Gardnerella vaginalis consequences. What are the manifestations in men? Treatment of combined genitourinary infections

Gardnerella vaginalis belongs to the transient gram-negative microflora of the genitourinary organs. Under unfavorable conditions, bacteria lead to inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary tract - vaginitis, urethritis, cystitis, endometritis. Most often, women who are sexually active and do not use contraceptives are susceptible to gardnerellosis. The basis of treatment is antibacterial therapy.

The normal microflora of a woman includes more than 40 types of microorganisms, among which the bacteria Gardnerella vaginalis are present in small quantities. The total content of opportunistic microorganisms in the genitals does not exceed 2-5%. With bacterial vaginosis, when the vaginal microbiocenosis is disrupted, lactobacilli are replaced, destroyed by pathogenic microorganisms. Experts estimate that Gardnerella vaginalis is the cause of bacterial vaginitis in more than 50% of cases.

Gardnerella vaginalis are small, rod-shaped bacteria that live in anaerobic (oxygen-free) environments. In the process of their life, they produce lactic, acetic, formic acid and amino acids. The localization of the bacterium is the urinary tract and genitals. The pathogenicity of the microorganism increases sharply with a change in the acidic environment of the vagina (in the direction of increasing alkalinity).

Gardnerella vaginalis

The incubation period lasts 7-10 days. In men, as a result of infection, urethritis, prostatitis, inflammation of the epididymis, seminal vesicles and Cooper gland occur, in women - vaginitis, cystitis, inflammation of the cervical canal and uterine appendages, and complicated pregnancy. Both partners may experience infertility. Gardnerella vaginalis increases your risk of contracting other sexually transmitted infections, including sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. In a newborn baby, if infected during childbirth, meningitis and pneumonia are subsequently possible, since enzymes secreted by microorganisms lead to the destruction of surfactants lining the alveoli in the lungs. Contraception helps prevent transmission of the disease, but in some women, bacterial vaginosis returns after some time after treatment.

Getting into the genitourinary tract of men and women, Gardnerella vaginalis actively destroys epithelial cells. Their absorption by the leukocytes of the host carrier does not occur completely, which leads to self-dissolution of human cells under the action of their own enzymes. These bacteria cause functional disorders in leukocytes and produce a substance aggressive towards vaginal cells - vagolysin, which increases the activity of microorganisms hundreds of times. Gardnerella vaginalis is often associated with chlamydia (88%), mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas, gonococci, and trichomonas.

Causes

The disease is transmitted exclusively through sexual contact; the microorganism is practically not detected in smears of girls who are not sexually active. Risk factors for infection and growth of pathogenic bacilli are the following:

history of infectious diseases of the genitourinary system;
frequent change of sexual partners;
long-term use of antibiotics, including vaginal suppositories, hormonal drugs, immunosuppressants;
use of synthetic underwear;
improper use of sanitary pads and tampons, lack of hygiene;
hormonal disbalance;
disturbance of intestinal microflora;
abuse of douching;
poor nutrition, lack of fermented milk products that help maintain normal microflora;
long-term use of intrauterine devices;
smoking.

Bacterial vaginosis caused by gardnerella often occurs during pregnancy (especially in the first trimester). Complications may include premature birth, rupture of amniotic fluid, and postpartum infections. An increased concentration of pathogenic microorganisms leads to inflammation of the membranes, which can subsequently cause infection of the fetus and endometrium of the uterus, generalization of the infection (the penetration of bacteria into the blood). If a pregnant woman has a history of complications, she should be tested for vaginosis - even if there are no symptoms.

Symptoms and diagnosis

There are two variants of the clinical course of gardnerellosis - with symptoms and asymptomatic. In women, the second option is observed in 19-50% of cases.

Signs of the disease in the weaker sex are the following:

moderate or heavy yellowish-white, grayish-white, mucous-white vaginal discharge with a creamy, sticky consistency, sometimes foamy;
an unpleasant smell of “rotten fish” in the discharge, resulting from the production of waste products of anaerobic bacteria;
increased discharge during or after sexual intercourse;
itching, burning due to inflammation of the mucous membrane, aggravated by sexual contact;
painful urination when combined with cystitis.

To make a diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct a cytological examination and take a vaginal smear for microflora. If the concentration of bacteria is detected in the tests in an amount of more than 10 to the 4th degree, then this is a sign of bacterial vaginosis. Microscopic examination reveals a large content of rod-shaped bacteria that envelop the epithelial cells so that they appear granular. In the most striking cases of the disease, Gardnerella vaginalis fills all the free intracellular space of the tissues. When studying the acidity of the medium by immersing indicator paper in the vaginal secretion, pH > 4.5 is determined. To identify the characteristic “fishy” odor, an amine test is carried out - a few drops of 5-10% potassium hydroxide are added to a glass slide with a smear.

