Probiotics May Help Cure Vaginosis
A new research review reveals that using probiotics in combination with antibiotic therapy may be the key to treating bacterial vaginosis (a common condition marked by an imbalance between beneficial bacteria and harmful bacteria in the vagina).
For the review, scientists sized up 24 studies involving a total of 4,422 women. While the antibiotics clindamycin and metronidazole both cured bacterial vaginosis within two to three weeks in more than 90 percent of cases, there was a high rate of relapse associated with antibiotic use. What's more, metronidazole produced side effects such as nausea and a metallic taste in the mouth. However, taking supplements of the probiotic lactobacillus alongside metronidazole appeared to increase the treatment's effectiveness.
Beneficial bacteria that are naturally present in the vagina and digestive tract, probiotics may help suppress the growth of potentially harmful bacteria (as well as improve immune function). In previous research, taking probiotic supplements has been shown to help decrease the side effects associated with use of antibiotics.
Comments
I’m definitely going to look up this review, great info! As a woman who has dealt with BV in the past, I researched it and from what I understand, antibiotics eradicate most of the bacteria in the body…including the beneficial bacteria. The beneficial bacteria can be replenished with probiotics (I like the supplement Flora Source a lot), but if your beneficial bacteria levels are low there is nothing to compete with the harmful bacteria that cause BV. Without any competition for space or resources, the harmful bacteria can multiply like crazy again and your stuck with a relapse. My simple fix is a probiotic supplement during and after antibiotic treatment for at lease three months.
- Anna M
blog.nutri-health.com