Vaginal discharge meaning
Vaginal discharge is a mixture of fluid comprising bacteria, mucus (liquid) and dead cells secreted by the cervix and vagina to protect the vagina by maintaining the PH, lubricating it, moistening, and keeping it clean.
It is a natural secretion of the female reproductive system, The vagina starts making discharge during the puberty. It is a way for the body to respond to any hormones that are secreted in the body. Thus, it is also a mechanism for protecting the vagina from various diseases or infections.
The amount and consistency of the discharge may vary from one woman to another. Vaginal discharge can change (amount, colour and consistency) during the woman's menstrual cycle and over the years. It may become more apparent at specific times, such as during pregnancy, during sexual arousal, ovulation, luteal phase, puberty, and with estrogen-based therapies such as combined hormonal contraception and hormone-replacement therapies.
Vaginal discharge is a common condition among women of childbearing age, affecting about one-third of all women and half of pregnant women, which requires care.
About 30% of women in India experience vaginal discharge, a common health complaint among women, especially those of reproductive age. Vaginal discharge is a natural method for the body to maintain vaginal health.
Vaginal discharge during pregnancy is completely normal. This helps prevent any infections that travel from the vagina to the uterus. Normal vaginal discharge during pregnancy comes in more significant amounts.
Types of vaginal discharge during pregnancy
These are the following types that a pregnant woman experiences include Leucorrhoea, mucus plug, bloody show, watery discharge, increased mucus.
Smelly vaginal discharge during pregnancy may occur due to yeast infection, spicy foods and scented soaps. Other causes include vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, dehydration, etc. Pregnant women can have a higher chance of developing vaginal thrush or bacterial vaginosis (causing unusual vaginal discharge).
Abnormal vaginal discharge during pregnancy may look like cottage cheese or froth, green, yellow, grey or brown, have a foul smell and is associated with pain or irritation around the vagina.It indicates the abnormality.
Normal vaginal discharge colour is white, creamy or clear, with sometimes a slight yellow tint, and it has no noticeable odour (odourless) or irritation.
The female vagina contains a lot of good bacteria called lactobacilli that help clean and maintain the vaginal PH (slightly acidic), keeping it healthy. If the balance of good bacteria is disturbed and there is an overgrowth of yeasts or harmful bacteria, it may result in abnormal vaginal discharge. A disturbance in the balance of healthy bacteria can affect the vagina discharge and lead to changes in it.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding is characterised by changes in odour, colour, volume and consistency with symptoms such as dysuria, pelvic pain, itching, soreness or intermenstrual or post-coital bleeding. Unusual or abnormal vaginal discharge is usually an indication of infection or inflammation.
All types of vaginal discharge that present in females based on multiple factors. However, based on the colour, the following are the different types of vaginal discharge:
Types of vaginal discharge and what they mean
There are numerous elements that cause vaginal discharge; based on the causative factor, the colour of the discharge exists. The common causes of vaginal discharge include the following:
Causes of white vaginal discharge
Vaginal white discharge causes include:
Curdy white vaginal discharge causes
Curd like vaginal discharge (white clumpy) causes include:
Causes of thick vaginal discharge
Thick vaginal discharge causes include:
Causes of watery vaginal discharge
Watery vaginal discharge causes include:
Causes of clear vaginal discharge
Clear vaginal discharge causes include:
Causes of abnormal vaginal discharge
Abnormal vaginal discharge causes include:
Causes of excessive vaginal discharge
Excessive vaginal discharge causes include:
Causes of pink vaginal discharge
Pink vaginal discharge causes include:
Causes of brown vaginal discharge
Brown vaginal discharge causes include:
A vaginal discharge is normal until and unless associated with any itching, pain, or foul smell. Abnormal discharge has the following symptoms:
Other common signs and symptoms of vaginal discharge include:
Warning signs of vaginal discharge:
Gynaecologists perform gynaecological and obstetrical examinations to thoroughly examine and assess the reproductive health of females, that play a crucial role in maintaining overall female health and wellness. The gynaecologist considers the following before prescribing the appropriate diagnostic tests.
Screening
Females should have a reproductive health examination every year starting at the age of 13-18. Usually, a pelvic evaluation is not done before age 21 unless there is an issue such as pelvic pain, irregular periods or abnormal vaginal discharge. Gynaecologists test sexually active woman for sexually transmitted infections (STI's). During examination, the gynaecologists will have a clear view to the external genitalia and look for signs of herpes vesicles, blisters, and irritation. The vaginal walls will be checked for redness (erythema) and abnormal discharge. Using a tiny sterile swab, look for pus in the endocervix (innermost part of the cervix).
Treatment depends on the type of infection or other medical underlying cause. Most vaginal infections are not dangerous and can be cured with prescribed medicine. However, if untreated, symptoms may worsen and cause long-term complications.
Hysterectomy is the surgical method of removing the uterus. The patient may experience light spotting for 2 to 4 weeks after the hysterectomy procedure. It may be pink, red, or brownish without any foul odour. It typically indicates the healing. After some days, it will become lighter in colour and consistency. If the ovaries are removed, the patient can experience changes in vaginal dryness or lubrication because of hormonal fluctuations.
It is not possible to prevent or avoid the vaginal discharge. It is essential to keep the vagina clean, dry and healthy. Internally, the vagina cleans itself, so it is unnecessary to clean inside with vaginal douche. Do not wash inside the vagina.
