Vaginal Candidiasis
Vaginal candidiasis is common in a majority of women. It happens
when the vaginal bacteria (commensals) is overpowered by Candida albicans which
is a yeast. One of the common and stubborn sign is the whitish vaginal discharge
that is non-foul smelling.
Predisposing Factors
- Use of antibiotics – Antibiotics are good but long time use lowers the body’s immunity creating a conducive environment for Candida albicans.
- Diabetes- patients with diabetes frequently experience bouts of yeast infection secondary to the low immunity.
- Pregnancy- like mentioned above, low immunity encourages the yeast infection. In pregnancy, the body’s immunity is low hence why in every pregnancy most women have the infection.
- Use of birth control pills
- Post menopausal state
- Douching- continuous douching kills the normal vaginal bacteria making a conducive environment for yeast infection.
Signs and Symptoms
- Vaginal discharge most of the time whitish with no foul smell
- Vaginal- Valvular itchiness and redness
- Pain on passing urine
- Pain during intercourse
Diagnosis
The doctor will take a sample of the discharge and it will be
taken to the laboratory. A solution of 10% KOH will distinguish the yeast cells
easily. Sensitivity of upto 80%
Prevention and Treatment
- Avoid douching
- Avoid use of allergens like perfumes and soaps
- Wearing cotton underwears
- Airing of underwears out in the sun.
- Anti fungal creams 1% Clotrimazole cream or 2% Miconazole cream on the affected area for 3-7 days.
- Anti fungal orally of Fluconazole 150 mg as a single dose is an alternative.
- Clotrimazole vaginal pessaries 200mg nightly for 6 days or double dose for three days.
Treatment of male partners is not recommended unless there
are features suggesting infection.
