Astarte 14 capsules

Lactobacilli are essential for keeping the vaginal flora healthy and for the prevention of vaginal infections. Under certain circumstances, lactobacilli may be lost and vaginal infections may occur with accompanying symptoms such as vaginal discharge, itching, and burning pain. We know today that the intestinal tract functions as a reservoir for vaginal lactobacilli, and that oral supplementation of lactobacilli helps to keep the vaginal flora normal and to prevent vaginal infection. It is further known that the vaginal flora is kept healthy with a physiologic composition of lactobacilli. Therefore, a composition of the physiological vaginal lactobacilli has been developed to support the vaginal flora with lactobacilli using oral supplementation. This oral supplementation with lactobacilli results in a physiological maintenance of the vaginal flora and in vaginal health. Astarte oral supplementation with lactobacilli can either prevent vaginal infection or restore the vaginal flora after vaginal infection.

THE ASTARTE STRAINS

• Lactobacillus crispatus LBV 88 = DSM 22566

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus LBV 96 = DSM 22560

• Lactobacillus jensenii LBV 116 = DSM 22567

• Lactobacillus gasseri LBV 150 = DSM 22583

ASTARTE obtained the European and US patent (EP 2509 610; US 8846 027) and is deposited for further fillings in several countries.

CLINICAL STUDIES ON CHANGES OF THE VAGINAL FLORA AFTER ORAL PROBIOTIC INTAKE

Data of a study with women (bacterial vaginosis): 

Lactobacilli is orally administered, a vaginal sample is taken before the treatment, one week after oral daily intake and a third time after one week without probiotic treatment in order to see long term effects of the Lactobacilli.

The over all median concentration of Lactobacilli: at the beginning of the study, the levels were low (median 3,07E+06; SD+/- 5,23E+07); after oral intake, the concentration significantly increased (median 5,77E+07; SD 1,72E08); after a one week, dose-free interval, levels were higher than before the treatment (median 2,71E+07).

The change in the Nugent score and the change from bacterial vaginosis to an intermediate vaginal flora: Median Nugent score before probiotic administration was 8 (SD 1,07) which points to a grade 3 of the vaginal flora (bacterial vaginosis in clinical terms). After one week, an improvement of the Nugent scores occured to a score 6 (SD 0,79) which means grade 2, intermediate flora, which is no longer classified as bacterial vaginosis. After one more week this clinical microbiological diagnosis was unchanged, the Nugent score 6 (SD 1,79), grade 2 (SD 0,55).

ONLY AFTER ONE WEEK OF ORAL CONSUMPTION THE NUMBER OF LACTOBACILLI COLONIES IN THE VAGINAL FLORA SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) shifted into an intermediate flora (Nugent 8 to Nugent 6) microbiologic diagnosis 

Grading of the vaginal flora went from Grade 3 (BV) to Grade 2 (intermediate Flora, no infection) 

Women's self-observations also pointed to great improvements; They reported that there was no discharge and no odor left.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS

What is bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is an irregular vaginal flora. Normally in healthy women the vaginal flora is dominated by lactobacillus. There are many different lactobacilli species responsible for mantaining a healthy environment in the vagina. If lactobacilli disappear there is an overgrowth of mostly anaerobic bacteria like Gardnerella, Prevotella, Mobiluncus which cause vaginal discharge and bad odor or sometimes even vaginal and/or lower abdominal pain.

Is bacterial vaginosis an infectious disease?

Bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted disease. It is caused though a complete loss of lactobacilli, which are responsible for a normal, healthy vaginal environment.

How is the vaginal flora kept normal?

Due to new data of scientific research we now know, that the intestinal tract is a reservoir for lactobacilli. From studies we know that lactobacilli colonize the intestinal tract. The rectum and anus are also colonized by lactobacilli, not just the vagina. If there is a lactobacillus loss in the intestinal tract then there is a high risk for bacterial vaginosis. Loss of lactobacilli in the rectum is associated with frequently recurrent bacterial vaginosis.

How can I prevent recurrent bacterial vaginosis?

There is the possibility to support the vagina with lactobacilli either locally or orally. New scientific data shows that the vaginal lactobacillus flora vagina can be enriched with lactobacilli.