Say NO to vaginal infections!

In conjunction with International Women’s Day, which is celebrated on March 8^th every year, let’s talk about the superwoman – pregnant mother. From the time of conception until the time gives birth, the pregnant woman’s body is going through some major changes. A pregnant woman needs to undergo biological, mental and hormonal changes throughout the pregnancy period.

The composition of the vaginal ecosystem is not static, but changes over time and in response to internal and external influences. The factors including pregnancy, stages of menstrual cycle, frequency of sexual intercourses, utilization of antibiotics and others. The activity of bacteria Lactobacillus is essential to maintain the natural healthy balance of vaginal flora and protect women from vaginal infections. Lactobacillus produces lactic acid that helps to acidify the vaginal pH to less than 4.5 which is an important defense mechanism against the proliferation of pathogens.

During pregnancy, the body goes through drastic hormonal changes and make the pregnant woman’s vagina prone to infection. Vaginal infection claimed to be one of the most important mechanism responsible for premature rupture of membrane, preterm birth and perinatal complications.

Bacterial vaginosis:

• An abnormal vaginal condition that is characterized by vaginal discharge and results from an overgrowth of atypical bacteria in the vagina, which upsets the natural balance

Yeast infections:

• A type of fungal infection caused by Candida that causes irritation, discharge and intense itchiness of the vagina

Group B Strep (GBS):

• A type of bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus that can be found in a pregnant woman’s vagina or rectum, and a mother can pass GBS to her baby during delivery causing a serious illness known as group B strep disease.

Urinary tract infection:

• An infection in any part of the urinary system – kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra

Many scientific studies indicated that Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 help to promote women urogenital health.

Pregnant women need to take medication with caution as a treatment for urogenital infection. Hence, it is suitable to choose Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 as an alternate treatment for urogenital infection during pregnancy period.

Taking Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 helps to improve urogenital health!

1. Donati, L., Di Vico, A., Nucci, M., Quagliozzi, L., Spagnuolo, T., Labianca, A., … & Paradisi, G. (2010). Vaginal microbial flora and outcome of pregnancy. Archives of gynecology and obstetrics, 281(4), 589-600.
2. Haider, G., Zehra, N., Munir, A. A., & Haider, A. (2010). Risk factors of urinary tract infection in pregnancy. JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 60(3), 213.
3. Moos, M. K. (2005). Group B Strep. Nursing for Women’s Health, 9(6), 484-486.
4. Aguin, T. J., & Sobel, J. D. (2015). Vulvovaginal candidiasis in pregnancy. Current infectious disease reports, 17(6), 30.
5. Reid, G., Charbonneau, D., Erb, J., Kochanowski, B., Beuerman, D., Poehner, R., & Bruce, A. W. (2003). Oral use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. fermentum RC-14 significantly alters vaginal flora: randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 64 healthy women. FEMS Immunology & Medical Microbiology, 35(2), 131-134.
6. Ho, M., Chang, Y. Y., Chang, W. C., Lin, H. C., Wang, M. H., Lin, W. C., & Chiu, T. H. (2016). Oral Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 to reduce Group B Streptococcus colonization in pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial. Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 55(4), 515-518.