Normal vaginal discharge is milky white or crystal clear without any odour. Frequency of discharge is influenced mainly due to hormonal imbalances in the female body. However, infection in the vagina can completely change the colour, smell, and texture. In many cases, vaginal infections are accompanied by other symptoms including burning, itching, spotting, or discomfort.
Causes of green vaginal discharge are:
Trichomoniasis – This is a common STD affecting young and sexually active females. Trichomonas vaginalis is a protozoan parasite that causes Trichomoniasis. Usually, it is identified as having a fishy-smelling, greenish-yellow frothy vaginal discharge. It is combined with soreness and irritation in the skin surrounding the vulva with swollen labia. This may root pain/discomfort during libido, and urination.
Chlamydia – This STD is rooted by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis that can damage a female’s reproductive organ. Symptoms are mild or absent, but causes permanent damage like infertility, which occurs silently before the lady recognizes there is a problem.
Chlamydia symptoms comprise of abnormal, greenish-yellow and fishy smelling cervical discharge. In addition, there is lower back pain, nausea, burning sensation during urination, fever, irregular vaginal bleeding, and pain during sexual activity and eye-infection.
Gonorrhea – Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium causes this STD. The bacteria are capable of developing and multiplying easily in moist and warm areas within the urethra, uterus, cervix, Fallopian tubes as well as in your throat, mouth, eyes and anus.
It is recommended that every woman diagnosed with gonorrhea must also take the treatment for chlamydia. About 50% infected females have no symptoms, but in the early stages they do experience an increase in green vaginal discharge, abnormal bleeding, and frequent urination. Besides redness, pain, itching, and swelling around the genitals can also be experienced.
Bacterial vaginosis – It is also called ‘anaerobic vaginosis’. It is an imbalance of good and harmless bacteria present in the vaginal lining. However, due to some reason the bacteria start multiplying causing green-yellow and fishy smelling discharge. This disease also includes irritation, itching, swelling of the labia and painful urination.
Foreign body in the vagina – Teenagers use tampons during menses and occasionally they forget to remove them for days. Even condom breakage can result in latex material left behind in the vagina. Adults may place some foreign object inside the vagina during sexual activity.
As a result of misuse they experience symptoms that include unpleasant smelling green/yellow or pink/brown discharge. Discomfort during urination, itching, swelling, redness, pelvic/abdominal pain, and light vaginal bleeding are the symptoms.
Lichen sclerosus – It is a skin disorder that occurs in the vulva. In the beginning there are small white patches that are not seen, but over time these spots develop and the texture and colour of the skin changes. The skin becomes thin and wrinkled, which tears easily causing purple or red bruises accompanied with itching and pain.
Under no circumstances must women ignore green vaginal discharge. Traditional methods of getting rid of this green secreted fluid can be used, but the root cause still lingers, which can surely resurface in future. Therefore, it is better to get the underlying cause diagnosed with the help of your health care provider. A treatment plan can be developed to reduce the potential risk of ectopic pregnancy, infertility, PID infection, and spread of STD’s.