vaginal discharge

Vaginal discharge is an abnormally large, whitish, milky, opaque discharge from the vagina. It can be infectious (as in candidiasis) or non-infectious (excessive washing, IUD, etc.). The typical symptom of discharge is a large amount of discharge that is often painful and has a bad smell.

The diagnosis is made by a health professional who can order specific laboratory tests to identify the causative agent of the disease. Discharge increases the chance of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. Treatment is usually done with antibiotics or removal of a foreign body from the vaginal canal. Oak decoction and white nettle are herbal medicines that can help in the treatment.

Some tips include strictly following the doctor’s treatment and checking to see if the discharge gets worse. As preventive measures, avoid excessive and abrasive intimate hygiene, always use condoms during sexual intercourse and reduce the number of sexual partners.

Definition

Vaginal discharge is a non-bloody discharge from the vagina. Remember that the vagina is part of a woman’s lower genital tract that lies between the vulva and uterus.

Causes

There are physiological discharges, milky and scanty, which is normal for all women. They result from the shedding of vaginal cells that grow just before menstruation.

In addition, cells in the cervix secrete a clear fluid called cervical mucus. Production increases significantly around the time of ovulation.

You should also know that microorganisms normally live in the vagina called saprophytic bacteria, and are part of the vaginal flora. These microorganisms do not cause vaginal discharge unless they are quantitatively imbalanced. Pathological vaginal discharge can be of infectious or non-infectious origin.

Bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis , trichomoniasis, gonorrhea and chlamydia are among the main causes of vaginal infections. Other germs like group B streptococci, staphylococci and E. coli can also infect the female genital tract.

These infectious agents are transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, in oral, genital or anal sex. Contamination is also obtained as a result of handling products for pregnant women, such as the intrauterine device (IUD), induced abortions and gynecological examinations.

This condition also appears when saprophytic bacteria, such as Candida and gardnerella, multiply excessively. This anomaly is related to habits that unbalance the vaginal flora. The female population in general tends to wash their genitals by douching and using irritating substances.

In addition, non-infectious causes such as desquamative inflammation, vaginal atrophy, allergies or an intravaginal foreign body also cause vaginal discharge.

The risk of vaginal discharge increases with the number of partners, certain medications (antibiotics, corticosteroids, oral contraceptives, chemotherapy) and intolerance to condoms. Pregnancy, untreated diabetes, cancer, menopause, and immunosuppression are also contributing factors.

Finally, high frequency of intimate washing, smoking and lack of estrogen are sources of recurrence.

Symptoms

Bacterial vaginosis is characterized by greenish, white or gray vaginal discharge with a strong fishy smell.

Vaginal discharge related to tingling and pain during sexual intercourse characterizes candidiasis. It is possible that the patient complains of dysuria or pain on urination.

As for trichomoniasis, the vaginal discharge becomes brown or yellow and frothy. The patient suffers from vaginal tingling or burning and dysuria.

Vaginal itching, frequent pain in the lower abdomen and burning, as well as menstrual disorders and irregular urination reveal gonorrhea or chlamydia.

Diagnosis

The doctor will usually recognize the cause of the vaginal discharge. To do this, he questions and examines the patient. Then he prescribes laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis. Tests include sampling vaginal discharge, determining the pH of the medium, detecting abnormal cells, and identifying causative organisms.

Blood tests can look for causal conditions such as diabetes and HIV .

Complications

Vaginal discharge increases the risk of HIV transmission. Thus, a vicious circle of infection is created, because the weakness of the immunological defense of HIV-positive women further favors vaginal discharge.

If a pregnant woman becomes infected and must undergo a cesarean section, she will run the risk of the germs spreading to the uterus and fallopian tubes. As a consequence, she will experience chronic abdominal pain, menstrual disorders and infertility.

In addition, more serious complications such as pelvic inflammation, septicemia and ectopic pregnancy can cause the patient’s death.

Vaginal discharge during pregnancy can lead to blindness or respiratory infection in the baby. In addition, the disease can cause prematurity or low birth weight in the child.

Treatments

The doctor usually prescribes antibiotics in the form of oral or vaginal pills, creams, or gels.

The duration of treatment depends on the causative agent and the progression of the disease. For simple infection, it will be one day. In more difficult cases, treatment can take up to six months. Health professionals can prescribe drugs to rebalance the vaginal flora.

The possible presence of a foreign body inserted in the vagina, such as a forgotten tampon, should also be checked and removed. This can be a major source of infection.

Herbal medicine

– Oak has therapeutic value against vaginal discharge. To do this, just boil for 10 minutes a handful of leaves in a liter of water. Drink three cups a day of the obtained decoction .

– White nettle is also used in cases of vaginal discharge.

Tips

Consult your doctor:

– Before taking antibiotics, corticosteroids and oral contraceptives.

– If the vaginal discharge becomes profuse, with an abnormal color and smell.

– If you feel itchy.

During treatment:

– Always follow your doctor’s prescriptions.

– Avoid foods and drinks that contain alcohol.

– Ask your sexual partner to be treated.

– Abstain from sexual intercourse, or at least use a condom.

Prevention

For prevention:

– Take protective measures, such as using male or female condoms, not having many sexual partners and/or abstaining from penetrative sex.

– Delay your first sexual intercourse.

– Avoid very frequent intimate washes.

– For healthcare professionals, carefully follow the asepsis rules.

– If you have just had a new partner, get all tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) before you have sexual intercourse for the first time.

Read also: candidiasis – menopause – urinary tract infection

Jeanne Kenney
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I’m a stylist trainer, a content creator, and an entrepreneur passion. Virgo sign and Pisces ascendant, I move easily between my dreams, the crazy world I want, and my feet on the ground to carry out my projects.

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