Everything About Gynecology — Causes, Types, Diagnosis and Treatment of Vaginal Disharge

Clear Vaginal Discharge Is A Normal Cleaning Procedure

Many women are still not aware of the fact that vaginal discharge is a natural process of cleaning the vagina. In this post, let’s understand the occurrence of the natural and clear vaginal discharge.

What is a healthy vagina?

The vagina is a route to the uterus and internal reproductive system from the outside. It has a pH and is acidic in nature. This characteristic helps to prevent the infections. Good, natural bacteria in your body are responsible for this acidic environment.

Just like saliva cleanses and stabilizes your mouth, a healthy vagina secretes normal vaginal discharge. Thus, the female reproductive system is cleansed naturally but any kind of interference in the stability of vaginal secretion creates an ambiance favourable to infection.

Normal vaginal discharge – Every female experiences normal vaginal discharge, but its frequency varies. Vaginal glands and cervix generates a fluid that flows out of the vagina daily. Normal vaginal discharge washes and lubricates the vagina and also keeps it free from germs and infection. It is clear/milky and odourless.

Causes of clear vaginal discharge

Ovulation – The discharge takes place because the cervical glands are stimulated, when eggs are released by the ovaries. The secretion is generally clear and has water-like consistency. Usually, because of ovulation, vaginal discharge takes place 14 days after the menstrual cycle. Several females experience it daily around ovulation and some notice it occasionally.
Among teenagers – Adolescents undergoing hormonal changes experience sessions of normal vaginal discharge. The fact is that their bodies are trying to establish a regular monthly cycle and the cervical glands get aggravated due to the alterations. This frequency slows down, once the regular periods initiate.
Sexual arousal – To make your libido more comfortable and pleasurable, cervical glands get motivated causing a normal vaginal discharge. Several females experience heavy outflow during sexual arousal, which is quite normal and acts as a natural lubricant.
Other factors – Emotional stress, pregnancy, breastfeeding, diet, prescribed or OTC medicines.

It is recommended that females never use douche products for the hygiene solution. It can lead to increased irritation along with other deformities. Douching removes the healthy lining of bacteria within the vagina that protects you from infection.

Features of a normal vaginal discharge

Consistency of fluid depends on ovulation, menstrual period, sexual activity, breastfeeding and much more. The aspects of clear vaginal discharge are:

Colour – Discharge colour spectrum ranges from milky white to entirely transparent. It is most obvious around ovulation and less perceptible after menstruation.
Thickness – Normally, it must be thin, but gets a little thick around ovulation. Even breastfeeding mothers perceive their fluid getting thicker.
Odour – It is odour-free and any deviation will need to be checked by your doctor.
Amount – It is difficult to measure the volume because it varies. It depends on the individual’s genetics, physical and sexual activity along with other factors.

Visit your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

Pain in your belly area or pelvis
Discomfort while urinating or during libido
Itching
Swelling
Bad odour
Discharge is yellow, green, or grey coloured
Looks foamy
Rash or sores
Unexplained weight loss

A mixture of these symptoms can generate many diseases like bacterial vaginitis, trichomoniasis, Gonorrhoea, genital warts and yeast infection. Therefore, get diagnosed professionally along with proper prescribed treatment.

Green Vaginal Discharge – Sign Of Grave Infection

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.

Causes Of Brown Vaginal Discharge

Brown vaginal discharge is not always the cause for concern. Women are aware of the kind of discharge down there every now and then. It is a natural procedure of cleaning the vagina. Discharge is the flaking of cells and fluids incessantly, but its consistency varies according to the monthly cycle of the women. It ranges from whitish watery discharge to slightly thick consistency.

What roots the brown vaginal discharge?

Normal conditions – Vaginal secretion should never be regarded as unhealthy, but brown discharge is mostly linked with the old endometrial tissues. If your menstrual period is delayed you may get brown instead of the usual red coloured discharge. This also indicates that for some reason in your last period the complete uterine lining was unsuccessful in making a timely exit. Therefore, what is seen now is the late exit.
Grave conditions – In certain cases brown discharge from the vagina is a matter of medical concern, which is more threatening than remaining endometrial cells.

