Lived experience of medical management in recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: a qualitative study of an uncertain journey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) is experienced by up to 10% of pre-menopausal women globally, yet there is limited research exploring the perspective of women living with this challenging condition.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews with Australian women experiencing RVVC were conducted between April-July 2021. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was conducted.

Results

Ten RVVC patients were interviewed. IPA revealed an uncertain journey living with RVVC for all participants ranging from initial symptoms and difficulties in obtaining a diagnosis, the trial and error of symptom management, to the overall debilitating impact of living with a personal and intimate health condition. Fou

SUBMITTER: Bradfield Strydom M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9487134 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature