- Gardnerella symptoms
- What causes Gardnerella infection
- How is the diagnosis of infection
- How the treatment is done
Gardnerella vaginalis and Gardnerella mobiluncus are two bacteria that normally live in the vagina without causing any symptoms. However, when they multiply in an exaggerated way, they can cause an infection popularly known as bacterial vaginosis, which lead to the production of grayish-white discharge and a strong smell.
Treatment is done with antibiotic remedies, such as Metronidazole or Clindamycin, in the form of an oral tablet or ointments that must be applied to the vagina, although in some cases, healing can be achieved only with proper washing of the region.
Gardnerella infection occurs more frequently in women, as the bacterium is part of the normal vaginal microbiota, but men can also be infected through relationships without a condom with an infected partner.
Gardnerella symptoms
Gardnerella's presence manifests itself differently in women and men, presenting one or more of the following symptoms:
| Symptoms in the woman | Symptoms in man |
|
White or grayish discharge |
Redness in the foreskin, glans, or urethra |
| Small blisters in the vagina |
Pain when urinating |
| Unpleasant odor that intensifies after unprotected intimate contact | Itchy penis |
| Pain during intimate contact |
Yellowish discharge from the urethra |
In many men, it is more common than infection by Gardnerella sp. do not cause any symptoms and therefore treatment may not be necessary. However, becoming very frequent in the woman may be recommended, by the doctor, that the man also undergo the treatment, as he may be passing it back to the woman, especially if they practice intimate contact without a condom.
In addition, if infection occurs simultaneously with other bacteria, women may experience inflammation in the uterus and tubes, which can lead to infertility if treatment is not done.
What causes Gardnerella infection
There is no specific cause for this type of infection, however it is more common in women with risk factors such as multiple sexual partners, use of cigarettes, regular vaginal washing or use of an IUD as a contraceptive method.
Thus, genital infection by Gardnerella is not considered an STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) and the incubation period of the disease is 2 to 21 days, which is the time that the bacteria is present but the symptoms do not manifest.
How is the diagnosis of infection
The diagnosis of the infection can be made in a gynecological office, where the doctor can observe the signs of infection, especially the presence of discharge and the characteristic odor. In addition, to confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may indicate the performance of a vaginal culture, in which the vaginal secretion is collected for microbiological analysis.
From the analysis of the secretion, it is possible to have confirmation of the bacteria responsible for the infection and, thus, the appropriate treatment can be started.
In the case of men, the diagnosis must be made by the urologist by analyzing the symptoms and assessing penile secretion.
How the treatment is done
Gardnerella infection is easy to cure and its treatment is usually done with antibiotic remedies, such as Metronidazole, Secnidazole or Clindamycin, taken in the form of tablets, or applied as ointments on the intimate area.
Generally, the treatment lasts about 7 days for the antibiotic in tablets, or 5 days for the creams. During this time, adequate intimate hygiene must be maintained, washing only the external genital region with neutral soap or appropriate for the region.
In pregnancy, the treatment should only be done with the antibiotic in tablet, recommended by the gynecologist, and the proper hygiene of the region. Learn more about the treatment and how to do the home treatment.
