Vaginal Discharge

A woman’s body expels cells and fluids in the form a vaginal discharge during various phases of her life. Vaginal discharge is quite a common phenomenon in menstruating women and this can begin as early as when the first periods begin during adolescent years. A number of factors like menstrual cycle, pregnancy, hormones or infections can cause a difference in consistency or color of the vaginal discharge.

Vaginal discharge is often composed of the fluids from the uterus, cervix, and vagina. When the vaginal discharge is thicker in consistency this could indicate peak fertility times. This type of discharge happens when the ovary releases eggs. Pregnancy is also a time when the discharge produced is higher than normal. As menopause sets in there will be quite less or almost no vaginal discharge as the levels of estrogen in the body has reduced and there is no longer any ovulation happening. The vaginal dryness experienced during perimenopause, menopause, or post menopause may be because of this as well.

Signs of a healthy vaginal discharge can include it being clear or white in color, the discharge can have a slight odor, but not one that is foul smelling, the discharge can leave a yellowish tint on the underwear and during the menstrual cycle the vaginal discharge can have a different consistency. Though vaginal discharge may not always be due to some serious issue there are some signs of abnormal vaginal discharge to watch out for. Such changes can appear along with other discomfort or symptoms in the vaginal area like burning, itching, pain or swelling.

A doctor must be consulted if the said vaginal discharge has changed in consistency and appears yellow, green, or even gray, resembles cottage cheese in color and consistency, if the discharge seems foamy or frothy, if the discharge has a strong smell of fish, yeast, or another odor or in more serious cases if the discharge is brown or blood-stained. Unhealthy vaginal discharge may signify an infection, a sexually transmitted disease, or another health condition like yeast infection, vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, chlamydia or pelvic inflammatory disease.

Maintaining good vaginal health, including hygiene, can prevent vaginal infections and abnormal vaginal discharge. As for the treatment of unhealthy vaginal discharge it is important to get the correct diagnosis and self-treating with over-the-counter topical medications will in fact only be detrimental in the long run. Such vaginal discharge is not a symptom of one single infection or health condition and so a number of tests will need to be done to determine the cause.

Some diagnostic tests can include physical exams, pap smears, samples reviewed under a microscope or even pH tests. In the case of a yeast infection, the doctor may prescribe antifungal medicine in pill or cream form. Other conditions, like trichomoniasis or bacterial vaginosis, may require an antibiotic in addition to other treatments. STDs should be treated with antibiotics. There could also be a possibility of having more than one infection. The thing to keep in mind is that an untreated infection is always bad news as it can lead to further complications like pelvic inflammatory disease or even infertility.

Here’s where you can reach us for appointments or for answers to all your fertility related questions

http://www.kjkhospital.com/contact-us/

Phone Numbers: 0471-2544080, 2544706

Email: kjkqueries@gmail.com

For watching videos related to pregnancy, infertility, IVF and other Gynaecological conditions, visit KJK Hospital’s You Tube channel –

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