What causes gardnerella in women? Gardnerellosis in women: symptoms of the disease and causes. Weak immunity is one of the causes of the disease

Bacterial vaginosis or gardnerellosis in women is quite common. This is an infection that in women is caused by a special bacterium - Gardnerella vaginalis. A small amount of these microorganisms is completely harmless to the body, but as soon as their numbers begin to increase due to a decrease in lactobacilli, the first signs of the development of gardnerellosis appear. There is no need to be ashamed of this female disease, because it is not a sexually transmitted disease, does not depend on compliance with intimate hygiene standards, and can develop at any time in women of different ages. Even small girls who do not have a single sexual contact are capable of having a fairly adult female disease - gardnerellosis.

It is impossible to find a female person who would have a completely sterile vagina. Only newborn girls do not have any microorganisms in their genitals, but already about a week after birth the composition of their microflora begins to change. Before puberty, approximately everyone has a normal acidity pH of 5.0.

Everything is different in the body of adult females. They constantly have various organisms in their vagina, so the acidity of the environment decreases (pH 4.0-4.5). Some of the bacteria are completely harmless and must be present in the microflora (lactobacteria), others, like Gardnerella vaginalis in women in the photo, under favorable conditions, become a real threat and lead to changes in the microflora.

Every healthy woman has a certain amount of lactobacilli in her vagina. These are her protective bodies. They regulate the level of acidity, determine the composition of the microflora, and fight microorganisms that can harm health. When one day lactobacilli lose their activity, this is immediately noticed by harmful microorganisms that were previously oppressed. This is where the time comes for gardnerella to come to the fore. Its norm in a healthy woman is about 103 -105 CFU/ml; as soon as this figure increases, there is a threat of developing gardnerellosis in the woman shown in the photo. They can develop very quickly, but they do not show any resistance. In this case, the female disease either manifests itself or subsides a little. This condition is called chronic gardnerellosis in women. During chronic gardnerellosis, bacteria go deeper into the genitourinary system and move to the urethra or cervix. It can last for several years until one day, during a random examination, a doctor diagnoses the disease.

Causes of gardnerella in women

An excessive increase in the number of vaginalis bacteria in women is the cause of gardnerellosis. Its number increases significantly due to a sharp decrease in the number of lactobacilli. This disproportionate ratio in the vagina between two groups of bacteria can occur as a result of treatment with antibiotics, menopause or diabetes mellitus. It leads to dysbacteriosis. This is nothing more than gardnerellosis. The number of lactobacilli may decrease when using intimate hygiene products that cause dry skin. Excessive care of the female genital organs also does not bring anything good, and can cause large quantity Gardnerella vaginalis in women.

Sexual contact without a condom with a man who previously had a relationship with an infected partner and became infected also becomes the cause of gardnerellosis in a completely healthy woman.

Other reasons involved in the occurrence of Gardnerella infection in women include:

Symptoms and signs of gardnerellosis in women in life and in photos

Not all even adult women know how gardnerella manifests itself in women, which is why they do not even detect obvious signs in themselves in time. When visiting a gynecologist, patients sometimes complain about bad smell from the vagina, which is somewhat reminiscent of the stench emanating from rotten fish. At this time, they do not even realize that these are the first signs of gardnerella in women, and such a bad smell appeared as a result of the active breakdown of amines under the influence of anaerobic bacteria.

In addition to the unpleasant odor, other symptoms of gardnerellosis in women are known. Quite often, a sign of the disease is previously uncharacteristic discharge. They are not all the same color. It happens that the discharge is grayish-green or yellowish. Very rarely, the discharge may be white, in which case it is called “leucorrhoea,” or transparent. Their consistency is similar to cream. They stick to the walls of the vagina and hold on tightly. The number of bacteria during vaginosis increases rapidly, so the discharge becomes more and more abundant. Doctors consider such vaginal discharge to be pathological, so they will have to be dealt with immediately by reducing the amount of gardnerella in the body.

Vaginosis often occurs against the background of inflammation of the genitourinary system. Then, to the mentioned signs of female disease, other symptoms of gardnerella in women are added. The inflammatory process is accompanied by severe burning or itching, which becomes especially noticeable during sexual intercourse or immediately after it.

A sign of Gardnerella vaginalis can also be causeless disturbances in the menstrual cycle, the appearance of mucous impurities in the bloody discharge, reminiscent of flakes of pus or pieces of cottage cheese.

In approximately 25 - 30% of women who had gardnerellosis, the symptoms in the photo were completely absent. This is a common occurrence in illness, but it cannot be said that the absence of symptoms is a safer course of the disease. On the contrary, when a woman notices symptoms of gardnerellosis or at least feels discomfort in the genital area, she goes to the clinic and tries to quickly begin treatment. If the disease is asymptomatic, which often happens, you can expect various complications, which will be much more difficult to cope with than with a disease identified in the early period of development.

The symptoms of gardnerellosis resemble other sexually transmitted infections, so a correct diagnosis can only be made after a smear test.

Treatment of gardnerellosis in women with drugs

Before starting treatment for gardnerellosis in women, each doctor suggests that his patient undergo diagnostics in order to exclude the presence of other microorganisms that may also be involved in the disease. The most common and accessible is considered to be a study of vaginal discharge, if any, or a smear for culture from the vaginal mucosa, the results of which determine the amount of gardnerella and lactobacilli in the microflora. Based on this ratio, the doctor decides how to cure gardnerellosis in a woman, using topical medications and auxiliary procedures such as baths, douching and others.

