Fournier's gangrene occurs in the perineal (genital area). The bacteria usually enter the body through a cut and quickly spread. The infection causes necrotizing fasciitis, or flesh eating disease, of the vaginal area in women and the area between the scrotum and anus in men. Symptoms of tenderness, redness or swelling or fever above 100.4 Fahrenheit (F) worsen quickly. Diabetes is a risk factor for developing Fournier's gangrene.
The infection is more typically found in men ages 50 to 60 who are taking glucose-lowering agents. The class of medication associated with an increased risk is sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors.