OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is an association between recurrent vulvovaginal candida and chronic stress. Chronic stress affects the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, which influences the immune function. Recurrent candida vulvovaginitis is increasing. STUDY DESIGN: Women with recurrent vulvovaginal candida (n = 35) and age-matched healthy control subjects (n = 35) collected saliva for the analysis of cortisol. Hormone analyses of blood samples and vulvovaginal examinations were performed. A questionnaire was completed. RESULTS: Morning rise cortisol level was significantly blunted among patients compared with control subjects (P < .002). Mean levels of salivary cortisol were lower the first 45 minutes after awakening in women with recurrent vulvovaginal candida, compared with control subjects. More patients than control subjects reported a history of condyloma, bacterial vaginosis, and herpes genitalis. No differences were seen between patients and control subjects regarding sexual hormone binding globulin, dihydroepiandrosterone, testosterone or Hemoglobin A1c. CONCLUSION: Morning rise salivary cortisol level is blunted in women with recurrent vulvovaginal candida, which indicates signs of chronic stress. The higher incidence of vulvovaginal infections in these women compared with control subjects may reflect impaired immunity, which may be due to chronic stress.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is an association between recurrent vulvovaginal candida and chronic stress. Chronic stress affects the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, which influences the immune function. Recurrent candida vulvovaginitis is increasing. STUDY DESIGN:Women with recurrent vulvovaginal candida (n = 35) and age-matched healthy control subjects (n = 35) collected saliva for the analysis of cortisol. Hormone analyses of blood samples and vulvovaginal examinations were performed. A questionnaire was completed. RESULTS: Morning rise cortisol level was significantly blunted among patients compared with control subjects (P < .002). Mean levels of salivary cortisol were lower the first 45 minutes after awakening in women with recurrent vulvovaginal candida, compared with control subjects. More patients than control subjects reported a history of condyloma, bacterial vaginosis, and herpes genitalis. No differences were seen between patients and control subjects regarding sexual hormone binding globulin, dihydroepiandrosterone, testosterone or Hemoglobin A1c. CONCLUSION: Morning rise salivary cortisol level is blunted in women with recurrent vulvovaginal candida, which indicates signs of chronic stress. The higher incidence of vulvovaginal infections in these women compared with control subjects may reflect impaired immunity, which may be due to chronic stress.
Authors: W Mendling; K Friese; I Mylonas; E-R Weissenbacher; J Brasch; M Schaller; P Mayser; I Effendy; G Ginter-Hanselmayer; H Hof; O Cornely; M Ruhnke Journal: Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd Date: 2015-04 Impact factor: 2.915
Authors: Alex Farr; Isaak Effendy; Brigitte Frey Tirri; Herbert Hof; Peter Mayser; Ljubomir Petricevic; Markus Ruhnke; Martin Schaller; Axel P A Schäfer; Birgit Willinger; Werner Mendling Journal: Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd Date: 2021-04-14 Impact factor: 2.915
Authors: Samuel Aballéa; Florent Guelfucci; Julian Wagner; Amine Khemiri; Jean-Paul Dietz; Jack Sobel; Mondher Toumi Journal: Health Qual Life Outcomes Date: 2013-10-11 Impact factor: 3.186