A PROSPECTIVE COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF METRONIDAZOLE-DOXYCYCLINE THERAPY WITH AND WITHOUT PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTATION ON CLINICAL OUTCOMES IN BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS

ABSTRACT
Bacterial vaginosis is characterized by the overgrowth of various anaerobic
bacteria within the vaginal ecosystem. It is regarded as one of the most frequent
gynaecological complaints affecting women of different reproductive age
groups. It is managed by broad and narrow-spectrum antibiotics such as
Doxycycline and Metronidazole, respectively, in combination that target
polymicrobial etiology. Increased use of antibiotics can affect the vaginal
microbial flora and can produce side-effects like nausea, vomiting, metallic
taste, etc. It can be overcome by the use of probiotics. On integrating antibiotics
with oral probiotics, they not only help in the eradication of infection but also
prevent recurrence, side effects of antibiotics, and improve
vaginal hygiene.
KEYWORD: Bacterial vaginosis, Metronidazole, Doxycycline, Probiotic
supplementation