Lactobacillus Vaginal Suppositories for Chronic Cystitis

Previous research has indicated that alterations in vaginal microflora play a significant role in the development of urinary tract infections. Several clinical trials have demonstrated that vaginal suppositories containing Lactobacillus bacteria can help prevent chronic cystitis. However, there remains a lack of sufficient research comparing the vaginal microbiota of postmenopausal women with chronic and uncomplicated cystitis to that of healthy women.

Hormonal changes during menopause, urinary incontinence, which may arise during this period, and other associated urinary tract issues can contribute to recurrent cystitis, making it a recurring problem for affected individuals.

Research Methods

A team of scientists from Okayama University, Japan, has explored the link between vaginal microbiota and chronic cystitis. They conducted a comparative analysis of the vaginal microbiota in postmenopausal women with and without cystitis. Additionally, the researchers investigated the relative abundance of different bacterial species in the vagina before and after the introduction of vaginal suppositories containing Lactobacillus crispatus.

The scientists employed gene sequencing based on ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) 16S to analyze the bacteria present in vaginal samples from healthy postmenopausal women, women with chronic cystitis, those with uncomplicated cystitis, and those who used vaginal suppositories containing Lactobacillus crispatus. Through their investigations, the researchers discovered significant differences in bacterial species between healthy and uncomplicated cystitis groups. Furthermore, the microbiomes of the uncomplicated cystitis and healthy groups were markedly distinct from those of the chronic cystitis group.

Vaginal Suppositories Treat by Altering Microbiota

Lactobacilli were not detected in vaginal samples from postmenopausal patients with chronic cystitis. Instead, various members of the Enterobacteriaceae family, including many uropathogenic bacteria, were predominant. This stands in stark contrast to a healthy vaginal microbiota, which is rich in beneficial gut bacteria, such as lactobacilli. Vaginal suppositories restored the balance of microbiota and replenished lactobacilli counts. This alone prevented further episodes of cystitis in women.

These findings are particularly significant since the current treatment for chronic cystitis involves antimicrobial drugs, which are prone to antibiotic resistance. Frequent use of antimicrobial agents can even lead to severe forms of cystitis that become harder to treat.

Authors state, that further long-term studies are needed to determine the impact of antibiotics to affect the vaginal microbiota.