Vulvovaginal candidiasis

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is an opportunistic fungal infection of the lower female reproductive tract, primarily involving the vaginal mucosa and vulvar epithelium Most frequently caused by an overgrowth of *Candida albicans*, it commonly affects reproductive-aged women when alterations in host vaginal defenses, the local microbiome, or hormone levels trigger a shift from commensal colonization to pathogenic hyphal invasion The condition is clinically characterized by intense vulvar pruritus, bur...

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is an opportunistic fungal infection of the lower female reproductive tract, primarily involving the vaginal mucosa and vulvar epithelium Most frequently caused by an overgrowth of *Candida albicans*, it commonly affects reproductive-aged women when alterations in host vaginal defenses, the local microbiome, or hormone levels trigger a shift from commensal colonization to pathogenic hyphal invasion

Most frequently caused by an overgrowth of *Candida albicans*, it commonly affects reproductive-aged women when alterations in host vaginal defenses, the local microbiome, or hormone levels trigger a shift from commensal colonization to pathogenic hyphal invasion The condition is clinically characterized by intense vulvar pruritus, burning, soreness, dyspareunia, and external dysuria, often accompanied by erythema, edema, and a thick, curd-like white vaginal discharge against a typically normal ...