[Recurrent vaginal candidiasis. Reflections of a psychosomatic gynecologist]

Chronic vaginal candidiasis is a frequent reason for consulting a doctor and its treatment is not simple. Emotional and psychological pain due to the duration make it not only a medical problem. Psychological and organic factors are combined. The use of the body shows the archaism of the psychological function of the patient. It's by studying the past of these women that we can really understand the interaction between the psychological and organic functioning. The somatic symptoms express a pain. The result for these women is a breakdown in their personal balance, either in their present or in the past, particularly in the development of their femininity. Psychodynamic theories can help us to take these patients in charge by giving them a psychosomatic dimension to chronic candidiasis.