Candida, the rules of prevention

The disorder affects about 75% of women at least once in their lives. In the vast majority of cases the pathogen responsible is Candida albicans, a yeast normally present in the body in the intestine, oral cavity and vagina which, in some cases, proliferates abnormally on the mucous membranes and skin. The infection is usually caused by an alteration in the balance of the vaginal microflora, attributable to food, environmental or endogenous factors.

Candidiasis

Candida albicans is a fungus responsible for an annoying vaginal mycosis, candidiasis, which is commonly referred to as “candida”.

A weakening of the immune system or the changing conditions that govern the balance of the vaginal microbiome can in fact allow this microorganism to replicate very quickly, taking over the lactobacilli, the so-called “good” bacteria, and causing the typical symptoms of candidiasis.

A dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiome can be caused, for example, by prolonged use of antibiotics, by a period of intense stress, by excessive intimate hygiene or with detergents that alter the vaginal pH up to diseases such as AIDS or diabetes. But even a trivial flu, causing a sharp drop in immune defenses, can weaken the body to the point of causing, in predisposed subjects, the onset of candida.

Symptoms

Intense itching and redness in the genital area, which may be associated with burning, inflammation and swelling of the external genitalia, as well as dense and whitish secretions that take on the typical “cottage cheese” appearance. This is how candidiasis occurs, the most frequent infection caused by fungi that affects the female genital apparatus.

Other common symptoms are disturbances during urination and pain during sexual intercourse. Not infrequently, finally, the infection can contaminate the urinary tract, giving rise to cystitis.

Candidiasis can occur with variable intensity and in some, albeit rare, cases it can be completely asymptomatic or cause symptoms felt only after some time.

Candidiasis can also appear in the partner: in men it can be asymptomatic or cause the appearance of balanoposthitis, inflammations that affect the mucosa of the glans and foreskin and that are accompanied by itching and burning.

Many factors favoring infection

The factors that can favor the onset of infection are many: from antibiotic therapies to the use of oral contraceptives, estrogens or corticosteroids. Stress also affects a lot.

As well as the presence of predisposing diseases such as diabetes or conditions that weaken the immune system alter the normal protective bacterial flora.

Hormonal variations also play an important role: for example, an increase in estrogen production causes an increase in sugar levels at the level of the mucous membranes of the vagina and thus creates an environment conducive to the multiplication of the fungus. For this reason, infection occurs more frequently from puberty and during pregnancy.

Candidiasis can also arise from self-contamination of the vaginal mucosa by feces. For this reason it is advisable to pay attention to hygiene, and take care to wash going from the vagina to the anus, and not vice versa, to prevent intestinal germs from reaching the genitals.

Some habits are also potentially harmful, such as wearing linen in synthetic fabrics or too tight which, by preventing perspiration, creates an ideal environment for the multiplication of candida. It is therefore better to choose cotton linen or natural materials.

The warm climate and humidity also favor the proliferation of the fungus. For this reason, special care should be taken when attending a gym or swimming pool. And during the summer, when it is easier to assume incorrect habits, such as wearing a wet swimsuit for a long time.

Finally, among the triggering causes of the disease, nutrition should not be neglected; A diet too rich in sugars, leavened or fermented products – such as bread, pizza, beer, aged cheeses – can facilitate the multiplication of the germ.

Diagnosis and treatment

To diagnose candidiasis it may be sufficient to go to the gynecologist, who will perform a thorough examination to check for the presence of typical signs of this infection, as well as collect information about the disorders reported by the patient.

The doctor may also decide to perform a vaginal swab, which is important to identify precisely which species of fungus it is. However, a negative swab is not always synonymous with the absence of infection.

The treatment of vaginal candidiasis is based on therapies with topical antifungal drugs and in the most severe cases with antifungals administered orally. In general, however, it is advisable to seek advice from the gynecologist.

The therapy does not eliminate the fungus, but blocks its multiplication. At the same time, therefore, it is important to adopt some precautions that prevent the appearance of relapses, in some cases very frequent. Recurrent candidiasis occurs when more than four episodes occur in a year.

The role of nutrition

Preventive strategies to avoid candida vaginitis have to do with lifestyle, hygiene and behavior. In particular, great attention should be paid to nutrition, which is also useful to avoid favorable conditions, such as constipation.

Since the fungus feeds on sugars and has the function of contributing to their metabolism, the first rule to counteract their multiplication is to follow a diet low in sugars and yeasts.

The most suitable diet must therefore include vegetables, fruit that is not very “sugary”, cereals, fish, meat, yogurt, without abounding instead in leavened and refined foods.

Also pay attention to sweets, sausages, alcohol, carbonated and fermented drinks (such as beer).

Foods rich in fiber are instead useful because they favor intestinal transit, avoiding fecal stagnation that can be the cause of imbalance and therefore of the onset of infection.

Here is a summary of the recommended foods and those that are best avoided.

It is also advisable to drink plenty of water and facilitate digestion with light cooking, so as to avoid that, reaching the intestine, the improperly digested food can be a fertile ground for the development of pathogenic bacteria.

Prevent in ten steps

Here’s how to run for cover: ten simple rules suggested by the Association of Hospital Obstetricians and Gynecologists to protect us from candidiasis.

1) Underwear must be cotton. This natural fiber, in fact, better than any other, guarantees protection and freshness.

2) More attention to hygiene. Especially if you do a lot of sport, intimate hygiene is very important. Be careful, however, to use the right detergents: that they are clinically tested and guarantee freshness.

3) No to too many washes and exchanges of towels. In case of menstruation or intense sports activity, frequent washing is suitable, while in all other situations it is better not to overdo it: there is a risk of altering the natural defense mechanisms. And, in any case, do not use towels used by other people who may have candidiasis: you could get infected even so.

4) Always use intimate cleansers and not soap or shower gel. Even in the shower, for intimate parts do not use shower gel or soap, which can be too aggressive for the mucous membranes.

5) Pay attention to pH. The environment of the intimate parts is acidic (in women of childbearing age) or neutral (in menopause, post-menopause and girls). Then choose suitable liquid detergents, with a slightly acidic pH and clinically tested.

6) Tampons. They are fine, are more comfortable and avoid irritating the external mucous membranes. But they need to be changed often: never keep them more than 6-8 hours.

7) External absorbents. For adequate intimate comfort they must also be changed often and, if desired, alternated with internal ones.

8) No to wet swimsuit. In the pool, and especially on the beach, do not stay long with a wet swimsuit: it can cause, in fact, alterations of the natural defenses increasing the risk of irritation and predisposing to infection.

9) Always rinse after a bath. To prevent chlorine from swimming pools or sea salt from causing irritation, always take a shower when you get out of the water.

10) Pay attention to where you sit. To avoid the transmission and growth of harmful germs, never sit in direct contact with the edges of swimming pools, on the benches of changing rooms and on the planks of the toilets, nor directly on the sand.