Less well known than other STDS, Trichomonas vaginalis is nevertheless a relatively common condition. This protozoal parasite may cause infertility or cancer in men and women, and may harm a newborn if treatment is not sought. Metronidazole is the standard medical treatment for this STD.

Zinc possesses broad antimicrobial action against various viruses, yeast, bacteria and trichomonas. A couple of preliminary studies report that zinc may effectively reduce the recurrence of this STD, both alone and when given with metronidazole.

In one case reported by the Department of Sexually Transmitted Diseases at New Zealand’s Auckland Hospital, a woman with a 10-month history of recurring trichomonas was treated with various drugs including metronidazole to no avail. Finally after a blood test revealed that her zinc levels were low, she was given zinc for three weeks. Four months later she remained disease free.

A more recent trial instructed four infected women to use a zinc sulfate douche combined with a metronidazole suppository twice daily for three days out of every month. They were also given metronidazole pills three times per day for a month. After doing this for several months, all subjects remained symptom-free; laboratory tests and medical exams were also normal. The advantage of adding zinc to customary therapy, say the researchers, is that lower amounts of metronidazole are required and side effects are less prominent.

Yogurt for Yeast

In recent years, over-the-counter anti-yeast creams have become available for vaginal yeast infections. Research indicates that eating yogurt containing live culture may be as effective.

Scientists at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center reported that, in their view, standard drug therapies for vaginal yeast infections are often inadequate. So they set out to test the validity of the "folk remedy," yogurt. When 13 women with recurrent yeast infections consumed 240 mL (eight ounces) of yogurt each day for six months, their infections markedly improved compared to the months when they avoided yogurt. In fact, the relief was so significant that some women refused to stop eating yogurt when they were supposed to. Another study found that eating as little as 150 mL of yogurt daily can increase the number of lactobacillus (good bacteria that fight yeast fungi) living in the vagina.

The theory behind why yogurt helps yeast infections is this. A healthy intestine normally houses a balance of friendly bacteria and yeast. When this population is upset by, for example, frequent or excessive antibiotic use, chronic sugar consumption, birth control pills or other drugs, the bacterial population drops. This allows yeast to grow excessively, in effect causing a yeast infection.

One method of reestablishing order is to nudge the yeast aside with lactobacillus acidophilus, a type of bacteria found in the gut. Live-culture yogurt or probiotic supplementation (containing lactobacillus and other friendly bacteria) are often used by natural health practitioners to treat yeast infections.

Because of the contagious nature of sexually transmitted diseases, and the potentially dangerous nature of some, if you suspect that you’ve been infected, seek the help of a qualified health care practitioner for proper diagnosis. Once that has been done, you can discuss with your clinician the possibility of using natural remedies.

Lauri Aesoph is a naturopathic doctor who practices in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Source: alive #208, February 2000