Use of Intravaginal Cooling to Provide Symptom Relief in Women With Vulvovaginal Candidiasis and Reduce Immunopathology in an Accompanying Mouse Model

Abstract

Background

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), caused primarily by Candida albicans, is treated with anti-fungal drugs, often with variable efficacy and relapses. New therapeutic strategies, including drug-free alternatives, are needed. Upon overgrowth or environmental triggers, C. albicans commensal yeast transitions into hyphae resulting in an aberrant immunopathologic neutrophil response that contributes to the characteristic signs and symptoms of vaginitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an intravaginal cooling device (Vlisse) in women with VVC to provide symptom relief via putative reversal of C. albicans hyphae to yeast, with additional proof of principle in an animal model.

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