In women genital organs, different aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms are living in a dynamic balance. Complicated interactions and synergy between vaginal microflora and the host maintain hemostasis in vagina. This dynamic ecosystem is affected by age, pregnancy, Infectious diseases, birth control methods, pharmaceuticals and etc. vaginal flora contains more than 50 types of bacteria, of which, lactic acid bacteria are %95 dominant flora in healthy women. Yeasts like candidia and anaerobic bacteria like gardnerella and mycoplasma are main causes of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV). In this condition the population of lactic acid bacteria decrease and anaerobic gram negative bacteria, gram positive coccus and aerobic pathogens increase. The treatment of these infections are mostly antibiotics that will reduce lactic acid bacteria even more and eliminate normal vaginal flora.
Lactobacillus can maintain vaginal normal microflora by preventing the growth of pathogens and opportunistic bacteria. These microorganisms, can improve the condition by producing antimicrobial compounds, boosting the immune system, destructing biofilms made my fungal (Candida) and bacterial (Gardnerella vaginalis) infections. Hence, using probiotics that contain lactic acid bacteria can improve and maintain women health by improving vaginal microflora.

BioFem

BioFem

Active substance: Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus reuteri
Other ingredients: Magnesium stearate, Lactose
Dosage: 1×109 CFU/Capsule

Why use

Why use

• Boost and repair vaginal microflora
• Increase the chance of success in treatment of fungal and bacterial Vaginosis when prescribed with antifungals and antibiotics.
• Inhibit the colonizing and growth of microbes and pathogenic yeasts in vagina mucous
• Increase lactobacillus population and modulate rectum normal microflora as a microbial source to repair damaged vaginal microflora.
• Cure recurrent bacterial and fungal vaginal infections
• Decrease chance of genitourinary infections and recurrent UTI
• Improve general women health
• Improve pregnancy constipations
• Improvement of menopause symptoms

Recommended use

Recommended use

Take 1-2 capsules daily with your meal or as prescribed

Mechanisms of action

Mechanisms of action

• Boost immune system
• Compete with pathogens over food and adhesion to vaginal epithelial cells
• Decrease vaginal pH by producing organic acids especially lactic acids
• Produce antimicrobial compounds like bacteriocin, hydrogen peroxide, reuterin and lactic acid
• Destruct biofilm made by pathogenic bacteria by secreting biosurfactant
• Maintain normal vaginal flora
• Maintain mucosal epithelium, cell integrity that inhibits penetration of pathogens
• Modulate rectum normal flora that is a source for repairing damaged vaginal flora. Lactobacillus bacteria colonize in vagina during anovaginal transfer and maintain vaginal flora. Meanwhile they will inhibit transferring of pathogenic rectal bacteria to vagina.
• Improve pregnancy constipation by regulating gastrointestinal flora and secreting short chain fatty acids (SCFAs)

How oral capsules affect vagina

How oral capsules affect vagina

After passing through intestines and reaching the rectum, oral probiotic capsules are capable of transferring toward vagina. So the bacteria used in oral probiotics must have effective dosage and should be resistant to gastric acid and bile salts. When these bacteria reach the vagina, they start to function. Oral probiotics need more time to affect the flora in comparison to vaginal probiotics. But using oral capsules is easier in long period of time. Oral lactobacillus capsules colonize in perineum and perianal region and inhibit fungal and pathogenic bacteria transfer from rectum to vagina.

Side effects

Side effects

In some cases, using this product may lead to bloat and gas in gastro intestinal tract at the beginning but it will disappear after a while. Consult with your physician if any other side effects are observed.

Precautions

Precautions

There is no contraindication for this product. In case of cardiac problems, endocarditis and immune deficiency or in case of organ transplant using probiotic should be under doctor supervision.

Using in special groups

Using in special groups

No precautions needed in pregnancy or breastfeeding. 1-2 capsules daily can be used under doctor supervision.

Drug interaction

Drug interaction

Use with caution with immunosuppressive drugs.

Storage

Storage

Keep for 2 years in cool and dry places with temperature of 25 °C.

Clinical trials on lactobacillus reuteri and lactobacillus rhamnosus

Clinical trials on lactobacillus reuteri and lactobacillus rhamnosus

The study conducted by Holscher et al has shown that daily intake of these probiotics improve women general health and decrease risk of bacterial and yeast infections by maintaining vaginal flora. It has been proven that oral administration of lactobacillus rhamnosus and lactobacillus reuteri decrease colonization of fungi and bacteria in vagina.
In a trial that was conducted by Martinez et al .and Reid, G. et al. and Anukam K et al on women with vaginal infections for 4 weeks, it has been proven that oral administration of lactobacillus rhamnosus and lactobacillus reuteri could accelerate antibiotic treatment (Tinidazole and Metronidazole).
In a research that was done by Falagas, M.E. et al, it was shown that combination of lactobacillus reuteri and lactobacillus rhamnosus probiotics is an effective experimental treatment for recurrent vaginal candidiasis (more than three times a year).
Boost and improve immune system:
Clinical trials have proven that lactobacillus rhamnosus and lactobacillus reuteri probiotics can improve the condition in women susceptible to vulvovaginal candidiasis by increasing secretion of interleukin 8 and interferons. This infection is a regular infection all over the world that is mostly caused by candidia albicans. Using these probiotics can be useful in prevention and treatment of this common fungal infection. (Martinez, R.C. et al and Kohler, G.A et al.)
Antifungal effects: Research have shown that lactobacillus rhamnosus and lactobacillus reuteri probiotics have strong antagonist effects on candidia glabrata. Since candida glabrata is one of the most common strain of candidia with pharmaceutical resistance, its early diagnosis and treatment is very important. The research has shown that these two bacteria strains have static and cidal effects on candida glabrata by producing antimicrobial compounds. Oral simultaneous administration of these probiotics for one month with oral fluconazole had notable effect on curing the disease (Martinez, R.C. et al and Chew,S.Y).
Antibacterial effects: Based on clinical trials done by Anukam K et al., it was shown that lactobacillus rhamnosus and lactobacillus reuteri have synergic effect with metronidazole in treatment of menopausal women with bacterial vaginosis (with burning and abnormal vaginal discharge). A combination of these two bacteria strains with antibiotic are the fastest way to prevent and treat common bacterial infections.