Alternative therapies for bacterial vaginosis: A literature review and acceptability survey

Objective - This article reviews current research into non-antibiotic treatments for bacterial vaginosis and assesses interest in the use of alternative therapies for women's health in a non-representative sample of women. Design center dot Literature review and online survey. Subjects center dot A convenience sample of 192 women was selected from an online community devoted to the discussion of women's health. Results center dot Data on alternative treatments for bacterial vaginosis are mixed. Studies have shown both positive and null effects for probiotic- and lactic acid-based treatments. The results of antiseptic studies were more uniformly positive, but the studies were generally not placebo-controlled. Women in the survey population were both interested in and experienced with alternative and complementary therapies for reproductive health problems-44% of them had used home or natural remedies to treat vaginal infections or menstrual problems, and only 20% indicated that antibiotics and antifungals would be their treatment of choice. Conclusions center dot Women are interested in alternative treatments for women's health problems such as yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. Although such treatments have been investigated, further research-particularly in the form of high-quality, randomized, controlled trials-is strongly indicated.