INTESTINAL DYSBIOSIS AS A PREDISPOSING FACTOR FOR RECURRENT VULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS

Abstract

The study addresses intestinal dysbiosis as a predisposing factor for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, highlighting the importance of intestinal and vaginal microbiota for women’s health. The general objective is to understand how intestinal imbalance, associated with excessive consumption of simple carbohydrates, favors the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms, especially of the genus Candida, and how dietary and therapeutic strategies can reduce the recurrence of infection. The specific objectives include analyzing the relationship between dysbiosis and candidiasis, explaining the symptoms of the disease, investigating the impact of a diet rich in sugars, evaluating innovative therapies with probiotics and antifungals, and emphasizing nutrition as a determining factor in intestinal health. The methodology consisted of a literature review of 17 articles published between 2020 and 2025, obtained from databases such as Google Scholar, SciELO, and PubMed, focusing on female intimate health. The results and discussion of the literature show that intestinal dysbiosis, characterized by quantitative and qualitative changes in the microbiota, can increase intestinal permeability and allow the entry of pathogens into the circulation, favoring opportunistic infections. The relationship between diet and candidiasis is evident: foods rich in simple sugars serve as an energy substrate for yeasts, increasing the risk of vaginal colonization. The symptoms of candidiasis include itching, burning, pain during sexual intercourse, thick white discharge similar to curdled milk, and inflammation of the vaginal mucosa.