BackgroundReproductive tract infection is a global health problem among women, particularly in East Asia. Accordingly, researchers are seeking drugs with fewer side effects, compared to chemical agents. In this regard, the antifungal properties of honey have been confirmed.ObjectiveThis study was conducted to examine the effects of vaginal honey gel and clotrimazole cream on symptoms of candidiasis in 2014–2015.MethodsThis single-blind clinical trial was conducted on 106 patients with clinical complaints and positive cultures. The study was conducted in Tabriz clinics and health centers during 2014–2015. The participants were randomly divided into clotrimazole cream and honey gel groups (n, 53 per group) and were assessed both pretreatment and post treatment (before, 4 and 8 days after treatment). The results were analyzed and compared in IBM-SPSS version 22, using McNemar’s test, Cochran’s Q test, generalized mixed model, and independent-samples t-test. The significance level was set at 0.05.ResultsAt all 3 time intervals, significant reductions were observed in vaginal symptoms, compared to pretreatment due to the use of honey gel and clotrimazole cream (p<0.001). On the other hand, the culture results were similar, and there was no significant difference between the groups (p>0.05).ConclusionHoney was effective in the treatment of candidiasis symptoms and could be used as an alternative or adjuvant for other antifungal drugs in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis symptoms.Clinical Trial RegistrationThis study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (http://www.irct.ir) with the registration code IRCT201604144317N9.FundingThe authors received no financial support for the research.

Introduction Candida albicans is responsible for 85% to 95% of vaginal yeast infections. 1 Factors that cause an increased susceptibility to vulvovaginitis candidiasis (VVC) include: antibiotic therapy, pregnancy, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, using oral contraceptives (especially high-dose formulations), immune suppressants, and synthetic clothing. 1-4 The most common signs of vaginal candidiasis are discharge, may be aqueous to thick and homogenous. There are vaginal burning, burning and sensitivity of the vulva. 1,4,5 Treatment agents include butoconazole, clotrimazole, miconazole and terconazole. The side effects of these treatments are headache, gastrointestinal disorders. 1,6-8 The incidence of Candida infections is escalating worldwide. The serious nature of these infections is compounded by increasing levels of drug resistance. 4 The increase in the resistance of antifungal has attracted the attention of the scientific community. 8 Honey as a medicine is being used thousands of years. If it is used alone or in combination with other substances in vagina to inhibit the growth of Candida laboratory and clinical results of honey in inhibiting the growth of various fungi such as Candida has been promising. 9-14 In Islam, honey strongly recommended for healing purposes. However, honey has a low use in modern medicine result of lack of scientific support, it has been observed that honey can be used to treatment liver, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems. Ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Chinese, Greeks and Romans used honey for wounds and