Genital thrush is an infection caused by the proliferation of the candida fungus in the genital area, which usually occurs through a weakened immune system or prolonged use of drugs that can alter the genital microbiota, such as antibiotics and antifungals, for example.
This type of infection is more common in women, but it can also occur in men, treated with ointments or medications that eliminate fungi that cause the disease, helping to relieve symptoms.
When you think you have genital thrush, it’s important to watch for certain signs that include:
Normally, this type of fungus lives in the human body, but the immune system is able to prevent its excessive proliferation. However, when the body is weaker or undergoes hormonal changes, such as after the flu or during pregnancy, these fungi can reproduce in an exaggerated way causing thrush.
Thrush can also occur in other parts of the body, such as the skin, mouth, or intestines. Learn about the different types of thrush and its symptoms.
Although symptoms can be easy to identify, there are other genital problems, such as vaginitis, herpes, or gonorrhea, for example, that can cause similar symptoms.
Thus, the best way to confirm the diagnosis is to go to the gynecologist, in the case of women, or the urologist in the case of men. Thus, in addition to identifying the problem, your doctor may also assess whether there is a cause and indicate the most appropriate treatment.
Genital thrush can affect both men and women, but its treatment is similar and is performed with antifungal ointments in both cases, such as Candicort or Fluconazole, which should be applied 2 to 3 times a day for 3 to 14 days as directed by the doctor.
It is also recommended to
These recommendations help speed treatment, however, you can also wash your genitals with barbatimo leaf tea or another home remedy to complete the treatment. See some examples of home remedies for thrush.
In addition to all this, a low-sugar diet also helps the body fight fungal growth more easily, curing thrush more quickly. See what to eat to strengthen immunity and fight candida faster in this video:
In case the symptoms do not go away after 2 weeks, it is advisable to return to the doctor as it may be necessary to start treatment with antifungal pills, which help fight infections from inside the body, obtaining better results than with ointments only.
Factors associated with an increased risk of genital thrush include
A person may also be infected with the fungus unknowingly, as the disease usually occurs when the immune system is weakened.