The treatment regimen for gardnerella in a woman is based on the form of the disease, her body’s reaction to medications, the patient’s condition, and even the cause of the disease. Metronidazole is considered the most effective drug in the treatment of Gardnerella vaginalis in women. Don’t let patients who have already been treated for trichomoniasis with this medicine be frightened by the doctor’s decision in choosing tablets, because this drug is ideal for combating many sexually transmitted infections. And when the question arises of how to effectively treat gardnerella in women, feel free to use the medications according to the regimen specified by your doctor.

Beware side effects metronidazole, patients will learn how to treat gardnerella in women with other drugs. You can use Clion or Efloran, but their active substance is also metronidazole. As an alternative, choose drugs with clindamycin: clindamycin, dalacin.

When deciding how to treat gardnerellosis in women, doctors prescribe suppositories for treatment. Suppositories with metronidazole are considered very effective. They create a high concentration of a medicinal substance that fights the virus in the vagina, and thereby promote rapid recovery by reducing the amount of virus. In addition to treating gardnerella in women, suppositories are also effective for candidiasis, which often occurs in couples.

When choosing how to treat gardnerella in women, many opt for creams. That's enough too effective means, which are inserted into the vagina twice a day. Your doctor may recommend using creams or gels that contain metronidazole. This is flagyl or metrogil. The course of such therapy usually lasts from 5 days and can reach 10 days if a woman has chronic gardnerellosis.

An alternative group of creams are preparations with clindamycin. Just once a day for a week, it is enough to inject dalacin into the vagina to reduce the concentration of the virus.

Although the amount of Gardnerella vaginalis in a woman’s body has decreased due to treatment with antibiotics or the use of suppositories, it is too early to talk about a complete recovery until the required amount of lactobacilli is restored in the microflora. To do this, the doctor prescribes drugs that contain lactobacilli.

Treatment of gardnerella in women with traditional medicine

Since it is not a sexually transmitted infection, herbal preparations are quite effective in treatment. Both tinctures purchased at the pharmacy and herbal decoctions prepared at home are suitable for baths. Calendula and chamomile, thyme and oak bark, wormwood and yarrow, celandine and eucalyptus, birch leaves and mint are effective in this fight. These same herbs can also be taken as tea to strengthen the immune system.

At home, you can prepare tampons soaked in carrot juice and apple cider vinegar. For 1 tampon, take a tablespoon of carrot juice and half the same spoon of vinegar. A tampon is inserted into the vagina for 20 minutes after hygiene procedures and douching.

Doctors recommend taking baths with salt and potassium permanganate during illness if there is heavy discharge. This solution kills bacteria and helps to significantly reduce their number. If it is not possible to do such baths every day, you can use the same solution for tampons that are inserted into the vagina in the morning and evening. Medical workers are very wary of douching and do not recommend their frequent use in the treatment of gardnerellosis in women, because such a procedure helps wash out beneficial microflora from the vagina, of which there is already an insufficient amount there.

To prevent bacterial vaginosis, traditional medicine recommends drinking tea made from sage more often.

Some people consider gardnerellosis not serious female disease and wait until it goes away on its own without using drugs for treatment. The imbalance can recover over time on its own if the reasons that caused it disappear (for example, the use of IUDs or condoms with lubricants is stopped), but this self-recovery microflora can take a very long time. Think about it, do you want to endure such fetid odors, reminiscent of illness, and communicate with your spouse while having unpleasant discharge?

Gardnerellosis is a disease that develops when a pathogenic bacterium enters the human body. The causative agent is Gardnerella, which is easily transmitted sexually. Men and women who are sexually active and do not have a regular partner are at risk.

If a person suspects the progression of bacterial vaginosis, a consultation and examination by a doctor who treats sexually transmitted diseases is needed. Special attention It is worth paying attention to the choice of medications. If treated negligently, the course of the disease may be aggravated by the occurrence and development of complications. When answering patients’ questions about how to treat gardnerellosis, doctors are of the same opinion: local therapy can defeat the bacterium. It is enough to correctly use ointment, capsules, tablets, gel or suppositories prescribed by a specialist.

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Self-medication can have a detrimental effect on the general condition of the body and reduce the effectiveness of therapy.

The final diagnosis is made after studying the patient's test results. The pharmaceutical industry offers a wide range of medications to treat the disease. The drug Trichopolum for gardnerellosis is considered one of the effective ones. Vaginal tablets are prescribed for use once a day with a dosage of 500 milligrams for 1–1.5 weeks.

Treatment with Metronidazole gel at a concentration of 0.75% (injection into the vagina) is no less effective, and the course of treatment does not exceed 5 days (if the procedure is performed twice a day).

Of the oral medications, Tinidazole is most often prescribed for progressive gardnerellosis. long time in organism. The dosage and course of therapy are determined by the attending physician, which is due to the presence of side effects of the medication. If Clindamycin has been prescribed, it should be taken for a week at a dosage of 300 milligrams.

Bacterial vaginosis is also diagnosed in women during pregnancy. Most of them avoid therapy, fearing harm to the fetus and convincing themselves that the bacteria will leave the body on their own. Unfortunately, this statement is not true, and the microflora is not capable of independent recovery.

