Association of sexual function and psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety and stress) with women s recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis

Background: Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis is one of the common vaginal infections in women which could affect their quality of life, romantic relationships, and sexual performance.Methods: In the case control study, fifty women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and 50 healthy women referred to clinics of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were selected using convenience purposive sampling. Two samples of vaginal discharge were prepared from each person. A sample was produced under a microscope for direct observation of the organism with 10% potassium hydroxide secretions and another sample was cultured on Sabouraud Agar.Data collection tools included demographic questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Index, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (Dass-21) were used.Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 19).Result: Less sexual satisfaction (OR = 0.608, CI = 0.421_0.878) and less orgasm (OR = 0.741, CI = 0.530_0.998) have been associated with an increased risk of recurrent vaginal candidiasis. In patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, the levels of depression, anxiety and stress were significantly higher compared to those of healthy individuals. Depression, anxiety and stress in the past 4 weeks are related to an increased risk of recurrent vaginal candidiasis.Conclusion: There is an association between depression, anxiety and stress; sexual satisfaction; and orgasm with recurrent vaginal candidiasis. It seems that psychological interventions and sexual counseling can be effective in improving recurrent vaginal candidiasis.

کلیدواژه ها:

Anxiety ، Depression ، Stress ، Vulvovaginal candidiasis ، Sexual dysfunction