Randomised double‐blind trial of the effect of vitamin C on dyspareunia and vaginal discharge in women receiving doxycycline and triple sulfa for chlamydial cervicitis

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common bacterial cause of cervicitis. AIM: The aim of this randomised, double-blind trial was to compare the effect of vitamin C on dyspareunia and vaginal discharge in women receiving doxycycline and triple sulfa for chlamydial cervicitis. METHODS: Eighty women with increased anti-C. trachomatis IgM, reporting abnormal vaginal discharge and dyspareunia, demonstrating signs of cervical oedema and erythema and friability of cervix were included. Thirty-nine women received doxycycline capsules 100 mg twice daily plus triple sulfa vaginal cream once daily for ten days, and 41 received doxycycline capsules 100 mg twice-daily and triple sulfa vaginal cream once daily plus vitamin C tablets 250 mg once daily for ten days. Women were evaluated at follow-up visit, eleventh day, following completion of intervention. ANALYSIS: The effect of treatment was assessed regarding clinical criteria (presence of endocervical mucopus and cervical severity score) and presence of dyspareunia. Statistical analysis was carried out using spss version 11.5. RESULTS: The mean age of women was 30.6 +/- 8.4 years. There was no relationship between demographics and dyspareunia and discharge (P > 0.05). There was statistically significant difference between the effect of 'doxycycline plus triple sulfa' and 'doxycycline, triple sulfa plus vitamin C' on discharge and dyspareunia (P = 0.005, P < 0.001, respectively). Most frequently reported drug-related adverse event in both groups was heartburn. CONCLUSION: Adding vitamin C to doxycycline and triple sulfa was more efficient than standard regimen (doxycycline and triple sulfa without vitamin C) in treating chlamydial cervicitis.