Men can also be asymptomatic carriers. The mucous membrane of the male urogenital tract is more resistant to the influence of opportunistic microflora. Inflammatory diseases of the urethra and prolonged constant contact with a sick woman contribute to infection in men. The urethra is most often affected, there are few symptoms of urethritis and there is a tendency to self-heal. Complications such as prostatitis and inflammation of the genital organs occur in more rare cases.

The most pronounced symptoms in men are:

colorless or whitish discharge from the urethra;
redness of the urethral opening and glans penis;
painful urination.

To diagnose the disease in men, a scraping is taken from the urethra. Microscopic examination of smears reveals characteristic cellular changes, as in women, but to a lesser extent. If a woman experiences a recurrent course of the disease (gardnerellosis returns some time after treatment), this indicates that her sexual partner is a latent carrier of the infection, and mandatory joint treatment is required.

Treatment

The basis of treatment of the disease in men and women is antibacterial therapy with the following drugs:

Trichopolum.
Metronidazole.
Clindamycin.
Ornidazole.
Dalatsin-Ts.

The “gold standard” for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis caused by Gardnerella vaginalis is Metronidazole. Therapy is carried out over 7-10 days. In the case of a recurrent course of the disease, a combined regimen of two or more drugs is used (Metronidazole + Miconazole and other options). If the disease occurs against the background of a general weakening of the body, then vitamin therapy is indicated.

In complex treatment or in case of intolerance to oral medications, local drugs are used:

Hexicon (vaginal suppositories and tablets).
Gel Metronidazole.
Clindamycin 2% vaginal cream.
Vaginal cream Dalatsin.
Cotrimoxazole cream.
Vaginorm-S vaginal tablets and other products.

In pregnant women, the use of medications in the first trimester is undesirable. Starting from the second trimester, antibiotics, as well as local remedies (suppositories, ointments, vaginal tablets) can be used to treat herdnerellosis. Treatment of pregnant women should be carried out under strict medical supervision. During breastfeeding, it is recommended to use local remedies. If there is no effect, then oral medications are used - Macmiror, Clindamycin. Treatment is carried out in short courses of 3-5 days; it is recommended to stop breastfeeding during therapy. In children with gardnerellosis, the same oral medications are used as in adults, but in a lower dosage (according to the weight and age of the child).

During antibacterial treatment and one day after its completion, you should avoid drinking alcohol. After antibiotic therapy, after 2-3 days, it is necessary to begin restoring the vaginal microflora. For this purpose drugs are used:

Gynoflor.
Vagilak.
Ecofemin.
Femilex.
Acylact.
Lactonorm.
Lactobacterin.
Floragin and others.

These products are used in finished form (vaginal suppositories or tablets) or the dry biomass is diluted in boiled water (5-10 ml), a cotton-gauze swab is moistened and inserted into the vagina for 2-3 hours. The procedure is carried out twice a day for 1- 2 weeks.

With complex treatment of gardnerellosis, a positive result is achieved in 90% of cases. Some experts believe that gardnerellosis is not a dangerous disease and does not require treatment. It should be taken into account that hypoxic phenomena in tissues and high acidity levels of the urogenital tract environment during gardnerellosis contribute to the accumulation of opportunistic microorganisms in high concentrations, which in the future, when triggering unfavorable factors occur, leads to the appearance of purulent-inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs.

Microorganisms are constantly present and developing in the vagina of a healthy woman, 95% of which are beneficial microflora: lacto- and bifidobacteria. In addition to them, the mucous secretion also contains opportunistic species: bacteria, mycoplasmas, fungi, gardnerella and others. Under unfavorable conditions and a decrease in the body's immune defense, pathogenic microorganisms begin to actively grow and develop, which causes the appearance of gardnerellosis in women.

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Etiology

Gardnerellosis is caused by an anaerobic bacterium that does not form capsules and spores - gardnerella vaginalis. These microorganisms are found in small quantities in the normal vaginal microflora of a healthy woman. Under favorable conditions, colonies of microbes begin to grow rapidly, destroying lactic acid bacteria, as a result of which gardnerellosis develops. Other opportunistic microorganisms also participate in the destruction of beneficial microflora: fusobacteria, peptostreptococci, etc. Therefore, we can conclude that Gardnerella vaginalis is not the only pathogenic microorganism that causes this disease: the pathology is mixed.

