Vaginal candidiasis
- Infection of the vagina caused by the yeastlike fungus Candida, more specifically candida albicans.
- Symptoms include, pain, itching, redness, and white patches in the vaginal wall.
- It can occur in all women, but it is especially common in women with HIV infection.
- The usual treatment is a cream applied locally to the vagina.
- Women with HIV infection may experience frequent re=occurrence of symptoms and may require systemic medications in order to treat these symptoms successfully.
Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]
- Candida normally lives inside the body (in places such as the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina) and on skin without causing any problems.
- Sometimes Candida can multiply and cause an infection if the environment inside the vagina changes in a way that encourages its growth. Candidiasis in the vagina is commonly called a “vaginal yeast infection.” Other names for this infection are “vaginal candidiasis,” “vulvovaginal candidiasis,” or “candidal vaginitis.”
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The symptoms of vaginal candidiasis include:
- Vaginal itching or soreness
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Pain or discomfort when urinating
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
Although most vaginal candidiasis is mild, some women can develop severe infections involving redness, swelling, and cracks in the wall of the vagina.
Risk & Prevention[edit | edit source]
Vaginal candidiasis is common, though more research is needed to understand how many women are affected. Women who are more likely to get vaginal candidiasis include those who:
- Are pregnant
- Use hormonal contraceptives
- Have diabetes
- Have a weakened immune system
- Are taking or have recently taken antibiotics
Prevention[edit | edit source]
- Wearing cotton underwear might help reduce the chances of getting a yeast infection.
- Because taking antibiotics can lead to vaginal candidiasis, take these medicines only when prescribed and exactly as your healthcare provider tells you.
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Scientists estimate that about 20% of women normally have Candida in the vagina without having any symptoms.
- Sometimes, Candida can multiply and cause an infection if the environment inside the vagina changes in a way that encourages its growth.
- This can happen because of hormones, medicines, or changes in the immune system.
Diagnosis & Testing[edit | edit source]
- It is usually diagnosed by taking a small sample of vaginal discharge to be examined under a microscope in the medical office or sent to a laboratory for a fungal culture.
- However, a positive fungal culture does not always mean that Candida is causing symptoms because some women can have Candida in the vagina without having any symptoms.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
- Vaginal candidiasis is usually treated with antifungal medicine.3 For most infections, the treatment is an antifungal medicine applied inside the vagina or a single dose of fluconazole taken by mouth.
- Other treatments may be needed for infections that are more severe, that don’t get better, or that keep coming back after getting better.
- These treatments include more doses of fluconazole taken by mouth or other medicines applied inside the vagina, such as boric acid, nystatin, or flucytosine.
Statistics[edit | edit source]
- Vaginal candidiasis is common.
- In the United States, it is the second most common type of vaginal infection after bacterial vaginal infections.
- An estimated 1.4 million outpatient visits for vaginal candidiasis occur annually in the United States.
- The number of vaginal candidiasis cases in the United States is unknown.
Also see[edit | edit source]
Vaginal candidiasis Resources | ||
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