A vaginal treatment composition that employs a therapeutic agent to
inhibit and/or treat vaginal infection is provided. The therapeutic agent
is capable of inhibiting and/or killing Gardnerella (e.g., Gardnerella
vaginalis), Candida (e.g., Candida albicans), and/or Trichomonas (e.g.,
Trichomonas vaginalis) pathogens. Desirably, such antimicrobial efficacy
is achieved without substantially inhibiting the growth of Lactobacillus
acidophilus. For instance, sugars and/or sugar alcohols may be employed
in the present invention as a therapeutic agent for inhibiting and/or
treating vaginal infection. In one particular embodiment, D-xylitol is
used as the therapeutic agent.