Jiangsu College Entrance Examination: What is female vulvovaginal candidiasis? What are the symptoms of vulvovaginal candidiasis?

by gaokao203 on 2011-08-09 09:56:40

What is fungal vaginitis in women?

Fungal vaginitis in women is caused by infection with Candida albicans. The most common symptoms of fungal vaginitis are increased vaginal discharge, which is thick and white like tofu residue or resembles cottage cheese, sometimes the discharge is thin and contains white flaky material. So, what exactly is fungal vaginitis in women?

We will now discuss the causes of fungal vaginitis in women:

One, external infection: If a woman has sexual intercourse with a man infected with fungal infections, she can contract fungal vaginitis. In rare cases, fungi from toilets, baths, swimming pools, damp clothes, and bedding can cause fungal vaginitis if not properly attended to. Fungi from other parts of the body such as the mouth or intestines, or skin fungi, can be transferred to the vagina unknowingly after scratching and getting them on your fingers.

Two, low immunity: Normally, a small amount of Candida albicans can be present in the female vagina without causing symptoms. When a woman's resistance decreases, such as when using corticosteroid treatment, suffering from serious infectious diseases, diabetes, wasting diseases, or vitamin deficiencies that lower the immune system, these fungi proliferate extensively leading to disease onset.

Three, overuse of antibiotics: Certain bacteria in the normal vagina can inhibit the growth and reproduction of fungi, maintaining a balance within the bacterial community. If broad-spectrum antibiotics are used excessively for a long time, killing off other bacteria in the vagina, it disrupts the local bacterial balance and provides favorable conditions for the extensive proliferation of fungi, thus causing fungal vaginitis.

Experts in gynecology at Shandong Health Network note: This is a simple introduction to what fungal vaginitis in women is about. Friends who have fungal vaginitis should not worry; they can fully recover with timely, standardized, and appropriate medication. Beijing Yan Du Hospital uses closed therapy to treat fungal vaginitis with good results. If you have any further questions, you can consult online doctors in gynecology anytime.

What are the symptoms of fungal vaginitis?

Monilial or mycotic vaginitis is caused by fungal infections. Its incidence has surpassed that of trichomonal vaginitis. Medically, fungal infections are referred to as Candida infections, so fungal vaginitis is also known as candidal vaginitis. It commonly occurs in young girls, pregnant women, diabetic patients, and postmenopausal women who have been treated with high doses of estrogen.

Patients with fungal vaginitis exhibit symptoms such as increased vaginal discharge, itching, and burning sensations in the vulva and vagina, pain during urination, and redness and swelling around the vulva. Skin changes can vary widely; mild vesicular papules may appear in clusters, or eczema-like erosions may form, localized to the vulva or spreading to the perineum, anal area, and genital folds, even reaching the inner thighs, entirely resembling acute or subacute eczema. The mucous membranes near the labia and clitoris thicken, with reddened and eroded skin where contact occurs. Some cases may cause tiny white pus-filled blisters, leading to ulcers, vulvar pain, and swollen lymph nodes in severe cases.

The vagina has its own defense mechanisms and is inhibited by Döderlein's bacilli. About 10% of women and 30% of pregnant women carry fungi but show no clinical symptoms. Since Candida albicans thrives in a vaginal environment with a pH of around 5.5, and under normal conditions of Döderlein's bacilli, the vaginal pH is between 4-4.5, even if fungi are present, they cannot multiply. Washing the vagina with alkaline disinfectants like a 3% sodium bicarbonate solution, or during menstruation when the pH exceeds 5.5, fungal vaginitis can be alleviated.

Increased vaginal discharge is not necessarily a prominent symptom of vaginitis, but watery discharge up to curd-like or ointment-like discharge can occur. For instance, some may have completely thin discharge resembling clear serous exudate but often containing white flakes; others may have discharge that is sticky like cottage cheese or flaky. There are two distinct clinical presentations. About half of the patients have large amounts of watery or purulent discharge without white flakes, with moderately red and swollen vaginal mucosa, without severe itching or burning sensation, only feeling external dampness. Another group of patients has typical curd-like or flaky sticky discharge, with highly red and swollen vaginal mucosa, having white flaky films (like oral thrush) adhering, easily peeled off; underneath lies damaged mucosal erosion or shallow ulcers, severe cases may leave bruises, with intense itching and burning sensation. During pregnancy, the itching symptoms of fungal vaginitis become more severe.

Finally, all medical staff at Shandong Gynecology Network (www.sdkon.com) wish you a speedy recovery! If you have any other questions, you can visit our official forum, Gynecologist Forum (http://bbs.fuukee.com/). This article was originally written and edited by Shandong Gynecology Network www.sdkon.com. Please credit the source if reprinted!

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