Background: Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis [RVVC] is a common condition affecting millions of women worldwide. It is associated with significant morbidity. Vulvovaginal candidiasis affects up to 75% of women of childbearing age once in their life, and up to 9% of women in different populations experience more than three episodes per year, which is defined as recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis [RVVC].
The Aim of the work was to test efficacy of povidone iodine vaginal swabs in treatment of recurrent vaginal candidiasis.
Patients and Methods: This study included 210 women, who suffered from symptomatic acute episode of RVVC, and attended Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Al-Azhar university hospital Damietta. They were divided into three groups: Group A [70 women] who were treated with povidone iodine vaginal swabs. Group B [70 patients] who were treated with oral fluconazole and topical azole therapy. Group C [70 patients] who were treated with a combination of povidone iodine swabs and fluconazole. The overall clinical cure rate and improvement were assessed and compared between groups.
Results: There was no significant difference between study groups, regarding overall clinical cure rate, which was higher in group C. As the clinical cure, improvement and no improvement percentage were in group A, 62.8%, 27.2%, 10% respectively. In group B, the values were 60.0%, 28.5%, and 11.5%, respectively. The values in group C were 65.7%, 31.3% and 3.2% with the same order. However, the recurrence rate 6 months after treatment was significantly different between groups [it was 7.9%, 3.2% and 1.47% in groups A, B and C, respectively].
Conclusion: Povidone iodine swabs were effective in treatment of RVVC as medical treatment almost with lower cost and lower side effects with good compliance.