Vaginal discharge is a natural secretion of the female reproductive system, which helps clean, moisturise, and lubricate during sexual arousal, protecting the vagina. Vaginal discharge is an indication of a healthy reproductive system. However, unusual or abnormal vaginal discharge (changes in colour, smell or texture with pain and irritation around the vagina) may indicate infections or other health problems. So, it is essential to be aware of vaginal discharge.
Yes, vaginal discharge can change during pregnancy due to hormone fluctuations (increased estrogen).It is normal to have more (increased) vaginal discharge in pregnancy which helps to prevent the infections from travelling up from the vagina to the uterus (womb).At the end of pregnancy, the female body produces more vaginal discharge as sticky, jelly-like pink mucus streaks. It signifies the body preparing for delivery (indication of labour).
Vaginal discharge is an indication of a healthy reproductive system. It is a natural secretion of the female reproductive system, which helps clean, moisturise, and lubricate during sexual arousal, protecting the vagina. The amount and consistency of the discharge may vary from one woman to another. Vaginal discharge can change (amount, colour and consistency) during the woman's menstrual cycle and over the years. It may become more apparent at specific times, such as during pregnancy, near ovulation, with birth control pills/patch/vaginal ring, and the week before the menstrual period. However, unusual or abnormal vaginal discharge (changes in colour, smell or texture with pain and irritation around the vagina) may indicate infections or other health problems. So, it is essential to be aware of vaginal discharge.
No, just a normal vaginal discharge, not a sign of pregnancy. A vaginal discharge is a common sign of a healthy reproductive system in a woman. However, increased (excessive than normal) vaginal discharge could be one of the signs of the pregnancy. Changes in vaginal discharge happen due to multiple reasons, such as hormonal fluctuations, ovulation, menstrual periods, sexual arousal and use of birth control pills.
Yes, vaginal discharge smells. It is usual for the vagina to have a mild, musky odour. This smell changes with hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, after sexual intercourse, menopause and the menstrual cycle. But if it smells like fruit, flower, or fishy, with a change in colour or consistency with symptoms of pain and irritation around the vagina, it may indicate infections or other health issues.
It is normal for the vagina to have a mild, musky odour. Several bacteria live in the vagina. They make up the vaginal flora and balance the vagina at the right acidity level. An imbalance in vaginal flora may cause the vagina to smell. This smell changes with hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, after sexual intercourse, menopause and the menstrual cycle. But if it smells like fruit, flower, or fishy, with a change in colour or consistency with symptoms of pain and irritation around the vagina, it may indicate infections or other health issues.
Excess vaginal discharge can be caused by multiple factors, such as hormone fluctuations, pregnancy, ovulation, and sexual arousal. In addition, some infections, such as vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection and trichomoniasis, can cause the excess vaginal discharge.
It is not always necessary to see a gynaecologist about excessive vaginal discharge. However, female individuals may visit the gynaecologist if one can experience vaginal discharge with abnormal appearance, amount and consistency.
It is caused by ovulation and can occur throughout the menstrual cycle, which is called leukorrhea, and it is normal. Thick white vaginal discharge is commonly seen at the beginning and end of the menstrual cycle. Most of the cases, it indicates that the vagina of the female is cleaning itself to avoid the infections. Other causes include bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, STIs, and hormonal changes.
The vagina can clean itself (self-cleaning) and keep healthy by maintaining the correct PH balance. The vagina contains more good bacteria that help to maintain the PH balance (slightly acidic), which makes it hard for harmful bacteria to infect the vagina. Using hard soaps, sprays or gels, even water to wash inside the vagina can disturb the balance of bacteria in the vagina, resulting in bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection and others. But cleaning the external parts surrounding the vagina with warm water is a good idea.
Yes, vaginal discharge is slightly acidic, usually between 3.8 and 4.4. The vagina contains a lot of good (lactobacilli)bacteria that aid in maintaining the vaginal PH balance, which makes it hard for harmful bacteria to infect the vagina. Using hard soaps, sprays or gels, even water to wash inside the vagina can disturb the balance of bacteria in the vagina, resulting in bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection and others.
No, vaginal discharge cannot cause itching unless there is an infection or other health issue in the vagina. Factors that can cause vaginal discharge itching include bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, trichomoniasis, irritation due to scented lotions, soaps etc. If one can experience vaginal discharge with symptoms of itching, it is recommended to consult a gynaecologist or obstetrician.
Yes, vaginal discharge during pregnancy is completely normal. This helps prevent any infections that travel from the vagina to the uterus. Most women notice increased (excessive) vaginal discharge during pregnancy due to hormonal fluctuations and increased blood flow to the pelvic area.
It is impossible to stop or prevent vaginal discharge because it is a natural secretion of the female reproductive system, which helps clean, moisturise, and lubricate during sexual arousal, protecting the vagina.
However, one may experience excessive or abnormal vaginal discharge, such as discharge with a foul smell associated with pain or irritation around the vagina. It is recommended to consult a gynaecologist or obstetrician to address the underlying cause and to give appropriate treatment.
Most vaginal infections are not dangerous and can be cured with prescribed medicine. Cure depends on the type of infection or other medical underlying cause. However, if untreated, symptoms may worsen and cause long-term complications. Usually, treatment of yeast infection includes anti-fungal medications, whereas sexually transmitted diseases and bacterial vaginosis can be treated by using antibiotics. It is recommended to check for health (regular screening) at least once a year in sexually active women.
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