The results do not provide sufficient evidence for or against recommending probiotics for the treatment of BV .
BACKGROUND The dominance of lactobacilli in healthy vaginal microbiota and its depletion in bacterial vaginosis ( BV ) has given rise to the concept of oral or vaginal instillation of probiotic Lactobacillus strains for the management of this condition .
OBJECTIVES To ascertain the efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of BV .
Sexually transmitted infections and vaginal douching in a population of female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya
Objective : To assess the association between vaginal douching and sexually transmitted infections ( STI ) among a group of female sex workers ( FSWs ) in Nairobi , Kenya . Methods : This study was part of a r and omised , placebo controlled trial of monthly prophylaxis with 1 g of azithromycin to prevent STIs and HIV infection in a cohort of Nairobi FSWs . Consenting women were administered a question naire and screened for STIs . Results : The seroprevalence of HIV-1 among 543 FSWs screened was 30 % .  HIV infection was significantly associated with bacterial vaginosis ( BV ) , trichomoniasis , gonorrhoea , and the presence of a genital ulcer . Regular douching was reported by 72 % of the women , of whom the majority inserted fluids in the vagina , generally after each sexual intercourse . Water with soap was the fluid most often used ( 81 % ) , followed by salty water ( 18 % ) , water alone ( 9 % ) , and a commercial antiseptic ( 5 % ) . Douching in general and douching with soap and water were significantly associated with bacterial vaginosis ( p = 0.05 and p = 0.04 respectively ) . There was a significant trend for increased frequency of douching and higher prevalence of BV . There was no direct relation observed between douching and risk for HIV infection or other STIs . Conclusion : The widespread habit of douching among African female sex workers was confirmed . The association between vaginal douching and BV is of concern , given the increased risk of HIV infection with BV , which has now been shown in several studies . It is unclear why we could not demonstrate a direct association between douching and HIV infection . Further research is required to better underst and the complex relation between douching , risk for bacterial vaginosis , and risk for HIV and other STIs
The results do not provide sufficient evidence for or against recommending probiotics for the treatment of BV .
BACKGROUND The dominance of lactobacilli in healthy vaginal microbiota and its depletion in bacterial vaginosis ( BV ) has given rise to the concept of oral or vaginal instillation of probiotic Lactobacillus strains for the management of this condition .
OBJECTIVES To ascertain the efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of BV .