The effect of polycarbophil gel (Replens™) on bacterial vaginosis:: A pilot study

Objective: To determine if use of intravaginal polycarbophil gel (Replens (TM)) for 1 month will: (1) lower vaginal pH; (2) improve signs of bacterial vaginosis (BV). Study design: Seventeen women with BV self-administered polycarbophil gel every third day for 4 weeks in an open-label, prospective pilot study. Primary outcome measures included vaginal pH, presence of amines and Nugent scores. Results: At week 4, there was improvement in Nugent-scores, vaginal odor and clue cell count (p < 0.05). Eleven women converted from amine positive to negative (73 +/- 20%). There was no significant change in vaginal pH. Conclusions: Polycarbophil gel is associated with improved signs of BV, although not vaginal pH. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.