitis, it is essential to undergo proper treatment. However, many pregnant women worry that medication might affect the fetus, which is a misconception. There are safe medications available for treating candidal vaginitis during pregnancy, and proper treatment generally does not harm the fetus. On the other hand, if candidal vaginitis is left untreated and allowed to progress, the inflammation might spread through the cervix into the uterine cavity, potentially leading to chorioamnionitis. In severe cases, it can cause premature rupture of membranes or intrauterine infection. Therefore, it is crucial for pregnant women diagnosed with candidal vaginitis to seek proper treatment.
What to do if yeast infection coincides with menstruation?
If you get your period during the treatment of yeast vaginitis, you should stop using vaginal medication and can switch to oral medication. You can also wait until after your period is over to resume placing medication in the vagina. Yeast vaginitis is relatively easy to treat and there are many effective drugs available; generally, it can be cured after seven days of use. However, it is essential to maintain good hygiene of the vulva regularly, wear pure cotton breathable underwear, and place sanitary products in the sun for disinfection.
How is yeast vaginitis caused?
Yeast vaginitis, also known as candidal vaginitis, generally forms due to improper care. Normally, the vaginal environment is acidic. If a person is particularly hygienic and uses cleansing solutions or water to wash the vagina daily, it can disrupt the vaginal microbiota, leading to recurrent episodes of yeast vaginitis. Additionally, long-term use of large doses of anti-inflammatory drugs can also cause an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota, resulting in recurrent yeast infections. Furthermore, patients with poorly controlled diabetes may also experience recurrent yeast infections. Pregnant women, 30%-40% of whom, may also develop yeast vaginitis due to microbial imbalance. Moreover, in households where someone has athlete's foot, washing socks and shorts together can also lead to yeast infections. Therefore, in addition to treatment, the precautions mentioned earlier should also be taken seriously.
How does fungal vaginitis occur?
Under normal circumstances, women have yeast present around the vagina, anus, and mouth. Usually, it does not cause disease, but yeast infection in the vagina may occur under certain triggers. Many women also experience recurrent episodes. For example, if a woman has diabetes, an increase in local blood sugar levels can trigger a yeast infection of the vagina. Additionally, women with decreased resistance or immune deficiencies, the use of immunosuppressants, or the large-scale use of antibiotics can also trigger an infection. Furthermore, some women, especially in the summer, prefer to wear tight synthetic underwear, which can prevent timely discharge of vaginal secretions, accumulate around the external genitalia, and potentially lead to infection.
How is fungal vaginitis caused?
Common causes of candidal vulvovaginitis include long-term use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, patients with diabetes, patients who long-term use immunosuppressive drugs, wearing tight underwear, and moisture in sanitary products. All these factors can lead to the occurrence of candidal vulvovaginitis. Changing unhealthy lifestyles, stopping the use of antibiotics, actively treating diabetes, wearing breathable cotton underwear, and keeping the vulva clean can all reduce the occurrence of candidal vulvovaginitis.
What medicine is used to treat fungal vaginitis?
The clinical symptoms of yeast vaginitis include a curd-like or cottage cheese-like discharge, itching, and no foul odor. Once diagnosed with yeast vaginitis at a hospital, it is essential to treat the condition based on its specifics. Generally, a washing solution such as baking soda water can be used, and topical medications common for treating yeast vaginitis can be applied. Oral medications for yeast vaginitis can also be taken. After a week of targeted treatment, most cases tend to improve. However, this fungus is prone to recurrence, particularly around the time of menstruation, when it may flare up again. At such times, another course of treatment can be used, and generally, using the medication consecutively for three menstrual cycles can treat yeast vaginitis effectively.