PROBIOTICS
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
Probiotics containing Lactobacillus strains should not be used in treatment of VVC but they do have a role in prevention of recurrent vaginal yeast infections. Majority of the studies available had various limitations such as small sample size, lacking a control group and including women without confirmed VVC. Further studies with appropriate experimental design that evaluate oral and intravaginal dosage forms and appropriate doses are necessary to determine definitive recommendations.
It may be helpful to reduce the consumption of sugar and increase the yogurt intake1. Daily ingestion of 240 mL of 108 CFU/mL Lactobacillus acidophilus yogurt has been shown to decrease colonization and symptomatic infections of VVC. Intravaginal forms of L. acidophilus have also been used2. There is no evidence specific to VVC but for vaginal disorders in general one to two tablets of 107-109 CFU per tablet (Gynoflor® or Vivag®), inserted intravaginally once or twice daily has been used3. Probiotics have not been shown to be effective in prevention of yeast infections during courses of oral antibiotic therapy1.
References
1. Patient Self-Care. 1st Edition. Canadian Pharmacists Association 2002. Chapter 50 – Vaginal Symptoms. Laura-Lynn Pollock. Pages 676-679.
2. Joseph T. DiPiro, Robert L. Talbert, Gary C. Yee, Gary R. Matzke, Barbara G. Wells, L. Michael Posey. Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach, 8th Edition. Chapter 129: Superficial Fungal Infections. Toronto: McGraw-Hill; 2011.
3. Acidophilus (Lactobacillus acidophilus)Natural Standard Professional Monograph, Copyright © 2012
Probiotics containing Lactobacillus strains should not be used in treatment of VVC but they do have a role in prevention of recurrent vaginal yeast infections. Majority of the studies available had various limitations such as small sample size, lacking a control group and including women without confirmed VVC. Further studies with appropriate experimental design that evaluate oral and intravaginal dosage forms and appropriate doses are necessary to determine definitive recommendations.
It may be helpful to reduce the consumption of sugar and increase the yogurt intake1. Daily ingestion of 240 mL of 108 CFU/mL Lactobacillus acidophilus yogurt has been shown to decrease colonization and symptomatic infections of VVC. Intravaginal forms of L. acidophilus have also been used2. There is no evidence specific to VVC but for vaginal disorders in general one to two tablets of 107-109 CFU per tablet (Gynoflor® or Vivag®), inserted intravaginally once or twice daily has been used3. Probiotics have not been shown to be effective in prevention of yeast infections during courses of oral antibiotic therapy1.
References
1. Patient Self-Care. 1st Edition. Canadian Pharmacists Association 2002. Chapter 50 – Vaginal Symptoms. Laura-Lynn Pollock. Pages 676-679.
2. Joseph T. DiPiro, Robert L. Talbert, Gary C. Yee, Gary R. Matzke, Barbara G. Wells, L. Michael Posey. Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach, 8th Edition. Chapter 129: Superficial Fungal Infections. Toronto: McGraw-Hill; 2011.
3. Acidophilus (Lactobacillus acidophilus)Natural Standard Professional Monograph, Copyright © 2012