It is said that the candidiasis is mycosis or fungal infection most common throughout the world, in humans and warm-blooded animals. Its appearance in the mouth is common in children – what is popularly known as thrush–, and it is estimated that between a 55 and 75 percent of women suffer from vulvovaginal candidiasis at least once in your life; of them, between 40 and 50 percent with recurrent episodes.

Infection occurs when the fungus Candida albicans proliferates excessively. This fungus is part of the normal flora of the body; It occurs already in the first days of life and lives in the intestinal tract (except the stomach), mouth, larynx, pharynx and genital mucous membranes.

In the vagina it can coexist in balance with the abundant and rich Döderlein flora. But when this normal flora becomes unbalanced, candida multiplies and causes problems. They favor this imbalance changes in vaginal pH, debilitating processesthe malnutritionthe immunodeficienciesprolonged treatments with corticosteroids, antibiotics, contraceptives either cytotoxic drugsor the presence of these in the diet, and previous alterations of the skin or mucous membranes.

In the vaginal yeast infection the most common symptoms are inflammation, itching or burning, and heavy discharge. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and microscopic examination. If the infection recurs, it is also advisable to perform a culture to isolate the specific fungus and see which drugs it is sensitive to.

Some habits that can promote candidiasis

Some habits and practices increase the risk of the infection coming back. Among them, a high consumption of sweets and foods rich in carbohydrates simple or denatured flours, the use of high estrogen oral contraceptivesdiaphragm, intrauterine devicecontraceptive sponges and spermicidesvaginal douching and some sexual practices, such as frequent oral sex, anal intercourse, having a large number of sexual partners or intercourse during menstruation.

Infection sometimes occurs use of antibiotics, that destroy the intestinal flora. Other factors that may influence are stresshe smokingdissatisfaction or a low self-esteem. On the other hand, certain health problems can favor it, such as diabetes, alterations in glucose tolerance in non-diabetics, a high body mass index (BMI) or immunosuppression for the virus human immunodeficiency (HIV).

A first approach to combat the infection

Sometimes the treatment can be simple: you get regain balance with washes that change the pHof vinegar or of sodium bicarbonate. This resolves many local infections, but when they recur or there is general involvement, a broader treatment should be considered.

Among the antifungal drugs The most frequently used are the azoles: ketoconazolehe fluconazole and the clotrimazole. Currently there are, in addition, antifungals obtained from fungi and actinomycetessuch as echinocandin and nikomicin, which seem effective but are not free of side effects and are still in the experimental phase.

He clotrimazole wave azole family can be effective in a mild or punctual candidiasissuch as vinegar or baking soda, but many times they are insufficient. Sometimes just change one antifungal for another. The problem is that resistance often develops and the infection reappears.

A more comprehensive approach: strengthening the body

In view of recurrent candidiasis Many people end up seeking help in more integrative alternatives that address the problem in a much more global way, treating not only the local infection but also the imbalances that favor its appearance.

In fact, since the vulvovaginal candidiasisrelapsing difficult to treat, it is prudent to incorporate modalities of complementary treatment to conventional treatment.

These treatments can help reduce resistance to be sensitive to the treatment, as well as provide good foods that strengthen the body that make it less vulnerable and more capable of recovering.

On the other hand, one of the problems in addressing candidiasis is that it often The antifungal is prescribed without performing a culture with an antibiogram. This test helps ensure that a drug to which you are sensitive is prescribed, rather than one to which resistance may already have developed. But sometimes candida spores know how to protect themselves in the body from the antifungal that is being used, so, If environmental conditions do not change, it is easy for them to reappear.

In this context there are those who speak of chronic candidiasis. Fungi, by proliferating over time, change the composition of the flora and damage the intestinal walls by attaching to them with their roots. This causes inflammation and increases intestinal permeability, which can lead to many other problems, such as allergies, digestive problems, mood disorders… This creates a weakened organism which enters a kind of vicious circle.

Measures that help prevent relapses

People who have already suffered from candidiasis can take certain aspects into account to avoid relapses.

