Vaginal discharge is fluids that have a mix of vaginal secretions and cervical mucus. The quantity of vaginal discharge formed varies from woman to woman but is often usual and healthy. Normal vaginal discharge is clear, can be thick or thin, and is usually odorless. The amount produced and the consistency may vary at different times during a woman’s monthly menstrual cycle.
When a woman is ovulating there is milky white discharge which is sometimes heavier, thicker. The other reasons for white discharge include sexual activity and the use of birth control. But there are some of the most common warning signs associated with the abnormal discharges. The most significant indicators that your vaginal secretion is abnormal are:
- An unpleasant and strong vaginal odor
- The greenish or grayish color of vaginal secretion with an appearance of pus
- Foamy or cheese like texture
- Vaginal pain, swelling, itching, burning, sores, rash, or redness of the vaginal tissue with or without any type of discharge
- Vaginal bleeding out of the menstrual period
Some common causes of abnormal vaginal discharge are:
- Genital Candidiasis (Genital Yeast Infection)
The most common cause of abnormal discharge is the Genital Yeast infection. It occurs when there is an overgrowth of fungus Candida albicans in the vaginal area. Yeast infections normally cause a white discharge that is thick like cottage cheese. You may also experience itching and burning.
2.Trichomoniasis – It is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. The problem with Trich is that usually men and women don’t have got any symptoms after they are infected. Usually, partners spread the infection through sexual contact or through the sharing of bathing suits or towels.
Typically, Trichomonas cause appearance of a green or yellow, thin, foamy, and bad-smelling vaginal discharge, but sometimes the yellow color may be so light that you see a milky white discharge. Common symptoms of this STD take in inflammation, burning while urination, itching in the genital area, and pain during sex. Trichomoniasis can also create complications in pregnancy and even raise the risk of getting HIV/AIDS.
- Atrophic Vaginitis
Although there are rare exceptions, most women go through menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. Atrophic vaginitis typically occurs after menopause when the level of Estrogen slowly reduces and causes the thinning of the vaginal walls. Vaginal atrophy increases your chance of developing chronic vaginal and urinary tract infections with followed symptoms like Vaginal dryness, Yellow malodorous or thick white discharge, Spotting after sex, Pain during sexual intercourse, Urinary incontinence.
- Vulvovaginitis
Vulvovaginitis is an inflammation of both the vulva and vagina. The most common reasons which lead to this infection are bacteria, but they are not the only ones. It can also be Viruses, Yeast, Parasites (lice and pinworms), Allergens and Sexually transmitted infections. The main symptoms of vulvovaginitis include Genital itching Irritation in the genital area, Foul odor, Increasing the discharge levels (thick with a foul smell) and Pain while urination.
- Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal infection caused through bacteria overgrowth. It is the most common types of vaginal infections in women between 15 and 44 years of age. The most common symptom of bacterial Vaginosis is abnormal discharge which is white or dull gray in color and thin, although it can appear to be thick in some cases. It usually comes with a foul odor.
If you are facing any kind of unusual discharge from vagina do not ignore it and visit your gynecologist as earliest as possible.
