Study: ascorbic acid (vitamin C) for BV – does it work?

TL;DR

A groundbreaking study investigates the use of silicon-coated vitamin C tablets as a treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV), revealing promising results. Administered vaginally, the treatment showed a significant cure rate compared to placebos, highlighting its potential as an effective and safe management strategy for BV.

A study[1. Arzneimittelforschung. 2011;61(4):260-5. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1296197. Efficacy of vitamin C vaginal tablets in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial. Petersen EE1, Genet M, Caserini M, Palmieri R.] looked into the use of silicon-coated vitamin C for bacterial vaginosis treatment in a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial.

Dose and treatment
A dose of 250mg of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) was given to women with BV, to insert vaginally for six days, once per day.

Results
There were several results categories.

  1. Intent to treat (ITT) population, BV was resolved in 55 per cent of the women and in 26 per cent of those given the placebo.
  2. In the per-protocol (PP) population, the cure rate was 66 per cent for the vitamin C group and 27 per cent with the placebo.
  3. A subset of patients with centralised evaluation of the vaginal swab, cure in ITT sat at 86 per cent with vitamin C and 8 per cent of placebo patients.
  4. A subset of patients with centralised evaluation of the vaginal swab, cure in PP sat at 86 per cent with vitamin C and 6 per cent of placebo patients.

Conclusion
The researchers state that both vitamin C and placebo were well tolerated and there was no difference in safety profile between the groups. Vitamin C coated with silicon was determined to be an effective and safe treatment/management strategy for BV.

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Jessica Lloyd - Vulvovaginal Specialist Naturopathic Practitioner, BHSc(N)

Jessica is a degree-qualified naturopath (BHSc) specialising in vulvovaginal health and disease, based in Melbourne, Australia.

Jessica is the owner and lead naturopath of My Vagina, and is a member of the:

  • International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD)
  • International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH)
  • National Vulvodynia Association (NVA) Australia
  • New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society (ANZVS)
  • Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS)
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