Vulvovaginal candidiasis in women who have sex with women.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is associated with sexual activity between women.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey of 708 new patients attending 2 sexual health clinics for lesbians and bisexual women in London, UK. Questionnaire for demographic variables, sexual history, symptoms, and sexual practice data linked with the results of Gram stain and/or culture of vaginal preparations for identification of Candida species.

RESULTS

VVC (either symptomatic or asymptomatic) was common in this sample of women who have sex with women (18.4%). Logistic regression showed that VVC was significantly associated with larger numbers of female sexual partners in the previous year [OR 2.18 (CI 1.35-3.53) for 2 female partners compared with 0 or 1] but not with specific sexual practices, numbers of male partners, use of lubricants or vaginal douching.

CONCLUSIONS

The increasing odds of candidiasis with greater numbers of female sexual partners raises the possibility that Candida species could be sexually transmitted between women.