Vaginal Candida: causes, symptoms and prevention

By Cristiano Antonino On Dec 8, 2022

Candida is a fungus, the most common species of which, albicans, usually lives in small concentrations in the oral cavity, in the intestines, on the skin, in the genital mucous membranes, without causing any disturbance, in constant equilibrium with the other host microorganisms in our organism

In the vagina, together with other (more numerous) bacteria, in particular Bacillus Doderlein, it forms the so-called ‘vaginal ecosystem’.

The right balance between the various components allows the maintenance of a normal pH (between 3.8 and 4.5) and proper lubrication of the vagina.

Alteration of the vaginal pH (increase or decrease in normal values), by breaking the balance of this ecosystem, favours the proliferation of pathogenic germs.

How candida vulvovaginitis develops

The development of candida finds an excellent breeding ground in acidic environments such as the vaginal environment, where fermentative phenomena prevail.

A number of predisposing conditions have been identified that, through alteration of the ecosystem, favour the development and appearance of the typical symptoms of the infection:

certain physiological changes in which there is an increase in oestrogen (premenstrual phases, pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy in post-menopause). Oestrogens play a key role in the development of candida as they are responsible for the increase in vaginal glycogen, a sugar important for candida metabolism.
Metabolic diseases (such as diabetes), diets high in sugar, certain medications (such as cortisone and antibiotics) directly alter the vaginal bacterial flora. This type of infection is also frequently encountered when using oral contraceptives.
Personal habits can very often alter the vaginal ecosystem: dietary abuse, a diet rich in yeasts (pizza, bread, biscuits, crackers, leavened cakes) and sugars (wine and alcohol); a change in diet, physical exertion (frequent cycling or motorcycling), travelling, particular stressful situations and, finally, an individual propensity on a genetic basis.

Is candida sexually transmitted?

Although some authors and numerous websites attribute an important role in the transmission of the disease to sexual intercourse, Candida is not considered a sexually transmitted infection.

Its occurrence, as already mentioned, is linked to endogenous factors that alter the pH and balance of the vaginal bacterial flora. Indeed, very often the infection develops in the absence of sexual intercourse.

However, it can occasionally be transmitted to the male partner, who manifests redness, the formation of shiny reddish patches located on the glans and foreskin, burning, itching, and sometimes pain in the inflamed area.

The reinfecting capacity of the man, the so-called ‘ping-pong’ effect, is not significant.

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