Prevegyne™ is a special controlled-release vaginal tablet formulation containing ascorbic acid (vitamin C) as the active ingredient. It treats and prevents Bacterial Vaginosis by acidifying the vaginal fluid to restore the physiological pH. This mode of action promotes the growth of protective bacteria (lactobacilli) to the detriment of pathogenic bacteria (such as Gardnerella Vaginalis), which cannot survive in an acidic environment. By ensuring a healthy and long-lasting balance of the vaginal flora, Prevegyne™ helps prevent recurrence of the bacterial infection.

Dre Céline Bouchard, Associate Clinical Professor, Université Laval, Québec, explains that “Bacterial Vaginosis is the most frequent vaginal infection in women of childbearing age. It is not only associated with unpleasant symptoms for the women, but it can also be related to serious health problems such as premature labour, post-surgery infections and an increased risk of HIV coinfection.  The rate of recurrence is high, i.e. around 30 %.”

According to Éric Gervais, Duchesnay’s Executive Vice-President, “Prevegyne™ provides an efficient and new solution to reduce the recurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis, which represents 40% to 50% of all vaginitis. According to the available data, from 40 to 50%  women treated with antibiotics (e.g. metronidazole, clindamycine) see their symptoms reoccur within 12 months following treatment.  Because of their special controlled-release formulation, Prevegyne™ vaginal tablets ensure a long-lasting balance of the bacterial flora and help prevent recurrence of symptoms.”

“Prevegyne™ is available at the pharmacy counter. We recommend that this product be prescribed by a healthcare professional following a differential diagnosis of Bacterial Vaginosis. In addition, we provide a Medical information service to patients, either via a toll-free line, or by e-mail.  They can also visit the web site www.prevegyne.com.” concluded Éric Gervais.

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is the most frequently occurring vaginal infection in women of childbearing age; it affects over half a million women in Canada. This type of infection occurs when the healthy balance between the “good“ and the “bad” bacteria in the vaginal ecosystem becomes disrupted due to various external or physiological risk factors. When the number of protective bacteria (Lactobacilli) decreases, “bad” bacteria (such as Gardnerella) overgrow and BV symptoms occur.

Éric Gervais, Executive Vice-President of Duchesnay explained that “Bacterial Vaginosis is commonly treated with antibiotics, which kill off the bacteria causing the infection (Gardnerella). But antibiotics tend to kill also the protective bacteria (Lactobacilli) responsible for balancing the vaginal pH, resulting in the return BV symptoms. Approximately 50% of women treated with antibiotics (e.g. metronidazole/Flagyl®, clindamycin) have recurrent symptoms within 12 months.”

“Prevegyne™ offers a natural, effective and safe alternative to overcome recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis. It is applied locally in the form of controlled-release vaginal tablets containing ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) as the active ingredient. Prevegyne™ treats BV by acidifying the vaginal fluid to lower the pH to its physiological level, stimulate the growth of protective bacteria and stop the overgrowth of undesirable bacteria; it prevents reinfection by ensuring a healthy and long-lasting balance of the vaginal flora. One of the benefits of Prevegyne™ specific formulation is that it rapidly neutralizes the fishy odour typically caused by BV. We are very excited to complement our portfolio with a natural therapeutic product such as Prevegyne™ and we look forward to giving Canadian women access to this product through their attending physicians and their pharmacists in the coming weeks”, concluded Éric Gervais.

For the occasion, Laughing without Leaking, the only Canadian community Web site dedicated to urinary stress incontinence in women, has created a “Special Edition” for both the public and the media. It includes selective video clips featuring experts, printable information sheets and articles focusing on urinary stress incontinence, which represents 50% of all types of urinary incontinence. It is also the most common kind of incontinence in women under the age of 55. Some of the primary factors known to contribute to the development of urinary stress incontinence are pregnancy and child birth, menopause, intensive sports—especially high-impact sports— on a regular basis, excess weight, certain medical disorders, and previous surgery.

In a series of video clips presented on the Laughing without Leaking site, Dr. Donna Fedorkow, urogynecologist, Associate Professor in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Director Continuing Medical Education at McMaster University, explains that Stress Urinary Incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine when the pressure within the abdomen exceeds the ability of the pelvic floor’s continence mechanism to control the leakage of urine from the bladder. Typical symptoms include urinary leakage with laughing, coughing, sneezing and other physical activities. Treatments are directed towards strengthening or supporting the bladder neck or pelvic floor musculature using various methods to help women strengthen these muscles and preserve their tone. The conservative therapy that is generally recommended includes exercises for strengthening the pelvic floor, commonly known as Kegel, the use of vaginal cones, biofeedback or electrical stimulation or the insertion of a pessary, and certain lifestyle changes. In some severe cases, surgery may be necessary.”

