Probiotics in Preventing Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Women: A Literature Review.

URINARY tract infection prevention; DISEASE relapse prevention; THERAPEUTIC use of probiotics; ANTIBIOTICS; CINAHL database; CO-trimoxazole; DRUG resistance in microorganisms; ESCHERICHIA coli; LACTOBACILLUS; MEDLINE; ONLINE information services; ORAL drug administration; URINARY tract infections; UROLOGICAL nursing; VAGINAL medication; WOMEN'S health; SYSTEMATIC reviews; PROBIOTICS; AMED (Information retrieval system); SYMPTOMS; THERAPEUTICS

Background: Increasing antibiotic resistance and increasing resistance to commonly used antibiotics makes treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections difficult. Objective: To evaluate the evidence on probiotics in preventing recurrent urinary tract infections in women. Methods: A literature search was conducted to find research articles about the role of probiotics in preventing urinary tract infections in women. Results: The literature provides low to moderate evidence that probiotics are effective in preventing UTIs in women. Conclusions: Lactobacillus probiotics, taken either orally or vaginally, are likely effective in reducing recurrent urinary tract infections in women. Although more research is needed, probiotics should be considered a useful and safe alternative to antibiotics. Level of Evidence -- V: (Polit & Beck, 2012) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]