Hypersensitivity to vaginal candidiasis or treatment vehicles in the pathogenesis of minor vestibular gland syndrome.

Minor vestibular gland syndrome is a specific clinical entity found in young women with a previous history of vaginal candidiasis. The criteria for diagnosis include introital dyspareunia, absence of active infection, erythema around orifices of the minor vestibular glands and exquisite tenderness to point palpation with a cotton-tipped applicator over these glandular openings. The histopathology shows a mixed inflammatory infiltrate in the subepithelium as well as around the glands. The etiology of this clinical syndrome is unknown. It is unlikely that a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to Candida is the cause. It is also unlikely that an irritant or allergic reaction to Monistat-7 vaginal cream or the vehicles in other vaginal creams contributes to this problem.