Uula Intimate Bacterial Vaginosis Gel

Lactic acid is a postbiotic (a bioactive compound that feeds off good bacteria) that restores the vaginal pH, thereby bringing effective relief to symptoms caused by BV.

Sodium lactate in combination with lactic acid restores the vaginal pH to its natural range of 3.8-4.5. Sodium lactate is used naturally in the body, and is involved in a multitude of physiological processes. It has been widely used in cosmetics, food products, and pharmaceutical applications, including parenteral and topical formulations.

Glycogen is a prebiotic that provides nutrients to and promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the vagina, among them lactic acid. Associated with increased levels of lactobacilli and lactic acid in the vagina, glycogen can be considered vitally important for maintaining a healthy vaginal pH.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina, which causes an imbalance in the vaginal flora.

The most common symptoms of BV include:

• Greyish-white watery vaginal discharge
• A fishy or unpleasant odor, especially after sex
• Pain, itching or burning in the vagina, especially during sex
• Itching in the area outside the vagina
• A burning feeling when peeing

However, some women may not suffer from any BV-related symptoms. In fact, studies show that about half of women with BV show no symptoms at all. Every woman is different.

BV is a common vaginal infection. It is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but it can increase your risk of getting an STI, such as chlamydia.

BV is not an infectious condition per se, though it can be responsible for adverse outcomes in pregnant women, including premature ruptures of membranes, premature deliveries, chorioamnionitis, postpartum endometritis, and postpartum infant complications. There is an association between BV and an increased risk of spontaneous miscarriage ranging between 13 and 24 gestational weeks and preterm birth, as well as posthysterectomy vaginal cuff infection and an increased risk of acquiring STI, especially genital herpes and HIV.

Although not completely fitting the diagnosis of sexually transmitted infection (STI), BV is strongly associated with sexual activity.

Various societies, associations and clinical expert groups of women’s health, sexual health, gynecology, and infection diseases around the world have given guidelines and recommendations for the diagnosis and management of vaginal discharge and related conditions. Based on these guidelines, treatment of BV is recommended for women with symptoms.

The benefits of treatment of BV are to relieve vaginal symptoms and signs of infection. Other potential benefits include a reduced risk for acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs). With the availability of complementary and alternative therapies and over-the-counter medications, many symptomatic women seek these products before or in addition to an evaluation by a medical provider.

Normally, bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. The World Health Organization (WHO) lists antibiotic resistance as one of the biggest threats to global health. Antibiotic resistance can affect anyone and means that bacteria, not humans or animals, become antibiotic-resistant. This means that they are harder to treat than those caused by non-resistant bacteria. Thus, it is important to use antibiotics only when prescribed by a certified health professional.

Treatment possibilities for BV are limited and only achieve complete cure in 65-85 % of cases. For most women, BV relapses within weeks to months after treatment. Women who suffer from frequent recurrences need to pay extra attention to minimizing the burden that BV imposes on their quality of life.

Uula BV Gel is efficient in preventing and treating BV – without antibiotics. The 7-day treatment relieves symptoms, such as unpleasant odour, abnormal discharge, and mucosal irritation in the vagina, while sustaining and balancing the vaginal flora.

To maintain a natural pH balance in the vagina and avoid recurring symptoms, Uula BV Gel can be used every every three days for a total period of three months.

Most women will suffer from a vaginal infection at some point in their life. According to studies, BV has a prevalence rate of about 21.2 million (29.2 %) worldwide1.

BV is typically encountered in women of childbearing age, rarely during menopause, and never in children. In fact, for women aged 15 to 44, it is the most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge.

Microbiologically, BV is caused by changes in the microbial flora in the vagina, which are characterised by the loss or reduction of lactobacilli and the concurrent high concentration of numerous other bacterial species. Problems are, in other words, caused by disturbances in the vaginal pH due to an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina.

Risk factors for BV are:

• Using an intrauterine device (IUD)
• New or multiple sex partners
• Over-washing your intimate area
• Low levels of estrogen, e.g. during menopause
• Oral contraceptives and certain other medications

¹ Javed A, Parvaiz F, Manzoor S. Bacterial vaginosis: An insight into the prevalence, alternative treatments regimen and it’s associated resistance patterns. Microb Pathog. 2018 Nov 28;127:21-30.

BV is caused by an imbalance in the vaginal flora, and can thus be prevented by supporting and sustaining the normally acidic pH balance of the vagina.

This can be done by the following:

• Whenever possible, wear cotton underwear and pantyhose with a cotton gusset. Change your underwear regularly, especially if exercising frequently.
• Avoid using perfumed products – soaps, wash gels, lotions, and oils – in and around your intimate area.
• Avoid over-washing your intimate area.
• Avoid using strong detergents when washing your underwear.
• Change your tampons and pads frequently.

The vagina and its microflora form a balanced ecosystem or eubiosis. Vaginal eubiosis is characterised by a beneficial lactobacillus dominated microbiota. Lactobacilli are the most prevalent and often numerically dominant micro-organisms in a healthy vagina, and are thus relevant as a barrier to infection.

Prebiotics, such as glycogen, contain nutrients that support the growth of lactobacilli and aid in restoring the vaginal microflora in the most natural way, thus supporting the growth of the endogenous lactobacilli. Lactic acid is the predominant acid metabolite found in the vaginal fluid of healthy asymptomatic women.