Objectives: To describe the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis at the National Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 128 patients aged ≥18 years with at least one episode of vulvovaginal candidiasis in the past 12 months, who tested positive for Candida through wet mount microscopy and/or culture (7/2024– 7/2025). Results: The mean age was 35.4 years (range 19–66); 70.3% of patients were aged 30 years or older, among whom those over 39 years accounted for the largest proportion (32.8%). 28.1% had experienced a fungal infection once, 29.7% had twice, and 42.2% had three or more infections. Common clinical symptoms included itching and vaginal discharge. Microscopic examination was positive in 91.4% of patients; culture was positive in 94.5%, and both microscopic and culture were positive in 85.9%.
Conclusions: In our sample, recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis was most frequently observed in women aged 30 years or older. The most common clinical symptoms include abnormal vaginal discharge, vulvovaginal pruritus, and other related symptoms. Some cases may have negative microscopic examination results but positive fungal culture results.