Alternative therapies for bacterial vaginosis: a literature review and acceptability survey.

OBJECTIVE: This article reviews current research into non-antibiotic treatments for bacterial vaginosis and assesses interest in the use of alternative therapies for women's health in a non-representative sample of women. DESIGN: Literature review and online survey. SUBJECTS: A convenience sample of 192 women was selected from an online community devoted to the discussion of women's health. RESULTS: Data on alternative treatments for bacterial vaginosis are mixed. Studies have shown both positive and null effects for probiotic- and lactic acid-based treatments. The results of antiseptic studies were more uniformly positive, but the studies were generally not placebo-controlled. Women in the survey population were both interested in and experienced with alternative and complementary therapies for reproductive health problems--44% of them had used home or natural remedies to treat vaginal infections or menstrual problems, and only 20% indicated that antibiotics and antifungals would be their treatment of choice. CONCLUSIONS: Women are interested in alternative treatments for women's health problems such as yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. Although such treatments have been investigated, further research--particularly in the form of high-quality, randomized, controlled trials--is strongly indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]