Vulvovaginal candidiasis

Vulvovaginitis ( VVC ) or inflammation of the vulva and vagina occurs mostly secondary to infectious agents in reproductive age women , candidal VVC is the 2nd most common cause after bacterial vaginosis

C albicans is responsible in about 90 % cases , Non-albicans candida ( NAC ) have also been known to be responsible with C glabrate being the leading cause

Candidal vulvovaginitis -happens when the candida species superficially penetrates the lining of the vagina leading to an inflammatory response fungal overgrowth & production of virulence effectors

common clinical condition of the lower female reproductive tract most prevalent human candidal infection unlike invasive and oral candidiasis , candidal VVC is a disease of immunocompetent and otherwise healthy women atleast 70 % of women report having candidal VVC at some point of their lifetime about 8 % suffer with recurrent VVC ( more than 4 attacks / year ) peak incidence during reproductive years and declines following menopause , unless using HRT exact incidence hard to predict- under-reported and effective OTC Rx options significant economic cost ( estimated 1.8 billion $'s in US + lost work hrs cost )

estrogen use ( oral contraceptive pill , HRT )♦ oestrogen causes...