WARNING: THIS OPINION DISCUSSES THE QUITE HORRIBLE CONDITION OF VAGINAL THRUSH. DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE SQUEAMISH OR PRUDISH.
So, what is this Diflucan and what’s it got to do with the vagina? Well, Diflucan is a tablet for thrush that has veritably revolutionized the treatment of this incredibly common and most sore and irritating condition.
What is thrush? +++++++++++++++
Thrush is the result of the over proliferation of a yeast called candida. Candida is present in all of us, living quite harmlessly and causing no problems as it is controlled by the various other bacteria in our systems. However, when candida multiplies, it causes a variety of hideous and socially-embarrassing symptoms in different parts of the body, including sweat rash, athlete’s foot, dandruff, and thrush of the mouth and vagina.
Symptoms of vaginal thrush, the subject of this op, are redness, soreness and swelling of the vagina, accompanied by uncontrollable itching, stinging when you pee, and a cottage cheese like discharge.
Yuk! That’s what you’re probably thinking, and I don’t blame you. It is vile.
Who gets thrush? ++++++++++++++++
Many babies are born with thrush of the mouth. Lots of people get
dandruff and athlete’s foot.
At some time in their lives, the majority of women will experience vaginal thrush. Reasons for getting it are discussed below.
As mentioned, thrush is caused by the proliferation of candida. Candida can proliferate because of stress, hormone changes at times like pregnancy or menopause, too much yeast or sugar (particularly alcohol) in the diet, conditions like diabetes, and the creation of a warm, moist environment down under by wearing man-made fabric knickers and tights.
Vaginal thrush is also caused by sex, usually of a rigorous variety but not necessarily so. Sex causes the vagina to get hot and moist, thus creating the ideal conditions for the fungus to grow.
It must be noted at this point that thrush CATCHES. Sexual partners will pass it back and forth between each other unless BOTH are treated. Men normally treat thrush (itching, sore penis with discharge) with a cream such as Canesten which can be bought over the counter. So if a woman gets thrush, has sex, gets treated but her partner does not, he will be carrying it and will just pass it back to her next time they have sex.
However, for both men and women, if you get these symptoms and you’ve never had them before, do go to your doctor just in case it’s something other than thrush that you have.
How to treat vaginal thrush: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In the bad old pre-Diflucan days, thrush was treated with a pessary inserted into the vagina which would then melt and release a fungus killer like clotrimazole. It worked pretty well, but was extremely messy. As you can imagine, anything that melts inside the vagina has to find its way out and find its way out it did, into the gusset of one’s pants to be precise. Not pleasant and hard on the washing machine.
These pessaries are still popular today, particularly since in the last few years one has been developed that needs only one application. At one time, you had to have a week’s worth and go through the whole rigmarole every night (and the washing every day!)
Other treatments include the insertion of a yogurt or tea-tree soaked tampon, which again is messy and unpleasant, and has only a limited success rate.
Accompanying these would be the application of a clotrimazole or mecanazole cream to the external affected parts.
The arrival of Diflucan revolutionized this messy and time-consuming treatment.
Diflucan: +++++++++
Diflucan is a single tablet that you take orally. It comes in a smallish box and is easy to swallow with a small amount of liquid.
The tablet contains 150 mg of the anti-fungal agent fluconazole, which is effective against a wide range of fungi.
Not only is Diflucan much easier to take than pessaries – and much less messy – it also has the great advantage that it acts systemically. Because it is taken orally and is absorbed by the body through the colon, it reaches parts of the body that pessaries don’t. Therefore, it can actually attack the fungus where it originates (e.g. in the colon or bowel), rather than just where it shows its symptoms. Thus your chances of contracting it again are reduced.
Another great thing about Diflucan is the time it takes to work. Most sufferers find some relief within 24 hours and complete freedom from symptoms within a couple of days, rather than in the 48 hours to five miserable days you can find with a pessary.
Diflucan can cause side-effects, but they are usually minimal. Symptoms include mild headaches or stomach upsets.
However, as with many medicines it is possible to be allergic and suffer toxic shock. Watch out for chest symptoms or breathing difficulties. If these occur after taking Diflucan, seek A&E treatment IMMEDIATELY.
But please don't panic. Any side efects at all have been shown to be rare.
Do note though, Diflucan is not recommended for long-term use as it can affect the liver, and is not generally suitable for women under 16 or over 60, or for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Anything else? ++++++++++++++
Diflucan can be bought over the counter at any pharmacy, but as I said before, if you’ve not had the symptoms before, go see your GP first.
Diflucan can also be used to treat other fungal infections, but again, do see your doc before attempting to self-medicate.
The maker of this product is Pfizer Ltd. Unfortunately, it is the only tablet of its kind which means that the manufacturer can charge what it wants.
And boy does it charge. At £12.50 (YES, TWELVE POUNDS FIFTY) a shot, it is nothing short of exorbitant. That’s approximately twice as much as a pessary.
That said, for the convenience, the time and rigmarole and washing it saves, and because it acts so quickly, it seems like a bargain at the time when you can’t stop scratching, you’re as sore as if you’d sat on an ants’ nest and you want to cry your eyes out every time you pee.
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May 19th, 2002
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