PSYCHOLOGICAL-FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH RECURRENT VAGINAL CANDIDIASIS -A PRELIMINARY-STUDY

Objective: To identify psychological factors associated with chronic r ecurrent vaginal candidiasis. Design: A cross sectional exploratory st udy of women with chronic, recurrent vaginal candidiasis. Patients: 28 women found culture positive and treated for vaginal candidiasis by a clinic physician at least twice within the past 6 months. All women r eported that they had experienced vaginal thrush six or more times wit hin I year. A comparison group comprised 16 women with no history of r ecurrent vaginal candidiasis, of similar age range, and recruited from a women's family planning service. Methods: Both groups were compared on demographic criteria, sexual health histories, mental health, and psychological health characteristics. A purpose designed structured in terview was administered alongside a battery of standardised psychomet ric instruments measuring mood, satisfaction with life, self esteem, a nd perceived stress. Results: The two groups showed considerable simil arities, with no significant differences in demographic characteristic s and most sexual health issues. However, women with recurrent vaginal candidiasis were significantly more likely to suffer clinical depress ion, to be less satisfied with life, to have poorer self esteem, and t o perceive their lives as more stressful. Additionally, women with rec urrent vaginal candidiasis reported that their candidiasis seriously i nterfered with their sexual and emotional relationships. Conclusions: Overall, this study identified many areas of psychological morbidity a ssociated with chronic vaginal candidiasis, and indicates that develop ment of appropriate psychological treatment initiatives in this area i s long overdue.