What are “mushrooms”? Candida yeasts can be isolated not only from humans, but also from animals and our surroundings – water, air, food, various objects, floor coverings, etc. However, the most common way of infection in humans is endogenous – candidiasis develops in susceptible individuals due to overgrowth of their own flora. It is important to know that “fungi” are common saprophytes for the oral mucosa, the anorectal region and the vagina, being significantly influenced by the health status of the person, the intake of certain groups of drugs, the diet, the pH of the environment, the season, the clothing. Why are women more prone to developing fungal vulvovaginitis? Candidal vulvovaginitis is an inflammatory disease of a woman’s vagina and/or external genitalia caused by yeasts of the genus Candida, most commonly Candida albicans. Female genital candidiasis is about 10 times more common than penile candidiasis. It is the most common disease of the female reproductive system. There are many reasons why women are more prone to yeast infections: NEWS_MORE_BOX 1. The vagina is moist, and moisture is a local predisposing factor. 2. The vagina is an internally located organ that has direct communication with the environment and, unlike the penis, cannot, and should not, be washed so well during daily intimate hygiene. If every day a woman takes an internal intimate shower, she not only washes away the “bad” microorganisms, but also the “good” ones, including lactobacilli. They have an indispensable role, because by breaking down sugars (lactose) and other carbohydrates to lactic acid, lactobacilli cause a strong decrease in the pH of the environment in which they reside, thus limiting the settlement of the vaginal mucosa with pathogenic flora, increasing and maintaining the local tissue immunity and the self-protective functions of these tissues, reducing the risk of infections. Another product of their exchange is hydrogen peroxide (H202), which increases the percentage of oxygen in the vagina and prevents the overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that thrive in oxygen-free environments). Some lactic acid bacteria, such as L. acidophilus, also secrete “antibiotic like” factors – Lactorin B and F, which suppress the development of yeasts, bacteria and protozoa. Therefore, washing away the “good” bacteria from the vagina, it remains unprotected not only from fungi, but also from other causes of vaginosis. 3. Hormonal imbalance facilitates yeast overgrowth. Women are more susceptible to endocrine diseases, and in addition, monthly hormonal changes are characteristic of the fairer sex. Pregnancy is also associated with significant hormonal changes, so 75% of women during pregnancy have at least one episode of vulvovaginal candidiasis. The situation is similar with menopausal women. Many young women take contraceptives, which are themselves exogenous hormones and also predispose to yeast infections. 4. Diabetes mellitus,obesity, reduced immune deficiency, infection from the partner, taking antibiotics and chemotherapeutics, corticosteroids, cytostatics increase the risk of fungal development in both sexes, but due to the above reasons, the ratio of candidal balanitis and vulvitis will again be in favor of vulvitis. 5. As noted above, the genus Candida are part of the normal flora of the anorectal region. Due to the anatomically close location of the entrance to the vagina and the anus, vaginal reinfection is more common in women. How to protect against vaginal candidiasis and other vaginosis? 1. Daily intimate hygiene is an integral part of prevention. It is recommended to wash the external genitals in the morning and in the evening, but: without using body or face soaps, but only special intimate preparations such as Vagizan, Latkajil, Beliema, etc. The direction of washing is from the vagina to the anus – never the other way around. Internal intimate showers are performed once, appointed by a specialist, and only in case of serious vaginal infections. Usually, after such a procedure, the placement of globules containing lactobacilli is recommended. 2. After using the toilet, wipe should always be in the direction from the vagina to the anus, not the other way around, to prevent contamination of the vagina. 3. Intimate clothing before and after sexual contact. 4. Careful selection of sexual partners and the use of a condom, as the latter is not 100% protection against sexually transmitted infections. 5. Using tampons creates anaerobic conditions in the vagina and facilitates the growth of anaerobic bacteria, which should normally be a very small percentage of the vaginal flora. If the circumstances require the use of a tampon, it is recommended to use smaller tampons and change them every two hours. It is a gross mistake to enter the sea or pool with a tampon, and in general during this period of the month. The tampon is soaked with water and all the microorganisms in it get close contact with the vaginal mucosa. 6. The intake of foods made with yeast (bread, beer, cheese, etc.), as well as those with a high sugar content (chocolate products, most alcoholic, carbonated drinks, natural juices, etc.) helps the development of yeast. Therefore, the way of eating facilitates the fight against fungi, as well as makes it difficult for them to overgrow again. 7. It is recommended to use bikinis, boxers, Brazilians before thongs. The goal is as little access as possible to the female genitalia outside the underwear. Ironing the underwear provides better disinfection, and completely replacing the old underwear with new ones after healing reduces the chance of the infection returning.genus Candida are part of the normal flora of the anorectal region. Due to the anatomically close location of the entrance to the vagina and the anus, vaginal reinfection is more common in women. How to protect against vaginal candidiasis and other vaginosis? 1. Daily intimate hygiene is an integral part of prevention. It is recommended to wash the external genitals in the morning and in the evening, but: without using body or face soaps, but only special intimate preparations such as Vagizan, Latkajil, Beliema, etc. The direction of washing is from the vagina to the anus – never the other way around. Internal intimate showers are performed once, appointed by a specialist, and only in case of serious vaginal infections. Usually, after such a procedure, the placement of globules containing lactobacilli is recommended. 2. After using the toilet, wipe should always be in the direction from the vagina to the anus, not the other way around, to prevent contamination of the vagina. 3. Intimate clothing before and after sexual contact. 4. Careful selection of sexual partners and the use of a condom, as the latter is not 100% protection against sexually transmitted infections. 