Evaluating Vitamin C Vaginal Tablets Effect on Gardnerella vaginalis Infection

Introduction: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginitis in childbearing women. Despite the availability of various treatments, recurrence rates are high. This study investigated the effects and side effects of vitamin C vaginal tablets in patients with Gardnerella vaginalis infection based on Amsel criteria and the culture. Methods: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted on ۴۸ non-pregnant women aged ۱۵-۴۰ years referred to Alawi Hospital in Ardabil Province, Iran. After the diagnosis of G. vaginalis infection based on Amsel criteria and culture methods, the patients were randomly assigned to receive either intravaginal ۲۵۰ mg vitamin C (intervention group, n=۲۴) or ۲۵۰ mg metronidazole tablets (control group, n=۲۴) for eight nights. The patients were evaluated ۱۰ ± ۲ and ۳۰ ± ۲ days before and after the treatment. Results: Culture and Amsel criteria showed significant improvement in both groups during the first and fourth weeks of treatment. However, the intervention group that received vitamin C showed a more substantial improvement (P<۰.۰۰۲, P<۰.۰۰۱). Intravaginal vitamin tablets were more effective than metronidazole tablets in treating G. vaginalis infection. Furthermore, vitamin C tablets improved the abnormal growth of vaginal microflora and reduced the abnormally high pH of the vagina. This treatment effectively prevented the recurrence of G. vaginalis infection for one month. Conclusion: Vitamin C vaginal tablets showed to be a promising alternative treatment for G. vaginalis infection, but further research is needed to confirm these findings and address potential limitations.

Keywords:

Gardnerella vaginalis , Vitamin C vaginal tablets , Amsel , Bacterial vaginosis , Treatment , Intravaginal , Diagnosis , Lactobacillus , Probiotics