Latest BV Research & Non-Antibiotic Treatments

BV research is ongoing, with some excellent researchers at the helm trying to solve bacterial vaginosis (BV). At My Vagina we specialise in effective, evidence-based non-antibiotic treatments for bacterial vaginosis and other hard-to-treat vaginal infections.

This section is an educational area with important BV research from some of the top minds in the world. Keep up-to-date with the latest in BV research, whether you are a practitioner or patient. This section is split up into topics, and not every study has been listed here. We update this section as required with interesting BV research pieces, so check back every now and again to see what’s new.

NOTE: We detail our effective, evidence-based, non-antibiotic treatments in Killing BV and Killing BV: Guide for men.

BV diagnostics basics

For the basics on BV diagnostics, we’ve made a list of some good go-to posts:

Research into biofilms

Effect on BV biofilms by antibiotics and SCAA
Metronidazole and tobramycin prevented biofilm formation, but had no effect on established biofilms. Amphoteric tenside sodium cocoamphoacetate (SCAA) disintegrated existing biofilms, reducing biomass by 51 per cent and viability by 61 per cent, but we can’t use SCAA vaginally.
How cinnamon oil interferes with biofilm formation
Cassia, Peru balsam and red thyme essential oils were found to be more effective at eradicating Pseudomonas and S. aureus biofilms that selected important antibiotics.
Retrocyclin as a G. vaginalis biofilm inhibitor
Retrocyclin can interfere with G. vaginalis biofilms, but cannot kill planktonic bacteria.
DNase disrupts biofilm of G. vaginalis
G. vaginalis biofilms contain extracellular DNA, with DNase enzymes able to disrupt this DNA and inhibit the biofilm, both in new and established biofilms. DNase liberates live bacteria from the biofilm.
Essential oils that attack biofilms in vitro
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. putida, and Staphylococcus aureus were tested with cinnamon, clove, Peru balsam, red thyme and tea tree essential oils with various effects on the biofilm and planktonic bacteria.
The impact of temperature and pH on biofilm formation
Five of the strains tested had increased biofilm activity at 37°C compared to at 30°C.

Studies into men and BV-related bacteria

Is Gardnerella vaginalis linked with male infertility?
Despite up to 44 per cent of semen of men attending fertility clinics containing G. vaginalis, it does not appear to affect sperm quality.
Evidence for men carrying Gardnerella vaginalis in the urethra
Study 1 – 11 of 430 men were found to be carrying G. vaginalis in their urethra, with heterosexual men much more likely than homosexual men to carry the bacteria.
Study 2 – 15 men had G. vaginalis isolated from urine samples, with 10 of the 15 showing signs or symptoms of urethral inflammation.
How circumcision impacts frequency of vaginal infections
The risk of trichomonas and bacterial vaginosis was reduced in the wives of the circumcised men.
Evidence for men that they carry BV-related bacterial biofilms
Check out three studies that demonstrate BV-related biofilms in men.
Cryopreserved donor sperm contains G. vaginalis (BV) seeds
Case reports of BV after artificial insemination prompted a study that found G. vaginalis in semen samples.

BV research - studies into BV-related bacteria

L. crispatus competitively excludes G. vaginalis
L. crispatus core adhesive proteins has the potential to reduce G. vaginalis’ ability to adhere to epithelial cells
How pH affects glycogen degradation in the vagina and affects lactobacilli growth
Contradictory findings into pH changes and cleaving of glycogen shed some light on the patterns of pH and glycogen availability to lactobacilli.
Lactobacillus attacks G. vaginalis biofilm
BV can be sexually transmitted

BV Research - how BV relates to lifestyle habits

Smoking, BV, and other vaginal infections
Tobacco smoking is significantly correlated with bacterial vaginosis, being twice as likely than as in non-smokers.
The impact of the Mirena IUD on vaginal bacteria
No significant clinical changes in the vaginal microbiome after insertion of the Mirena IUD.
Post-BV-treatment contraceptives use and sexual habits
Risk of BV recurrence was increased when women had the same partner before and after treatment and didn’t use condoms. Oestrogen-based birth control appears to provide a protective effect.

BV research - BV links to other disease states

Endometritis and BV
Ten of 22 women with BV had chronic endometritis, compared with one out of 19 of the controls. Women with BV were found to have more chronic endometritis than women without BV.
BV and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s and colitis)
Significant link between IBD and G. vaginalis biofilms, possibly due to epithelial barrier dysfunction in the genital tract.

BV Research - Studies on herbal medicine and non-drug treatments for bacterial vaginosis

Thyme cream for BV In this study, thyme (Zataria multiflora) cream proved less effective than standard antibiotic therapy for BV, but not by much.

Calendula cream for BV A week after treatment with either standard antibiotic treatment or a calendula (Calendula officinalis) cream, all groups were BV symptom free. The calendula group had more itching.

Tea tree and coconut vinegar for inhibiting biofilm growth and killing G. vaginalis Out of 38 biofilm-creating strains of G. vaginalis, 11 had their biofilms inhibited by the tea tree and coconut vinegar.

Boric acid and BV – does it work? A failure rate of 50 per cent was documented at 36 weeks follow-up after 600mg of vaginal boric acid for 21 days.

Vitamin C vaginally for abnormal vaginal microflora In about half the women, normal vaginal flora was returned, compared to 24 per cent in the control group. Better outcomes were observed in pregnant women. Not well tolerated by all women.

The impact of pH alone on BV biofilms pH affected the ability of G. vaginalis to form biofilms, and reduced bacterial counts three fold.

Coriander and thyme essential oils for vaginal infections in vitro Coriander essential oil can be used against E.coli, S. aureus and C. albicans vaginal infections as an alternative gynaecological treatment.

BV research - studies on fertility and BV

Does BV cause infertility in women? Women with tubal infertility, and anovulation, were independently three times more likely to have BV than other specific causes of infertility.

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