vaginal enterococcus faecalis

Q: vaginal enterococcus faecalis tx options?
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knuthsmJul 1 12:49 PM
Hi all,

I've been working with a 41 year female with persistent vaginitis and vulvodynia for the last 5+ years. Pt currently co-maged with a uno-gynecologist and is on ketokonazole qod, caprylic acid po, boric acid pv 2x a week, and vaginal and oral probiotics. Despite this onslaught of anti-candidal treatments her vulvodynia and vaginitis persist, and on 3 repeated DD vaginosis profiles I've seen a 4+ positive for enterococcus faecalis. (I'd love to get her off some of the anti-candida treatments, but she is resisted until current sx resolve)

I've thrown GSE 500 mg bid x 14 d and Cipro 500 mg bid x 5 d, at the enterococcus without any decrease. I see on the sensitivity testing that it will also respond to silver (mod. response), caprylic acid (mod. response), GSE (highly sensitive), ampicillin, and vancomycin.

I'm unable to find any protocols either natural or conventional for this bacteria, yet I read over and over again that this has multi-drug resistance.

Any suggestions on a protocol?

Thanks for your help,
Sara Norris, ND
Burlington, VT




Kim Furtado
Message 2 of 7 , Jul 2 4:53 AM
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For this patient, I would suggest some more testing: circadian cortisol and Dhea ; cycling female hormone profile; vitamin D; thyroid panel.

In most persistent cases of vaginitis that I have treated, the key to resolution is treating the underlying environment, not the anti microbial. Very commonly there are severe luteal defects and progesterone balancing helps a lot. I like to use Thymus glandular for restoring immune function. And balancing stress response if adrenal hormones are not balanced. Stress response hinders immune response and maybe why she is not responding.

Also some practical matters, asking about relationship issues, digging a little deeper into her relationship with partner. I refer to Louise Hayes work and Christiane Northrup who write eloquently about vaginitis and vulvodynia and energetic root cause. I generally go so far as to discuss with the woman that the vaginitis or vulvodynia is a physical manifestation of that relationship dysfunction and foster that personal exploration for her to undertake. Also... Asking about sexual practice, anal sex in particular with vaginal penetration afterwards can be a factor with vaginitis. Worth asking about, maybe not relevant.

Hope that is helpful.

Kim Furtado,ND
Lewes, DE





Dr. Nan Dunne Byington
Message 3 of 7 , Jul 2 5:28 AM
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Hi Sara,

I have just begun to work with a postmenopausal woman similarly infected. Prior to getting the DD vaginosis panel results that identified the bugs, metronidazole was ineffective but Wise Woman Healing Suppositories were and remain effectively soothing at 1 q 12 hrs. She shows positive for proteus as well, and zero lactobacilli.

Here’s the protocol we have started with:
 1. In the evening prepare 1 cup warm water with 1 cap of grapefruit seed extract dissolved and use as a 10 minute retention douche; repeat for 5 nights
2. Take 1 capsule of grapefruit seed extract by mouth 4 times daily
3. Continue Healing suppositories 1 every 12 hrs vaginally for comfort as needed.
4. Thorne Undecylenic acid formula SF722 take one cap by mouth 3 times daily
5. Juglans nigra tincture 1 tsp (120 drops ) three times daily for 5 days, then 3/4 tsp (90 drops) three times daily for 5 days then 1/2 tsp (60) drops) until bottle is finished
6. Continue Enterogenic concentrate by mouth 2 x daily. After the 5 days of grapefruit seed extract douche, start inserting one cap  HLC lactobacillis and bifidis vaginally at bedtime
7. She would like to consider vaginal estriol when things have normalized after this antimicrobial course.
8. She will be in touch if not clearly improved in 72 hrs

I’m not sure how effective adding a coco butter based suppository and a probiotic capsule at the same time is going to be, but we’ll find out. I am hoping the retention douche will be the ticket. I will let you know!

Nancy Dunne Byington, ND





J. Claire Green, ND
Message 4 of 7 , Jul 2 8:47 AM
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Perhaps you need to focus on the terrain and not so much on killing bugs.  How are her hormones?  What is her diet like?  Some cases of vulvadynia respond to a low oxalate diet.  Their is a protocol of adding magnesium malate, search the archives.   Supporting her vaginal tissue health with something  appropriate like bezwecken hydration cubes.  Some meditation or stress management tool for dealing with the emotional stress.  Has lichen sclerosis been ruled out?

Just some thoughts as my morning coffee takes hold.....


J. Claire Green ND
Santa Rosa, CA





Emily Kane
Message 5 of 7 , Jul 2 9:59 AM
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Hi Kim
Where do you get thymus glandular?
Thanks!
Emily Kane ND
Juneau AK





Melanie Whittaker
Message 6 of 7 , Jul 2 11:49 AM
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Hi Emily, Happy 4th.

Biotics Research has great glandulars and I have used them for years.

Melanie Whittaker, RN, ND
Stanwood,WA





Shiva Barton, ND
Message 7 of 7 , Jul 3 4:45 AM
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Hi Em,

PCHF has a whole line of glandulars, including thymus.

Shiva Barton, ND
Winchester, MA