A leading gynecologist will tell you exactly how to treat gardnerellosis during pregnancy. Doctors also note that during pregnancy and correct selection medications, the disease is easily treatable, but the exception is antibacterial therapy.

If there is a sharp increase in the number of gardnerella, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. If a dilemma arises regarding how to treat gardnerellosis in pregnant women, then suppositories or the drug Klion are better suited. Methods that are no less effective in treating pregnant women traditional medicine, but only after approval by a doctor.

From possible options baths and douching are excluded, and only washing with antiseptic solutions prepared with herbs is practiced. After delivery, the woman must undergo a full course of treatment for the disease. When a doctor diagnoses gardnerellosis, it is almost impossible to do without antibiotics. Drugs in this group are indicated to combat the disease, which occurs in acute or chronic form.

When a patient comes to the clinic in a timely manner, the first thing he is prescribed is tablets (they are effective in the initial stage of the disease). The next stage is restorative, aimed at increasing the number of lactobacilli. Depending on the rate of reduction of bacteria causing harm to the body, the duration of the course of treatment will be determined. When the number of microorganisms is reduced to a minimum, the antibiotics will be completed.

In each clinical case, how to cure gardnerellosis will be determined by the doctor based on general condition patient and after studying the tests. This approach will protect against drug intolerance in patients with hypersensitivity to certain components. To consolidate the result, immunotherapy and procedures to restore the natural microflora are performed. To protect the body from re-infection, you should adjust your diet and lifestyle.

You can find out exactly how gardnerellosis is treated from the list below:

• Azithromycin - broad-spectrum tablets. Long-term use leads to the accumulation of the active component in the blood with its subsequent activation in the affected area.
• Tiberal is an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drug, released in tablet form.
• Ornidazole is effective in the fight against anaerobic microbes and is produced in the form of tablets, capsules and injection solution.
• Imidazole is an effective antimicrobial medication, available in the form of cream, injection solution and vaginal tablets.
• Metronidazole is an antiprotozoal drug with antibacterial activity, produced in the form of tablets with a dosage of 250 milligrams.

When treating a disease, a balanced diet is very important. So that the body receives everything necessary elements and was recovering, he needed: fermented milk products, poultry and fish. No need to neglect fresh fruit and vegetables. Cereals, nuts, beans, oils (linseed, olive, corn) are very useful.

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To preserve all the components in the right form, it is better to give preference to steaming or practice a raw food diet.

It was also said that the disease can be treated with traditional medicine. The basis of therapy is oral administration of tinctures, installation of medicinal tampons and baths. The given recipes are suitable for treating men and women.

Suitable for decoctions: sweet clover, marshmallow root, pine and birch buds, nettle, mint, St. John's wort and eucalyptus leaves. Prepare according to the directions on the package and take half an hour before meals three times a day. The recommended single dose is 100 milliliters.

Tampons are made from a mixture apple cider vinegar(1 teaspoon) and carrot juice. The resulting solution is applied to gauze folded into a tampon and inserted into the vagina for 20 minutes. It is not recommended to do the procedure more than once a day. The second version of the mixture includes aloe juice and sea buckthorn oil in equal proportions. It is recommended to leave this tampon overnight. Baths made from oak bark, chamomile and leaves will help relieve unpleasant symptoms (pain, itching, burning) walnut. Treatment of gardnerellosis in men is prescribed by a doctor after a thorough examination of patients and study of test results.

As with female representatives, in the absence of complications, local therapy is sufficient. The duration of treatment is 14–21 days (the drug is determined by the doctor). For clearly defined symptoms, Doxycycline or Tricaside is prescribed and taken until complete recovery. A man must follow a diet: no spicy, fatty, spicy and salty foods, as well as alcohol. Sexual contact and prolonged exposure to the sun are also prohibited. Hilak, Laktovit or Bifilakt are indicated as immunotherapy.

Suppositories for gardnerellosis: treatment regimen and duration

The medical name for the well-known thrush is gardnerellosis. Candles are best suited to combat it. They differ from tablets in that they have a targeted effect, which means they cope better with the disease.

Below are suppositories for gardnerellosis, which are often prescribed by doctors:

• McMiror;
• Terzhinan;
• Clindamycin;
• Suppositories with metronidazole;
• Betadine.

With their help, an optimal environment is created in the vagina, and pathogenic microorganisms gradually die. Vaginal suppositories for gardnellosis are approved for use by women during pregnancy. Thus, the birth canal is cleaned in the third trimester.

Suppositories with metronidazole or tinidazole are highly effective for gardnellosis. They are recommended to be administered once a day, in the morning or evening for three hours. The duration of therapy is at least 7 days, depending on the patient's condition.

It is recommended to start treatment no earlier than 2 days after the end of menstruation. On the forum, patients who were treated for gardnerellosis with suppositories leave only positive reviews about the drug. To prevent sexually transmitted infections, doctors recommend always using protection when contacting a new partner. Also, not the last role in the prevention of disease is assigned to the control of the state of immunity, because infections do not attach to a strong body. You should beware of hypothermia, because any inflammation of the genitourinary system will provoke dysbacteriosis, and against its background gardnerellosis will progress.

An integral part of prevention is genital hygiene. If a man or woman suspects the development of thrush, or gardnerellosis, you should immediately consult a doctor. The disease is easily transmitted sexually, so it is very important to protect yourself from promiscuity. The effectiveness of therapy largely depends on the patient’s approach to following medical recommendations.

