How Lactobacillus Acidophilus Can Fight Bacterial Vaginosis

Natural remedies are found worldwide for many illnesses and conditions. Bacterial vaginosis is one of the health disorders where natural remedies have proven successful by women with the disorder.

One of these natural remedies is the use of Lactobacillus acidophilus.

What Is Lactobacillus Acidophilus?

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a type of bacteria found in the normal flora of the human digestive system and vagina. This bacteria has actually been found to be helpful in human health. Research studies on this micro-organism have shown it to be effective in bacterial vaginosis and regulating the immune system, called immunomodulation.

When women use Lactobacillus to fight bacterial vaginosis, there’s a simple reason why this remedy will most likely be successful. Because there’s a deficiency in the number of Lactobacillus bacteria in the vagina in the woman with the disorder, supplying the bacteria will cure the deficiency.

It’s a matter of simple cause and effect: not enough of the right bacteria in the vagina means bacterial vaginosis will occur, and having enough of the right bacteria cures the condition.

How Does Someone Use Lactobacilli As Treatment?

Vaginal suppositories or even eating plain, unflavored yogurt with live active cultures are the easiest ways to use Lactobacillus acidophilus as a treatment for bacterial vaginosis.

When taking this remedy orally, capsules containing between 1 and 10 billion viable Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria are consumed as the usual dosage. This is taken in divided dosages by mouth. Higher doses can be problematic, especially in those with immune system disorders.

Smaller doses may not be enough to cure the problem. Lactobacillus acidophilus capsules containing 1.5 grams were effective in one research study.

How to Use Lactobacillus Vaginally As A Suppository

1. Make sure the tablets contain live cultures! You’ll need ones that are 10 million to 1 billion colony-forming units (CFU) per tablet.
2. Insert the tablet into the vagina once or twice daily.
3. Do not douche.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Occasionally, someone may experience gas or abdominal discomfort from vaginal suppositories as the flora re-establish themselves. This will eventually clear up once the flora is re-established.

Occasionally, burning of the vagina is experienced, usually if there’s a concurrent Candida infection.

Who Should Not Use This As A Remedy?

The only people that should avoid using Lactobacillus acidophilus suppositories or should not take the capsules / tablets orally are those with weakened immune systems and those who may have heart disease or artificial heart valves.

If the immune system is weak, such as in those who have had chemotherapy, radiation and organ transplants, the bacteria can produce toxins that build up in the bloodstream and cause septicemia, or blood poisoning. When you take Lactobacillus acidophilus, there will be an increase in the number of Lactobacilli in the blood, and some of them may cause infections of heart valves in those that have weakened heart valves.

Likewise, if you have recently had surgery on the colon or any part of the intestinal tract, or have an active infection or irritation of the intestinal tract, it’s important to address the healing of these areas before you begin taking the capsules.