Gardnerellosis is a non-inflammatory infectious disease also known as bacterial vaginosis. It belongs to the group of the most common female pathologies that occur in the genital area.
Why does it occur? What symptoms indicate its presence? And how is gardnerellosis treated? Now it's worth discussing.
Causes of occurrence
Bacterial vaginosis has a rather complex pathogenesis. Without going into details, this disease occurs due to an imbalance in the vaginal microflora, which occurs under the influence of exogenous or endogenous factors.
The result is a decrease in the density of contamination of the vaginal mucosa with lactobacilli. And these are symbionts, the most important component of the microflora. They prevent the growth of fungi and pathogenic bacteria. And if their number decreases, then the protection of the female body is also sharply weakened.
How does this happen? Lactobacilli are replaced by parasites and microbes,negatively affecting the body - gardnerella and anaerobes. Why is this happening? Provoking factors include:
- Hormonal and physiological changes. For example: menopause, pregnancy, puberty.
- Irregular menstrual function.
- Active use of incorrectly selected hormonal and antibacterial drugs.
- Surgical intervention.
- Previously inflammatory diseases of the genital organs.
- Cervical background processes.
- Prolonged use of the intrauterine device.
As a rule, girls and women aged 16 to 40 are at risk.
Symptoms of disease
They must be considered before proceeding to the study of features related to the treatment of gardnerellosis. Symptoms and signs of this pathology can be identified in the following list:
- Vaginal discharge. Their features: grayish-white color, pasty homogeneous consistency, unpleasant "fishy" smell.
- Discomfort, itching, burning when urinating. The same sensations a woman experiences during sex.
- Inflammatory changes in the cervix, urethra and vagina.
- Signs of cystitis.
- Inflammation of the inner layer of the uterus (endometritis) and appendages.
Intensification of symptoms observed after unprotected intercourse. This is due to the alkaline environment of the sperm. And in general, the interaction of secretions with alkali of any typeprovokes the progression of the previously listed signs and increased odor. Paradoxically, even the use of soap enhances this manifestation.
In general, the clinical picture is ambiguous. It is impossible to diagnose the disease and prescribe treatment for gardnerellosis after only one examination and questioning. In addition, this disease usually develops along with candidiasis (thrush), and in some cases it even accompanies infection with gonococcus and Trichomonas.
Disease in men
Representatives of the stronger sex cannot have vaginal dysbacteriosis due to the lack of this organ. However, gardnerella are able to penetrate into their genitourinary system from the female vagina during unprotected intercourse.
Bacteria themselves are not dangerous. Moreover, they cannot even adapt in the male body. So they are excreted in the urine stream within three days. But if a man's immune system is weakened, then there may be problems. In this case, gardnerella provoke inflammation of various etiologies.
The greatest risk of infection progression is if a man:
- Taking antidepressants.
- Experiencing physical or emotional stress for a long time.
- Recently recovered from a urinary tract disease.
- Has a history of antibiotic therapy.
In the presence of such conditions, gardnerella in the male body begin to develop. It's a special, special caseso for treatment, you should contact an andrologist, urologist or venereologist.
What about the symptoms? The clinical picture is usually quite blurred. The presence of an infection can only be indicated by the presence of watery, light gray discharge from the urethra, which has an unpleasant odor.
McMiror
Since we are talking about the treatment of gardnerellosis in women, it is necessary to list the drugs that are most effective in combating this disease. And, of course, briefly talk about them.
"Macmirror" is a derivative of nitrofuran, which has a powerful antimicrobial effect. This drug has antifungal, antibacterial and antiprotozoal properties. In addition, despite its wide range of actions, it is low toxic.
These pills not only contribute to the treatment of gardnerellosis. They also fight infections that have managed to join due to the characteristics of the disease. Therefore, in fact, it is prescribed not only for gardnerellosis.
The drug is universal. It can be given to both men and women. By the way, if a girl is diagnosed with this disease, then her partner also has it, so they will both have to undergo a course of treatment. But with a drug like Macmirror, therapy is greatly facilitated. In addition, taking this medication serves as a prevention of reinfection.