Gardnerella (bacterial vaginosis) is a very common infection these days. According to statistics, more than 20% of sexually active women suffer from this disease.

The thing is that gardnerella is always present in the microflora of the female genital organ.

But with a sharp increase in the number of these bacteria, the vaginal microflora is disrupted, which leads to the development of infection.

The question of whether this type of vaginosis is a disease that, like many, is sexually transmitted, still does not have a clear answer from doctors. However, bacterial vaginosis requires immediate treatment and is not even discussed.

Gardnerella itself is not pathogenic, but it gives rise to other pathogens that are more dangerous to women's health. Gardnerella performs the function of preparing the soil for harmful microorganisms. When these microorganisms begin to multiply at an accelerated pace, the products of their metabolism have a detrimental effect not only on the vagina, but also penetrate the urethra.

Disturbed microflora for Gardnerella is the number 1 cause. Bacteria that grow in such a “favorable” environment cause inflammation.

Is bacterial vaginosis contagious?

Certainly. It is patients who are very sexually active who most often encounter this disease. You can avoid the transmission of vaginosis by using contraceptives, especially if you are starting a relationship with a new partner. This statement does not mean that a man is “contagious.” It is possible that a man’s microflora will be alien to your body. This will lead to dysbacteriosis, and then to gardnerellosis.

Treatment of this disease is no different from other sexually transmitted infections. Regardless of confirmation of the disease, both partners must undergo a full course of treatment with drugs prescribed by the doctor for one of them.

You can get sick with gardnerellosis, even if there has been no infection as such. The disease can develop due to taking antibiotics or topical contraceptives. Many cases of gardnerella development have been recorded after taking the following drugs: Terzhinan, Betadine, Polygynax.

The vaginal microflora can be disrupted by prolonged stress, dieting, or intense physical and emotional stress.

Symptoms of gardnerellosis

Every woman should know the first signs of the onset of the disease, because treatment should begin and special medications should be taken as early as possible.

Symptoms of gardnerellosis in women appear much more noticeable than in representatives of the stronger sex. Vaginal discharge may be yellow, green, white, clear, or white-gray. They have a uniform consistency, creamy or watery, and often foam.

The labia become swollen, red, and itching and burning occur when urinating or during sexual intercourse. The main sign of the disease is the smell of spoiled fish.

In addition to discharge, gardnerella in women causes an internal inflammatory process, which also entails itching, pain and burning in the vagina.

In men (90%), gardnerella does not cause any discomfort. In rare cases, the presence of the disease can be judged by painful urination. Even less common are copious discharge from the penis, burning and itching.

If any minor symptoms of gardnerellosis appear in women, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor. Experts say that the disease can be cured the first time only at an early stage of development.

Complications and consequences of the disease are varied.

Urethritis, prostatitis, infertility threaten men. And women often develop inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs. The external genitalia, vagina, cervix - everything is at risk. The consequence is endometritis and adnexitis, which will bother you for the rest of your life.

If we talk about the consequences that appear immediately, then this is a sharp decrease in immunity and a high risk of diseases of the genitourinary system.

Gardnerellosis often occurs in pregnant women. Often, a woman becomes infected before conceiving a child, and during pregnancy, pathogenic microbes worsen. The reasons are as follows: during pregnancy, the body’s immune defense drops sharply and hormonal changes occur. These factors affect the microflora of the female vagina, and if a girl has a minimal risk of getting gardnerellosis, the body does not act to the benefit of the owner.

Diagnosis of the disease

Nowadays, gardnerella in women can be detected on early stages Fortunately, this is possible for every specialist. At the first suspicion, women should immediately contact a gynecologist, and men should immediately contact a venereologist or urologist.

First, the patient is examined and symptoms are assessed. The most common complaint is discharge with a strong unpleasant odor. If the symptoms of Gardnerella are not so well expressed, then a laboratory analysis is carried out to identify the pathogen.

The test is a general smear with microscopy. Examining the cells of a sick person under a microscope, you can notice a thick layer of microbes, which indicates the fact of the disease. Another test to confirm the disease is measuring the pH of the vaginal environment. A definitive diagnosis can be made after a reaction to isontril (exactly the substance that emits a terribly unpleasant odor).

If the diagnosis is confirmed, ask your doctor to conduct an examination for the presence of inflammatory processes in the vagina (culture of vaginal discharge, dysbiosis analysis, PCR).

Gardnerellosis in women during pregnancy is the most common disease, but do not despair, the main thing is to cope with the disease in a timely manner. Drugs for treatment must be prescribed by a doctor, since many drugs are prohibited, including antibiotics.

Usually, doctors prescribe the following drugs for treatment: Metronidazole, Clindamycin. Both one and the other drug is available both in the form of a gel for external use, and in the form of tablets. Treatment and dosage of the drug is prescribed by the attending physician. It should be remembered that these drugs are incompatible with alcohol. After completing the course of treatment, take the tests again, and then monitor your health and prevent relapses.

Prevention of the disease is quite simple:

• Take care of your health.
• Strengthen your immune system.
• Lead healthy image life (don't overwork, eat right).
• Avoid casual sex.
• Use condoms.
• Within 2 hours after the "suspicious" sexual intercourse, use antiseptics.
• Avoid douching and drugs containing 9-nonoxynol (contraceptives).