• The most important part of a good prevention is to consider training for the general strengthening of the body. For this we must respect the rest and the dream and exercisegradually increasing the intensity. They may also be useful fasting practice and one fair calorie and vegan dietas well as good adaptation to the environment, which is promoted with progressive training with cold and heat so that the body learns to withstand climatic changes.
• You can also resort to relaxation methods, meditation, deep breathing, yoga, targeted visualizations and autohypnosis to reduce stress and care for emotional and spiritual well-being. This improves the immune response.
• It is advisable to have a healthy diet, low in simple sugars and refined floursand preferably ecological; consume garlic and a type of yogurt that contains lactobacilli daily; and take daily biotic proceptives with multiple active species of lactobacilli.
• Consideration should be given to suspending oral contraceptives with high doses of estrogen. Antibiotics should only be used if they are essential and, in that case, protect the flora with probiotics beforeduring and after treatment.
• You must avoid practices such as douching or introducing water inside the vagina destroys the vaginal flora. It is also advised avoid oral sex.
• To control sugar levels, exercise is useful in people with a high BMI or impaired glucose tolerance.

How to change your diet

Nutrition against candidiasis is one of the aspects that is most convenient to attend to. prevent it or complement the treatment. The relationship between excessive consumption of refined sugarss with the propensity for infection has been deduced from the frequency with which it occurs in poorly controlled diabetics.

Besides, candidiasis is not common in healthy people They consume a large amount of complex carbohydrates. It is therefore proposed to eliminate refined carbohydrates. The radical diets that exclude all carbohydrates or specific foods such as fermented foods or mushrooms have not proven to be more effective.

As increased caloric intake is another risk factor, A light diet is recommended and do not take animal or heated fats..

Yogurt and probiotics

The probiotics They are complements that contain live bacteriawhich colonize the intestine and promote a normal healthy microflora. To be useful, they must contain Lactobacillus acidophilus.

It is also effective yogurtas food or applied intravaginally. In a study it was observed that 240 ml of yogurt with L. acidophilus They reduce both colonization and infection by candida.

In another study it was shown that 150 ml daily of yogurt with L. acidophilus effectively protect against vulvovaginal candidiasis repetition compared to pasteurized yogurt. You can take 240 ml of yogurt a day, once or twice; Intravaginal application can be done with a tampon.

Other natural aids that candida do not like

Apart from vinegar, baking soda or yogurt, locally there are other natural remedies that fight the infection, such as iodine tincturehe boraxhe propolis or medicinal plants such as garlic or the tea treealthough the antifungal effect of others has also been studied, such as grenade (Punica granatum), he toothbrush tree (Streblus asper), he neem (Azadirachta indica) or the grape (Vitis vinifera). We will see later how to use some of them.

The intravaginal application of 600 mg of boric acid once a day for 14 days is effective in infections due to Candida glabratawith success rates of 70%. However, boric acid is linked to fetal abnormalities: It should not be used during pregnancy or when looking for.

It should also not be ingested orally.although it should not be used during pregnancy or when searching. Sometimes it has been proposed intestinal lavage with colon hydrotherapybut it is a temporary solution: the body is cleaned of candida but they recover quickly if the environment is favorable to them.

The most effective medicinal plants

1. Fresh garlic or extract

In in vitro studies it has been shown that garlic (Allium sativum) has properties anticandidiasis. Oral extract preparations fresh garlic and freeze-dried extracts are also effective. To date, no studies have been carried out in humans.

• Dose: has not been established for vulvovaginitis. However, you can take freeze-dried garlic extracts in a dose of up to 500 mg, two or three times a day.
• Precautions: Topical applications of garlic can be annoying and cause burns to the skin or mucous membranes.

2. Tea tree oil

He tea tree oil (Malaleuca alternifolia) is native to Australia and its main component is terpinol. Has demonstrated antifungal activities in studies in vitroequivalent to those of ketoconazole, econazole and miconazole. It has also been observed in in vitro studies that it is effective against fluconazole-resistant candida species.

There are no human studies on tea tree oil for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

• Dose: a preparation of 10% tea tree oil, applied topically every day.
• Precautions: It is known to cause allergic dermatitis. Before use it is recommended perform skin tests.

3. A nightshade

The saponin SC-2obtained from Solanum chrysotrichumshowed a percentage of therapeutic clinical efficacy similar to that of ketoconazole, a better percentage of mycological efficacy, even with Candida albicans resistant, and 100% tolerable.

4. Patchouli

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), a plant that is used mainly as an essence and perfume, It is a good antifungal demonstrated in laboratory cultures and studies in rats….