Gynecologists call this pathology bacterial vaginosis. However, it is impossible to find such a diagnosis in the International Classification of Diseases: this term came into use after the creation of the official list.

When beneficial microflora is destroyed, an optimal environment for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms is created, the pH of the vagina increases to 7 and higher. Together with gardnerellosis, chlamydia, nonspecific vaginitis and other diseases develop, which causes vaginal dysplasia.

Gynecologists identify the following causes of bacterial vaginosis in women:

The use of antibacterial agents and antiseptics for douching without a doctor’s recommendation.
Uncontrolled use of spermicides and contraceptives.
Intrauterine contraception without indications.
Hormonal imbalance, accompanied by a decrease in blood volume during the menstrual cycle.
Lengthening the period of the monthly cycle during puberty and menopause.
Inflammatory pathologies of the genitourinary system.
Promiscuous sexual intercourse.
Immunodeficiency pathologies.
Developmental defects.
The presence of a foreign body in the vagina and uterus.

Gardnerellosis is a dangerous pathology, since due to the weakening of local immunity and the development of bacterial flora, the risk of contracting HIV infection is high.

Symptoms and complications

At the initial stage of development, gardnerellosis occurs without obvious clinical signs, but with the development of the pathological process, pronounced symptoms appear:

1. Uncharacteristic discharge with an unpleasant odor.
2. Itching and burning in the vagina.
3. Swelling of the labia.
4. Pain during sexual intercourse.
5. Difficulty urinating: it can be difficult, accompanied by pain and itching.

Actively multiplying, the microorganism produces amino acids, which, when broken down, release amines - substances that give vaginal discharge a fetid fishy smell.

Gardnerella vaginalis is sexually transmitted. In women during pregnancy, the disease is rarely diagnosed. Due to hormonal changes in the vagina, the number of lactobacilli increases, which create an acidic environment and protect the cervix from the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.

However, the treatment of bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy requires special attention, since the disease can cause serious complications, such as:

Miscarriage.
Premature birth.
Postpartum endometritis and sepsis.
Uterine bleeding with infection of the child.
Insufficient baby weight at birth.
Pneumonia of newborns.
Chronic diseases of the genitourinary system.
Complications in the mother after surgery.

Untreated gardnerellosis during pregnancy is dangerous for women and children. Therapy is complicated by the fact that antibacterial agents are prohibited from being used during pregnancy.

Diagnostics

To confirm or exclude the diagnosis, the doctor examines and interviews the patient. Additionally, the woman is sent for tests:

1. pH-metry, or examination of vaginal mucus - to determine the alkaline reaction. The normal vaginal environment is created by lactic acid bacteria. In case of deviations, the doctor diagnoses an imbalance between pathogenic and beneficial microorganisms.
2. A smear for ureaplasma, which is mixed with a solution of potassium hydroxide. This produces a characteristic foul fishy odor.

Examining the biomaterial, a laboratory technician may notice symptoms of gardnerellosis:

1. Desquamated cells lining the mucous membrane.
2. Epithelial cells with gardnerella and other pathogenic microorganisms.
3. Lack of lactic acid bacteria.
4. Increased content of leukocytes that occurs during inflammatory reactions.

In addition to taking smears, the doctor may refer the patient to additional diagnostic methods, such as:

1. Immunofluorescence.
2. PCR diagnostics, or polymerase chain reaction.
3. DNA hybridization.
4. Cultivation of microorganisms.

The above methods are quite expensive and labor-intensive, so they are used as diagnostic measures in rare cases.

The norm for Gardnerella in women is 10 to 5 CFU. If the values in the analyzes exceed these indicators, the diagnosis is considered confirmed.

Treatment

After making a diagnosis in order to exclude the cause of the pathology, the doctor prescribes a treatment regimen for the patient, which includes the following medications:

1. Broad-spectrum antibiotics: Doxycycline, Azithromycin. The selection of the product is made individually based on the general condition of the woman and the degree of invasion.
2. Antimicrobial tablets: Metronidazole, Trichopolum, Tiberal, Ornidazole (affects anaerobic pathogenic microorganisms), Imidazole, Macmiror, Clindamycin, Vilprafen and others.
3. Local treatment - vaginal suppositories, gels and creams for gardnerellosis: Clindamycin, Flagyl, Hexicon, Metronidazole (an antiprotozoal agent with antibacterial activity).
4. If gardnerellosis is combined with thrush, combined antimicrobial and antifungal agents are prescribed: Terzhinan, Polygynax, Neo-penotran.

