Preventive effect of probiotics on the recurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of genital discomfort in women in reproductive ages. It can cause many complications tubal factor infertility, preterm birth. BV is usually treated by metronidazole and clindamycin. However this protocol doesn’t prevent its recurrence, which is a main complaint of the patients. According to studies, the number of lactobacilli in the vagina of women with BV is significantly lower than in healthy women. So in an effort to normalize vaginal flora, oral or vaginal lactobacillus, much attention has been entered. Relevant randomized controlled trials were identified through a search of PubMed, Science Direct and the Cochrane Database and all papers published between 1990 and 2011. The search terms included Bacterial Vaginosis، Urinary Tract Infection، Urogenital Infection and Probiotics. Oral administration of probiotics are believed to ascend to the vaginal tract after they are excreted from the rectum and Vaginal intake forms, directly replaced to the vagina and occupation of specific adhesion sites at the epithelial surface of the urinary tract and maintenance of a low pH and production of antimicrobial substances like acids, hydrogen peroxide. Based on literature, receiving L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. fermentum RC-14 at a dose of at least 108 CFU/day for two months, has had the most desired effects expected. There is significant disagreement in the field so Future randomized controlled trials of the use of products in bacterial vaginosis should be adequately powered with sufficient number of samples to determine the best.