Gardnerella in women: symptoms, treatment

Content:

• Causative agent
• Risk factors for the development of Gardnerella in women
• Pathogen transmission routes
• Symptoms of Gardnerella in women
• Complications of Gardnerella in Women
• Gardnerella in women during pregnancy
• Does Gardnerellez pose a threat to the fetus during pregnancy?
• Diagnosis of gardnerella in women
• Gardnerella in women: treatment
• Gardnerella treatment during pregnancy
• Prevention of Gardnerella in women

Gardnerella is an infectious inflammatory disease of the urogenital system. It can occur in both women and men, but women are sick more often.

Causative agent

The causative agent of this disease is the anaerobic microorganism Gardnerella vaginalis, in its size slightly larger than gonococcus. The bacterium is free to inhabit and breed on the mucous membranes of the urogenital system.

Gardnerella refers to conditionally pathogenic flora, which means that the microorganism is in the minimum amount on the mucous membrane of the vagina of almost every woman. Under the influence of adverse factors of the environment or the internal environment, Gardnerella begins to actively proliferate and disrupt the natural microflora of the vagina.

Risk factors for the development of Gardnerella in women

Gynecologists identify the main predisposing factors for the development of this disease in women:

• Inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system and urinary tract;
• The presence of foci of chronic infection in the body;
• Uncontrolled and long-term use of antibiotics;
• Use of intrauterine contraception;
• Hormonal imbalances.

In most cases, gardnerellosis in women is combined with intestinal dysbiosis, so gynecologists often call this disease vaginal dysbacteriosis. In addition, gardnerella is always activated when infected with venericexim infections (gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis and others).

Pathogen transmission routes

In most cases, the vaginal gardnerella is transmitted during sexual intercourse, regardless of the type of partner’s penetration (orally, anally or vaginally).

In rare cases, a contact-household type of pathogen transmission is possible, for example, when using bedding, towels or underwear from a sick person.

It is also possible to transfer Gardnerella from mother to fetus during childbirth, but the pathogen cannot reproduce in the child’s body, since glycogen, which is very small in the body of the newborn, is necessary for the activation and functioning of the Gardnerella.

A pathogen carrier is potentially dangerous to humans - a person who is infected but does not have the pronounced clinical symptoms of gardnerellosis. In addition, the carrier of the pathogen significantly increases the risk that in the future, under the influence of the predisposing factors indicated above, the person may develop the disease.

Symptoms of Gardnerella in women

The main clinical symptom of Gardnerella in women is the appearance of abundant thick vaginal discharge, uniform consistency, which have an unpleasant pungent smell of rotten fish. The color of the discharge ranges from yellowish to dirty gray.

In most cases, inflammation of the vaginal mucosa (vaginitis) is associated with the symptoms of gardnerella. In this case, the woman complains of itching and burning in the perineum and vestibule of the vagina. Discomfort is aggravated by emptying the bladder or during sexual intercourse.

Complications of Gardnerella in Women

When a gray or yellow copious discharge from the genital tract with an unpleasant fishy smell appears, the woman should immediately consult a gynecologist. It is unacceptable to engage in self-treatment or pick up the drug, guided by the advice of an employee of the pharmacy.

With the progression of Gardnerella in women, most often occurs damage to the mucous membranes of the cervical canal, vagina and urethra. In the absence of timely assistance, reproduction of Gardnerellas and damage to the organs of the female urogenital system can lead to the following complications:

• Inflammation of the vagina;
• Problems with conception;
• Miscarriage of pregnancy;
• Endometritis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the uterus);
• Inflammation of the uterus (fallopian tubes and ovaries);
• Wound surfaces on mucous membranes.

Gardnerella in women during pregnancy

The clinical picture of Gardnerella during pregnancy does not differ from the course of the disease of a non-pregnant woman. The future mother notes the appearance of gray, heavy discharge, with a characteristic fishy smell, itching of the external genital organs, redness of the genitals, and a sense of discomfort. Vaginal discharge during pregnancy is the main indicator that there is something wrong with the mother’s body.

Gardnerellosis in pregnant women may not be so acute, with a predominance of green or yellow secretions. At the initial breeding stage of the Gardnerella, the expectant mother can have a clear discharge, not very abundant and having a not very pronounced fishy smell. In the early stage of the disease, discharge from the genital tract can be uniform, slightly foamy or creamy.

