Candida: definition, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of vaginal infection

By Cristiano Antonino On Apr 11, 2023

Candida is a vaginal infection that affects many women but is easy to detect and treat

This fungus is in fact very common and this type of infection can be caused by several factors.

Usually this pathology manifests itself with different symptoms, which can be burning and itching in the intimate area, but also redness and swelling of the vaginal lips.

The symptoms of candida are many and can vary depending on the type of infection contracted, the severity and lifestyle habits such as unprotected sex.

Candida particularly affects women of childbearing age, from 18 years of age

There are several species of Candida responsible for vaginal infections, but the most widespread is certainly Candida albicans, which has been associated with about 85% of vaginal candidiasis forms.

It is important to know its symptoms and causes in order to prevent this pathology which can be very annoying and painful if not treated properly.

Here is all the information about candida.

What is Candida

When it comes to the topic of vaginal infections, candida is certainly among the first to be discussed.

This particular infection is caused by fungi from which it often takes its name, such as Candida albicans.

In women of childbearing age, Candida is a normal guest of the vaginal microbial flora, in fact it can often be present without causing any symptoms or damage.

In some cases, however, when the natural balance of the vaginal bacterial flora is compromised, the proliferation of this fungus becomes excessive, leading to various discomforts.

In fact, fungi become pathogenic and lead to the development of many symptoms.

To understand this balance, we must remember that Candida is a saprophytic and commensal fungus that lives inside the intestinal and vaginal mucous membranes.

In fact, over 80% of healthy individuals harbor this fungus inside their bodies, usually in the oropharynx and vagina.

The reason why this microorganism generally does not create problems is due to the fact that it is a yeast capable of living in symbiosis with the organism.

The body is able to control its reproduction and proliferation but in some cases this control fails and the uncontrolled proliferation of Candida leads to the related pathology, called candidiasis.

Although women are much more affected, Candida infections can also occur in men.

Candida symptoms

The symptoms of candidiasis are usually severe itching in the genital areas, as well as whitish vaginal discharge.

Typical candidal discharge usually resembles cottage cheese or curdled milk and can also include irritation and swelling.

The pain can be persistent and affect the vulva and vagina, not only during sexual intercourse but also at rest.

It is absolutely not recommended to have sex when these symptoms occur as they could worsen the infection, but also because there is a real risk of infecting the partner as well.

Among the most common symptoms of candidiasis are therefore:

burning and itching in the female genitals
pain in the vulva, the entrance to the vagina
intimate dryness
redness
swelling of the vaginal lips
whitish liquid leaks
pain during intercourse and urination
in more complicated cases, ulcerations of the vaginal mucosa and damaged skin in the genital area

Causes of Vaginal Candida

The causes of Candida inflammation are many and can often be combined.

As anticipated, Candida and its symptoms appear when the fungus usually present in the body in a dormant form or in harmless quantities proliferates, leading to a strong imbalance and the development of an inflammatory state

Among the causes of candidiasis there may be non-modifiable factors, such as the body’s predisposition or reaction to growth hormones, while others may be modifiable, such as physical activity.

Among the non-modifiable and predisposing causes of candidiasis there are therefore certainly estrogens.

These sex hormones typical of the female organism can lead to an easier transition of Candida from a dormant form to a pathogenic one.

During puberty, hormonal changes and growth can facilitate the development of these vaginal inflammations.

Among the predisposing but modifiable causes of candidiasis are nutrition and physical activity.

The intake of sugars and high-calorie foods can promote fungal proliferation due to high blood glucose levels.

Lazy lifestyle and lack of physical activity are two other facilitating factors for the development of candidiasis.

A very common cause of candidiasis is taking antibiotics.

In fact, these therapies lead to weakening and altering the microflora, not only vaginal but also intestinal.

For this reason, when taking antibiotics it can be common to suffer from candidiasis or bacterial inflammation: the immune system is weaker and allows bacteria to proliferate.

Among the modifiable causes there are also stress and excessive or poor intimate hygiene.

Finally, even the use of synthetic underwear or very tight jeans can lead to an alteration of the vaginal bacterial flora and, consequently, to the formation of inflammation.

Finally, candidiasis can also be caused by a genetic predisposition: unfortunately, in fact, predisposed subjects suffer from this pathology frequently, probably due to a deficiency in the immune system or other diseases such as diabetes.

Among the factors that can increase the risk there are also the use of some drugs such as corticosteroids and oral contraceptives, untreated diabetes, chemotherapy, HIV, anemia, smoking or alcohol abuse and ‘pollution.

Candida diagnosis

The diagnosis of candidiasis is quite simple, as the doctor is able to recognize many forms of vaginal infection from the common symptoms that the patient will report.

In some cases, however, the attending physician may request in-depth examinations in order to identify the nature of the infectious agent.

Among the different types of Candida there are: Candida albicans, Candida kefyr, Candida Tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis and Candida krusei.

Specific tests may be required not only for vaginal candidiasis, but also for cases of balanitis (ie the male version of this diagnosis), intestinal, esophageal or systemic candidiasis.

An examination often prescribed by doctors and gynecologists to investigate the type of Candida is the microscopic and cultural one.

To carry out the analysis, a small sample of the infected area is taken, which will then be analyzed and studied in the laboratory to verify that the infection belongs to a specific species.

Another test that may be prescribed is endoscopy, but this procedure is mainly reserved for cases of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections.

With a bronchoscopy or colonoscopy it is possible to analyze the infected tissue.

Difference between Candidiasis and Bacterial Vaginosis

Often we tend to confuse bacterial vaginosis with candidiasis: even if they are both infections that affect the female genital areas, they have different symptoms and treatments and for this reason it is important to differentiate them.

As described so far, the cause of candidiasis is to be found in the proliferation of fungi that lead to bacterial inflammation.

Vaginosis is also an inflammation which however is not caused by fungi but by other types of alteration of the vaginal flora.

Especially in childbearing age it is common that the vaginal pH is altered and that the bacterial flora is modified leading to a change in the usually present lactobacilli.

Vaginosis therefore consists of an interruption of the balance of the vaginal ecosystem, which determines the development of inflammation

Also in terms of symptoms, those of candidiasis are different from those of vaginosis.

While in the first case there is often pain, burning or severe discomfort, in the case of vaginosis, however, it is possible to notice grey/whitish secretions with a strong smell or watery discharge.

The two inflammations therefore have different symptoms and treatments, for this reason it is important to ask for the intervention of a specialist who will be able to measure the vaginal pH, evaluate the symptoms and possibly request specific tests.

Treating Candida

The treatment for candidiasis consists in prescribing to the patient therapies that involve the use of medicines with a high antifungal power, through drugs with antifungal properties.

Many of these drugs are basically represented by clotrimazole, fenticonazole and miconazole.

Usually these therapies can be applied locally through vaginal creams or ovules to be inserted into the vagina.

Alternatively, tablets can be taken orally, but this is a less common solution.

In fact, it is usually sufficient to use a type of topical administration, while oral medicines can be used as a support in more serious cases.

The therapy for the infection can be long and requires a lot of patience in order to definitively resolve the problem.

In fact, generally after the first treatment the problem may persist and not be resolved definitively, due to the intensity of the inflammation.

You need to give your immune system time to clear the infection and get stronger again.

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