How to Cure Gardnerella

Gardnerella vaginalis is a bacterium that infects the female genital tract and causes a fishy odor and a gray or yellow discharge. The bacteria are the most common cause of bacterial vaginosis, which is associated with an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease and other disorders. It is important to cure gardnerella before complications arise.

Things You'll Need

• Over-the-counter douche, if desired

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Instructions

• 1

  Take oral metronidazole for five to seven days to clear up a gardnerella infection in an adult . Metronidazole is also available in cream and gel form. However, this medicine should be avoided during early pregnancy and breastfeeding.

• 2

  Tell any sexual partners about your infection so that they may also be treated. Gardnerella vaginalis may be sexually transmitted, although some women develop the infection without sexual activity.

• 3

  Avoid alcoholic drinks while taking metronidazole, as the medication causes an intolerance to alcohol.

• 4

  Use an over-the-counter douche to reduce the odor associated with gardnerella while waiting for the medication to clear the infection. Douching will not treat the bacterial infection, but it may minimize symptoms during treatment. In some cases, however, douching may worsen bacterial vaginosis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).