Natural prebiotic could beat antibiotics for thrush and BV

NCT ID NCT05434104

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether lactoferrin, a natural prebiotic from cow's milk, can be a good alternative to antibiotic tablets for women with bacterial vaginosis (BV) or thrush. Researchers will recruit 114 women and give half lactoferrin vaginal pessaries for 3 weeks, while the other half gets standard oral antibiotics. The goal is to see if women find lactoferrin acceptable and if it works well enough to justify a larger future trial.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: lactoferrin vaginal pessaries
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer women a natural, antibiotic-free option for treating common vaginal infections, reducing side effects and antibiotic resistance.
What could go wrong: This is a small feasibility study, not a large trial. Lactoferrin may not work as well as standard antibiotics, and infections could return.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bacterial vaginosis vulvovaginal candidiasis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS CANDIDA VAGINAL

Contacts and locations

Locations

Guy's and St Thomas' Sexual Health Clinic
RECRUITING

London, United Kingdom
St Thomas' NHS Trust
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

London, se1 7eh, United Kingdom

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