During pregnancy, a woman can use Klion vaginal suppositories as treatment.

In rare cases, the doctor resorts only to local treatment, but the effectiveness of therapy will be low.

During treatment, the patient is recommended to adhere to dietary rules. To replenish the necessary vitamins and microelements in the body, it is necessary to introduce fish, poultry, and fermented milk products into the menu. The basis of the daily menu should consist of vegetables and fruits.

After antibiotic therapy, the doctor prescribes probiotics, which help restore the beneficial microflora of the vagina. Effective drugs:

1. Vagilak.
2. Lactobacterin.

Alternative medicine

As an auxiliary method, you can use treatment with herbs and plants at home after consultation with your doctor.

Effective folk remedies:

1. 250 g of crushed oak bark, pour 750 ml of water, leave for 5 hours. Boil the liquid for 20 minutes, then strain. Pour into a basin and use for sitz baths before bed. The course of treatment is 14 days.
2. Mix juniper berries, chamomile, oatmeal, walnut leaves and oak bark in equal proportions. For 1 liter of boiling water, take 200 g of the mixture and leave it covered for an hour. Then the broth must be strained and used to add to sitz baths.
3. Soak a cotton swab in 10 ml of aloe juice. Insert into the vagina for 9-10 hours, you can leave it overnight. The course of treatment is one week.

Baths and douches cannot be used during pregnancy. Women are advised to wash their vagina with herbal antiseptics. After giving birth, the patient undergoes a course of drug therapy.

Gardnerella- an opportunistic microorganism that quite often bothers the fair sex.

The bacterium lives in the vagina. It can exist there for a long time, without causing any inconvenience to the fair sex. However, in some cases, various external factors lead to the fact that there is too much of the microbe, and it provokes a number of unpleasant symptoms.

Gardnerella disease - what kind of pathology it is, and why it can be dangerous for a woman, representatives of the fair sex are often interested in. How to make a correct diagnosis, and does a woman always need treatment?

Principles of disease therapy
Recommendations for disease prevention

Gardnerella: characteristics of the pathogen

The bacterium is a motionless rod that lacks a capsule and does not have a nucleus. The size of the average bacterium is 2 microns.

The external polymorphism of the pathogen is interesting. In the smears of different women, both full-fledged bacilli and coccal flora can be found, which do not differ in antigens or effects on the mucous membranes.

The microorganism is an anaerobic. This means that the rod can easily reproduce even in conditions of complete absence of oxygen. In this case, a number of substances are released into the environment that negatively affect the acid balance of the vagina. If there is too much Gardnerella, it greatly changes the pH in a woman's genitals. So much so that eventually all beneficial bacteria, represented mainly by fermented milk microflora, die.

Gardnerella has the ability to form spores. Thanks to this feature, the bacterium can easily survive for a year on various materials outside the human body.

If the pathogen does not have time to create spores, its viability is on average up to 7 hours. This period of time, as doctors note, is also enough to become infected at home.

Risk factors for Gardnerella infection

If gardnerella has developed, how the disease is transmitted is a frequently asked question among patients. In most cases, the spread of the microorganism is due to unprotected sexual contact.

Every time a woman has sex with a member of the stronger sex without a condom, she risks becoming infected.

It is important to remember that men, unlike women, mainly act only as carriers. Without suffering from the symptoms of gardnerellosis.

Therefore, it is impossible to be sure that the sexual partner is healthy even by any external signs. However, as doctors note, conditional pathogenicity ensures that the mere fact of infection is not enough for the development of the disease.

Any internal or external influences that affect human immunity are necessary.

Among such factors:

disease of any infectious processes, be they viral, fungal or bacterial
various disruptions in the menstrual cycle in women;
the presence of hormonal abnormalities, which also undermine the body’s immune system
frequent exposure to various non-standard temperatures (overheating, hypothermia)
irrational use of contraceptive drugs that affect hormonal levels
too frequent washing with the use of antiseptics, special soap
irrational use of drugs from the group of antibiotics, which also disrupt the natural microflora of the vagina
effects on the body of various stresses;
frequent wearing of synthetic underwear, which can negatively affect the skin and mucous membranes, etc.

Doctors note that gardnerella often accompanies other infectious processes. It can be combined, for example, with chlamydia, gonorrhea, mycoplasmosis, etc.

Gardnerella: symptoms of the disease

If gardnerella has settled in the body, symptoms may vary.

