Sexual behavior of women with repeated episodes of vulvovaginal candidiasis

Abstract

One hundred and two women with a history of a median of six episodes of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and 204 age-matched controls participated in a structured in-depth interview on sexual behavior. Mean and median ages of the two groups were 26.7 and 26 years, respectively. Sexual characteristics, associated with VVC in crude analyses, were adjusted in multifactorial analyses for coital frequency, experience of casual sex, vaginal irritation, smoking, alcohol habits, and having a steady partner. In addition, education, as a measure of socioeconomic status, was added in the multifactorial analyses. VVC was not associated with multiple sexual partners or ever-experience of causal sex. Sexual variables that remained significant or were of borderline significance after adjustment were: age at first intercourse (p = 0.001), causal sex partners the previous month (odds ratio (OR) = 3.1), sex during menstruation (OR = 1.7), regular oral sex (OR = 2.4), experience of anal intercourse ever (OR = 2.4), oral intercourse the last month (OR = 3.1), and frequency of oral intercourse (p = 0.02). Thus, the study indicates that certain sexual activities are associated with repeated episodes of VVC.

Vulvo-vaginal candidosis in a cohort of hormonal contraceptive users in Ibadan, Nigeria

“…This was not in agreement with the findings of Hellberg et al and Rathod et al that reported age of sexual debut; casual sex partners and regular oral sex being associated with repeated VVC. (33,34) However, this is in agreement with the findings of Corsello et al that believed that increased number of sexual partners, age of sexual debut and increased frequency of sexual intercourse were not significantly risk factors associated with VVC. (35) Douching has been documented to be an important risk factor for the acquisition of vulvovaginal candidosis in previous studies (34,36) .In our study, seven (25.9%) of the women who had VVC usually practice douching , however, this was not found to be statistically significant (p=0.171).…”

Facts and myths on recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis—a review on epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, pathogenesis and therapy

“…However, an association between RVVC on the one hand, and frequent intercourse on the other, has been shown 28 . First intercourse at young age, sex during menstruation and casual sex during the previous month have also been associated with RVVC 29 .…”

Recurrent Vulvo-Vaginal Candidiasis: Diagnostic and Management Challenges in a Developing Country Context

“…The theory that recurrence may be due to reinfection of the woman by her male sexual partner has been suggested repeatedly with some data indicating that sexual transmission does occur [65,66,69]. Candida spp may be harboured in the male GIT, semen, oral cavity and urine [78,138], and male colonization is often associated with vaginal colonization often with the same strain of Candida [66,139].…”

“…Candida spp may be harboured in the male GIT, semen, oral cavity and urine [78,138], and male colonization is often associated with vaginal colonization often with the same strain of Candida [66,139]. Studies have indicated that oral sex performed by the male partner (cunnilingus) is associated with both incident and recurrent candidiasis [65,69]. Bailey et al [67] reported an increased risk of genital candidiasis among women who have sex with women (WSW), which rose with number of partners [67].…”

“…However, in a more recent study, Muznyl et al [68] did not find evidence supporting sexual transmission of genital Candida between women (WSW) [68]. The few studies that have focused on specific sexual practices among women with RVVC have found positive association with early sexual debut, [69], casual sex partners in the preceding month [69], new sex partner in the last six months [70], sex during menses [69], receptive oral and anal intercourse [61,71,72] and frequency of vaginal intercourse [5]. Reed et al [65] in their study on sexual behavior as a risk factor for RVVC found that female masturbation using saliva and cunnilingus from their partners and male masturbation with saliva increased the risk of genital candidiasis [65].…”