Probiotics: utility, benefits, and risks for gynecologic conditions

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Gynecology
• Urology

Background:

• The vaginal microbiome is crucial for preventing infections.
• Probiotics are being investigated for their potential to restore vaginal health.
• Interest is growing in probiotics as a low-risk alternative to antibiotics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the efficacy of probiotics in managing vulvovaginal infections.
• To assess the role of probiotics in normalizing the vaginal microbiome.
• To explore probiotics as a treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV), urinary tract infections (UTIs), and human papillomavirus (HPV).

Main Methods:

• Review of recent research on probiotic interventions for vaginal and urinary tract health.
• Analysis of studies investigating probiotic effects on bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, UTIs, and HPV.
• Evaluation of probiotics used in conjunction with other treatments like D-mannose and cranberry.

Main Results:

• Probiotics may help prevent recurrent bacterial vaginosis (BV) when used with antibiotics.
• Probiotics are not effective for preventing recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.
• Probiotics significantly decrease recurrent UTIs (76%) as part of a non-antibiotic bundle.
• Probiotics show potential in clearing HPV and resolving abnormal Papanicolaou test results.

Conclusions:

• Probiotics demonstrate effectiveness in treating BV, recurrent UTIs, and HPV.
• Specific probiotic strains and products require further investigation for targeted indications.
• Probiotics offer a promising, well-tolerated therapeutic option for various gynecological and urological conditions.