What they never told you about Vaginal Discharges!

Vaginal Discharges

Vaginal Discharge is a normal bodily function, it is the vagina’s way of cleaning and protecting itself.

It’s normal for discharge to increase with sexual activity, ovulation and birth control pills. However, if the discharge is green or yellow or has a foul smell it could be an infection.

Different Types of Discharge

• White — Thick, white discharge is common at the beginning and end of your cycle. Normal white discharge is not accompanied by itching. If itching is present, thick white discharge can indicate a yeast infection.
• Clear and Stretchy — This is “fertile” mucous and means you are ovulating.
• Clear and Watery — This occurs at different times of your cycle and can be particularly heavy after exercising.
• Yellow or Green — May indicate an infection, especially if it is thick or clumpy like cottage cheese or has a foul odor.
• Brown — May happen right after periods, and is just “cleaning out” your vagina. Old blood looks brown.
• Spotting Blood/Brown Discharge — may occur when you are ovulating/mid-cycle. Sometimes early in pregnancy you may have spotting or a brownish discharge at the time your period would normally come.

There are different types of infections such as

• Trichomoniasis: is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite. In women, it  can cause a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, genital itching and painful when you urinate. Men who have trichomoniasis typically have no symptoms.

• Yeast Infection: Is caused by excess growth of yeast inside the vagina that causes irritation, in addition to a burning and itching sensation.

• Bacterial Vaginosis: is an overgrowth of bacteria naturally found in the vagina, which upsets the vagina’s natural balance.

• Gonorrhea or Chlamydia: Both caused by an overgrowth of bacteria. If left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause serious health problems like PID, infertility, and potential deadly ectopic pregnancy.
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: is an infection of a woman’s reproductive organs. Caused by complications brought on by untreated STI’s.

When to see a Gynecologist?

If you have noticed an unusually colored vaginal discharge with a foul smell accompanied with the following

• Itchiness
• Fever
• Increased urination
• Swelling of genital area
• Abdominal pain
• Unexplained weight loss
•  

Book a consultation, call us at 275-1683/245-5349 if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms.