Real-world effectiveness and tolerability of Zelesse cream® for treating vulvovaginitis in adult women: an observational, prospective study

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability of a vaginal cream based on plant extracts for treating signs and symptoms of vulvovaginitis (VV) (Zelesse cream®), either as monotherapy (non-infectious VV) or adjuvant to antimicrobial therapy (infectious VV). METHODS: This prospective, observational, multicenter study included women who attended outpatient offices for VV. The severity of signs (vaginal discharge, erythema, and edema) and symptoms (pruritus, burning, and dysuria) was assessed before and after 15±5 days of daily treatment with Zelesse cream on a 4-point scale (18-point global score). RESULTS: The study included 58 women aged 43.0±13.2 years, including 42 who were treated with Zelesse cream only and 16 who used Zelesse cream as adjuvant to antimicrobial therapy. All participants showed significantly reduced scores and absolute prevalence of individual signs and symptoms in both groups. Similarly, the median signs/symptoms decreased by 4.0 and 8.0 points in women using Zelesse only and those using Zelesse plus antimicrobial therapy, respectively. This product was well tolerated and had high acceptability. CONCLUSIONS: Zelesse cream relieves signs and symptoms of VV, either as monotherapy in non-infectious VV or as adjuvant to antimicrobial therapy in infectious VV. Future randomized, placebo-controlled trials with larger sample sizes are warranted.