Evidence supporting the use of: Lactobacillus brevis
For the health condition: Vaginitis

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lactobacillus brevis is a lactic acid bacterium that is sometimes included in probiotic formulations aimed at supporting vaginal health. The vaginal microbiota is typically dominated by Lactobacillus species, which help maintain an acidic environment that inhibits the growth of pathogenic organisms. While L. brevis is not the most common lactobacillus found in the healthy vagina (those would be L. crispatus, L. jensenii, L. gasseri, and L. iners), some studies have reported its presence in the vaginal microbiome and investigated its potential role in restoring balance during or after vaginitis.

A few in vitro and animal studies suggest that L. brevis may inhibit pathogens like Gardnerella vaginalis and Candida albicans by producing lactic acid and bacteriocins. However, clinical evidence in humans is limited. Most probiotic interventions for vaginitis focus on L. crispatus or L. rhamnosus. A handful of small studies and case reports suggest that multi-strain probiotics including L. brevis may help manage or prevent bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections, but the evidence is not robust, and L. brevis is rarely the primary active strain.

In summary, there is some scientific rationale and preliminary data supporting L. brevis as a potentially helpful adjunct for vaginitis, but the clinical evidence is weak (score 2/5). More research is needed to establish its efficacy compared to better-studied strains.

More about lactobacillus brevis
More about Vaginitis