Abstract

Candida albicans is now the commonest cause of genital symptoms in women attending clinics for sexually transmitted diseases,¹ and seems to be increasing in frequency.² Host factors, including pregnancy, diabetes, obesity, the recent use of antibiotics, oral contraceptives, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressive drugs encourage the growth of the yeast in the genital tract. Both gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis have been reported to be commonly associated with candidosis in women attending the clinics for sexually transmitted diseases, especially in the younger age group. This is not true for the majority of women seen in general practice.³