Often, the expectant mother complains of discomfort or itching during urination or in the perineal area. In most cases, these symptoms are a signal for a gynecologist to contact.

Large labia with gardnerellosis of pregnant women are often hyperemic and edematous. Unpleasant sensations, itching and burning in the future mother arises and during sexual intercourse with a partner.

Pregnancy is a condition when a woman is responsible not only for her health, but also for the life of the unborn child, so it is very important to consult a gynecologist if you have at least one of the above symptoms. Early detection of the disease and adequate therapy will help to avoid complications and the transition of the disease to the chronic form of the course.

Does Gardnerellez pose a threat to the fetus during pregnancy?

Undoubtedly, any infection detected during childbirth, causes the future mother panic for the health of the future baby. For Gardnerella has its own nuances that can calm the future mother.

If Gardnerella infection occurred directly during pregnancy, the disease does not pose a threat to the health of the fetus. Gardnerella cannot penetrate through the placenta into the uterus towards the fetus, since the placenta acts as a kind of protective shield that prevents the penetration of pathogenic flora to the baby. And even if during the process of birth the pathogen falls on the skin or mucous membranes of the child, the disease will pass without a trace for the newborn.

The situation is somewhat different with the advanced form of the disease. This happens when the expectant mother is not in a hurry to contact the gynecologist when it detects non-characteristic vaginal discharge. In most cases, Gardnerella is the cause of the development of inflammatory processes of the urogenital system. Untreated pelvic inflammatory disease can lead to pregnancy complications:

• Uterine bleeding;
• Placental abruption;
• Early discharge of amniotic fluid;
• Inflammation of the urinary system;
• The development of inflammation of the uterus in the postpartum period.

Chronic gardnerellosis in women can cause recurrent miscarriage. If Gondnerellosis was detected in a woman already during pregnancy, the doctor observes this patient more carefully, and more often prescribes blood tests and vaginal smears.

Diagnosis of gardnerella in women

Diagnosis of gardnerella is not difficult for a specialist. If you suspect this disease, a woman should contact a gynecologist or a venereologist.

First of all, the specialist examines the patient on the gynecological chair, during which she takes vaginal smears to determine the microflora. Gardnerella is characterized by abundant discharge from the external genital tract with the unpleasant smell of fish.

At the initial stage of the development of the disease, the clinical symptoms of Gardnerlea may not be so pronounced, therefore, the doctor prescribes laboratory examination methods to clarify the diagnosis.

The most common method of diagnosis of this disease is a smear with microscopy. Under the microscope, vaginal smear cells, covered with a thick layer of Gardnerell, are clearly visible.

In addition to the microscopic study of vaginal smear using the method of determining the pH of the vagina. It is known that the vaginal environment is normally acidic, and during the pathological multiplication of Gardnerella, it changes to alkaline. The final diagnosis can be made with the aid of the reaction to isonitrile, a substance that gives secretions a fishy smell characteristic only of Gardnerella.

Additionally, the gynecologist may recommend that the patient take a blood test to determine the level of leukocytes.

Such widely used diagnostic methods as ELISA and PCR for detecting Gardnerella are not used, as they accurately find one or another pathogen in the body, and we have not once said that Gardnerella may be present on the mucous membrane of the vagina of an absolutely healthy woman and this will be the norm.

After Gardnerell is diagnosed and the diagnosis is made, the gynecologist prescribes an additional examination of the patient for the presence of concomitant infections of the genitourinary system. For this purpose, colposcopy is used (examination of the mucous membrane of the vagina and cervix with a special optical device with a light bulb at the end). For the detection of pathogens of comorbidities, PCR diagnostics and ELISA can be used.

Gardnerella in women: treatment

Treatment of Gardnerella with women is carried out in several stages.

First of all, it is necessary to suppress the pathological growth of gardnerell in the body of a woman. For this purpose, the patient is prescribed antibacterial therapy. The most commonly used drugs are metronidazole or clindamycin. As a rule, they are prescribed topically in the form of vaginal suppositories, gels, ointments and tablets. The minimum course of treatment lasts 7-10 days. The dosage of the drug indicates only the attending physician based on the results of the study, depending on the neglect of the disease, the age and body weight of the woman, as well as the individual characteristics of the organism.