In a significant proportion of women, the bacterium becomes a carrier state. That is, it is present in the body, but does not lead to any pathological changes. On the other hand, there are representatives of the fair sex who suffer from symptoms of the disease.

Symptoms that can reduce quality of life include:

It is important to remember that similar symptoms are characteristic of other diseases of the genitourinary system. In this regard, it is not recommended to engage in self-diagnosis.

Features of diagnosing gardnerella

Diagnosing the disease, if you remember the algorithms, is not difficult.

First of all, a woman visits a gynecologist. At the doctor's appointment, she talks in detail about her complaints. This is followed by an examination of the genital tract using a special chair. Already at the examination stage, the doctor may suspect gardnerellosis by detecting signs of an inflammatory process and changes in the walls of the vagina.

Also, the presence of discharge will indicate the pain of the condition. Afterwards a smear is performed. Gardnerella is not always visible in a smear.

Sometimes, due to their polymorphism, it can be difficult to correctly identify them. Because of this, a smear cannot be a full-fledged diagnostic method if assessed only microscopically. The doctor may additionally recommend performing culture tests and PCR diagnostics.

An excess of microflora of this type is the first alarm signal indicating the imminent development of an infectious process. If gardnerellosis is suspected, a reaction to isonitrile is mandatory. This substance causes the appearance of a specific odor and is quite specific to the microorganism. The presence of isonitrile may indicate the presence of a disease.

Principles of disease therapy

Many representatives of the fair sex wonder how to get rid of gardnerella when they see a doctor and receive their diagnosis.

It is important to understand that therapy is based on antibiotics that can destroy pathogenic microorganisms once and for all.

Of the antibacterial agents, preference is given to:

Metronidazole, taken 0.25 g twice a day for 3-4 days;
Ornidazole, which is used in a course of 4-5 days daily, 500 mg of the drug once a day;
Nimorazole, which is used in the same way as Ornidazole, but in a course of five days (especially effective for co-infection).

There is an additional set of drugs that are prescribed to a patient with symptoms of the disease. In the event that none of the main means of therapy is suitable for her due to intolerance or other reasons.

Naturally, the choice of alternative antibiotics and methods of their use should remain under the control of the physician. Since independent replacement of antibacterial drugs easily leads to complications.

A significant part of doctors prescribe additional immunomodulators. These are drugs that can restore normal vaginal microflora after treatment.

It is important to remember that only the woman’s attending physician can choose therapy. Attempts to self-prescribe medication in a significant proportion of cases end in complications, which are more difficult to deal with than the underlying pathology. Treatment with folk remedies is also not recommended, as it will alleviate the symptoms but will not provide recovery.

Connection with the pregnancy process

Often patients are interested in the question of whether gardnerella poses a danger during pregnancy or not. Much depends on the individual characteristics of the woman and her immunity.

Doctors note that in a significant number of representatives of the fair sex, gardnerellosis only worsens while carrying a child. This is due, first of all, to the fact that the immune system is weakened by the process of pregnancy.
It is not able to fully resist the multiplying bacteria.

However, there are also women in whom the disease does not worsen. If a representative of the fair sex suffers from gardnerellosis during pregnancy, she is recommended to undergo treatment for the disease.

To do this, the doctor may prescribe a shortened course of Metronidazole or Ornidazole and recommend the use of special vaginal suppositories.

It is important to remember that antibiotics, which are the mainstay of treatment for gardnerella, can be fatal to a developing fetus.

Therefore, it is strictly prohibited to independently choose medications and be treated with them during pregnancy. If a woman has no symptoms of Gardnerella, but the microorganism is present in the smear, treatment is completely abandoned. In this case, the woman is considered to be a carrier, but the bacterium does not threaten either her or the embryo developing in her body.

Preventing gardnerella is not an easy task, as doctors note.

The fact is that there are no habits from pathology. It is difficult to diagnose if it is asymptomatic and may not cause inconvenience for a long time. It is also easy to become infected with a pathogenic microorganism.

How to reduce the likelihood of encountering unpleasant symptoms?

First of all, it is recommended to always use condoms with untested partners. A condom is one of the best protections against gardnerella.
Naturally, it is worth remembering the rules for proper care of the genitals.

Refuse to use other people's hygiene products, even if they are necessary. Women whose infection is dormant are advised to occasionally visit the doctor to make sure that the pathogenic microorganism has not become active.

At the slightest sign of an inflammatory process, it is worthwhile to refuse self-medication and visit a gynecologist.

Gardnerellosis– a disease that affects women more often than men.

