Yeast Infections & STRESS for Vulvovaginitis

[Guest guest]

An interesting new article about Stress and how it contributes to recurrent Yeast infections.

Many many years ago when I was constantly plagued with yeast, I had a doctor suggest that by asking what's going on in my life that's so upsetting? I thought he had a screw loose but he was right! *smile* only in hindsite did I recognize it though. (my stress is an ex husband today) LOL and I rarely ever had another one after that. *chuckle*

Today they know that 'stress' is one of the largest triggers for many autoimmune diseases as well. Or think about viral infections such as Herpes, mono or esp. HPV in our paps, how stress can trigger those, so it does make sense to me. Lower the immune system and all sorts of problems can kick in.

For what it's worth.

Hugs

Dee

Medline Abstract

Signs of chronic stress in women with recurrent candida vulvovaginitis.Sophia M Ehrstrom, Dan Kornfeld, Thuresson, and Eva RylanderAm J Obstet Gynecol, October 1, 2005; 193(4): 1376-1381.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet.

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,(HPA 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 A(1c).

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.

PMID: 16202729