Question: In females being treated with antibiotics, is probiotic use effective in reducing the incidence of vulvovaginal candidiasis?

摘要

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is the second most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age, second only to Bacterial Vaginosis. It is associated with significant discomfort and morbidity in women. In 1995, costs in the United States for treating WC were estimated at $1.8 billion dollars.1 The way in which VVC develops is unclear; however, it is generally accepted that it occurs when vaginal flora is disrupted in a manner which allows Candida species to thrive. Some studies support that WC is associated with either a low number of vaginal lactobacilli or with lactobacilli that do not produce H_2O_2. Tight clothing, frequent sexual activity, diabetes, antibiotic therapy and estrogen therapy all increase the risk for development of WC.