Yeast infection – If the infection is extreme, when the menstrual cycle is nearby than it is rooted by Candida Albicans bacteria. It may be odourless or has a slight yeast odour.
Vulvovaginitis – It is grounded by bacteria causing brown or yellow discharge with foul, fishy, and strong odour.
PID or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease – It is a bacterial infection of uterus, ovaries, or the Fallopian tubes. It is a STD, usually caused by two kinds of bacteria – gonorrhoea and chlamydia. A foul odour, painful urination, bleeding after libido and lower back or pelvis pain are the common symptoms. You need to consult a doctor, if you experience these symptoms.
Gonorrhea – With the other symptoms identical to PID the patient will suffer from mouth lesions.
Chlamydia – Symptoms will be identical to PID, but the patient will start losing appetite and weight.
Cervical cancer – The female will undergo vaginal pain, soreness during sexual intercourse and continuous brown, pink discharge having foul smell.
Genital warts – genital warts are STD’s caused by the Human Papilloma Virus. Warts appear in the genital region and looks like cauliflower. A brownish vaginal discharge, bleeding and itching is experienced after intercourse.
Menopause – Women may experience depression, sweaty skin, burning sensation in her mouth and brown vaginal discharge with unpleasant odour in the urine.

All the above grave conditions display brownish vaginal discharge, but it is essential to get a vaginal examination done by your doctor. Get it treated and cured. Do not get nervous if it is an STD, you are not an unclean person, but the disease is dirty. It is an infection transported through sexual contact meaning you are unlucky and not dirty.

Treatment from brown discharge

For normal conditions – If the brownish vaginal discharge is just caused by old uterine cells then treating this condition is a simple process. Change your lifestyle, include better nutrition, regular workouts and drink plenty of water.
For grave conditions – Treatments are aimed to treat specific diseases. The treatment options for grave conditions causing brown discharge includes prescription medicines, dietary supplements, chemotherapy, surgery, a Pap smear and regular visit to your doctor.

Yellow Vaginal Discharge – Causes And Treatment

All females experience vaginal discharge or Leukorrhea (scientific term) through their reproductive years. It is a sticky and thick fluid secreted from the vagina. Some of the reasons that prompt the vaginal secretion to differ in every woman are hormonal changes, infections, and malignancy.

Leukorrhea or normal discharge is a defence mechanism to stabilize and balance the acidic chemicals in the vaginal environment. This whitish or sometimes yellowish secretion helps to preserve the vaginal tissues flexibility as well as protect it from infections.

Vaginal discharge may or may not display signs and symptoms of infection, but if they are green, yellow, white, brown, or grey with bad odour then it is wise to consult your doctor. Many women experience pain in the abdominal area, discomfort during intercourse, itching, or soreness. Treatments are planned according to the cause of this problem.

During pregnancy

Under normal conditions pale yellowish, odourless vaginal discharge is emitted during various pregnancy trimesters. This occurrence is a result of increased estrogen levels. However, if the fluid smells unpleasant and is frothy accompanied with irritation and itching then it may be due to vaginal infection.

Yellow vaginal discharge with unpleasant odour is caused due to several other infections. These diseases may include sexually transmitted disease or organic bacterial infections.

Cervicitis – It is the swelling of cervix and most often caused by imbalance in the development of bacteria (bacterial vaginosis) in the vaginal lining. In several cases, it can be due to Pessary, Cervical cap, and allergy due to latex condoms/spermicides. Even STD’s like gonorrhoea, chlamydia, genital herpes, trichomoniasis and genital warts can cause cervicitis.
Vulvovaginitis – It is an infection in the vagina and vulva. It affects every woman once in their lifetime. It is rooted by yeast, bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Several STD’s also causes vulvovaginitis as well as chemicals found in soaps, perfumes, and bubble baths. Even allergens and poor hygiene are the factors that trigger this condition. Symptoms are vaginal dryness, pain, brown/yellow fluid, foul-odour, discomfort, itching, and irritation in genital region.
Chlamydia – This evil disease (STD) is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachmatis. It is commonly spread through sexual contact, so practice safe sex and condoms must be used to lessen the chances of getting infected with chlamydia. Loss of appetite, discharge from anus, eye-infection, infertility, and pain during urination are some of the symptoms.
Gonorrhoea – It is transmitted sexually. It can also be spread through vagina, mouth, anus or penis contact. Symptoms include frequent urination, fever, sore throat, mouth lesions, yellow vaginal discharge, and pain during intercourse/urination.
Trichomoniasis – This STD affects females, who are sexually active. Parasite Trichomonas vaginalis causes this disease. Greenish, yellow, foul, frothy vaginal discharge is experienced. Urination issues, uneasiness during libido, soreness, and irritation around the genital regions are the symptoms that appear within five to twenty-eight days after exposure.

Treatment for yellow discharge

In normal conditions, if you have yellow discharge without any above symptoms then do the following:

Maintain good personal cleanliness
Wear cotton clean under-wears
Use high-quality hygiene products
Be careful during libido and protect yourself

In case of, abnormal yellow vaginal discharge with foul odour accompanied with pain, itching, burning and urination issues needs to be instantly diagnosed by a doctor. The vaginal network is complex, which easily gets disrupted due to incorrect treatment and can take years to restore the micro-flora (good bacteria). This is the reason why you should not engage in self-medication, but take professional help.

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