Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal infection in women in their reproductive years. In the United States, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), estimated the prevalence of BV was 29% in the general population of women aged 14 to 49 years and 50% in African-American women. It is characterized by a shift in vaginal flora from an acidic environment due to acid-producing lactobacilli to a mixture of anaerobic and facultative microorganisms. BV symptoms include vaginal odor, itching, discharge, and irritation and can greatly impact a woman’s health, quality of life, sexual relations, self-image, and well-being. BV has also been associated with an increased risk of preterm labor, STD acquisition, and vaginal cuff cellulitis after hysterectomy6. After treatment with antibiotics, recurrences are common. About 15-30% will have a recurrence in 3 months7.

Normal vaginal flora is lactobacilli dominant. Lactobacilli maintain vaginal pH in the acidic range and keep the growth of BV associated bacteria at low levels. Lactobacilli also produce proteins with the bactericidal activity which help to maintain their dominance. Anything that alters the vaginal flora and changes the pH to a more basic environment may increase the risk of BV.

Currently, there are many sexual lubricants and vaginal moisturizers available on the market. It has recently been shown that many of these are hyperosmolar and it is thought that hyperosmolar lubricants can be damaging to the epithelium and may alter the pH of the vagina.* It is postulated that lubricants and moisturizers may predispose to BV by altering the pH of the vagina.

Restore® Vaginal Gel

Use one application every other day or as needed for comfort and moisture. Apply internally using the provided applicator

Restore® Vaginal Gel is formulated to Bio-Match® the vaginal secretions of women with L. crispatus-dominated microbiota. Restore® has a pH of 3.7 with racemic 1% lactic acid and is iso-osmolar with serum. It is, therefore, much less likely to alter the acid-base balance of the vagina, and therefore less likely to predispose to bacterial vaginosis.*

BiopHresh® Vaginal Homeopathic Suppository

Wash hands before use. When vaginal area is clean and dry insert the capsule using the provided applicator. Make sure the applicator is clean and dry before reusing. Use every third day

Apply every third day, as a Bio-Matched® blend of the leading strains of lactobacillus found in the healthiest vaginal tracts combined with homeopathic remedies for BV relief.

A Bio-Matched® probiotic homeopathic formulation which provides a clinically-tested combination of lactobacilli including L. crispatus and other strains found in the most stable vaginal microbiome.*

Active Ingredients (per dose): Kreosotum 6C HPUS, Nitricum Acidum 6C HPUS, Thuja Occidentalis 6C HPUS, Pulsatilla Vulgaris 6C HPUS, Sepia Officinalis 6C HPUS*.

Inactive Ingredients: Ascorbic Acid, Gelatin, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus acidophilus LA02, LCR01, Lactobacillus gasseri LGS06, Lactobacillus fermentum LF08, Lactobacillus plantarum LP01, Lactobacillus rhamnosis LR06, Lactobacillus salivarius CRL1328, Maltodextrin, Tapioca starch.

Balance Moisturizing Personal Wash

Apply generously and lather intimate areas of the body. Rinse well. Recommended for daily use. If irritation occurs, discontinue use and seek medical advice. For external use only

Balance Moisturizing Personal Wash is a gentle, pH-balancing cleanser with soothing botanical extracts, formulated with more than 60% premium aloe. It is made without toxic saponifiers found in most bar soaps and OTC cleansers.

Additional resources

Supplemental information provided by Good Clean Love:

  1. Nasioudis, D., Linhares, I. M., Ledger, W. J., & Witkin, S. S. (2017). Bacterial vaginosis: a critical analysis of current knowledge. BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 124(1), 61–69.
  2. Allsworth JE, Peipert JF. Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis: 2001-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Obstet Gynecol. 2007 Jan;109(1):114-20.Allsworth, J. E., & Peipert, J. F. (2007). Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis: 2001-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Obstetrics and gynecology, 109(1), 114–120.
  3. Ruíz, F. O., Pascual, L., Giordano, W., & Barberis, L. (2015). Bacteriocins and other bioactive substances of probiotic lactobacilli as biological weapons against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Pathogens and disease, 73(3), ftv013
  4. Edwards, D., & Panay, N. (2016). Treating vulvovaginal atrophy/genitourinary syndrome of menopause: how important is vaginal lubricant and moisturizer composition?. Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society, 19(2), 151–161
  5. van de Wijgert, J., & Jespers, V. (2017). The global health impact of vaginal dysbiosis. Research in microbiology, 168(9-10), 859–864
  6. Larsson P. G. (1992). Treatment of bacterial vaginosis. International journal of STD & AIDS, 3(4), 239–247
  7. Ananthapadmanabhan, K. P., Moore, D. J., Subramanyan, K., Misra, M., & Meyer, F. (2004). Cleansing without compromise: the impact of cleansers on the skin barrier and the technology of mild cleansing. Dermatologic therapy, 17 Suppl 1, 16–25

Disclaimer

The Fullscript Integrative Medical Advisory team has developed or collected these protocols from practitioners and supplier partners to help health care practitioners make decisions when building treatment plans. By adding this protocol to your Fullscript template library, you understand and accept that the recommendations in the protocol are for initial guidance and may not be appropriate for every patient.

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