Urinary stress incontinence is still an embarrassing taboo. Many women think of their “small leaks” as an inevitable part of aging. They are uncomfortable discussing it with their doctor and do not realize the importance of managing their problem promptly so that the incontinence does not become more serious. That is why it is important that they bring it up with their doctor and learn about effective solutions that can improve their quality of life and prevent irreversible problems later on.

Visit the Special Edition of Laughing without Leaking during World Continence Week.

The LadySystem® therapy is aimed at helping women to treat or prevent urinary stress incontinence. It consists of a pelvic floor muscle restrengthening program using 5 small vaginal cones of identical shape and volume, but of different weight ranging from approximately 5 to 55 grams.

According to Dr. Martine Bernard, urogynecologist, “Urinary stress incontinence (accidental urine leakage triggered by a sudden pressure on the bladder, for example when coughing, laughing, or exercising), is generally caused by a weakening of the pelvic floor muscles, which support the organs of the lower body and control the bladder. Therefore, most cases of urinary stress incontinence can be cured or much improved through proper training of the pelvic floor muscles, sometimes accompanied by some general lifestyle measures. The medical literature has shown that women can learn to contract their pelvic floor muscles by retaining a progressively heavier cone in the vagina during short exercise sessions. The concept is very simple: the cone is held in place in the vagina by a passive contraction, commonly known as the biofeedback mechanism, and by a slight active contraction. By repeating the exercise during several weeks with a progressively heavier cone, the pelvic floor muscles regain their tone gradually and ensures a better control of the bladder. ”

Stress incontinence is the most common form of urinary incontinence. It develops mostly because the pelvic floor muscles controlling the opening and closing of the bladder are weakened. Consequently, when there is a sudden pressure on the bladder (for example when coughing, laughing, or exercising), small amounts - sometimes quite a lot - of urine may leak due to the fact that the weakened pelvic floor muscles are unable to withstand this extra pressure. Most cases of urinary stress incontinence can be cured or much improved through proper strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles, sometimes accompanied by some general lifestyle measures. Exercising with devices such as vaginal cones of different weight to strengthen the pelvic floor will help women to contract the right muscles and perform their exercise correctly.

Éric Gervais, Executive Vice-President of Duchesnay stated that, “Although urinary stress incontinence (USI) represents half of all forms of incontinence, it is still a ‘taboo’ issue. As many as 40% of women may be affected by some degree of USI following one or several pregnancies, and the prevalence of women who may experience these symptoms during the premenopause and menopause periods is over 40%. With LadySystem®, we are providing a simple and personal solution to women who, for fear that surgical treatment would be the only alternative, had resigned themselves to silently cope with their symptoms, for example by wearing absorbing pads at all times, by avoiding certain sporting or social activities, and even certain types of clothing. Figures shown in studies speak for themselves: over two third of women with USI symptoms avoid discussing their problem with their healthcare professional. LadySystem® vaginal cones are presented in an elegant and discreet case and are very simple to use without medical supervision. Women can perform their exercise privately in the comfort of their home, without disrupting their usual activities. As they are progressing with their LadySystem® vaginal cone exercise program, they can observe improvement in their pelvic floor muscular tone; their USI symptoms taper down until they resolve or improve significantly. LadySystem® gives women access to a cost-effective solution, which could obviate the need for surgical or medical treatment and improve their quality of life.”

As explained by Dr. Donna Fedorkow, urogynecologist Associate Professor in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Director Continuing Medical Education at McMaster University, “Urinary stress incontinence  - the most common form of urinary incontinence - results from a weakness of the pelvic floor muscles – the group of muscles, ligaments and tissues supporting the main organs of the lower abdomen (bladder, uterus, intestine).  Conditions such as obesity, vaginal delivery of large babies and conditions of chronic cough contribute to the development of urinary stress incontinence.  Typical symptoms include urinary leakage with laughing, coughing, sneezing and other physical activities.  Women often describe the leakage of small volumes (drops or dribbles) of urine.   Treatments are directed towards strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. The Laughing without Leaking website is a valuable source of information and support for women suffering from urinary stress incontinence.”

Dr. Fedorkow discusses feminine incontinence in a series of video clips presented on the Laughing without Leaking website.

Laughing without Leaking is the only Canadian community website entirely dedicated to urinary stress incontinence. Most sections of this site are open to everyone.  However, some spaces are restricted to duly registered members, who are authorized to write a note, send a comment or participate in a forum. www.LaughingWithoutLeaking.ca is a public social web space; however, members’ identity is protected.

To contact Dr. Fedorkow:

E-mail: drfedorkow@gmail.com