Genital candidiasis, or vulvovaginal candidiasis, is an infectious disease that affects the mucous membrane of the vulva and vagina. The main harm to the body in this case is caused by yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida. This disease is familiar to many representatives of the fair half of humanity. People call it thrush.
As a rule, thrush affects the mucous membrane of the external genitalia, that is, the vagina or the head of the male penis. This disease is most common in women, but some men are also familiar with thrush.
According to medical statistics, vulvovaginal candidiasis has recently become increasingly common throughout the world. Of all infectious lesions of the vulva and vagina, about 40% are thrush. Women very often seek medical help with unpleasant symptoms that are signs of candidiasis.
Causes
Vulvovaginal candidiasis occurs due to exposure to yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida that live on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy people. When conducting an examination, fungi of the genus Candida are isolated from the vagina of healthy women, and there will be no clinical manifestations or complaints of unpleasant symptoms. Thrush worsens under certain conditions that accelerate the growth and reproduction of opportunistic microorganisms.
There are a number of predisposing factors that can provoke vulvovaginal candidiasis in girls and women:
- Mechanical factors include: prolonged use of intrauterine devices, use of underwear made of synthetic fabrics, traumatic injury to the vagina, use of sprays and pads for intimate hygiene.
- Impact of immunodeficiency conditions, chronic gastrointestinal pathologies, lack of certain vitamins and nutrients, allergies, disorders of the reproductive system.
- Endocrine factors include the development of diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism.
The development of thrush can be caused by taking oral contraceptives
- Impact of physiological factors: the disease often occurs in pregnant women, as well as during menstruation.
- Taking antibacterial medications, immunosuppressants, oral contraceptives, corticosteroids. The use of broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs helps to suppress, among other things, lactobacilli that live in the vagina of women and girls. This contributes to a significant increase in pH. Fungi can also use the active substances in antibiotics as a food source.
- Thrush can occur after undergoing radiation or chemotherapy.
A number of factors, such as the use of synthetic or tight underwear, create a microclimate with high humidity and high temperature, favorable for the development of fungi.