After 10 days, the second stage of treatment begins, which consists in settling the vagina with the useful microflora of lacto and bifidobacteria. For this, the patient is prescribed oral intake of probiotics and the local use of vaginal suppositories.

Before the beginning of the second stage of treatment, a woman must undergo a control study of vaginal smears to make sure that the growth of gardnerella is stopped, and their number has decreased to acceptable numbers.

Most often for local treatment prescribed vaginal suppositories such as Acylak, Laktonorm, Lactobacterin and others.

Particular attention during the treatment of gardnerella in women pay diet. Alcohol, spices, spices, pickles, smoked meats, spicy and fried foods, and sweet pastries are excluded from the diet. It is recommended to include in the diet of fermented milk products (ferments, natural yogurts, kefir, ryazhenku, cottage cheese, biokefir and others). The normalization of intestinal microflora also plays an important role during the treatment of gardnerella, as it often occurs along with vaginal dysbacteriosis.

It is important to remember that in most cases Gardnerellosis occurs against the background of a weakened immunity, therefore, in order to correct the protective functions of the body, the woman is shown to receive immunomodulators and vitamin complexes. A good effect is observed when using natural stimulants, such as tincture of lemongrass, ginseng or echinacea purpurea.

For the period of treatment, the woman should refuse to have sex or use a condom. It is possible to evaluate the effectiveness of the course of treatment after about 10 days from the start of taking the drugs or the disappearance of the clinical symptoms of Gardnerella. Be sure to undergo a re-examination after 1.5 months after the course of treatment.

Gardnerella treatment during pregnancy

Treatment of gardnerelleza during gestation has its own nuances. Everyone knows that during pregnancy, almost all drugs are contraindicated.

It is impossible to completely destroy Gardnerella while carrying a child, since this requires the use of antibiotics that are prohibited to the expectant mother. Treatment involves the use of local antibacterial drugs that help reduce the manifestations of the disease and reduce the pathological activity of Gardnerell. A woman can receive full treatment after childbirth.

The main task of a gynecologist during pregnancy is to monitor the number of Gardnerell in order to prevent the development of concomitant diseases of the genitourinary system. In order to control the state of the vaginal mucosa with Gardneurlosis, a woman should be examined once a month in a gynecological chair. During this examination, the doctor conducts a collection of smears for microscopic examination. If symptoms of concomitant infection are identified, local procedures are urgently prescribed (syringing, irrigation of the genitals, sitting baths, etc.). When inflammation of the pelvic organs vaginal suppositories can not be used.

As well as in the treatment of the disease in non-pregnant women, the treatment of pregnant women with Gardnerellosis is carried out in two stages: reducing the number of pathogenic microflora and normalizing lacto and bifidobacteria in the vagina. The positive effect of treatment is observed only if a woman turned to a gynecologist in a timely manner and the disease did not turn into a chronic form.

Prevention of Gardnerella in women

Prevention of the development of Gardnerella in women is quite simple and effective. It consists, first of all, in the attentive relation to the health.

Since the main reason for the development of vaginal dysbiosis is a weak immune function of the body, then you need to think about strengthening the protective forces.

First of all, it concerns a healthy and proper lifestyle, with the exception of alcohol abuse, lack of stress, compliance with diet and a reasonable alternation of work and rest. To strengthen the immune system, it is recommended to be more fresh in the open air, to perform simple physical exercises, to harden. It is very important to avoid hypothermia and to maintain personal intimate hygiene.

Particular attention should be paid to the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. It is best to have one permanent sexual partner or use a condom. Do not abuse the douching for hygiene, as this disrupts the normal microflora of the vagina and the local protective reaction of the mucous membrane.

Caution should also be applied to antibiotic therapy. Uncontrolled intake of antimicrobial drugs leads to an imbalance of beneficial and harmful microorganisms in the vagina and intestines of women, thereby creating favorable conditions for the pathological reproduction of gardnerellas.

Any woman should monitor the health of her reproductive system. The appearance of any suspicious vaginal discharge is always the reason for an immediate visit to the gynecologist. To prevent the development of diseases of the genitourinary system, it is recommended to visit the gynecologist's office twice a year for a routine examination.

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