Constantly monitor your genitals, keep them safe perfect cleanliness. At the first appearance of any symptoms, consult a doctor, do not self-medicate!

Bacterial vaginosis is a disease that often occurs in sexually active women. In the vast majority of cases, pathology appears under the influence of bacteria Gardnerella vaginalis (Gardnerella vaginalis). Strictly speaking, gardnerellosis is not classified as a sexually transmitted infection, however, sexually transmitted diseases provoke the development and aggravate the course of bacterial vaginosis of a similar etiology.

Gardnerella is a conditionally pathogenic microorganism, that is, it is present in small quantities on the mucous epithelium of the vagina. Taxonomically, these pathogens are classified as facultative anaerobic flora. In other words, their life cycle occurs without access to oxygen, but unlike other anaerobes, gardnerellas can also tolerate aerobic conditions.

Externally, gardnerellas look like small rods with oval ends; their size rarely exceeds 1.5 microns. Previously, pathogenic microorganisms Gardnerella were considered members of the genus Haemophilus (they were called Haemophilus vaginalis).

However, in the mid-1980s, their belonging to the Bifidobacteriaceae family was proven. The vast majority of Gardnerella cases are Gram-negative, although a positive Gram stain is occasionally possible.

Lactobacilli that “inhabit” the mucous epithelium of the vagina produce lactic acid as a result of the destruction of glycogen. It determines the pH value in the range of 3.8 - 4.5, which prevents the proliferation of various microorganisms. In addition, lactobacilli have an enzymatic effect, so their level serves as a kind of indicator of the condition of the woman’s genital organs. Bakvaginosis develops against the background of replacement of microorganisms of the genus Lactobacillus by an association of pathogenic or conditionally pathogenic bacteria.

Gardnerella vaginalis produces specific catabolites that inhibit the functional activity of local immunity and leukocytes. As a result, bacteria penetrate deep into the vaginal mucosa, affect the overlying parts of the genital tract, and spread to the urinary tract. In addition, the development of Gardnerella promotes the proliferation of other flora (staphylococci, streptococci, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, etc.).

Bacterial vaginosis caused by gardnerella is the most common infection among sexually active women aged 18–45 years. According to various authors, the incidence of such an infection ranges from 30 to 80% in the structure of inflammatory diseases of the genital organs in the fairer sex. This inaccuracy in the numbers is due to the fact that in a third of women gardnerellosis is asymptomatic.

Gardnerella Vaginalis: routes of transmission, factors provoking the development of pathology

Some doctors are inclined to believe that gardnerellosis is sexually transmitted. However, in this case, the question remains open about the presence of these bacteria in small quantities in the vagina of girls and virgins. Therefore, experts believe that this disease can be safely classified as polyetiological.

The following factors contribute to the appearance of pathological concentrations of Gardnerella vaginalis:

• promiscuity, especially without the use of proper protective measures (condoms);
• concomitant sexually transmitted diseases (trichomoniasis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc.);
• various therapeutic and diagnostic intravaginal manipulations (douching, especially if it is therapeutically unjustified, colposcopy, etc.);
• abortions;
• taking medications that impair the functioning of local immunity (corticosteroids, antibiotics and fungicides, including local action in the form of ointments and suppositories, cytostatics, chemotherapy);
• extragenital diseases that negatively affect the immune system;
• improper diet with a predominance of too sweet foods and a deficiency of fermented milk products;
• use of topical spermicides;
• use for hygienic purposes of pads, tampons, intimate products with too much high content synthetic perfume fragrances and allergens;
• wearing tight underwear with a synthetic gusset;
• hormonal disorders caused by natural causes (pregnancy, childbirth, period breastfeeding), diseases or taking appropriate medicines;
• chronic fatigue, emotional stress and exhaustion;
• diseases and conditions accompanied by disruption of the microflora of the digestive and genitourinary tract;
• developmental defects and anatomical features of the vaginal structure;
• insufficient personal hygiene;
• foreign bodies in the vagina and uterus (spirals, caps, etc.).

Gardnerella vaginalis infection does not occur through sexual contact. However, the development of this disease is closely related to the characteristics of sexual relationships. The risk of bacterial vaginosis increases with early onset of sexual activity, the presence of a large number of sexual partners, a high frequency of urogenital, rectogenital sexual intercourse, etc.

Gardnerella infection: symptoms in women, diagnostic methods, possible complications

Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis caused by Gardnerella are nonspecific. Many sexually transmitted diseases (for example, chlamydia, trichomoniasis) can occur under the guise of gardnerellosis. Incubation period infection lasts from 3 to 10 days, but on average - a week.

Symptoms characteristic of the pathology are:

• Quite abundant, sometimes foamy vaginal discharge; at the initial stages of the disease it is homogeneous, gray-white in color, but later acquires a thicker consistency and a yellowish tint;

• the characteristic unpleasant smell of stale fish, it intensifies after sex, during menstruation, after washing with soap, such a sign is due to the breakdown of amino acids produced by anaerobic gardnerella;
• itching and burning, but only a third of women with bacterial vaginosis complain of these symptoms.

The occurrence of an unpleasant "fishy" odor from the vagina, combined with abundant discharge, is the reason for contacting a gynecologist.

