Gardnerella infection in men

Bacterial vaginosis gardnerella is a sexually transmitted infection. This infection is often mistaken as a yeast infection in women. When one has this infection there can be a foul fishy smell and a yellowish or milky discharge from the vagina. This is why it was first described Gardener and Dukes back in 1955 as a “yellowish discharge with a fishy odor that increases after washing the genitalia with alkaline soap.” This infection is caused by bacteria and is very common in women. Most women will contract this action at least once during her lifetime. Bacterial vaginosis Gardnerella was once considered a sexually transmitted disease but now it is known that it is an infection that can be cleared up with an antibiotic.

A Gardnerella infection in men is usually transmitted to him from his partner. Men who have a Gardnerella infection do not generally have any symptoms and probably will not know that they are even infected with this bacteria. A gardnerella infection can be easily detected with the urethral swab though. When women have this infection they usually also have a urinary tract infection or a trichomonas infection as well. The common treatment for a Gardnerella infection for women is to take Metronidazole three times a day for seven days to ensure that the infection is completely gone. The male partners of what this infection also need to be treated. Even when the male partner does not have symptoms of Gardnerella infection they should also be tested and take the standardized treatment for it. This is because the male may have infection as well and when it is not treated it can be sexually transmitted back to his female partner again and again.

Men generally contract a Gardnerella infection through sexual intercourse and can transmit the infection to his partner without realizing it. One protection of gardnerella infection is the use of condoms. You should also be sure you are not using towels or bathing and with anyone who has a Gardnerella infection and as well. Women who think that they are having a spontaneous relapse from Gardnerella infection may not realize they are being re-infected by a partner who has not been treated for Gardnerella infection in men. A woman who is being treated for Gardnerella infection and who keeps getting re-infected should insist thier partner is treated as well. Both partners should use condoms until the infection is cleared completely. The preferred treatment for Gardnerella infection in men is 500 mg of oral metronidazole twice a day for six days. The genital area may also be treated with metronidazole cream. Another everybody treatment that can be used is with the medication called clindamycin. Food and drug administration has recently approved a new medication to treat Gardnerella which is called tinadazole. All of these prescriptions can have negative side effects. Each one of these must be prescribed by a qualified medical doctor.

Gardnerella infection may occur in women when there is an upset to the balance of the natural bacteria in the vagina. The use of broad spectrum antibiotics for another type of infection can also cause an upset in the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina. The bacteria that causes Gardnerella infection will also flourish with frequent use of contraceptive creams, diaphragms and contraceptive sponges. Any contraceptive cream that is use that contains nonoxynol-9 can also upset the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina. Women who have multiple sex partners can also contract this infection from any one of the men who has a Gardnerella infection and do not know it.

Last updated on Apr 21st, 2010 and filed under Men's Health. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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