Vaginal Thrush

Vaginal thrush is a common yeast infection that most women experience occasionally. The infection causes irritation, itching, and swelling of the vagina area and also may cause a white creamy discharge. Majority of women experience occasional vaginal thrush infection. It is fairly harmless but uncomfortable. Some women have recurring thrush infection, and when that happens it is called a recurrent thrush.
About 75% of women will experience a vaginal thrush at some point. Furthermore, up to 50% of these women will experience thrush more than once. Thrush is particularly common with women in the 20 to 39 age bracket. Whereas it is less common with girls who are yet to start their periods and women that have been through the menopause.
Women suffering from thrush infections may confuse the symptoms with those of sexually transmitted infection (STI) because the symptoms are very similar. Therefore it is recommended that you see your doctor immediately if you have these symptoms of vaginal thrush. Your doctor will examine you and tell the difference, before prescribing the appropriate anti-thrush medication for you. And you should inform your doctor if the prescribed medication is not improving your condition.

Causes of Thrush

Vaginal thrush is mainly caused by a yeast-like fungus called Candida albicans, which is responsible for 80 to 90 per cent of all reported cases and the remaining 20% is caused by Candida fungi. Many women have Candida in their vagina without it causing any symptoms because the good bacteria in the vaginal and the vaginal secretions contain hormones that keep the Candida fungus under control. However, when the natural balance in the vaginal is disturbed and the Candida albicans fungi is allowed to multiply then problem will then arise.
Medical evidence suggests that you will be prone to a bout of thrush if you are pregnant, taking antibiotics, have a low immunity, or have diabetes. Also you can get vaginal thrush through sexual contact, but it is not considered a sexually transmitted infection. The advice is that if you have vaginal thrush you should avoid sex until you have been treated and the doctor confirmed you cleared of the infection.
Women that are more likely to develop vaginal thrush are those that have the following conditions.

Weakened immune system

If the immune system is weakened the risk of having thrush is higher when you have health conditions that suppress your immune system. The reason this happens is because when in such a condition the immune system that normally fights off infection is not able to control the spread of the Candida fungus. Examples of such health conditions include HIV or AIDS, or when undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

Antibiotics

This is true only if the Candida fungus is already present in the woman vagina before taking the antibiotics. The effect of antibiotics is that they get rid of the good bacteria in the vagina. This explains why 66% of women that take antibiotics medication experience vaginal thrush infection. All types of antibiotics can increase the risk of developing thrush.

Diabetes

Diabetes patients have a long-term condition that’s caused by too much glucose in their blood. Diabetes is normally managed by having regular insulin injections and keeping to a healthy, balanced diet. However, if the diabetes is not managed properly the blood glucose levels will not stable rather it goes up and down. This increases the likely chance of developing thrush.

Pregnancy

While here is no medical evidence that thrush will affect your chances of getting pregnant but if you are pregnant you have a higher risk getting thrush. However, there no chance that thrush will harm your baby. What is recommended is that if you are pregnant or breastfeeding (as you should do) while you have thrush, do not take oral anti-thrush treatments. Your doctor should advise you to use vaginal pessaries, in addition to an anti-thrush cream, if you need it.

Vaginal thrush symptoms

Vaginal thrush symptoms may include (a) itching and soreness around the entrance of the vagina, (b) a stinging sensation when you urinate, (c) pain in your vaginal during sex, (d) a discharge from your vaginal, which is normally odourless, (e) a red and swollen vagina and vulva, (f) cracked skin around the entrance of your vagina, and (g) sores in the surrounding area.

Thrush treatment

Normally, thrush is easy to treat with oral medication, anti-thrush pessaries that are inserted into the vagina, and also anti-thrush creams, which is applied over the vaginal area to reduce the soreness and itchiness. For most women, the treatment will clear up the thrush within a few days,
About 5% of women experience recurrent thrush, which could be more than four episodes in one year. While 1% may experience thrush almost continually, this may require a longer course of treatment of up to six months.

Preventing vaginal thrush

There are things you can do to reduce the risk of getting vaginal thrush and prevent it from coming back.

1. You should avoid using perfumed soaps, shower gels, vaginal deodorants or douches and wash the vaginal area with water only.
2. Stop using latex condoms, spermicidal creams or lubricants as soon as you notice that they irritate the genital area.
3. Do not wear tight-fitting underwear or tights
4. Always wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting trousers