About RVVC
The first step to moving forward
You just want answers to understand what is going on. Starting here can help you understand and better manage your recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC).
What is RVVC?
Chronic yeast infection, RVVC, is defined as 3 or more episodes within a 12-month period. RVVC is a distinct condition from vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), which is defined as acute inflammation of the vulva and vaginal mucosa caused or accompanied by overgrowth of Candida yeast. Because it recurs multiple times a year, RVVC is often debilitating, impacting women both physically and emotionally. RVVC is a relatively common women’s health issue that is often misdiagnosed as other conditions.
90% of patients surveyed have experienced 3 or more episodes in the last 12 months.
Days per year with episodes
Duration of Infection
Approximately 6 million women in the US are living with RVVC annually. It’s common for women with chronic yeast infection to self-diagnose based on their all-too-familiar symptoms. But the symptoms of RVVC are similar to other conditions that affect the vagina. Even after visiting a healthcare provider (HCP), RVVC can be misdiagnosed as other vaginitis conditions including bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis.
Make your time yours again.
Not all vaginal infections are the same
| Yeast Infection | Chronic Yeast Infection | BV | Trich | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) | Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) | Bacterial vaginosis (BV) | Trichomoniasis |
| Infectious agent | Fungus/yeast | Fungus/yeast | Bacteria | Bacteria |
| Recurrence | Fewer than 3 episodes in 1 year; 75% of women get VVC | 3 or more episodes in 1 year | Common | Common |
| Vaginal discharge | Thick, white, cottage cheese–like | Thick, white, cottage cheese–like | Thin, milky white or gray | Green or yellow, frothy |
| Itching, burning, irritation | Usually | Usually | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Odor | None | None | Fishy | Foul or unpleasant |
| Increased pH | No | No | Yes | Usually |
RVVC can be misdiagnosed as bacterial vaginosis (BV). Unfortunately, antibiotic treatments for BV can actually make a chronic yeast infection worse and can be a short-term trigger for chronic yeast infection. That’s why it’s important to ask your HCP to be tested specifically for RVVC. Talking with your HCP about a lab test can help avoid misdiagnosis.
Hormones
Hormones play an important factor as well. The high frequency of VVC during pregnancy has been linked to the increased secretion of sex hormones. In non-pregnant women, recurrence is more common during the highest hormone secretion of the menstrual cycle, the luteal phase that occurs after ovulation (when ovaries release an egg) and before a period starts.
Seeing how uncommon yeast infections are in pre-puberty and postmenopausal women also confirms the impact of hormones. However, there is a higher number of infections in postmenopausal women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT)–up to 29% of women compared to up to 12% in those without HRT.
The high hormone levels are large contributors to why episodes occur most in those women. But emotional stress, more suppressed immune systems, and eating sugary foods may also contribute.
A closer look at Candida
Most, if not all women carry the yeast Candida within their vagina at some point in their lives, although infection does not always occur. The specific yeast type that predominantly causes vulvovaginal candidiasis is Candida albicans. In RVVC cases, it is the most common type of yeast, found in more than 85% of women living with RVVC. Another type is Candida glabrata, the second most common, which is more resistant to treatment and associated with age, menopause, and diabetes.
Some recent RVVC studies show a growing rate of non-albicans yeast, which may contribute to a recurrence of infection in over half of women after treatment with fluconazole is stopped.
Symptoms and impacts of RVVC
You know what it feels like because you live through it. You know how RVVC impacts you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Learn about the different symptoms and impacts of RVVC.
RVVC triggers
There are a wide variety of triggers for RVVC, including increased hormone levels, antibiotics, a weakened immune system, and high levels of blood sugar. Additional triggers include the use of oral contraceptives or an IUD, spermicides or condoms, and cleansing products such as those used for douching. Ask your HCP if any of these factors may be causing your condition.
Risks for triggering RVVC
RVVC myths
There are many misconceptions about living with RVVC. By working with your HCP, you can come up with solutions that work for your lifestyle. Here are some common thoughts around RVVC, and the real truths behind them.
I have RVVC because of something I did.
I have RVVC because of something I did.
No. RVVC isn’t your fault or anybody else’s fault.
I feel dirty; it keeps me from having sex with my partner.
I feel dirty; it keeps me from having sex with my partner.
Sex shouldn’t be frustrating or embarrassing. Consider options to assist in the bedroom, like water-based lubricants to keep things smooth and safe. Talk with your partner about how you feel so you can both get comfortable. Bring it up with your HCP too, because through diagnosis and treatment, sex can stop being scary or stressful.
I’m better off keeping this to myself.
I’m better off keeping this to myself.
You shouldn’t keep your feelings to yourself at all. In fact, there are several people you can talk to about it. Start by talking to your friends and family about how RVVC impacts you. Tell your HCP about the ways you feel like RVVC is holding you back from spending time with your loved ones and feeling like yourself. If you’re nervous about talking about RVVC, listen to stories from women to hear what others living with RVVC are going through. You are not alone.
You can hear stories of women living with RVVC in My RVVC.
I heard you can put garlic down there to help.
I heard you can put garlic down there to help.
Garlic is not indicated for chronic yeast infection and may be potentially harmful. Talk with your HCP about alternative options if you feel like previous efforts haven’t quite worked and save the garlic for Sunday dinner.
I have to change my diet.
I have to change my diet.
Talk with your HCP about a plan because dietary restrictions have different results for each person.
There’s no sense exercising when it’s so difficult and painful.
There’s no sense exercising when it’s so difficult and painful.
You might feel uncomfortable working out the way you’d like to, but you can still find ways to exercise while managing RVVC. Instead of an intense 30-minutes on a spin bike, take a brisk walk around your neighborhood. Ask your partner or friend to tag along; it’s the perfect time to disconnect from the world and reconnect with each other.