A Comparative Study on the Therapeutic Effect of the Propolis Vaginal Cream and Clotrimazole on Candida Vulvovaginitis in Reproductive Aged Women

Candidiasis vulvoginitis is the second prevalent infection of the vagina; azole topical drugs are the most common methods of treatment. Due to the frequent recurrence of the disease, many women desire to use herbal therapy. Propolis is among these therapies which it's anti-fungal property has been proved. This study was carried out to compare the effect of Propolis vaginal cream with clotrimazole on the treatment results of candidiasis vulvoginitis in reproductive aged women. This clinical trial was conducted on 100 ladies at fertility age for a period of 8 months. From the viewpoint of clinical complaints and laboratory culture, all the patients were diagnosed to be afflicted and underwent treatment in two groups of 50 individuals each with clotrimazole and Propolis randomly. The results were compared after 10 days of therapy and reculturing. The itching and cheesy leukorrhea was recovered in 92.0% and 68.0% of the patients treated with clotrimazole and Propolis, respectively with a significant statistically diference. Propolis had a weak effect on the improvement of the patient's complaints as compared to clotimazole. From the viewpoint of the reduction of colony, no significant statistical difference was observed. That is, in reducing the colony, Propolis had the same effect as that of clotrimazole. Considering the same effect of both drugs in reducing the colony, Propolis can be used as a complimentary treatment besides the main therapy.