Gardnerella vaginalis and Gardnerella mobiluncus are two bacteria that normally live in the vagina without causing symptoms. However, when they multiply excessively, they can cause an infection known as bacterial vaginosis, which results in the production of whitish gray secretions and a strong odor.
Treatment is done with antibiotic remedies, such as metronidazole or clindamycin, in oral tablet form or ointments to be applied to the vagina, although in some cases healing can only be achieved with proper washing of the area.
- Gardnerella infection occurs most often in women because the bacteria is part of the normal vaginal microbiota.
- But men can also become infected by condomless relationships with an infected partner.
The presence of the disease develops differently in women and men, with one or more of the following symptoms:
White or greyish flow
Pain when urinating
Yellow flow in the urethra
In many men, it is more common than Gardnerella sp infection. causes no symptoms and therefore treatment may also not be necessary. However, becoming very common in women may be recommended by the doctor that the man also undergoes treatment, as he can pass it on to the woman, especially if they practice intimate contact without a condom.
In addition, if the infection occurs simultaneously with other bacteria, women may have inflammation of the uterus and tubes, which can cause infertility if treatment is not done.
There is no specific cause for this type of infection, but it is more common in women with risk factors such as multiple sexual partners, cigarette use, regular vaginal washing or the use of an IUD as a method of contraception.
Thus, genital infection with Gardnerella is not considered an STI (sexually transmitted infection) and the incubation period of the disease is 2 to 21 days, during which time the bacteria is present but the symptoms do not manifest.
Diagnosis of the infection can be made in a gynecological office, where your doctor may notice signs of infection, especially the presence of a characteristic flow and odor. In addition, to confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may indicate a vaginal culture, in which vaginal discharge is collected for microbiological testing.
From the discharge analysis, it is possible to have confirmation of the bacteria responsible for the infection and thus, appropriate treatment can be initiated.
For men, the diagnosis should be made by the urologist by analyzing the symptoms and evaluating penile secretion.
Gardnerella infection is easy to cure and is usually treated with antibiotic remedies, such as metronidazole, secnidazole or clindamycin, taken in tablets or applied as ointments in the intimate area.
The treatment usually lasts approximately 7 days for the antibiotic in tablets or 5 days for the creams. During this time adequate intimate hygiene should be maintained, washing only the external genital area with a neutral or suitable soap for the area.
In case of pregnancy, treatment should only be done with the antibiotic tablet, recommended by the gynecologist, and the good hygiene of the region. Learn more about treatment and how to treat at home.