Is endometrial infection with Candida albicans a cause of recurrent vaginal thrush?

OBJECTIVE It was hypothesised that the endometrium might act as a reservoir for candida, thus infecting the vagina as the endometrium is shed during menstruation. DESIGN A prospective study of women with recurrent vulvo-vaginal candidiasis. The endometrium was sampled and cultured for candida species. SETTING Central London STD clinic. SUBJECTS 26 women were enrolled, of whom 20 completed the study. RESULTS One patient had a positive endometrial culture for candida species, the isolate being Candida krusei. CONCLUSIONS The endometrium is not a common resevoir for candida species and therefore, infection at this site is an unlikely cause of recurrent vaginal candidiasis.