5. Using tampons creates anaerobic conditions in the vagina and facilitates the growth of anaerobic bacteria, which should normally be a very small percentage of the vaginal flora. If the circumstances require the use of a tampon, it is recommended to use smaller tampons and change them every two hours. It is a gross mistake to enter the sea or pool with a tampon, and in general during this period of the month. The tampon is soaked with water and all the microorganisms in it get close contact with the vaginal mucosa. 6. The intake of foods made with yeast (bread, beer, cheese, etc.), as well as those with a high sugar content (chocolate products, most alcoholic, carbonated drinks, natural juices, etc.) helps the development of yeast. Therefore, the way of eating facilitates the fight against fungi, as well as makes it difficult for them to overgrow again. 7. It is recommended to use bikinis, boxers, Brazilians before thongs. The goal is as little access as possible to the female genitalia outside the underwear. Ironing the underwear provides better disinfection, and completely replacing the old underwear with new ones after healing reduces the chance of the infection returning.genus Candida are part of the normal flora of the anorectal region. Due to the anatomically close location of the entrance to the vagina and the anus, vaginal reinfection is more common in women. How to protect against vaginal candidiasis and other vaginosis? 1. Daily intimate hygiene is an integral part of prevention. It is recommended to wash the external genitals in the morning and in the evening, but: without using body or face soaps, but only special intimate preparations such as Vagizan, Latkajil, Beliema, etc. The direction of washing is from the vagina to the anus – never the other way around. Internal intimate showers are performed once, appointed by a specialist, and only in case of serious vaginal infections. Usually, after such a procedure, the placement of globules containing lactobacilli is recommended. 2. After using the toilet, wipe should always be in the direction from the vagina to the anus, not the other way around, to prevent contamination of the vagina. 3. Intimate clothing before and after sexual contact. 4. Careful selection of sexual partners and the use of a condom, as the latter is not 100% protection against sexually transmitted infections. 5. Using tampons creates anaerobic conditions in the vagina and facilitates the growth of anaerobic bacteria, which should normally be a very small percentage of the vaginal flora. If the circumstances require the use of a tampon, it is recommended to use smaller tampons and change them every two hours. It is a gross mistake to enter the sea or pool with a tampon, and in general during this period of the month. The tampon is soaked with water and all the microorganisms in it get close contact with the vaginal mucosa. 6. The intake of foods made with yeast (bread, beer, cheese, etc.), as well as those with a high sugar content (chocolate products, most alcoholic, carbonated drinks, natural juices, etc.) helps the development of yeast. Therefore, the way of eating facilitates the fight against fungi, as well as makes it difficult for them to overgrow again. 7. It is recommended to use bikinis, boxers, Brazilians before thongs. The goal is as little access as possible to the female genitalia outside the underwear. Ironing the underwear provides better disinfection, and completely replacing the old underwear with new ones after healing reduces the chance of the infection returning.Usually, after such a procedure, the placement of globules containing lactobacilli is recommended. 2. After using the toilet, wipe should always be in the direction from the vagina to the anus, not the other way around, to prevent contamination of the vagina. 3. Intimate clothing before and after sexual contact. 4. Careful selection of sexual partners and the use of a condom, as the latter is not 100% protection against sexually transmitted infections. 5. Using tampons creates anaerobic conditions in the vagina and facilitates the growth of anaerobic bacteria, which should normally be a very small percentage of the vaginal flora. If the circumstances require the use of a tampon, it is recommended to use smaller tampons and change them every two hours. It is a gross mistake to enter the sea or pool with a tampon, and in general during this period of the month. The tampon is soaked with water and all the microorganisms in it get close contact with the vaginal mucosa. 6. The intake of foods made with yeast (bread, beer, cheese, etc.), as well as those with a high sugar content (chocolate products, most alcoholic, carbonated drinks, natural juices, etc.) helps the development of yeast. Therefore, the way of eating facilitates the fight against fungi, as well as makes it difficult for them to overgrow again. 7. It is recommended to use bikinis, boxers, Brazilians before thongs. The goal is as little access as possible to the female genitalia outside the underwear. Ironing the underwear provides better disinfection, and completely replacing the old underwear with new ones after healing reduces the chance of the infection returning.Usually, after such a procedure, the placement of globules containing lactobacilli is recommended. 2. After using the toilet, wipe should always be in the direction from the vagina to the anus, not the other way around, to prevent contamination of the vagina. 3. Intimate clothing before and after sexual contact. 4. Careful selection of sexual partners and the use of a condom, as the latter is not 100% protection against sexually transmitted infections. 5. Using tampons creates anaerobic conditions in the vagina and facilitates the growth of anaerobic bacteria, which should normally be a very small percentage of the vaginal flora. If the circumstances require the use of a tampon, it is recommended to use smaller tampons and change them every two hours. It is a gross mistake to enter the sea or pool with a tampon, and in general during this period of the month. The tampon is soaked with water and all the microorganisms in it get close contact with the vaginal mucosa. 6. The intake of foods made with yeast (bread, beer, cheese, etc.), as well as those with a high sugar content (chocolate products, most alcoholic, carbonated drinks, natural juices, etc.) helps the development of yeast. Therefore, the way of eating facilitates the fight against fungi, as well as makes it difficult for them to overgrow again. 7. It is recommended to use bikinis, boxers, Brazilians before thongs. The goal is as little access as possible to the female genitalia outside the underwear. Ironing the underwear provides better disinfection, and completely replacing the old underwear with new ones after healing reduces the chance of the infection returning.Ironing the underwear provides better disinfection, and completely replacing the old underwear with new ones after healing reduces the chance of the infection returning.Ironing the underwear provides better disinfection, and completely replacing the old underwear with new ones after healing reduces the chance of the infection returning.