Vaginal Candidiasis

Dr. Danusiah Teanapen (02.02.2025)


Having a whitish discharge that looks like a cottage cheese???

You might be suffering from vaginal candidiasis…

Vaginal candidiasis is a type of vaginal fungal infection which is also known as yeast infection. Actually, candida is a commensal in certain parts of the body and they should be present in balance. When the balance gets disrupted, the candida grows even more resulting in a vaginal candidiasis. 

You are at an increased risk of getting vaginal candidiasis if you are:

  • taking antibiotics. Antibiotics may kill the good bacteria in the vagina leading to a shift in balance which causes rapid growth of the candida. 
  • pregnant, taking birth control pills or hormonal pills. Anything that disrupts or changes your hormones can disrupt the balance of candida in your vagina. This can also happen in the normal hormonal changes during your menstrual cycle.
  • having unmanaged diabetes. Presence of sugar in the urine may attract more organism resulting in rapid multiplication of the candida.
  • having a weakened immune system. Conditions like AIDS, medications such as steroids, chemotherapy and radiotherapy can suppress your immune system. 
  • unhygiene. Not changing out of sweaty clothes and wearing pads/pantiliners for long hours may provide a good medium for fungal growth.
  • wearing scented tampons or using a vaginal deodorant. This will alter the vaginal environment leading to candidiasis.
  • douching as this can kill the bacteria that actually control fungus.

One suffering from vaginal candidiasis can have the following symptoms: 

  • Itchiness or burning sensation in the vagina and vulva.
  • A thick, white vaginal discharge with the consistency of cottage cheese.
  • Redness and swelling of vagina and vulva.
  • Small cuts or tiny cracks in the skin of the vulva.
  • In some cases, might also present with pain during urination and pain during sex.

Somewhat the symptoms of a vaginal candidiasis are similar to the symptoms people feel when they have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or other vaginal infection. However, the point to be noted is, this condition isn’t a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Thus, it is always the best to get a doctor’s help to know what is troubling you.

When you see a doctor, he/she will get a thorough medical history and will conduct a pelvic examination. This includes per speculum examination to look for discharge nature. Vaginal discharge swab will be sent to lab to see what types of bacteria or fungus are present.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is treated with oral antifungal and antifungal pessary. 

 

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