What is the Best Probiotic for Bacterial Vaginosis?

by Samantha
(Boston)

Q. I seem to have almost continuous Bacterial Vaginosis. I've tried everything to get rid of it but it keeps coming back. What would be the best probiotic to get rid of Bacterial Vaginosis?

I am 35 years of age, in a permanent monogamous relationship (with another woman) and am scrupulously clean in my habits. I can not understand why I keep getting it. My partner is very understanding but it does have an effect on our relationship.

Have any of your readers had a similar problem?



A. I sympathize with you on this one, Samantha.

First of all, understand that having BV is NOTHING to do with your personal cleanliness. It is one of these annoying and embarrassing things that women get when the bacteria in the vaginal tract get out of balance.

There are many things that can cause this. Over zealous washing, feminine hygiene products, antibiotics, douching, have all been seen as causes.

However, a 2006 study of 139 women found that a past history of BV, a REGULAR sex partner, and female sex partners were the only factors that were "significantly associated" with BV recurring.

In your case this is probably significant.

I'll include a couple of quotes from that 2006 study.

"Recurrences of BV and abnormal vaginal flora were associated with a prior history of BV, lack of hormonal contraceptive use, and specific behavioral practices, including having a regular sex partner throughout the study and having a female sex partner."

"There are more data to support the sexual transmission of BV between women than within heterosexual partnerships. Gardner and Dukes demonstrated that transmission between women is possible, and BV has been reported to be more prevalent in lesbians than in heterosexual women. There is high concordance of BV within monogamous lesbian partnerships, and an association with BV and sharing of sex toys has been observed for lesbians. Women with recurrences of BV and abnormal vaginal flora were more likely to have had female sex partners prior to recurrence in our cohort."

So, in answer to your question, Fem Dophilus would be the best probiotic because it will normalize the vaginal tract.

To KEEP the Bacterial Vaginosis away, in your case I would suggest no sharing of sex toys (this was one of the culprits in the study above) and try no oral/genital sex to see if that makes a difference.

Take the Fem Dophilus by mouth twice a day for a month and then once a day for another month. The two good bacteria in Fem Dophilus can remain in your vagina for over a week so that you can eventually get down to a maintenance dose of a couple of times a week.

Hope this help and do let us know how you get on with treating your BV. If anyone else has suggestions for Samantha, do comment.