AboutArthur Goldstein, M.D. Expertise Any problems or questions related to the field of urology; ie urinary stone disease, urinary cancers (kidney, bladder, prostate, testis, etc.), urinary infections, impotency, etc.
Experience I am retired from the active practice of urology. My 34 years was totally in the clinical field and involved the entire gamut of genitourinary problems, with special interest in male impotence and endourology.
Organizations American Medical Association, American Urological Association, American College of Surgeons
My girlfriend recently was checked by her gyno that she had Gardnerella Vaginalitis. She has to take antibiotics for 7 days. I am currently traveling but she said that I would need to take antibotics as well since she could have gotten it from me and that males do not have symptoms.
I've looked it up on the web and it seems that there are different answers to what to do.
My questions are:
1) Is this serious? Should I get checked out immediately? Is it harmful to me?
2) What is the test like? Urine sample?
3) Is the medicine available without a prescription?
4) It says on the web that males can be carriers and they should be treated? Then I've also read that treatment for men isn't necessary? I don't know how I could have gotten it.
Basically I'm looking for an expert to clarify what the right thing is to do. Currently I feel fine. If my gf hadn't told me, I would never know. Currently traveling but if this is serious I will need to get help.
Thank you very much.
Answer Brad, first let me state that the anaerobic bacterium Gardnerella vaginalis (GV) is found in 100% of women with symptoms of vaginitis but also in almost 3/4 of women with no symptoms. In other words, it is frequently a normal inhabitant of the female urethra along with many other types of bacteria. Under certain circumstances, such as when the acidity (pH) of the vagina increases, GV tends to multiply and causes symptoms. A common reason for this to occur is if the "good" bacteria in the vagina (Lactobacillus acidophilis) become markedly decreased, such as from excessive antibiotic use. There is also some question as to whether the vaginitis symptoms are due exclusively to GV, other vaginal bacteria or the combination of bacteria present. Most do not consider this infection a true STD.
It is estimated that 1-38% of men harbor GV. However, 80% of men whose partners have bacterial vaginitis have Gardnerella vaginalis in their semen cultures. Rarely, however, are men symptomatic. In men, this infection is not serious or harmful. It is also quite contraversial if male partners of women with symptomatic bacterial vaginitis should be treated, the idea being to remove their "carrier state". No one knows the definitive answer to this. If you are concerned and are not allergic to the medications, you might feel most comfortable being treated.
Men can be checked for GV by doing an anaerobic (without oxygen) culture of the urine, semen or from a urethral swab.
The usual treatment is with antibiotics most commonly metronidazole, clindamycin or tinidazole. In the USA, the are prescription drugs. Good luck.
