Gardnerella vaginalis is localized in the vaginal flora of women and can sometimes cause different vaginal infections. How do you catch gardnerella vaginalis? What are the causes ?
Gardnerella vaginalis is a germ in balance with another bacterium of the vaginal flora. In case of imbalance, it can become the cause of vaginosis. Treatment consists of prescribing antibiotics. How do we catch gardnerella vaginalis? How is the transmission ? How to treat it?
Definition: what is gardnerella vaginalis?
“Gardnerella vaginalis is a normal host of the vaginal floraliving in balance with the other germs that serve as a defense for the vagina“, explains Dr. Pia de Reilhac, gynecologist in Nantes. It is a bacterium that can sometimes cause infections female genitalia.
What are the symptoms of a gardnerella vaginalis infection?
Symptoms can appear when gardnerella vaginalis is out of balance in the vaginal flora. “The symptoms are more or less present: there may be leucorrhoea [pertes blanches] greyish fluid and smelly, smelling like rotten fish“, continues Dr. Pia de Reilhac. There are usually no signs of inflammation, no redness, no pain and no itching.
In the vagina there is a bacteria called lactobacillus, which is the main defender of the vagina. Lactobacillus is in balance with other germs, including gardnerella vaginalis. But when the lactobacillus disappears, the gardnerella vaginalis takes over. This imbalance between bacteria then causes a vaginosis, an imbalance of the microbial flora of the vagina. This vaginosis can take the form of a vulvitis (inflammation of the vulva) and/or a vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina). Humans are rarely affected, and when affected, it shows no symptoms. Contamination of the partner is relatively infrequent during bacterial vaginosis but nevertheless remains possible.
What are the complications of gardnerella vaginalis?
An imbalance between lactobacilli and gardnerella vaginalis does not cause complications. “The only complications are recurrences of vaginosis (recurrences of imbalance of the vaginal flora). Hence the importance of appropriate hygiene,” says Dr. Pia de Reilhac:
- one toilet per day in the shower, with correct rinsing and complete drying without rubbing,
- wearing clothes that aren’t too tight…
- you don’t have to do not use stripping products
When to consult in case of gardnerella vaginalis?
The discomfort felt, in particular because of the smell of leucorrhoea, urges her to see her gynecologist. “The diagnosis is easily made, first by questioning the patient, then by carrying out potash test [un produit chimique], which consists of putting a drop of potash on a sample, previously spread on a slide. The smell is then characteristic.”
The treatment of gardnerella vaginalis and bacterial vaginosis consists of administer antibiotics. The most commonly used drug is Metronidazole, which can be taken all at once (2 grams once) or several times (500 mg 2 times a day for 6 days). “The gynecologist can also prescribe Secnidazole 2g (1 sachet in one take) sometimes repeated 7 days later. In pregnant women, vaginosis can be treated with Secnidazole. “It is useful to take probiotics to restore the balance of the vaginal flora“, advises Dr. Pia de Reilhac. Finally, vis-à-vis vaginosis, wearing a condom is not useful, but the discomfort can be very important because the sperm still accentuates the smell, already nauseating.
Thanks to Dr Pia de Reilhac, president of the National Federation of Colleges of Medical Gynecology and gynecologist in Nantes.