Does diabetes trigger vaginal yeast infections?

From the Guidelines

Yes, diabetes can trigger vaginal yeast infections, as high blood sugar levels create an environment where Candida fungi can thrive, making diabetic women more susceptible to these infections. When blood sugar is elevated, excess sugar is secreted in mucous membranes, including the vagina, providing food for yeast 1. Additionally, diabetes can weaken the immune system, further increasing vulnerability. Women with diabetes should maintain good blood sugar control through medication adherence and lifestyle management to reduce their risk. Symptoms of vaginal yeast infections include itching, burning, abnormal discharge, and discomfort during urination or intercourse.

Key Points to Consider

• Treatment typically involves antifungal medications like fluconazole (150mg oral single dose) or topical treatments such as clotrimazole or miconazole creams applied for 1-7 days depending on the formulation 1.
• Diabetic women experiencing recurrent yeast infections should discuss maintenance therapy with their healthcare provider and practice preventive measures like wearing breathable underwear, avoiding douches, and maintaining proper hygiene 1.
• The most convenient and well-tolerated regimen is 150 mg fluconazole once weekly, which achieves control of symptoms in >90% of patients 1.
• After cessation of maintenance therapy, a 40%–50% recurrence rate can be anticipated 1.

Important Considerations for Diabetic Women

• Maintaining good blood sugar control is crucial to reduce the risk of vaginal yeast infections 1.
• Diabetic women should be aware of the symptoms of vaginal yeast infections and seek medical attention if they experience any of them.
• Preventive measures, such as wearing breathable underwear and avoiding douches, can help reduce the risk of vaginal yeast infections 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

If you are pregnant, have diabetes, use birth control pills, or take antibiotics you may get yeast infections more often than other women Vaginal yeast infections often (such as once a month or 3 in 6 months). You could be pregnant or have a serious underlying medical cause for your symptoms, including diabetes or a weakened immune system.

Diabetes and Vaginal Yeast Infections: Diabetes can increase the chance of getting a yeast infection. According to the drug labels 2 and 3, having diabetes is a medical condition that can make it more likely for a woman to get vaginal yeast infections.

From the Research

Diabetes and Vaginal Yeast Infections

• Diabetes can trigger vaginal yeast infections, particularly in women with poorly controlled blood sugar levels 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
• High blood glucose levels can promote yeast growth and attachment, and interfere with immune responses in the host 4.
• Women with diabetes are more prone to developing genital mycotic infections, including vulvovaginal candidiasis, due to factors such as hyperglycemia, antibiotic use, and immunosuppression 4, 5, 7.

Risk Factors

• Poorly controlled glycemia is a significant risk factor for vaginal yeast infections in women with diabetes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
• Other risk factors include antibiotic use, corticosteroid use, immunosuppression, atopy, and certain sexual behaviors 4, 5, 8.
• Type 1 diabetics are more likely to be colonized with Candida species than type 2 diabetics, even after adjusting for abnormal HbA1c levels 8.

Treatment and Prevention

• Establishing and maintaining euglycemia is crucial in the management of genital mycotic infections in patients with diabetes 4.
• Antifungal treatment, either topical or oral, is effective in treating vaginal yeast infections, but may be complicated by unfavourable antifungal susceptibility profiles in diabetic patients 4, 5.
• Individual approach should be applied to diabetic patients at risk of infection, including tight control of glycemia and prolonged, intermittent therapy with antifungals 7.