Diagnostic criteria for gardnerellosis are:

• plaque, evenly covering the mucous membrane of the vagina and external genital organs, while pathophysiological signs of the inflammatory process occur extremely rarely;
• pH values ​​above 4.5 after pH measurements of vaginal epithelium discharge;
• a positive amino test result, this is one of the express diagnostic methods, which is carried out by mixing a vaginal smear with a 10% solution of potassium hydroxide on a glass slide; in the presence of gardnerella, a strong smell of rotten fish appears;
• detection of cells characteristic of bacterial vaginosis after microscopy of a Gram-stained vaginal smear.

Instrumental methods for identifying the disease complement the patient’s medical history and complaints. Gardnerella infection requires differential diagnosis with other urogenital pathologies caused by gonococcus, Trichomonas, chlamydia, and opportunistic microorganisms. To do this, PCR tests are prescribed to detect bacterial DNA.

Without appropriate treatment (and sometimes against the background of drug therapy), gardnerellosis is prone to a chronic relapsing course. So, six months after the first episode, symptoms of bacterial vaginosis reappear in a third of patients, and within a year - in 50-70% of women. Such disturbances in the composition of the physiological microflora of the vagina often lead to persistent recurrent candidiasis and other lesions of the urogenital tract. Sometimes gardnerella is also found in the bladder in the process of identifying the causes of cystitis.

IN last years Information has appeared that anaerobic pathogens of bacterial vaginosis secrete nitrosamines. They serve as coenzymes of carcinogenesis and can cause dysplastic and dystrophic processes in the cervix. They, in turn, can cause a variety of pathologies, including malignant cell transformations.

Gardnerellosis in women: features of the course and therapy during pregnancy, manifestations of the disease in men

Bacterial vaginosis, caused by bacteria of the genus Gardnerella, often occurs during pregnancy. This is usually due to accompanying changes in hormonal balance. For early detection of pathology, regular gynecological examination is required, especially for women at risk (with previous or concomitant sexually transmitted infections, chronic inflammatory lesions of the genitourinary system, etc.)

But today, a clear connection has been established between the development of such a disease and infertility, unfavorable pregnancy outcomes, the threat of miscarriage, and premature birth. In addition, in the absence of therapy, gardnerellosis is dangerous due to early rupture of amniotic fluid, intrauterine infection of the fetus, and various inflammatory lesions of the uterus in the postpartum period.

Therefore, when discharge of a characteristic consistency and with a specific odor appears, it is necessary to urgently begin therapy. Most medications intended to treat bacterial vaginosis are contraindicated in the first trimester. Therefore on at this stage Even doctors recommend using folk remedies.

Starting from the second trimester, gardnerellosis in women is treated with:

• Clindamycin (Dalacin, Clindacin) in the form of cream or suppositories, 5 g or one piece, respectively, at night for 3 - 5 days;
• Metronidazole (Metrogil, Metrovagin, Trichopol, Trichosept, Flagyl) cream (0.75%), suppositories - 2 times a day intravaginally or tablets 0.5 g twice a day, course of therapy - 5 - 7 days.

In men, gardnerellosis is usually asymptomatic. As a rule, representatives of the stronger sex are carriers of infection. However, if the immune system is weakened as a result of any disease or taking medications, there is a risk of developing bacterial urethritis (inflammation of the urinary tract) or balanoposthitis (damage to the head of the penis, foreskin).

Such pathologies manifest themselves in the form of a burning sensation when urinating, and discharge with an unpleasant odor from the urethra. Often noted is the appearance of a grayish-white sticky coating on the glans penis, redness and slight swelling of the skin in the foreskin area.

How to treat gardnerella: drug and alternative therapy, restoration of local immunity, prevention methods

Anaerobic pathogens of bacterial vaginosis are highly sensitive to various antibacterial drugs from the group of fluoroquinolones, penicillins (but only in combination with clavulanic acid), and macrolides. Tetracycline antibiotics (for example, Minocycline) are less active against Gardnerella. However, most experts believe that the use of potent antimicrobial agents for the treatment of uncomplicated vaginosis is unjustified.

Therefore, first-line drugs are:

• Nitroimidazoles(Metronidazole, Ornidazole, Tinidazole). They are used orally, intravaginally in women and topically in men. The dosage and duration of treatment is determined individually. As a rule, Metronidazole (or its analogues under other trade names) is taken 2.0 g once or 0.5 g twice a day for a week. Ornidazole is taken 0.5 g twice a day for 5 days, Tinidazole - 2.0 g once. Preparations of this group in the form of suppositories or ointments are used twice a day for 5 days.
• Lincosamides. Of the medications in this class, Clindamycin is the most effective. It is used topically (applied to the head of the penis or inserted into the vagina) once a day at night for 6 days. Possible oral administration of 0.3 g twice a day for a week.

Additionally, doctors emphasize that metronidazole is absolutely incompatible with alcohol. Therefore, it is necessary to abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages for the entire duration of treatment and for 24 hours after its completion. Clindamycin creams and suppositories can damage the latex from which condoms and vaginal diaphragms are made. Therefore, when treating with this drug, it is better to give up sexual activity (sex with gardnerellosis without a condom can aggravate the course of the disease).

Some patients prefer to treat bacterial vaginosis and urethritis using alternative medicine methods.

