The microorganisms that grow in the vaginal area play a major role in the maintenance of the health of a woman. When this flora is dominated by bacteria called lactobacilli, the vaginal habitat is regarded as being healthy, unless other specific disease symptoms are obvious. Lactobacilli create a healthy environment by keeping the vaginal pH low and preventing the growth of other harmful bacteria, thus protecting against genital infections.
In premenopausal women of childbearing age, a reduction or absence of lactobacilli can upset the microbial balance of the vaginal flora, leading to an overgrowth of gram-negative bacteria, and ultimately resulting in bacterial infections. Women with abnormal flora are likely at higher risk of preterm labour and sexually transmitted diseases and developing symptomatic infections in the vagina and/or bladder such as:
During menopause, a decrease in the amount of vaginal oestrogen is associated with fewer lactobacilli, a rise in vaginal pH, and increased vaginal growth of harmful bacteria. This can lead to an increase in recurrent urinary tract infections. Approximately 20 – 30 % of women with a UTI will have a recurrence.
Antibiotics have been reasonably effective at curing bacterial infections of the bladder and vagina, however increasing resistance of bacteria against antibiotics and failure of medication to cure recurrent infections, plus a negative impact on women’s quality of life, creates the need for alternative therapy.
Research has shown that lactobacilli can be delivered and allowed to grow in the vaginal environment by taking oral supplementations. Oral supplementation of lactobacilli can aid in raising vaginal floral quality and improving urinary tract health.
Reuterina femme ® contains two strains of probiotic bacteria that can grow in the vaginal area when taken orally.