But it has contraindications and a list of possible side effects. It is important that the doctor prescribes the drug, as there are compatibility nuances that must be taken into account.
Hexicon
Continuing to talk about the treatment of gardnerellez in women, it should be noted with attention this drug. This is an antiseptic for topical use, available in the form of a solution. It is good because it does not have a negative effect on lactobacilli. In addition, he continues to be active even in the presence of blood or pus.
It should be added that "Hexicon" is effective both in the treatment of gardnerellosis and in its prevention. It can also be used as an emergency remedy. If, for example, unprotected intercourse has occurred with a person who is not particularly trusted, then within the next two hours, Hexicon should be used.
It is used not only for gardnerellosis. "Hexicon" is indicated for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. It helps to cope with genital herpes, gonorrhea, ureaplasmosis, syphilis, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. And this is one of the main advantages of this drug. After all, as mentioned earlier, gardnerellosis can develop in parallel with other diseases or infections.
Also, the solution helps in the prevention of infectious and inflammatory complications and in the treatment of colpitis with bacterial vaginosis of any form.
Clindamycin
Since we are talking about the symptoms and treatment of gardnerellosis in women, this drug also needs to be told.
"Clindamycin" is a semi-synthetic antibiotic belonging to the group of lincosamides. It has a wide rangeaction, but mainly inhibits protein synthesis in parasitic microorganisms, due to which they then die.
Competent use of "Clindamycin" helps to get rid of both gardnerellosis and other infectious diseases.
True, he has one drawback, and it is in the form of release of the drug. This antibiotic is a solution for injection. But with this disease, patients are not hospitalized. Therefore, a person who has been prescribed the drug "Clindamycin" for the treatment of gardnerellosis will either need to learn how to give injections or get the help of nursing staff.
If there is no opportunity to give injections at home, then the patient is hospitalized for the duration of the therapy. Since injections must be done three times a day.
Ornidazole
Another effective drug that helps in the treatment of gardnerellosis in women. It is an antiprotozoal agent, the mechanism of action of which is to disrupt the DNA structure of sensitive microorganisms.
"Ornidazole" is included in the list of the most preferred medicines in the treatment of this disease. Tablets are taken vaginally. There is only one contraindication - pregnancy, in other cases the drug is allowed.
These pills are prescribed because infection with gardnerella can provoke the development of other infections - trichomoniasis, chlamydia, etc.
Taking only "Ornidazole", the girl will save herself from the need to drink several different antibiotics at once. This drug has a wide spectrum of action. He workseven on those parasitic microorganisms that, for one reason or another, could not be detected during the examination.
This drug has many analogues. These include Bacimix, Tiberal, Orniona, Gairo, Rayro, Ornidazole-Vero, Combiflox, Dazolic and Lornizol.
Metronidazole
This is the name of an effective antiprotozoal agent, which is available in the form of a gel for topical therapy. Treatment of gardnerellez with "Metronidazole" is not difficult - you just need to inject it into the vagina twice a day. And so for five days.
You can combine taking the gel with the use of Metronidazole tablets. They need to be taken twice a day for 250 mg. The duration of treatment lasts 1 week. At this time it is necessary to give up alcohol. Drinking alcohol significantly reduces the effectiveness of this medication.
It should be noted that taking the drug also helps to cope with diseases such as trichomoniasis, giardiasis, amoebiasis, as well as many infections caused by anaerobic bacteria. But this medication is contraindicated in patients under 18 years of age, as well as pregnant women.
Unidox
If you believe the reviews, the treatment of gardnerellosis with the previously listed drugs is not suitable for everyone. "Unidox", related to tetracycline antibiotics, has a mild but effective effect.
The mechanism of its action is easy to understand if you imagine gardnerella as living parasites. Unidox,entering the body, it attacks these microorganisms, as a result of which their metabolism and protein synthesis are disturbed. In simple terms, the conditions comfortable for their existence are being destroyed.
By the way, the drug is active against many pathogens. It does not affect only fungi and some strains of Proteus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Vilprafen
This drug belongs to the antibiotics of the macrolide group. It has a bacteriostatic effect, showing high activity against parasitic intracellular microorganisms, and is indicated in the treatment of chronic gardnerellosis.
