Vaginal Discharge – Spotting Abnormalities

Despite Vaginal discharge not being the most favoured of topics for discussion, it actually carries out a crucial cleansing task in the female reproductive system. The glands lining the vagina and the cervix produce fluids that carry away undesirable waste like dead tissues and bacteria thus maintaining cleanliness in the vagina and averting infection.

On most occasions vaginal discharge is completely normal with the amount being produced varying in each woman and the normal colour ranging anywhere between clear, colourless to a milk-white, dependent on the duration of the menstrual cycle. There could be noticeable difference in the quantity and smell of the discharge. For instance, there is greater discharge during ovulation, breast-feeding or during sexual arousal. The odour could differ during pregnancy or one has not been attentive enough regarding maintaining personal sanitation.

None of those alterations are reasons for getting panicky. Though, any seemingly abnormal variation in colour, odour or consistency, particularly accompanied by itchiness or burning sensation in the vagina is an indicator of some form of infection or other condition.

Vaginal Discharge Causes:

An unbalance in the occurrence of normal bacteria within the vagina could result in a change in the odour, colour or consistency of the discharge. The below stated reasons could cause the disequilibrium.

• Consuming some form of antibiotics or steroids.
• The widely prevalent bacterial infection known as bacterial vaginosis that is noted amongst promiscuous or pregnant women.
• Use of contraceptive pills.
• Presence of cervical cancer.
• Presence of any form of STD or sexually transmitted diseases like Chlamydia or gonorrhea.
• Diabetic.
• Use of douche, perfumed soaps, lotions or those using bubble baths.
• Post-surgery pelvic infection.
• PID or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.
• Presence of trichomoniasis – a parasite caused infection usually due to the outcome of indulging in risky, unprotected sexual acts.
• Atrophy in the vagina – thinness or dryness in the vaginal walls due to menopause.
• An irritation or scratchy sensation within and around the vagina – vaginitis.
• Presence of yeast infections.

Forms of Vaginal Discharge and their Likely Reasons

• Blood or brown coloured discharge – indicates erratic menstrual cycles or less frequently the presence of cervical or endometrial cancer. The other signs are abnormal vaginal blood loss and pain in the pelvic region.
• Cloudiness or yellowish coloured discharge – points to the presence of Gonorrhea. Other signs might be bleeding in-between menstrual cycles and pain during urinating.
• Frothiness, yellowish or greenish tinge with foul stench – indicates Trichomoniasis. Other symptoms would include pain, discomfort during urination.
• Pinkish discharge – indicates discarding of the lining of the uterus following delivery (lochia).
• Thick consistency, white and cheesy-like discharge – it points to a yeast infection. Other signs would be pain, swell-up around the vulva, itchiness, pain during sexual contact.
• Grayish, yellow or white accompanied by fishy foul smell – presence of bacterial vaginosis. Other signs would be itchiness, burning sensation, inflammation felt in the vaginal and vulval region.

Diagnosis & Tests:

• The doctor would carry out a detailed examination of past health condition and delve in the occurring symptoms. The doctor would question regarding when the unnatural discharge started, the kind of colour or odour perceived, the presence of any itchiness, pain or burning sensation within or around the vagina, the presence of more than one sexual mate or the usage of douches.
• A sample of the discharge or the pap smear test would be undertaken for collecting cells from the cervical region to be sent for detailed analysis.

Vaginal Discharge Treatment:

• The treatment is dependent on the kind of condition that is leading to the problem. For instance, yeast infections are normally treated using inserting forms of anti-fungal medicines that are intra-vaginal applications in cream or gel versions.
• Bacterial vaginosis is cured by treatment with a course of antibiotics or creams.
• Trichomoniasis is normally cured with the usage of the drug metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Tindamax).

Prevention:

• Maintaining proper clean hygiene in the vaginal region by regular cleaning with a mild, non-fragrant soap and tepid water.
• Avoiding perfumed, scented soaps or douches, female sprays and soaking in bubble baths.
• Subsequent to visiting the washroom, always wiping from the front to the backside to avert any bacterial forms from the anus going into the vaginal region and leading to an infection.
• Wearing pure cotton underwear and avoiding ill-fitting clothes.

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