The vagina maintains a certain balance of microorganisms. When this balance is disturbed, dysbacteriosis occurs, it is also called gardnerellosis. In women, the symptoms of the disease may not appear, but it must be treated, especially when planning a pregnancy, since the growth of Gardnerella vaginalis bacteria can negatively affect the fetus.
Causes of gardnerella development and symptoms of the disease
Bacterial vaginosis is characterized by a reduced content of lactobacilli, which prevent the reproduction of conditionally pathogenic flora. Against this background, anaerobic microorganisms and Gardnerella vaginalis begin to develop. Bacteria grow especially fast when:
- hormonal disorder;
- imbalance of intestinal microflora;
- antibiotic use;
- inflammatory processes in the organs of the genitourinary system;
- use of hormonal drugs and antidepressants.
If there are several favorable conditions for the reproduction of bacteria, then there is a high probability that gardnerellosis will develop in women, the symptoms of which will be described below.
In general, these bacteria are sexually transmitted, so if you have an active sex life, you need to periodically take tests. For men, Gardnerella vaginalis does not pose any danger, so partners can often be carriers of the infection. The incubation period lasts up to 10 days. During this short time, gardnerellosis develops in women. Symptoms of the disease are:
- yellow grey, creamy, sticky discharge;
- bad fishy smell;
- itching, irritation, burning, inflammation in the vagina;
- pain during intercourse.
Depending on the characteristics of the body, the symptoms may be pronounced or not very pronounced. There are cases when manifestations of gardnerellosis in women were not at all. Infection during pregnancy can lead to:
- uterine bleeding and fetal infection;
- chronic inflammation of the genitourinary system;
- early rupture of membranes during labor;
- postpartum endometritis;
- various complications after caesarean section;
- newborn pneumonia;
- low weight babies.
The risk of pathologies in newborns is significantly reduced if a disease such as gardnerellosis in women is examined and treated in a timely manner, the symptoms of whichpresent in one form or another.
Diagnosis of disease
Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation and vaginal smear results. For diagnosis, the pH of the vagina is also determined, since when anaerobic bacteria and gardnerella multiply, the environment becomes alkaline, that is, the pH increases. In medical practice, they also use a test for isonitrile, which detects a large amount of Gardnerella vaginalis.
Treatment of gardnerellosis in women: suppositories and pills
Treatment is usually carried out with antibiotics, but it must be remembered that gardnerella is resistant to tetracyclines, sulfonamides, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides. The most effective drugs are ampicillin and clindamycin. It is desirable to use them in combination with vaginal suppositories or tablets.
For topical treatment use metronidazole gel, clindamycin cream. Inside, metronidazole, clindamycin are often prescribed. It should be remembered that alcohol is contraindicated when using antibiotics! To speed up recovery, strengthening and immunostimulating agents are added to the treatment regimen.
In the article we examined what gardnerellosis is in women, symptoms, treatment of the disease. However, it must be remembered that the disease is easier to prevent than to treat. Therefore, you need to have a permanent partner, maintain immunity, and for any pain and discharge, contact a gynecologist.
