title: Probiotics--a helpful additional therapy for bacterial vaginosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bacterial vaginosis is a condition of unknown etiology, associated with an imbalance of the normal vaginal microbiota, characterized by a high recurrence rate despite of classical therapy solutions. Probiotics are microorganisms, which taken in adequate amounts, are proven to bring health benefits in human and animal bodies, by re-establishing the normal flora at different levels.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present article studies the possibility of using probiotic treatment as an adjuvant therapy for nonspecific vaginosis and reducing its recurrence rate.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have evaluated the evolution of patients with bacterial vaginosis who received the classical antibiotic therapy and a probiotic product. The study group consisted of 173 non-pregnant, sexually active patients, 20-45 years old, with no additional health problems and no contraceptive undergoing treatment, which have been admitted to the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Bucharest Emergency University Hospital between 1.01.2012-31.12.2012.The bacteriological evaluation was made on cervical and vaginal cultures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From a total of 173 patients, those who used probiotics oral capsules while taking an antibiotic had lower recurrence rates. More than a half of women who did not use any probiotic product had 3 or more relapse episodes per year. Vaginal capsules with probiotics have also proven to be useful in lowering the recurrence rate, but research is still needed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Probiotic products are proven to be a helpful adjuvant therapy for bacterial vaginosis, with no adverse outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bucharest University Emergency Hospital.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bodean
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bucharest University Emergency Hospital.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Munteanu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Bucharest University Emergency Hospital.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cirstoiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bucharest University Emergency Hospital.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Secara
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bucharest University Emergency Hospital.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cirstoiu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D008795:Metronidazole
keywords: bacterial vaginosis; probiotics