Representatives of the fair sex should carefully monitor their health and consult a doctor if there are any unpleasant changes in the body.

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Gardnerella vaginalis DNA (Gardnerella vaginalis) in women: norm, symptoms, treatment

The microflora of the female genital organs includes quite a few varieties of different bacteria. Among such microorganisms there is also vaginalis (otherwise this bacterium can be called gardnerella vaginalis, prevotella bivia, porphyromonas spp). These bacteria were identified more than half a century ago and classified as a separate group. Their reproduction and functioning do not require the presence of oxygen, so bacteria belong to the anaerobic class. Gardnerella vaginalis exists in small quantities as an integral part of the vaginal microflora, but if local immunity is impaired, its quantity increases sharply and leads to the disease - gardnerellosis.

Routes of transmission and main risk factors for the development of gardnerellosis

The female body contains a small amount of the bacteria gardnerella vaginalis as part of the normal microflora of the female body. At the same time, men should not have such microorganisms in the area of the urethra, prostate and bladder with a healthy microflora. Their appearance, even in small quantities, is a signal of the development of the disease.

Causes of the disease and routes of infection with gardnerella vaginalis:

From mother to child. Many newborn children whose mothers suffered from garderellosis during pregnancy are carriers of pathological amounts of these bacteria. This makes it possible to say that the disease is transmitted through the birth canal;
During sexual intercourse. This is the most common route of infection for men. Since these bacteria are practically not found in men, infection can only come from a woman. But women can also become infected with gardnerellosis from a man. This occurs if the infected male partner is not treated and becomes a carrier of the disease. Therefore, for any signs of dysbacteriosis of the genital organs, it is better to use a condom;
Dysbacteriosis in women. Dysbacteriosis is a pathological condition of organs and systems of the human body, in which the number of “good” bacteria begins to increase sharply and leads to disease. In women, vaginal dysbiosis can lead to the rapid growth of Gardnerella vaginalis, the symptoms of which may resemble thrush and vaginosis.

The following risk factors for dysbiosis exist:

Using large amounts of antibiotics;
Low immunity;
Viral and bacterial infections;
Smoking and drinking alcohol;
Poor genital hygiene;
Using unsuitable underwear;
Side effect when taking hormonal medications and contraceptives;
Disturbances of the endocrine system.

Household route of infection. It is not common and is more common when transmitted from woman to woman. Bacteria die quite quickly outside the human body. But they can be transmitted through linen, towels, hygiene products, intimate cosmetics, or when using the same toilet, bidet, or bathtub.

Symptoms of Gardnerella vaginalis

With the pathological spread of the bacterium gardnerella vaginalis, the symptoms are presented quite clearly. Only in some cases the patient cannot notice them. Most often this is due to an existing disease of the genital organs.

	Unpleasant sensations in the vagina and labia during sex and at rest; Discharge of a gray mass, which is similar to a symptom of thrush; Burning during urination on the genitals; Irritation; Unpleasant smell of rotten fish.
Symptoms of Gardnerella vaginalis	Unpleasant sensations during sexual intercourse; Pain when going to the toilet; Frequent urination; Itching in the urethral area; Inflammation of the glans penis; Quite rarely: discharge from the urethra and pain in the lower abdomen.

The intensity and presence of certain symptoms depends on the stage of development of the disease and the number of bacteria. Some symptoms may be very mild or completely absent.

If left untreated, symptoms intensify, indicating the development of complications. For men, they can be various diseases of the prostate gland, for women - uterine bleeding, inflammatory processes and infertility.

How to determine the pathological amount of Gardnerella vaginalis

Gardnerella vaginalis is always present in the female body. But with healthy genitals, the amount of bacteria is quite small. To determine the number of bacteria and the rate of its growth, detailed diagnostics are necessary. It can be performed for certain symptoms in the following cases:

If bacterial vaginosis is suspected;
During unprotected sexual intercourse;
If a person had more than two or three sexual partners in a month;
In case of decreased local immunity of the genital organs;
While taking hormone-based medications;
After birth, if the child’s mother is infected with gardnerellosis;
With concomitant diseases of the reproductive system.

The main diagnostic technique is a polymerase chain reaction or PCR study. This technique is quite sensitive and allows you to determine the presence and specificity of the bacterium with a very high probability.

During PCR, the DNA of a microorganism is used. With its help, a specialist determines the presence or absence of bacteria in the human body.

A positive test result is considered to be the presence of Gardnerella vaginalis DNA in men and a high growth of bacteria in the body in women. If the presence of a disease is detected, but a repeat analysis does not confirm this, the first result is considered a false positive.

