What are the symptoms of fungal vaginitis?

When women develop candidal vaginitis, they usually have some symptoms. Generally, patients will be infected with Candida albicans, which will cause the mucous membrane around the vagina to become milky white or flaky. In severe cases, erosion and surface ulcers will occur. As the disease worsens, patients will feel itchy, urination will become more frequent, the amount of leucorrhea will increase, and the symptoms of Candida infection will worsen.

There are many types of fungi, the most important of which is Candida albicans in the human body. 80-90% of vaginal infections are caused by Candida albicans, and the rest are caused by other types of Candida and Torulopsis. Therefore, fungal vaginitis is actually Candida vaginitis or vaginal candidiasis.

Clinical symptoms of candidal vaginitis

Typical symptoms: itching (74%), dysuria (71%), acute vaginal infection (70%), frequent urination (69%), increased leucorrhea (67%), and candidal infection (65%).

The most common symptoms of Candida infection are excessive vaginal discharge, burning and itching of the vulva and vagina, exogenous dysuria, and geographic erythema of the vulva (fungal or candidal vulvovaginitis). The typical vaginal discharge is curd-like or flaky, and the vaginal mucosa is highly red and swollen. White thrush-like plaques can be seen attached and easily peeled off, with an eroded base of damaged mucosa or shallow ulcers formed underneath.

In severe cases, ecchymosis may be left behind, but not all leucorrhea has the above typical characteristics. It can range from watery to curd-like leucorrhea. Some are completely thin and clear serous exudates, which often contain white flakes. The itching symptoms of candidal vaginitis during pregnancy are particularly severe, and the patient may even become restless and extremely painful. There may also be symptoms such as frequent urination, dysuria and pain during sexual intercourse.