The management of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis utilizes a wide array of treatment strategies across health disciplines, with significant variations and overlaps in clinical recommendations.
The research involved a national cross-sectional survey of Australian healthcare professionals from both conventional and complementary medicine disciplines. Conducted between November 2022 and September 2023, this anonymous, self-administered online survey gathered responses through a 19-item questionnaire. The survey aimed to identify treatment recommendations for recurrent or persistent Candida-related vulvovaginal symptoms, to include conventional and complementary medicines, over-the-counter products, and lifestyle strategies. It also explored the various sources of information these professionals use in diagnosis and management.
In terms of results, 223 healthcare professionals from 13 disciplines participated, with conventional medicine and complementary medicine practitioners standing at 68 and 155 respectively. The study identified a total of 122 different treatments, including 69 unique herbal medicines. Conventional medicines marked a 43.9% recommendation rate, herbal medicines at 65.0%, and nutrient-based interventions at 86.1%. Commonly recommended treatments included oral fluconazole, intravaginal clotrimazole, probiotics, and herbal medicines such as Allium sativum (garlic), Handroanthus impetiginosus (pau d'arco), and Pseudowintera colorata (horopito). Typical lifestyle strategies involved reducing dietary sugar, moderating alcohol consumption, avoiding synthetic underwear, and changing post-toileting hygiene practices. Different information sources were favored by each discipline, forming another aspect of the observed variation.
