Vaginal Candidiasis

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.