Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

is the most common etiological agent for vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC); however, other species may also occasionally be responsible for this disease. The classical signs and symptoms include intense pruritus, curdy vaginal discharge, dyspareunia, sometimes dysuria, genital discomfort, pain, diminished sexual pleasure, and psychological suffering. An estimated disease burden suggests that around 75% of women may have experienced at least one episode of VVC, while 40%–45% will have two or more episodes. The predisposing factors include pregnancy, poor hygiene, diabetes, immunosuppressive therapy, vaginal dysbiosis after antimicrobial treatment, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The diagnosis can be made either by wet mount (saline, 10% KOH), Pap smear, which can aid in demonstrating the budding yeasts, hyphae, or pseudo-hyphae, and culture examination to confirm the pathogenic species. If fungal culture cannot be performed, empirical treatment can be considered for these patients with VVC. The disease is known to significantly cause morbidity, which hampers the quality of life and comfort of daily functioning in young and active female patients. Therefore, a correct diagnosis and the right treatment is the need of the hour considering the burden of disease in the young female population. There is also a high incidence of recurrent VVC and challenges faced while managing it with the standard treatment regimens. This background provides a strong and rational basis for the development of immunological treatments, particularly vaccines, to address recurrent VVC.