Also, this medication is prescribed in cases where a woman has an individual intolerance to the components of the previously listed drugs.
How effective Wilprafen will be depends on the correct dose selection. And the amount of the drug indicated for consumption and the frequency of administration depends on the degree of neglect of the disease. And also from the presence of associated infections.
That is why the partner of an infected woman should not repeat the treatment regimen prescribed by her doctor. At best, gardnerella will not go anywhere. And at worst, there will be complications and consequences from the unauthorized and uncontrolled use of a powerful antibiotic.
Trichopolum
And it is also necessary to tell about this preparation. It is an antiprotozoal agent with antibacterial activity. It relieves many infections and other diseases, the appearance of which is provoked by other microorganisms.
"Trichopolum" gets into the structure of the pathogen DNA, and the active substance destroys it, which first stops the development of the parasite, and then completely destroys it.
Taking such a powerful drug requires compliance with all medical prescriptions. Because even untimely consumption of food can affect the effectiveness of the treatment carried out by him. It affects absorption, and hence the concentration of the drug is significantly deteriorating.
It is important to note that "Trichopol" is contraindicated in children and women in the first trimester of pregnancy. The active ingredients of the drug penetrate the DNA structure, which means that they can overcome the placental barrier, which will negatively affect the development of the fetus.
Folk remedies
At the end of the topic concerning the symptoms and treatment of gardnerellosis, it is necessary to talk about those “medicines” that you can make yourself at home. If it is advisable to use remedies that are popular in alternative medicine, then it will be possible to eliminate the manifestations of bacterial vaginosis.
Here are some recipes:
- In equal quantities, mix dandelion rhizomes, birch leaves, wormwood, plantain, yarrow, clover, snake knotweed root and flaxseed. Pour 30 grams of the collection with boiling water (500 ml). Leave to infuse overnight. In the morning, strain and drink ½ cup before all meals. The course lasts 90 days, and then there is a break for 2 weeks. In general, this infusion should be drunk inwithin 1 year.
- In equal proportions, mix thyme, chamomile, celandine, birch leaves, geranium grass, licorice, meadowsweet, mint and elecampane. 2 tsp collection pour boiling water (500 ml). Let it brew for 10 hours. Then strain. Drink three times a day, 100 ml. The course lasts 3 months. Then a break for 2 weeks, and then the treatment of gardnerellosis with folk methods should be resumed, but another remedy should be used.
- In equal proportions mix immortelle and cornflower flowers, knotweed, meadowsweet, backache, leaves of fireweed, raspberries and walnuts, wild rose, horsetail, wormwood and coriander. 2 tbsp. l. pour boiling water (500 ml). Leave the composition overnight. Drink ½ cup 3 times a day for 3 months. Then you need to take a two-week break and continue therapy. Fees must be changed every 3 months. In general, therapy lasts 1 year.
- Mix eucalyptus, mint, wintergreen, bergenia rhizome, coltsfoot, tansy, mint, bearberry. All in the amount of 10 g. Pour boiling water over the mixture (500 ml). At 10 hours it is necessary to remove the mixture to infuse. Then filter and drink half a cup three times a day. The therapy lasts a year.
- Combine the same amount of parsley, tricolor violet, veronica grass, wintergreen, coriander, angelica, fireweed, pine buds, cuff, calendula, wheatgrass and mint. Take 2 tbsp. l. raw materials and pour a liter of boiling water. Insist for 12 hours. Then filter and drink ½ cup three times a day. The course lasts 90 days. Then a break is made for 2 weeks, and then the treatment of gardnerellosis is continued with folk remedies of another type (you can use anythe above fee).
- Rinse and chop five leaves of walnut. Pour boiling water (200 ml). Filter after half an hour. Drink several times a day, 20 ml.
It is believed that these are the most effective folk methods of treating gardnerellosis. But it will be difficult for them to cope with the disease alone, so it is strongly recommended to combine their intake with medicines prescribed by a doctor.