Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a prevalent form of vaginitis, and most patients show improvement when treated with antifungal medications. However, recurrence may affect a minority. It has been found through previous research that the concomitant utilisation of probiotics during acute VVC leads to early relief of symptoms and signs and offers a preventive measure against recurrences.
Objectives: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the combination of oral probiotics with conventional antifungal treatment as compared to conventional antifungal treatment alone.
Methods: Sixty patients who were newly diagnosed with VVC were enrolled in a randomised controlled trial. They were divided into two groups. Group A included 30 cases treated with conventional antifungal medication (oral fluconazole 150 mg single dose), while Group B included 30 cases treated with conventional antifungal medication (oral fluconazole 150 mg single dose) alongside oral probiotic capsules (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, L. crispatus, L. gasseri, L. jensenii) for 2 months. The clinical and mycological findings were recorded before and after treatment. The relapse rate and side effects were recorded during the period of our study.
Results: No significant difference between the clinical cure rate, mycological cure, and relapse rate was seen between the two groups. (P < 0.05). However, a larger proportion of patients in Group B (97%) achieved complete remission compared to Group A (90%). No side effects were noted in either of the groups.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the addition of probiotics to conventional antifungal treatment led to better rates of clinical and mycological cure and a lower likelihood of relapse compared to conventional antifungal treatment alone.
Keywords: Antifungals; probiotics; sexual health; vulvovaginal candidiasis.
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