There are several diseases that affect women much more than men. This is the case of candidiasis, which, according to recent studies, affects about 75% of women in Brazil. Despite being such a common disease, there is still a lot of unknown information about candidiasis, along with various myths that surround it. That’s why today we are going to explain what causes candidiasis, its main symptoms, and how treatments for the disease are carried out. With this information, it’s easier to know the best ways to prevent it from appearing. But first, we need to explain exactly what candidiasis is.

What is Candidiasis?

Candidiasis is an infectious disease usually caused by the Candida fungus or Candida albicans, although there are more than 20 types of fungi in this family that can cause this disease. This fungus is part of the vaginal flora of all women, but only in small amounts. When a woman’s immunity is lowered, this fungus finds ways to multiply, and then candidiasis occurs. It’s worth remembering that it is not a sexually transmitted disease, even though it appears in the vagina in women or, more rarely, on the penis in men. It is also not considered a dangerous disease, but it can cause a lot of discomfort and therefore does need to be treated.

Types of Candidiasis

As we mentioned earlier, there are more than 20 types of fungi from the Candida family, so there are also many types of candidiasis that can appear in different parts of the body. Here, we’ll discuss the main types of candidiasis beyond the vaginal type, explain how they occur, and what their symptoms are. These types of candidiasis include:

  • Oral Candidiasis
  • Skin Candidiasis
  • Esophageal Candidiasis
  • Penile Candidiasis

Oral Candidiasis

Also known as “thrush,” its main feature is the appearance of lesions on the tongue and the inside of the cheeks. It is very common in babies and in people with reduced immunity. Other symptoms that may also occur with oral candidiasis include difficulty swallowing and redness in the mouth.

Skin Candidiasis

Also known as Intertrigo, this type of candidiasis is characterized by the appearance of several lesions on different areas of the skin. Some of the main places where skin candidiasis appears are the armpits, groin, buttocks, neck, and the inner thighs.

Esophageal Candidiasis

This is the rarest type of candidiasis and only occurs in people with very low immunity, such as those with AIDS or children and the elderly with some immune problem. The main symptom of this disease is a severe difficulty swallowing any type of food.

Penile Candidiasis

This is much less common than vaginal candidiasis, but it can also occur when a man’s immune system is very weak. The symptoms are usually redness and pain on the glans, and white patches can also appear.

Causes of Candidiasis

As we stated earlier, the presence of Candida combined with low immunity in women ends up creating the ideal scenario for the appearance of the disease. There are some specific factors that can lower a woman’s immunity, such as:

There are several factors that can lead a woman to develop this disease, and while it is not a sexually transmitted infection, when the immune system is weaker, this disease can end up developing because of sexual intercourse. That’s why it’s not recommended to have sex while the disease is being treated.

Main Symptoms of Vaginal Candidiasis

Several symptoms can indicate whether a woman has candidiasis, although a final diagnosis must be given by a doctor. Some of the main symptoms of the disease are:

  • Whitish discharge;
  • Intense vaginal itching;
  • Burning sensation when urinating;
  • Pain during intercourse;
  • Swelling and redness in the vaginal area

It’s worth remembering that some of these symptoms may indicate other diseases unrelated to candidiasis, so it is necessary to visit a doctor to get a more precise diagnosis and know exactly how the treatment should be done.

Treatment of Candidiasis

Treatment for candidiasis usually takes just a few weeks, but if a person follows medical recommendations strictly, the recovery time tends to be shorter. Some of the steps for treating candidiasis are:

  • Applying antifungal creams;
  • Wearing cotton underwear;
  • Sleeping without underwear whenever possible;
  • Avoiding sex during treatment;
  • Avoiding very fatty foods during treatment;
  • Not using tampons;
  • Avoiding alcoholic beverages during treatment;
  • Avoiding smoking during treatment;
  • Always washing the genital area well with only neutral soap and water.

No medication should be taken without first consulting a doctor. Doing so can not only worsen your clinical condition but also lead to even more serious problems.

Risks of Candidiasis

Candidiasis is generally not a dangerous disease, as we mentioned earlier. However, if not treated properly, it can recur with increasing frequency, causing major discomfort for women. In severe cases, candidiasis may also spread to other organs in the body, potentially leading to kidney or respiratory complications or, in more extreme cases, even death. The treatment is easy and relatively fast, so there is no reason not to do it correctly to ensure full recovery.

Myths Surrounding the Disease

Although candidiasis is a well-known disease, there are some myths that circulate about it and that many people believe. For example, many still think it is a sexually transmitted disease, which we have already explained is not true. In addition, some people believe that candidiasis only affects those who have low immunity, which is also not accurate. Low immunity is indeed a factor that contributes to the development of the disease, but there are other reasons why candidiasis may develop, as we’ve already mentioned. Other myths about the disease say that candidiasis does not affect men and that it is necessary to eliminate all types of Candida fungus from your body. These fungi are necessary to balance the vaginal flora and are even healthy in small amounts. It is quite common to hear about diseases like candidiasis, but it is important to know exactly how it develops and what effects it has on our bodies so we can treat and even prevent it. Another important point is to know that it can manifest in many ways, so knowing the types of candidiasis is also important for the disease to be identified as quickly as possible. There are several diseases that affect the female body and, although this is a common one, it can bring certain risks and consequences that interfere with your life, so don’t let candidiasis interfere with yours. You probably already have enough to worry about. Also read: Breast Candidiasis – What Is It and How to Treat? Photo: Willian Kaplan