Utilisation of hydrogen peroxide in the treatment of recurrent bacterial vaginosis.
OBJECTIVE
The authors have evaluated the real efficacy of using hydrogen peroxide for previously treated recurrent bacterial vaginosis that is resistant to other forms of treatment.


METHODS
The study included 58 women aged between 18 and 42 years old. Vaginal irrigations with 30 ml of hydrogen peroxide (3%) were prescribed in the evening for a week. The follow-up was carried out 3 months after the end of treatment.


RESULTS
The results clearly show that the use of hydrogen peroxide in vagina can eliminate the main symptoms of bacterial vaginosis, and in particular the malodorous leucoxanthorrhea in 89% of cases at 3 months after the end of treatment, a result that is comparable to that obtained using metronidazole or clindamycin as a vaginal cream. Moreover, hydrogen peroxide facilitates the restoration of normal vaginal bacterial flora (represented by H202-producing lactobacillus) in 100% of cases and normal acid pH (pH<4.5) in 98% of cases; it also fosters the disappearance of clue cells from vaginal smears and anaerobic pathogenic flora from vaginal secretions in 100% of cases. The amine test became negative in 97.8% of cases. All results underwent statistical analysis and were found to be statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Hydrogen peroxide represents a valid alternative to conventional treatments for recurrent bacterial vaginosis, and associates the absence of collateral effects with low costs, excellent tolerability and real therapeutic efficacy.
Cardone
A
A
1st Obstetric and Gynecologic Clinic, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Zarcone
R
R
Borrelli
A
A
Di Cunzolo
A
A
Russo
A
A
Tartaglia
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007779:Lactobacillus acidophilus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012008:Recurrence; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide