Background: Genital tract infections are one of the main causes of frequent referrals to gynecological clinics. Vulvovaginal candidiasis is the second common infectious vaginitis. On the other hand, probiotics are microorganisms that can have beneficial effects on the host. Noticing the limited number of studies reporting new treatments for this disease, the present study was designed to compare the effects of the combination of fluconazole and oral protexin and fluconazole on the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Materials and Methods: A double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 90 women who were referred to the 12-e-Bahman Clinic in 2011. The patients were randomly classified into "combination of fluconazole and oral protexin" or "fluconazole and placebo" groups. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (t-test, Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and McNemar’s test).

Results: The combinations, fluconazole-oral protexin and fluconazole-placebo, were equally effective in reduction of complaints and symptoms however, the effect of fluconazole-oral protexin on dysuria was more (p=0.02). Also, the fluconazole-oral protexin combination elicited a better therapeutic response (p=0.01). In addition, fluconazole-oral protexin combination treatment demonstrated a better recovery time (p=0.04).

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that complementary treatment with probiotic lactobacillus increased the efficacy of fluconazole in treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Further research, however, is suggested.