The disease was avoided if:

Traces of gardnerella vaginalis DNA are completely absent;
The number of bacteria is very small and their growth can be controlled by the body’s immune system itself;
A false negative result may occur if the material for research was collected in violation of the technology or if the material was stored poorly.

Treatment of Gardnerella vaginalis

A fairly large number of health complications of the reproductive system and the body in general can be caused by a bacterium such as Gardnerella vaginalis - treatment is a complex of several techniques.

Treatment should include the following:

Use of antibacterial therapy. Only antibiotics can combat the growth and spread of bacteria. The use of other drugs may not only not help, but also worsen the patient’s condition. Gardnerella vaginalis is absolutely resistant to many antibiotics. Using antibiotics “at random” will further disrupt the normal microflora of the vagina in a woman and the urethra in a man. Therefore, only an experienced specialist can tell how to treat gardnerellosis. The following antibiotics can be used for illness:

Metronidazole;
Azithromycin;
Clindamycin.

When taking antibiotics, it is imperative to use drugs that will help restore the microflora of the genital organs and prevent the development of dysbiosis in other systems, for example, in the intestines. As a preventive measure, it is necessary to regularly use lactic acid products in the diet.

Use of antiseptics. Antiseptics are used using the same method as antibiotics. Their main task is to fight viruses and bacteria, but locally. Quite often, in women and men after the onset of gardnerellosis, a secondary bacterial or viral infection appears. This intensifies the primary disease and inhibits the main treatment. The use of antiseptics will help fight two problems at once: secondary infections and the spread of bacteria;
Refusal of sex. Before treating pathologies caused by Gardnerella vaginalis, you must abstain from sexual activity. Every woman, under certain circumstances, can become a “spreader” of bacterial microflora. This vaginal infection is quickly transmitted to her sexual partner. Both partners must be treated, especially if they are permanent. The bacterium can be transmitted from sick to healthy, and vice versa, constantly.
Maintain strict hygiene. Not only weak immunity, but also poor hygiene can aggravate the disease. Overuse of antibacterial soap can lead to dysbacteriosis and the development of gardnerellosis. During treatment, it must be replaced with a mild soothing hygiene product or liquid soap for small children. Synthetic underwear can disrupt normal air exchange, temperature and microflora of the genital organs, so it must be replaced with “breathable” cotton;
Strengthening the immune system. If there are serious problems with the immune system during gardnerellosis, the doctor may prescribe special immunostimulants. They will help the body prevent further pathological development of bacterial flora. For milder forms of the disease, proper nutrition, hardening of the body and sports are sufficient.

Gardnerella, gardnerella vaginalis, is a type of microorganism, an actinobacterium that develops in the absence of air, slightly larger than a gonococcus. Normally, gardnerella is present in small quantities (no more than 1 percent) in the microflora of any woman, but under certain conditions it begins to multiply pathologically, resulting in the development of gardnerella. The vaginal microflora is an ideal environment for the development of the disease.

This is an infectious disease that, although transmitted from a sick woman to a man during sexual intercourse, however, is not an STI, since this bacterium in the vast majority of cases does not cause any symptoms, much less unpleasant ones, in men.

Infection develops in women regardless of her age (it can appear even in little girls) and the presence or absence of sexual activity due to changes in the microflora that occur as a result of various disorders in the body. It is believed that up to 20 percent of women suffer from this disease.

The main reasons for the development of infection

Most often, the pathological reproduction of gardnerella is provoked by the following factors:

Patients who are sexually active most often suffer from this disease, especially if sexual intercourse is promiscuous. In this case, it is recommended to use condoms, especially with a new partner. Moreover, we are not always talking about the possibility of contracting gardnerellosis from a man. The fact is that the pathological reproduction of gardnerella in the female body is provoked by dysbacteriosis, which, in turn, appears as a result of the incompatibility of the male microflora with the environment of his partner.

Violation microflora of female organs It also occurs after prolonged stress, as a result of diets, intense physical and emotional stress. It is worth noting that the disease often affects women during pregnancy, when the immune defense is significantly weakened and hormonal changes in the body begin.

Symptoms of gardnerellosis

The disease may occur in acute and chronic form. In acute form in women it is characterized by:

itching and discomfort in the vagina;
copious discharge;
the smell of rotten fish in the discharge, which does not disappear even after hygiene procedures.

