The best antifungal creams for genital infections

The fungus genitals can occur in both men and women and symptoms that manifest are quite uncomfortable to bear, usually present with:

1. Thick, whitish vaginal discharge, often clumpy.
2. This discharge lacks a specific odor, however, it is different from normal vaginal odor.
3. Intense itching and irritation in the genital area.
4. Dyspareunia or pain during sexual intercourse.
5. Burning and redness in and out of the vagina and around the penis.
6. Cracks in the vulva or vagina.
7. Inflammation in the vulva.
8. Burning when urinating.
9. Irritation and itching around the glans.
10. Rash and itching on the penis.

You should also know that the symptoms of fungal infections tend to get worse in the pre-menstruation stage and yeast infections are not transmitted during sexual intercourse.

According to the Peruvian Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, more than 40% of women, who do not have any discomfort from active disease, have candida as a normal commensal in their vaginas. On the other hand, it has been estimated that approximately 75% of all women, at some point in their life, will develop vaginal yeast infection, and of these, 40% to 50% develop recurrences ^[1] .

One of the most widely used antimycotic creams for genital infections is clotrimazole , known commercially as vaginal Canesten, Mycelex, Lotrimin, Gine Canesten or, in its generic form, vaginal clotrimazole.

It is part of the group of imidazole antifungal or antifungal drugs, its function lies in stripping the fungus by destroying a membrane formed by ergosterol, this being the white point for clotrimazole to act effectively. Once the protection of the fungus is destroyed, it will die.

Clotrimazole can be purchased without a prescription is available at:

• 1% cream (5 g): this is applied once a day for 7 to 14 days.
• 2% cream (5 g): applied once a day for 3 consecutive days.

Clotrimazole works efficiently to:

• Vulvovaginal candidiasis : Candida Albicans infection in the vagina and vulva of women.
• Balanitis : Candida infection of the glans of man.

It is important that once the treatment has started, some recommendations are complied with, such as:

• Do not have sexual intercourse while using clotrimazole cream.
• Maintain proper hygiene of the genital area.
• Complete the treatment to the end to avoid relapse.

It should only be suspended if severe adverse effects such as:

1. Irritation.
2. Burning
3. Eruptions

The use of clotrimazole cream during pregnancy will depend on the evaluation of the specialist, however, it is usually a fairly safe drug to be used during pregnancy.

You can learn more about this drug in more detail in the article Clotrimazole Cream: what it is for and how it is applied .

The pharmacological activity of miconazole is similar to that of clotrimazole, acting on ergosterol and stripping the fungus to death. Commercially, it is known as Gynecological Daktarin, Monistat or under its generic name miconazole.

Miconazole is highly effective in cases of genital yeast infections of the vulva, vagina, glans or foreskin. The dose will depend on each patient, so a prior medical evaluation will always be necessary. Generally, the standard dose is:

• 2% cream (5 g) used once a day for 7 days.
• 4% cream (5 g) used for 3 consecutive days.

Its use is contraindicated only in case of hypersensitivity reactions prior to the drug. If so, you should see a specialist immediately.

On the other hand, depending on the patient, there are different generally mild and temporary adverse effects:

1. Redness and irritation in the vagina or penis.
2. Vulvovaginal discomfort.
3. Burning in the genital area.
4. Genital itching
5. Inflammation in the vagina.

To avoid relapses, it is important to adhere to the treatment to the end and not to have sexual intercourse while using miconazole cream.

Its use in case of pregnancy will depend on the previous medical evaluation, despite that, it is quite safe during pregnancy and does not entail complications in pregnancy.

Another antifungal cream for treating yeast infections of the genitals is known as butoconazole or butoconazole nitrate. It is part of the group of imidazole drugs used for vulvovaginal fungal infections.

Its mechanism of action is not well defined, however, everything revolves around the same mechanism of action as the drugs of the imidazole group, inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol until the fungus is stripped and killed.

Its way of use differs from the others due to its easy application:

• 2% extended release cream applicator (5 g) single dose.

The contraindications of butoconazole nitrate described are:

• Hypersensitivity prior to administration of butoconazole nitrate.
• In addition, it is contraindicated to use condoms (condom and diaphragm) up to 72 hours after the use of butoconazole because within its components, there is mineral oil that weakens these products.

The adverse reactions that eventually appear are:

• Burning in the vulva and vagina.
• Vaginal itching
• Pain and swelling in the vulva.
• Abdominal pain.
• Pelvic pain.

Finally, butoconazole should only be used during pregnancy if the benefit justifies the risk to the fetus after use.

Another effective drug to treat fungal genital infections is known as vaginal tioconazole , advantageous to eliminate the candida that grows in the genital area after the imbalance of the normal pH. Its mechanism of action is similar to the previous ones, inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol.

The medically recommended dose of tioconazole is 6.5% ointment 5 g single dose.

The improvement of the genital fungal infection when using tioconazole can be noticed after 7 days, despite that, the indicated dose should not be exceeded.

Likewise, tioconazole vaginal contains mineral oil that weakens the protection offered by latex condoms, so caution must be exercised after the use of this drug in relation to birth control or family planning.

During treatment, avoid using:

1. Tight clothing.
2. Synthetic or nylon underwear.
3. Vaginal tampons.
4. Vaginal showers
5. Spermicides.

Some of the side effects that may be seen after the administration of tioconazole vaginal are:

• Dysuria or pain when urinating.
• Burning sensation
• Redness or swelling in the vagina.
• Mild vaginal irritation.

Likewise, you should avoid having sexual intercourse after treatment and until the symptoms of a genital fungal infection have disappeared.

Finally, among the best antifungal creams to treat genital infections is terconazole , it acts efficiently on Candida yeast, it is available under the generic name terconazole or its commercial name terazol dispensed with a prescription.

It belongs to the group of imidazoles, so its mechanism of action is invariable in relation to the previous ones.

The ideal dosage will depend on the pertinent medical assessment:

• 0.4% cream (5 g) applied once a day at the time of limiting for 7 consecutive days.
• 0.8% cream (5 g) applied once a day at bedtime for 3 consecutive days.

The possible side effects that can be evidenced are:

• Dysuria or pain when urinating.
• Vaginal pain
• Irritation in the vagina.
• Itching in the vagina.

Whatever the side effect that occurs, you should go to the doctor for the necessary assessment and the indication or not to continue with the treatment.

Genital yeast infections are easy to treat if medical indications are followed. The creams are easy to apply and their use reduces the likelihood of fungal relapses on the genitals.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

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