Vaginal discharge: what is abnormal?
Vaginal discharge plays an important housekeeping function in the female reproductive method. The fluid produced by the glands inside the vagina and cervix removes dead cells and bacteria. It puts the vagina clean and helps prevent infection.
Most of the time, vaginal discharge is absolutely common. This quantity can vary, as can the smell and color (which range from clear to milky white-ish) depending on the time of your menstruation. For example, there will be more secretions when you are ovulating; breastfeeding, or sexually aroused. It may smell differently while pregnant; or you are giving your hygiene slide.
Neither of those changes caused alarm. However, if the color, smell, or consistency seems to be quite different from normal, especially if you have a vaginal itching or burning sensation, then you can deal with an infection or other condition.
What causes abnormal discharge?
Any changes in the vaginal balance of normal bacteria can affect the odor, color, or discharge texture. These are some of the things that can upset that balance:
- Use of antibiotics or steroids
- Bacterial vaginosis, a bacterial infection is more common in pregnant women or women with multiple sex partners.
- Birth control pills
- cervical cancer
- Chlamydia or gonorrhea (STD), sexually transmitted infections
- diabetes
- Douche, scented soap or lotion, bubble bath
- Pelvic infection after surgery
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Trichomoniasis, a parasitic infection usually contracted and caused by unprotected sex.
- Vaginal atrophy, thinning, and drying of vaginal walls during menopause.
- Vaginitis, burning sensation in or around the vagina
- yeast infection
See the table below to learn more about what a particular type of discharge can anticipate.
| Types of Abnormal Discharge and Their Possible Causes | ||
| Type of Discharge | What It Might Mean | Other Symptoms |
| Bloody or brown | Irregular menstrual cycles, or less often, cervical or endometrial cancer | Abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain |
| Cloudy or yellow | Gonorrhea | Bleeding between periods, urinary incontinence, pelvic pain |
| Frothy, yellow or greenish with a bad smell | Trichomoniasis | Pain and itching while urinating |
| Pink | Shedding of the uterine lining after childbirth (lochia) | |
| Thick, white, cheesy | Yeast infection | Swelling and pain around the vulva, itching, painful sexual intercourse |
| White, gray, or yellow with fishy odor | Bacterial vaginosis | Itching or burning, redness and swelling of the vagina or vulva |
How does the doctor diagnose abnormal discharge?
The doctor will begin by taking a health history and asking about your symptoms. Questions may include:
- When did abnormal discharge begin?
- What color is the discharge?
- Is there any smell?
- Do you have any itching, pain or irritation in or around the vagina?
- Do you have more than one sexual partner?
- The doctor may take a sample of discharge. Or perform a Pap test to collect cells from your cervix for further examination.
How is abnormal discharge treated?
How you are treated will depend on what the problem is. For example, yeast infections are usually treated with antifungal drugs injected into the vagina in the form of creams or gels. Bacterial vaginosis is treated with antibiotic tablets or creams. Trichomoniasis is usually treated with drones metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Tindamax).
Here are some tips to prevent vaginal infection that may cause abnormal discharge:
Keep the vagina clean by washing it regularly with a bar of mild, mild soap and warm water. Never use scented cleansers and feminine goods or douche. Also, avoid feminine sprays and foam baths. After going to the bathroom, always wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from entering the vagina and causing infection. Wear 100% cotton undergarments, and avoid overly tight clothing.
Must Read: –