Differences Between Normal Vaginal Discharge & Infections

Glands inside the vagina and cervix normally make small amounts of fluid, which flows out of the vagina each day as vaginal discharge, carrying out old cells that once lined the vagina.

This is the body’s way of keeping vagina healthy and clean. The discharge is usually clear or milky and does not smell abnormal.

The color and thickness of the discharge change as the monthly cycle advances, because it is thicker when the woman ovulates. Also, this can change when the woman is breastfeeding or sexually excited.

Normal vaginal discharge has several purposes that are very important for a healthy environment of the vagina, such as cleaning and moistening the vagina, and helping prevent and fight infections. Each woman should try to notice changes in her vaginal discharge, because some changes may indicate a problem. A woman who thinks she might have a problem should see a doctor as soon as possible.

It’s essential that each woman learns some differences between the normal and abnormal vaginal discharges. This might help recognize changes that may occur. Normal vaginal fluids can vary somewhat in texture and color. They can be thin, sticky, and elastic, or thick and gooey. Generally, vaginal fluids should be clear and white in color.

Different Types Of Discharge:

    * White and thick discharge is common at the beginning and end of your cycle. Normal white discharge should not have other symptoms, such as itching. If itching is present with thick white discharge, it can indicate a yeast infection.

    * Clear and stretchy discharge refers to fertile mucous, and means the woman is ovulating.

    * Clear and watery discharge occurs at different times of the cycle and can be particularly heavy after exercising.

    * Yellow or green vaginal discharge may indicate an infection, especially if thick or clumpy like cottage cheese, or if it has a foul odor.

    * Brown discharge may happen right after periods, and is just cleaning out of the vagina.

    * Spotting blood and brown discharge may occur when you are ovulating mid-cycle. Sometimes early in pregnancy you may have a spotting or a brownish discharge at the time your period would normally appear. If a woman has spotting at the time of normal period rather than the usual amount of flow, and if she had sex without using birth control, she should take a pregnancy test.

What changes may signify a problem?
Changes that may indicate a problem include an increased amount of discharge, an changes in color or smell. If this occurs accompanied by irritation, itchiness, or burning in or around the vagina, it is most likely the result of a condition called vaginitis. A discharge stained with blood when the woman has not having her period could also be a sign of a problem. If you have any of these signs, you should see your doctor. It is very important to keep an eye out for changes in vaginal fluids.

How to prevent vaginitis
After you use the toilet, you should always wipe from front to back. This may help prevent getting bacteria from your rectal area into your vagina, which could cause problems. Wear cotton underpants during the day all the time. The cotton allows your genital area to breathe freely. You should not wear underpants at night. Try to avoid wearing tight pants, pantyhose, swimming suits, biking shorts, or leotards for extended periods of time. Change your laundry detergent if you think it may be irritating your genital area. The latex in condoms and diaphragms, and the sperm-killing gels for birth control can be irritating for some women. If you think one of these is causing problems, ask your doctor for advice about other types of birth control. To prevent vaginitis, try to avoid hot tubs and bathe or shower daily instead, patting your genital area dry. Avoid feminine hygiene sprays, colored or perfumed toilet paper, deodorant pads or tampons, and bubble baths if you really want to prevent any vaginal infection and abnormal vaginal discharge.

Yogurt with live cultures or Lactobacillus acidophilus tablets when on antibiotics can help avoid a yeast infection. Of course, use condoms to avoid catching or spreading sexually transmitted diseases. Keep your blood sugar under good control if you have diabetes, since this is also cause for abnormal vaginal discharge. If the discharge was altered because of a sexually transmitted disease, your sexual partner must receive treatment as well, even if they have no symptoms. Many organisms can harbor themselves without producing noticeable symptoms. Failure of partners to accept treatment can cause continual re-infection. If you do not take care of this, it could lead to serious problem such as infertility.

What causes the changes in vaginal discharge?

Changes of vaginal discharge can occur if the normal balance of healthy germs in your vagina is upset. Many things can disturb the balance of a healthy vagina, including douching, feminine hygiene sprays, certain soaps or bubble baths, antibiotics, diabetes, pregnancy, or infections, as you’ve already heard. Vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, and trichomoniasis are common causes of abnormal vaginal discharge. Some infections are transmitted sexually, such as gonorrhea, while others can occur with or without having sex, such as bacterial vaginosis or yeast infection. Although the symptoms of these infections can be very similar, there are some differences.

    * Yeast infections may cause your discharge to become very white and thick, resembling cottage cheese formations. A yeast infection usually does not cause a strong odor, but it may cause severe itching and burning as the main symptom.
    * Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is able to cause your discharge to be heavier than usual. The fluids may become foamy or frothy, and grayish in color, with an unpleasant fishy odor.
    * Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted disease, and it may cause a musty, stale odor. If this happens, the discharge may become grayish or yellow-green and may thicken. It could also often cause vaginal itching and pain during urination.

If you have any symptoms of abnormal vaginal discharge, it is very important to see a doctor or visit a teen clinic, especially for girls who have recently had sex without using a condom. Many sexually transmitted diseases cause changes in vaginal discharge or cause other infections that affect discharge as well.

How can douching be harmful for vaginal discharge?
The chemicals in douches may irritate the vagina and change the normal balance of germs. Douching can also spread an infection into the uterus, increasing your risk of getting pelvic inflammatory disease. This is an infection of the fallopian tubes, which can cause infertility and other serious conditions. Douching is not necessary to keep your body clean. Smells you may notice usually come from outside the vagina or your vulva. You should keep this area clean with gentle soap and water to prevent smells.


What is the treatment of common vaginal conditions?
A self-care action plan could be the best treatment for your vaginal condition. You may be familiar with the symptoms of thrush and make your own diagnosis even before you visit the doctor. If you have used a thrush treatment with no improvement, then there may be another cause for the discharge. In this case, you should see your doctor. You should also see your doctor if you find any swellings, sores or skin changes, or if you have any unexpected bleeding.
Bubble bath, perfumed soap, vaginal douches, or the use of disinfectant all destroy the natural acidic vaginal secretions that protect against abnormal conditions. Women who have recurrent thrush may need to take tablets as the only treatment option. Trichomonal, chlamydial, and gonorrhoeal infections should be treated with antibiotics. Bacterial vaginosis may require antibiotic treatment as well. The doctor will treat warts with a solution, or with cryotherapy. A recurrent attack of herpes can be controlled with tablets, especially if very frequent or severe. Most commonly, post-menopausal changes require estrogen-containing creams or hormone replacement therapy. Surgery may be necessary for infected Bartholin’s glands, and occasionally in case of severe skin changes or cancers.

How to help the doctor determine appropriate treatment?
Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination including a pelvic exam to establish the right diagnosis. Medical history questions may include the following:

    * When did the abnormal vaginal discharge begin?
    * Did you have the same amount and type of vaginal discharge throughout the month?
    * What does the discharge look like?

Your doctor has to be informed about possible odor, pain, itching, burning, and has to be told if your sexual partner has an abnormal discharge as well. For diagnosis of abnormal vaginal discharge, it is also important to report your sexual relationships specifics, like multiple sexual partners, or sexual partners that you do not know very well. It might be important to know if there is anything that relieves the discharge.

The doctor should perform diagnostic tests as well, including cervix cultures, examination of vaginal discharge under the microscope, and Pap smear. Ultimately, the choice of treatment depends on the underlying condition.

Source: Dr. Bethany Taylor ,steadyhealth.com