Increasing the Recommendation of Probiotics Through Provider and Patient Education for the Treatment of Recurrent Vaginitis

Recurrent and chronic vaginitis affects women’s self-esteem, sex life and overall well-being. The underestimation of the impact of recurrent and chronic vaginitis on women warrants further research into interventions and treatments. While bacterial vaginosis and vulvocandidiasis are among the most common gynecological diagnoses associated with vaginitis, there is no clear resolution in the literature. The path to finding a treatment plan that provides better and longer lasting relief may lie within the addition of probiotics supplementation. The use of probiotics has been widely explored in topics pertaining to gut health, however creating a more balanced flora of bacteria within the vagina could also lead to advancements in women’s health. This doctoral project was designed and implemented to increase the knowledge of providers and patients about the long-term use of probiotics for vaginal health while decreasing symptomatology at a women’s and family practice in South Florida.