Nature has imparted the responsibility and ability of
creating every nation upon women. Mother of all nations are women. From the beginning
of time, along with this huge forte of creation, women have always been bearing
countless physical discomfort and pain. One of those, is Vaginal Discharge.
Vaginal discharge serves an important
housekeeping function in the female reproductive system. Fluid made by
glands inside the vagina and cervix carries away dead cells and bacteria. This
keeps the vagina clean and helps prevent infection.
Most of the time, vaginal discharge is perfectly normal.
The amount can vary, as can odor and hue (its color can range from clear to a
milky white-ish), depending on the time in your menstrual cycle. For example, there will be
more discharge if you are ovulating, breastfeeding, or are sexually aroused. The
smell may be different if you are pregnant or
you haven't been diligent about your personal hygiene.
None of those changes is cause for alarm. However, if the
color, smell, or consistency seems significantly unusual, especially if it
accompanied by vaginal itching or burning, you could be noticing
an infection or other condition.
What causes abnormal
discharge?
Any change in the vagina's balance of normal bacteria can
affect the smell, color, or discharge texture. These are a few of the things
that can upset that balance:
Antibiotic or steroid use
Bacterial vaginosis, a bacterial infection more
common in pregnant women or women who have multiple sexual partners
Birth control pills
Cervical cancer
Chlamydia or gonorrhea (STDs), sexually transmitted
infections
Diabetes
Douches, scented soaps or lotions, bubble bath
Pelvic infection after surgery
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Trichomoniasis, a parasitic infection
typically contracted and caused by having unprotected sex
Vaginal atrophy, the thinning and drying out of the
vaginal walls during menopause
Vaginitis, irritation in or around the vagina
Yeast infections
See the chart below to learn more about what a particular
type of discharge might mean.
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
|
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 start by taking a health history and
asking about your symptoms. Questions may include:
When did the abnormal discharge begin?
What color is the discharge?
Is there any smell?
Do you have any itching, pain, or burning in or around
the vagina?
Do you have more than one sexual partner?
Do you douche?
The doctor may take a sample of the discharge or do 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’s causing the
problem. For example, yeast infections are usually treated with
antifungal medications inserted into the vagina in
cream or gel form. Bacterial vaginosis is treated with antibiotic pills or
creams. Trichomoniasis is usually treated with the drug metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole(Tindamax).
Here are some tips for preventing vaginal infections that
can lead to abnormal discharge:
Keep the vagina clean by washing regularly with a gentle,
mild soap and warm water.
Never use scented soaps and feminine products or douche.
Also avoid feminine sprays and bubble baths.
After going to the bathroom, always wipe from front to
back to prevent bacteria from getting into the vagina and causing an infection.
Wear 100% cotton underpants, and avoid overly tight
clothing.
Observing all the pain and discomfort women go through, we should all salute and adore every women.
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