Broad-spectrum antibiotics kill healthy bacteria in the vagina, such as Lactobacillus. These bacteria normally help to limit yeast colonization.Oral contraceptive use is also associated with increased risk of vaginal thrush. Pregnancy
In pregnancy, higher levels of estrogen make a woman more likely to develop a yeast infection. During pregnancy, the Candida fungus is more common, and recurrent infection is also more likely. There is tentative evidence that treatment of asymptomatic candidal vulvovaginitis in pregnancy reduces the risk of preterm birth. Lifestyle
While infections may occur without sex, a high frequency of intercourse increases the risk. Personal hygiene methods or tight-fitting clothing, such as tights and thong underwear, do not appear to increase the risk. Diseases
Those with poorly controlled diabetes have increased rates of infection while those with well controlled diabetes do not. The risk of developing thrush is also increased when there is poor immune function, as with HIV/AIDS, or in those receiving chemotherapy. Diet
A diet high in sugar may increase the risk of vaginal thrush; in some women, reducing sugar intake seems to reduce the risk of reoccurring vaginal thrush. Species of yeast responsible
While Candida albicans is the most common yeast species associated with vaginal thrush, infection by other types of yeast can produce similar symptoms. A Hungarian study of 370 patients with confirmed vaginal yeast infections identified the following types of infection:
Candida albicans: 85.7%
Non-albicans Candida (8 species): 13.2%
Saccharomyces cerevisiae: 0.8%
Candida albicans and Candida glabrata: 0.3%Non-albicans Candida are often found in complicated cases of vaginal thrush in which the first line of treatment is ineffective.
Epidemiology
The number of cases of vaginal yeast infection is not entirely clear because it is not a reportable disease and it is commonly diagnosed clinically without laboratory confirmation.Candidiasis is one of the three most common vaginal infections along with bacterial vaginosis and trichomonas. About 75% of women have at least one infection in their lifetime, 40%–45% will have two or more episodes, and approximately 20% of women get an infection yearly. Research
Vaccines that target C. albicans are under active development since several years. Phase 2 results published in June 2018 showed a safe and high immunogenicity of the NDV-3A vaccine candidate. == References ==