Persistence of Lactobacilli in Postmenopausal Women - A Double-Blind, Randomized, Pilot Study

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the ability of lactobacilli to persist in the genital area (vagina and labia) of women after the topical application of an ointment containing Lactobacillus gasseri LN40, L. fermentum LN99 and L. rhamnosus LN113. Secondary objectives were to study the presence of Escherichia coli and other contaminants, as well as subjective symptoms in the genital tract. Methods: Eighteen healthy postmenopausal women were randomized to use either the study product or placebo for 10 days. Gynecological examinations, labial and vaginal samplings for bacterial cultivation were performed at baseline (visit 1), after treatment (visit 2), and at a 10-day follow-up (visit 3). LN strains were identified by specific cultivation methods. Subjective symptoms were evaluated by a self-administered questionnaire. Results: The presence of LN99 was shown in 7 out of 8 women in the investigational group at visit 2 (p < 0.001 compared to placebo) and in 5 out of 8 at visit 3 (p < 0.05), whereas the presence of LN113 was shown in 2 out of 8 at visit 2 and in 1 out of 8 at visit 3. Subjective symptoms were significantly reduced (p < 0.01) at visits 2 and 3 for both products. Conclusion: Topical application of a probiotic ointment is feasible to achieve persistence of lactobacilli for at least 10 days.

Healthy Vaginal Microbiota and Influence of Probiotics Across the Female Life Span

“…Nugent Score was reduced at Day 1 and after 1 week in the probiotic group. In addition, a pilot placebo-controlled clinical trial by Kwak et al (2017) investigated the vaginal colonization of topically applied L. gasseri LN40, Limosilactobacillus fermentum LN99, and L. rhamnosus LN113 product for 10 days in postmenopausal women (n = 18). Potential vaginal persistence was shown for LN99 and LN113 either at the end or after the intervention, but not for LN40.…”

Probiotic lactobacilli in formulas and hygiene products for the health of the urogenital tract

“…In postmenopausal women, the application of probiotic strains (Table 1, dark gray panel) in intimate care ointment demonstrated the successful colonization of probiotic strains to improve the healthy VM. 164 But, oral administration of probiotic+isoflavone was not as effective as the hormonal therapy to improve genitourinary menopause symptoms. 170 In conclusion, several trials have demonstrated that single or combined probiotic or potential probiotic strains, either alone or supplemented to antimicrobial therapy, were effective for BV, AV, R-VVC, and TV prevention and treatment.…”

“…In postmenopausal women, the application of probiotic strains (Table 1, dark gray panel) in intimate care ointment demonstrated the successful colonization of probiotic strains to improve the healthy VM 164 . But, oral administration of probiotic+isoflavone was not as effective as the hormonal therapy to improve genitourinary menopause symptoms 170 …”

The influence of probiotics on genital high-risk human papilloma virus clearance and quality of cervical smear: a randomized placebo-controlled trial

“…It has been well established that probiotic strains can enable restoration and maintenance of normal vaginal flora and are thus helpful in the treatment and prevention of BV and vulvovaginal candidiasis [8, 9]. This effect has also been shown in post-menopausal women [23, 24]. A previous study showed that number of lactobacillus was increased following probiotic administration in postmenopausal women indicating low estrogen levels wound not influence probiotic efficacy [25].…”