• Pour 3 tbsp. dry celandine herb with a liter of boiling water, squeeze out a few cloves of garlic, leave for 3 - 4 hours, strain and use for douching.
• Pass pine and juniper needles through a meat grinder (take in a 1:1 ratio), squeeze out the juice from the resulting pulp, moisten a regular tampon in it and insert it into the vagina overnight. To increase the effectiveness of treatment, alternate with gauze or cotton swabs soaked in a mixture of onion and horseradish juice. The course of therapy lasts 12 days.
• Mix 10 g each of lavender herb, bird cherry and Chernobyl flowers, 20 g each of calendula herb, sage and cudweed, oak bark, birch leaves, 30 g chamomile flowers. Pour two tablespoons of the mixture into a liter hot water, wrap the dishes in a towel, leave for 2 - 3 hours, strain and douche overnight for 2 weeks.
• Buy tinctures of yarrow and eucalyptus at the pharmacy, mix and drink 25 drops in 50 ml of water three times a day on an empty stomach.
• Mix mistletoe and yarrow herb in equal proportions. Brew a couple of spoons with half a liter of boiling water, leave overnight and strain. Can be used for douching or taken orally 1 tbsp. three times a day.
• Grind the Trichopolum tablet into powder, add a teaspoon of honey and the same amount of onion pulp. Apply the resulting mass to a tampon and insert into the vagina at night. Alternate with tampons with calendula ointment (can be purchased at the pharmacy).
• Pour a tablespoon of tansy baskets into a glass of boiling water, simmer in a water bath for 15 minutes, cool to room temperature and strain. Use the solution for douching.
• Mix black poplar buds, calendula and chamomile flowers, eucalyptus and bird cherry leaves in equal proportions. Take 2 - 3 tbsp, pour a liter of boiling water, leave overnight and strain. First, douche with this solution, then insert a tampon with lanolin-based propolis ointment into the vagina (if it is not available in the pharmacy, you need to mix 10 g of crushed propolis and melted lanolin). The duration of treatment is 2 weeks. At the same time, you can drink a decoction of wormwood.
• Pour 300 ml of boiling water over a tablespoon of bird cherry fruit, simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, cool and strain. Drink 1/3 three times a day half an hour before meals. This solution can also be used for douching.
• For men, the following composition is recommended for penile hygiene: half a liter of chamomile decoction, 1 tbsp. soda, 5 drops of potassium permanganate and 2 drops of iodine.

However, treatment does not guarantee re-infection. Its likelihood increases if provoking risk factors are not excluded. The activity of local immunity can be increased with the help of drugs designed to restore the normal composition of the vaginal microflora. They are used both in the form of suppositories and in tablet form.

In order not to face the problem of how to treat gardnerella, it is better to prevent infection in a timely manner. It is necessary to minimize wearing tight synthetic underwear and clothing, especially in the hot season. Panty liners and sanitary pads should be changed at least once every three hours. You should also avoid too frequent and unnecessary douching. In addition, it is necessary to adhere to safe sex rules and use condoms.

There are many reasons for the occurrence of gardnerellosis in women. Let's look at where gardnerella comes from in women, what are the symptoms and treatment methods for gardnerella disease. Women of any age periodically experience discomfort in the vagina associated with microflora disturbances. This pathology is called dysbacteriosis (dysbiosis). One of the types of pathology is gardnerellosis, caused by gardnerella.

• Bacterial vaginosis
• Symptoms of gardnerellosis
• Women's diseases
• Gardnerellosis in pregnant women

Bacterial vaginosis

The vagina, the female genital organ, is populated by microflora, which consists of beneficial, non-pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic organisms. The latter include the fungi Candida and the bacterium gardnerella vaginalis. There are no more than 1-2% of them. Beneficial bacteria include lactobacilli and bifidobacteria (about 99% of them). They create an acidic environment in which harmful bacteria cannot reproduce.

What are gardnerellas? It is a genus of anaerobic bacteria that has a single species, Gardnerella vaginalis. For men, these microorganisms are not typical. Infection usually occurs during sexual contact and men often do not even feel the effects of these bacteria on their health.

If gardnerella begins to actively multiply in women, the reason should be sought in a decrease in the acidity of the vaginal environment. There is an imbalance between the representatives of the microflora. The main reason the occurrence of gardnerellosis in women is vaginal dysbacteriosis. However, scientists have proven that other pathogenic bacteria are also involved in this process. Therefore, gardnerellosis in women is considered a mixed infection and is called bacterial vaginosis.

The disease caused by Gardnerella - a genital tract infection - is not a sexually transmitted disease, although you can become infected during sexual intercourse.

To prevent the disease, you should strengthen the immune system, monitor the health of the genitourinary organs, and have safe sex. Intimate hygiene products should be used correctly, douching should be avoided, and antibiotics that cause dysbacteriosis should not be abused.

Reasons for the development of gardnerellosis

There are several reasons for the development of the disease. If gardnerella vaginalis is detected, a hormonal imbalance may have occurred or the immune system may have weakened. Other causes of gardnerellosis in women are as follows:

• Hypothermia of the body.
• Changing of the climate.
• Use of ectopic contraceptives.
• Taking antibiotics, spermicides, oral contraceptives.
• Frequent douching with antiseptics.
• Diseases of the internal genital organs, including the presence of an inflammatory process in the vagina.
• Venereal diseases.
• Gynecological operations.

The development of infection may be a consequence of improper use of tampons during the menstrual cycle.

