Vaginal Discharge – When it becomes a woman health problem?

Vaginal discharge would ideally not be the most talked about subject. However, vaginal discharge plays a crucial role of an efficient housekeeper to the female reproductive system. The fluid produced by glands present within the vaginal and cervical area help in clearing out cells that faced fatality and several bacterial forms. This action aids in maintaining hygienic setting in the vaginal area and aids in warding off infections.

Majority of the occasions, vaginal discharge is quite a normal occurrence with the quantity differing in every woman and the colour deemed normal could be ranging from colourless to milk-white dependent on what part of the menstrual cycle the woman is in. There would be a minor variation in the quantity and the smell of the discharge. For instance, there would be increased discharge during ovulation, when a woman breastfeeds or during sexual arousal. The odour could vary during pregnancy or in case one has not maintained appropriate personal cleanliness.

Though one need not be alarmed on the appearance of such variations, but in case the colour, odour or consistency appears considerably abnormal, particularly in case there is scratchiness or burning felt in the vaginal area, one could notice an indication of an infection or medical condition.

Reasons for Irregular discharge:

Any variation in the normal bacterial equilibrium in the vagina could cause a difference in odour, colour or consistency. Some of the reasons that could hinder this equilibrium are:

• Those on an antibiotics or steroidal course.
• Women having bacterial vaginosis
  a bacterial form of infection commonly observed in expectant women or in women engaging in promiscuous behaviour.
• Those on oral contraceptive pills.
• Women having cervical cancer.
• Due to the presence of STDs or sexually transmitted diseases like Chlamydia or gonorrhea.
• Being diabetic.
• Douching using fragranced soaps or skin creams, those indulging in bubble baths.
• Having infection of the pelvis area subsequent to surgical intervention.
• Presence of PID or pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Women having trichomoniasis
  an infection due to a parasite that is characteristically caused when engaging in risky sexual behaviours.
• Vaginal Atrophy – a condition when the walls of the vagina thin out or dry when a woman turns menopausal.
• Vaginal inflammation with the adjoining areas also affected due to a condition known as vaginitis.
• Presence of yeast infections.

Varied forms of irregularities in vaginal discharge with the associated reasons are as follows:

• Blood or brownish coloured discharge
  This could occur due to erratic periods or could less frequently be due to the presence of cervical or endometrial cancer. Erratic blood loss from the vagina or discomforting sensation and pain sensed in the pelvis could be the other signs observed.
• Cloudiness or yellowish coloured discharge
  Gonorrhea could be reason for this kind of discharge. Bleeding could occur untimely in between two menstrual periods and pain experienced while urinating could also occur.
• Frothiness, yellowish or green coloured discharge with associated foul odour
  The presence of Trichomoniasis could be the reason for this form of discharge. The other signs experienced could be painful sensation and itchiness when one urinates.
• Pink Discharge
  The uterus lining is coming off subsequent to delivery, also called lochia.
• Thick, whitish and creamy consistency discharge
  This could be due to the presence of yeast infection. Additionally one could experience swell up and painful sensation in the vulval area, itchiness and pain during the sexual act.
• Whitish, greyish or yellowish discharge along with fishy smell
  This form of discharge could be due to the presence of bacterial vaginosis. The other signs comprise of itchiness, burning sensation, reddishness and swell up of the vaginal or vulval area.

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