According to the Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age. This disorder can cause a number of symptoms, including increased vaginal discharge, malodorous discharge and vaginal itching. Often, however, bacterial vaginosis is asymptomatic. If you have symptoms from bacterial vaginosis, an imbalance in the bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus may be playing a role.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Lactobacilli are bacteria that normally live in the small intestine and vagina. While some bacteria are known to cause disease, Lactobacillus acidophilus is believed to be beneficial. According to Mayo Clinic, it produces a number of anti-microbial substances such as acidolin and bacteriocin. When taken externally, lactobacillus is termed a probiotic, or an organism that is used in a medicinal fashion. As Lactobacillus acidophilus plays an important role in the vaginal flora, this probiotic may be useful for treating bacterial vaginosis.
Bacterial Vaginosis and Acidophilus
As stated by the American Academy of Family Physicians, bacterial vaginosis accounts for 40 to 50 percent of cases of vaginitis in women of childbearing age. While the exact cause is unknown, the infection is thought to be the result of a proliferation of bacteria that exist normally in the vagina but in small numbers. Lactobacillus acidophilus normally coexists with a number of other bacteria in the vagina and produces hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is toxic to pathogens and a decrease in the number of Lactobacillus acidophilus organisms allows other bacteria to proliferate.
Dosing of Lactobacillus Acidophilus
For vaginal bacterial infections, either 8 oz. of yogurt or capsules with 1.5 g of acidophilus is recommended. However, the yogurt must be selected carefully and should contain acidophilus in a concentration of 100 million colony-forming units per milliliter. Vaginal suppositories containing Lactobacillus acidophilus have also been used to treat bacterial vaginosis. If you are considering using acidophilus for bacterial vaginosis, discuss the appropriate dosage with your physician.
Considerations
While several studies have demonstrated that Lactobacillus acidophilus can be used to treat bacterial vaginosis, certain people may have an increased risk of complications from bacterial vaginosis. For example, bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy can increase your risk of preterm delivery or a low birth weight baby. If you are at an increased risk for complications associated with bacterial vaginosis, your physician may recommend an antibiotic that is known to work quickly to treat this disorder. The antibiotics metronidazole and clindamycin are used most commonly, but your physician can help determine the treatment plan that is best for you.