Symptoms of gardnerellosis

Signs of gardnerella in women appear 3-4 days after the onset of dysbiosis. Gardnerellosis in women has the following characteristic symptoms:

1. Itching and burning in the vagina are the first signs of gardnerellosis.
2. The appearance of white discharge or gray. They are sticky and foamy. The unpleasant odor of the discharge resembles the smell of fish.
3. Urination may become more frequent and painful; the amount of urine decreases.

In a smear from the vagina, an increase in the number of gardnerella is recorded (this can be seen in the photo).

Symptoms of gardnerellosis in women can last for a long time: months and even years. Discharge from the vagina becomes yellow-green, acquire a curdled consistency. With a long course of the disease and no treatment, complications of gardnerellosis occur: the occurrence of genital tract infections (chlamydia, colpitis), a number of other inflammatory diseases develop.

Sometimes there are no symptoms of gardnerellosis, then the woman becomes a carrier of the disease, posing a danger to sexual partners.

The symptoms of bacterial vaginosis are similar to the symptoms of the following diseases:

• gonorrhea;
• fungal infection of the genital tract;
• trichomoniasis;
• inflammatory diseases of nonspecific etiology.

Therefore, differential diagnosis is necessary to exclude these diseases.

Women's diseases

Gardnerellosis in women is not an inflammatory process, but creates the prerequisites for the development of a number of diseases of the female genital area:

• diseases of the cervix: inflammation, pseudo-erosion, cicatricial deformity, ectropion, dysplasia;
• inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis, colpitis);
• salpingitis;
• endometritis.

The risk of contracting diseases that are transmitted through sexual contact increases. If all the doctor's recommendations are followed, gardnerellosis passes quickly and does not cause complications.

Gardnerellosis in pregnant women

Gardnerella in pregnant women is often fixed due to hormonal imbalance associated with the restructuring of the body. Gardnerellosis in women at this time has exacerbated symptoms: copious discharge, having an unpleasant odor, burning in the vagina, pain during sex.

The disease can cause severe complications:

• premature birth;
• inflammation or rupture of the membranes of the membranes;
• postpartum endometritis.

In addition, the infection can be transmitted to the baby during childbirth (usually a girl). Therefore, women whose vaginal microorganisms have caused gardnerellosis or another bacterial infection are under special supervision of an obstetrician-gynecologist. The baby is prescribed drug therapy for preventive purposes.

How to cure gardnerella in women

When a woman begins to feel discomfort in the genital tract, she needs to be tested for gardnerella and other microorganisms. If gardnerellosis is diagnosed in a woman, treatment is carried out by a gynecologist or dermatologist-venereologist.

An important diagnostic task is to establish the cause of the imbalance in the microflora of the female vagina. Only after receiving the results of the necessary tests, the doctor prescribes adequate therapy. The difficulty of treatment is that gardnerella bacteria are resistant to most antibiotics, so self-medication is dangerous.

The treatment regimen for gardnerellosis in a woman consists of 2 stages:

1. Elimination of infection in the genital tract using antibiotics. They are applied topically in the form of ointments, gels, vaginal suppositories or tablets for 10 days.
2. Restoration of vaginal microflora using bacterial preparations. Appointed vaginal suppositories with lactobacilli.

Additionally, the following medications are used in the treatment of gardnerellosis:

• Immunomodulators.
• Antifungal drugs.
• Vaginal tablets and suppositories with anti-inflammatory effect.
• Oral anti-inflammatory drugs.

Along with bacterial vaginosis, intestinal dysbiosis can occur. Then probiotics are prescribed: Linex, Bifidumbacterin and others.

When a woman’s recovery occurs depends on how to treat gardnerellosis. It is necessary to strictly follow the doctor’s instructions, not to interrupt the therapeutic course, and not to self-medicate. During treatment for gardnerellosis, sex is prohibited.

It is important to follow a diet: increase fermented milk products in the diet, limit alcohol, fried and spicy foods. Traditional medicine methods are a good addition to drug therapy.

Treatment of gardnerellosis in women involves repeated smear tests to monitor the effectiveness of prescribed medications and their possible adjustment. At the end of the therapeutic course, tests are taken, and then after another 1.5 months a smear is taken to check for the presence of a harmful microorganism. If the analysis is negative, only then bacterial vaginosis is considered cured.

Treatment of gardnerellosis in pregnant women

A very difficult question is how to cure gardnerellosis in pregnant women, because many medications are prohibited for them. The treatment regimen for Gardnerella for women carrying a child also takes place in 2 stages. First, the amount of harmful flora decreases. Antibiotics are prescribed only in the first and second semesters for local use.

At the second stage, lactobacilli are normalized. Antifungal agents are used along with probiotics to improve vaginal microflora and prevent secondary infections.

During treatment, the doctor monitors the number of gardnerella. This is necessary in order to prevent the development of diseases of the genitourinary system.

The question arises: is it possible to completely cure gardnerellosis in pregnant women? Complete, high-quality treatment until the infection is completely eradicated can only be carried out after pregnancy and childbirth. Prior to this, symptomatic treatment is usually carried out, avoiding antibiotics in the 3rd trimester. Treatment of gardnerellosis in pregnant women at home using traditional medicine is possible only with the permission of a doctor.

Gardnerella in women causes discomfort in the urogenital area, leads to diseases of the genitourinary organs, infertility. A timely visit to a doctor and the implementation of his recommendations guarantees complete elimination of the infection in 2-3 weeks.