Oleic acids and other similar fatty acids might be a good treatment for bacterial vaginosis Oleic acid promotes the growth of healthy vaginal bacteria The fatty acid also inhibits the growth of bacteria related to vaginosis TUESDAY, Aug. 20, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- One of the most abundant fatty acids in the body -- and a key ingredient in the Mediterranean diet -- could be a safe, easy and natural cure for bacterial vaginosis, a new lab study suggests. Oleic acid can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria that cause vaginosis, and promote other bacteria species that contribute to female health, researchers reported Aug.
20 in the journal . “Current treatment methods work as well as a coin flip, and that hasn't changed in more than 40 years of medical practice, so new methods are needed to help patients,” said lead researcher , a doctoral student with the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT. More than half of women experience bacterial vaginosis (BV) at least once in their life, suffering abnormal vaginal discharge, odor, irritation, itching or burning, researchers said.
and sex with multiple partners can increase a woman's risk of vaginosis, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If left untreated, vaginosis can cause problems with pregnancy and an increased risk of STDs, the researchers added. The condition is treatable with antibiotics, but it frequently comes back within a short time. That’s because antibiotics can cause a decline in a hea.