One hundred women (mean age, 35 years) with non-specific vaginitis (NSV; bacterial vaginosis) were randomly assigned to receive, in double-blind fashion, vitamin C vaginal tablets (250 mg) or placebo once a day at bedtime for 16 days. The vitamin C product was specially formulated to release the vitamin over a period of hours, in order to enhance its action and to prevent irritation of the vaginal epithelium. It was not specified whether ascorbic acid or buffered vitamin C was used. In intent-to-treat analysis, one week after the end of treatment, NSV was still present in more women in the placebo group than in the vitamin C group (35.7% vs. 14.0%; p = 0.02). Two weeks after the end of treatment, NSV was present in 34.1% and 21.7% of patients, respectively (p = 0.06). Clue cells disappeared in 79% of patients treated with vitamin C and in 53% of patients on placebo; bacteria disappeared in 77% and 54%, respectively; and lactobacilli reappeared in 79.1 and 53.3%, respectively; all of these differences were statistically significant. Adverse events occurred in 4 patients, 2 on placebo (pruritus, cystitis) and 2 on vitamin C (candidiasis).

Comment: NSV is a common and often difficult-to-treat gynecological condition. The results of the present study suggest that intravaginal administration of vitamin C is a safe and moderately effective treatment for this problem. A slow-release preparation, as used in this study, may be preferable to a regular vitamin C tablet or capsule, both for increasing tolerability and enhancing efficacy.

Petersen EE, Magnani P. Efficacy and safety of vitamin C vaginal tablets in the treatment of non-specific vaginitis. A randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2004;117:70-75.