VULVOVAGINAL candidiasis (VVC), a common condition caused by Candida albicans, affects millions of women annually and often resists standard antifungal treatments. A recent study sheds light on a novel therapeutic approach—intravaginal cooling—that to address symptom management and reduce relapse rates.
In a pilot trial, five women with VVC underwent treatment using a patented cooling device twice daily for 3 days. All participants achieved complete symptom relief with no recurrence observed over a 30-day follow-up period. Symptom scores were significantly reduced with each use, underscoring the device’s potential to provide rapid and sustained relief.
The study also explored the biological mechanisms behind the cooling therapy using a mouse model of VVC. Researchers utilized cooled magnetic micro stir rods to replicate the intravaginal cooling process. The treatment effectively reversed the fungal hyphae—responsible for the pathogenic immune response—back to their commensal yeast form. Additionally, vaginal tissue exhibited reduced neutrophil infiltration, a key contributor to the painful symptoms of VVC.
These findings suggest that intravaginal cooling alleviates symptoms and also addresses the underlying immunopathology of the condition. This dual-action approach differentiates it from traditional antifungal treatments, which often fail to prevent relapses or fully resolve symptoms.
There is a need for larger, long-term clinical trials to validate the device’s efficacy and safety in the use of this cooling therapy as a tool in managing VVC, particularly for patients who experience recurrent or drug-resistant infections.
Reference: Yano J et al. Intravaginal cooling provides symptom relief in women with vulvovaginal candidiasis and reduces immunopathology in an accompanying mouse model. J Infect Dis. 2025;jiaf028.
Anaya Malik | AMJ
