Vaginal Thrush (candida) |
                                                  
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|
| Imidazole Derivative | Preparation | Manufacturer |
| Clotrimazole | Canesten | Bayer |
| Clotrimazole | Masnoderm | Dominion |
| Econazole | Ecostatin | BMS |
| Econazole | Gyno-Pevaryl | Janssen-Cilag |
| Fenticonazole | Lomexin | Dominion |
| Isoconazole | Travogyn | Schering |
| Miconazole | Gynodaktarin | Janssen-Cilag |
The vaginal creams may be applied internally for vaginal infections and externally for vulval infections. The creams may also be applied to the penis of the partner particularly when there are recurrent infections.
There are four pessaries designed for single application. These are
- Canesten-1,
- Ecostatin-1,
- Gynokatarin-1 and
- Gyno-Pevaryl 1.
Three preparations are taken orally
- fluconazole (Diflucan 150 Pfizer),
- ketoconazole (Nizoral- Janssen-Cilag) and
- itraconazole (Sporanox- Janssen-Cilag).
The vaginal creams may be applied internally for vaginal infections and externally for vulval infections. The creams may also be applied to the penis of the partner particularly when there are recurrent infections.
Related Medical Abstracts - Click on the paper title:-
Recurrent vaginal thrush (vaginal candida). How can this be prevented?
About one per cent of women will have more than six episodes of
vaginal candida a year.
Swab tests should be taken to confirm that you really are having bouts of thrush. Whilst most people have heard of thrush, relatively few know about bacterial vaginosis and this is more common than thrush.
It is prudent to exclude underlying illness and to correct other causes of vaginal discharge such as cervical ectropion (erosion cervical erosion).
Preventative measures include
- Avoiding clothes that keep the genital area moist.
- Natural fibres such as cotton are preferable to nylon.
- Underclothes should be thoroughly rinsed.
- Daily bathing/showering may be helpful
- but frequent vaginal douching should be avoided as this may remove protective organisms.
- Irritant soaps and bubble baths should be avoided.
- Shampoos should not be used in the bath.
- Use a soft clean towel and dab rather than rub.
- Rough flannels should not be used.
- Wiping the anal area from front to back may help to prevent transfer of candida to the vagina; soft toilet paper should be used.
One of the orally active agents may eliminate the reservoir of candida in the bowel although this may subsequently recur.
The objective is to prevent recurrence.
- As antibiotics may be associated with acute episodes, those particularly at risk should request treatment for candida at the same time.
- The male partner should be offered local or oral treatment.
- Some women will require regular preventative treatment usually administered after each period.
Related Medical Abstracts - Click on the paper title:-
- Causes of chronic vaginitis: analysis of a prospective database of affected women. (2006-01)
- Clinical aspects and luteal phase assessment in patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candida. (2006-02)
- Characterization of women with a history of recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis. (2002-01)
- The value of prophylactic (monthly) clotrimazole versus empiric self-treatment in recurrent vaginal candida (1994)
- Lack of in vitro resistance of Candida albicans to ketoconazole, itraconazole and clotrimazole in women treated for recurrent vaginal candida (1993)
- Epidemiologic characteristics of women with idiopathic recurrent vulvovaginal candida (1993)
- Intermittent prophylactic treatment of recurrent vaginal candida by postmenstrual application of a 500 mg clotrimazole vaginal tablet (1990)
- Zinc status in women with recurrent vulvovaginal candida (1986)
Does the combined oral
contraceptive pill cause vaginal thrush (vaginal candida)?
The pill can probably be associated with, at most, a small increase in the incidence of candida.
Related Medical Abstracts - Click on the paper title:-
Support Groups
Members of a support group, provide each other with various types of help and information for a particular shared difficulty.
The support may take the form of providing relevant information,
- relating personal experiences,
- listening to others' experiences,
- providing sympathetic understanding and
- establishing social networks.
A support group may also provide ancillary support, such as serving as a voice for the public or engaging in advocacy.
Support groups maintain interpersonal contact among their members in a variety of ways.
Support groups also maintain contact through printed information rich newsletters, telephone chains, internet forums, and mailing lists.
Support groups offer companionship and information for people coping with diseases or disabilities. Support groups may not be appropriate for everyone, and some find that a support group actually adds to their stress rather than relieving it.
Evaluation of the quality of Web sites is discussed in (internet information). You may find that several general women's health sites may help you (internet information). The following are more specialised relevant Web sites:-
Candida (thrush):
- Www.fda.gov/fdac/features/396-yst.html
- Familydoctor.org/handouts/206.html
- Www. Msu.edu/user/eisthen/yeast/
Vaginal discharge:
DISCLAIMER
The aim of this web site is to provide a general guide and it is not intended as a substitute for a consultation with an appropriate specialist in respect of individual care and treatment.
