Does Gardnerella Bacteria Cause Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding? Link Between BV and Spotting

Can Gardnerella Cause Bleeding? Exploring the Link Between BV and Vaginal Bleeding

Vaginal bleeding outside of your normal menstrual cycle can be alarming. One potential cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding is an overgrowth of the bacteria Gardnerella, which is associated with the vaginal infection bacterial vaginosis (BV). Keep reading to understand more about the connection between Gardnerella, BV, and vaginal bleeding symptoms.

What is Bacterial Vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is the most common cause of vaginal infections in women of reproductive age. It occurs when there is an imbalance in the naturally occurring bacteria in the vagina.

In healthy vaginas, beneficial lactobacilli bacteria keep pH levels acidic and prevent overgrowth of harmful bacteria. But certain triggers can disrupt this balance. When pathogenic bacteria like Gardnerella multiply rapidly, the vaginal pH becomes more alkaline. This enables even more bacteria to thrive.

In addition to Gardnerella, other bacteria linked to BV include:

Prevotella
Porphyromonas
Bacteroides
Peptostreptococcus
Mobiluncus

However, Gardnerella vaginalis is believed to be the primary contributor to bacterial vaginosis.

Signs and Symptoms of BV

Common signs of bacterial vaginosis include:

Thin, gray/white vaginal discharge
Fishy odor, especially after sex
Vaginal itching
Burning with urination

However, over half of BV cases cause no symptoms. Vaginal bleeding or spotting between periods can also sometimes indicate bacterial vaginosis.

Complications of Bacterial Vaginosis

If left untreated, bacterial vaginosis can lead to complications including:

Increased risk for sexually transmitted infections like HIV, herpes, chlamydia
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Infertility and difficulty conceiving
Higher chance of premature delivery if pregnant
Post-surgical infection risk

This makes proper treatment essential. Antibiotics, usually metronidazole or clindamycin, can eliminate BV-causing bacteria. Maintaining vaginal health and restoring pH balance helps prevent recurrence.

What Causes Bacterial Vaginosis?

Some potential triggers of bacterial vaginosis include:

New or multiple sex partners
Douching
Lack of vaginal lactobacilli
Hormonal changes
Use of intrauterine device (IUD)
Vaginal dryness and atrophy

But even with precautions, BV can sometimes occur due to unknown reasons. Genetics and ethnicity may also play a role.

Role of Gardnerella Vaginalis

The bacterium Gardnerella vaginalis is strongly correlated with bacterial vaginosis. Research shows Gardnerella presence and concentration escalates dramatically in cases of BV.

Gardnerella bacteria thrive in the alkaline environment of the BV-infected vagina. They produce sialidase enzymes that degrade mucus, increase vaginal pH further, and make it easier for other bacteria to adhere and proliferate.

Gardnerella also forms dense, resilient biofilms that allow colonies to persist. This makes them harder to eradicate with antibiotics compared to other BV-causing bacteria.

Can Gardnerella Cause Bleeding?

Studies show a connection between vaginal bleeding and Gardnerella vaginalis infection:

Gardnerella was detected in 100% of BV samples from women with abnormal vaginal bleeding versus 50% of asymptomatic BV cases
Increased Gardnerella load correlates with bloody vaginal discharge
Women with bleeding complications show higher sialidase activity from Gardnerella

The reasons Gardnerella may instigate bleeding are not fully understood. Possible explanations include:

Inflammation and irritation of vaginal walls
Interference with protective mucus lining
Ulcerations from bacterial toxins and enzymes
Loss of epithelial cell cohesion

Higher levels of Gardnerella, along with the absence of protective lactobacilli, create the ideal conditions for bleeding to occur.

Other Causes of Vaginal Bleeding

While Gardnerella bacterial overgrowth is one possible cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding, other potential reasons include:

Hormonal imbalances
Medications like blood thinners
Cancerous or precancerous lesions
Foreign objects stuck in vaginal canal
Trauma or injury to vaginal walls
Cervical polyps or fibroids
Recent childbirth

BV caused by Gardnerella is just one potential piece of the puzzle. Consulting a doctor can help determine why bleeding is occurring.

Diagnosing BV and Gardnerella

To check for bacterial vaginosis, a doctor will:

Ask about symptoms
Perform pelvic exam to check for discharge, odor
Test vaginal pH - higher than 4.5 indicates BV
Collect discharge sample for microscopy - clue cells visible
Order Gardnerella culture or PCR test

Identifying high levels of Gardnerella provides evidence of bacterial vaginosis as the cause of vaginal symptoms.

Treatment of Gardnerella and BV

Standard antibiotics used to treat BV include:

Metronidazole (Flagyl) - 500mg twice daily for 7 days
Clindamycin (Cleocin) - intravaginal cream for 7 days
Tinidazole (Tindamax) - 2g once daily for 2 days

However, up to 58% of women see BV recur within 12 months. To prevent Gardnerella and BV returning:

Avoid douching
Use condoms and limit new sexual partners
Try probiotic supplements to restore vaginal microbiome
Maintain vaginal health with estrogen or lactobacillus suppositories

Seeing a doctor whenever abnormal bleeding occurs is important to rule out serious conditions. Treating Gardnerella-related BV can help resolve one potential cause of bleeding.

The Bottom Line

When Gardnerella bacteria overpopulate the vagina, it can lead to bacterial vaginosis. Studies show higher Gardnerella levels correlate with vaginal bleeding complications. Though not fully understood, this bacteria may contribute to bleeding directly through inflammation, mucus degradation, and other effects. However, many factors can cause vaginal bleeding. Having a doctor diagnose the cause is crucial. With treatment, Gardnerella-related BV can be cured and recurrences prevented through vaginal health maintenance.

FAQs

Can Gardnerella cause bleeding if there are no other BV symptoms?

Yes, Gardnerella can potentially cause vaginal bleeding even without other typical BV symptoms like discharge or odor. Bleeding may be the only presenting symptom.

Is vaginal bleeding always a sign of an STD if I have Gardnerella?

No, vaginal bleeding does not necessarily indicate a sexually transmitted disease. While it can be a symptom of some STDs like chlamydia, bleeding can also result from non-STD causes like BV.

Should I see a doctor for Gardnerella-related bleeding?

Yes, you should always consult a doctor for evaluation of vaginal bleeding to determine the underlying cause. Proper diagnosis and treatment by a physician is important.

Can douching cause Gardnerella and bleeding?

Yes, douching can disrupt normal vaginal bacteria and enable overgrowth of Gardnerella, potentially leading to BV and associated bleeding.

How is vaginal bleeding from Gardnerella usually treated?

Antibiotics like metronidazole or clindamycin are used to treat Gardnerella-related BV that may be causing bleeding. Treating the vaginal infection helps resolve the bleeding cause.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.