The discharge can be of different colors - yellow, green, white, transparent and white-gray, as well as of different consistency - mostly homogeneous creamy or watery, and may foam. All this speaks of an inflammatory process that occurs in the pelvic organs.

In the chronic stage, there are practically no symptoms. If the chronic stage turns into an exacerbation period, then a woman may experience itching and burning of the vaginal mucosa, pain during and outside of sexual intercourse, her labia become swollen and red. However, it cannot be said with one hundred percent certainty that a woman suffering from such symptoms is faced with gardnerellosis, because a large number of diseases have the same symptoms, including candidiasis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Therefore, the appearance of any of them is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.

In men's bodies bacterium gardnerella vaginalis unable to exist for a long time. In 90 percent of cases, the man does not experience discomfort and does not even notice the infection. However, in extremely rare cases, it can manifest itself in the form of balanoposthitis or urethritis. In this case, the diagnosis of gardnerella is not made; in men, this disease is diagnosed as nonspecific gardnerella - an associated, that is, mixed, infection, the signs of which are:

itching and hyperemia of the glans penis;
increased urination and discomfort.

In even rarer cases, discharge from the penis, itching, burning and an unpleasant odor may occur. If your urine smells like missing fish, urgent consultation with a specialist is required, as in this case the problem may have gone very far.

Diagnostics

If a woman suspects herself development of gardnerellosis, she needs to seek help from a doctor as soon as possible. First of all, this is important for the reason that the disease must be differentiated from other infections and complications must be avoided.

The doctor must examine the patient and listen to his complaints. Usually women complain of an unpleasant odor, which is usually characteristic when the normal microflora in the vagina and urethra begins to displace gardnerella. What it really is can only be determined by analyzes and tests. First, it is necessary to conduct a vaginal examination, then a general smear from the vagina and a microscopic examination of it are done, as a result of which an increase in the number of gardnerella bacteria can be detected. Next, the pH of the microflora is measured and the reaction to the substance that emits that very smell of spoiled fish - isonitrile. When confirming the diagnosis, it is advisable to conduct examinations to detect inflammatory processes in the vagina:

For men these studies are not carried out.

It is also important to simultaneously test for the presence of other pathogens: trichomonas, candida, chlamydia, gonococci and others, as well as syphilis, hepatitis B and HIV.

Often with gardnerellosis called bacterial vaginosis, however, recent research in this area has proven that with vaginosis, in some cases gardnerella is not detected at all and is not the only causative agent of this disease. However, gardnerella bacteria can be detected even in the absence of symptoms.

Complications and treatment

The disease requires mandatory treatment, as it provokes the development of many complications and adverse events in women:

Inflammatory diseases affecting organs reproductive system, including the external genitalia, vagina, cervix, have an extremely negative impact on the condition of the body. As a result, endometritis and adnexitis can develop - diseases that then accompany the woman throughout her life.

In men also complications are likely to develop. If a man has not completed a course of treatment for gardnerella, he may have further consequences such as urethritis, prostatitis and infertility. The immediate consequences of gardnerellosis manifest themselves in the form of a sharp decrease in immunity, resulting in an increased risk of diseases of the genitourinary system.

Therefore, both women and men require timely and adequate treatment for gardnerella, which includes:

Generally treatment for gardnerella almost identical to the treatment of sexually transmitted infections. Both partners must complete the full course of therapy with the prescribed drugs; the woman only needs to undergo the examination. During treatment, it is necessary to use a condom during sexual intercourse, otherwise re-infection with gardnerella is possible.

Women are usually treated by a gynecologist, men by a urologist or venereologist. The most commonly prescribed drugs are Metronidazole and Clindamycin in the form of a gel (cream) or tablets. The dosage and time of administration are determined by the doctor. After the course of treatment, it is necessary to repeat the tests.

Disease prevention

After completing a course of treatment for gardnerella, it is necessary to follow measures that will prevent relapses. To prevent disease and its repetition, you need to take care of your health: strengthen the immune system, do not get too cold, eat right, do not overwork and avoid stress. In sexual activity, especially with new partners, the use of condoms is mandatory. Antiseptics can be used within two hours after sexual intercourse. You should also avoid birth control medications that contain nonoxynol-9.

Another important point is douching. Many women are addicted to “washing” the vagina, thereby disturbing its microflora and providing fertile ground for the proliferation of gardnerella. Under no circumstances should this be done.

And most importantly: At the first symptoms, consult a doctor and carry out treatment as quickly as possible to prevent the development of the disease and complications. Don't self-medicate! A man is also recommended to contact a specialist if he suspects such an infection in his partner.