Vaginal discharge. It seems like these days it has become more and more of a taboo word that no one wants to talk about. A form of embarrassment when it comes to women’s health because people believe that having vaginal discharge indicates that you are “dirty” or “unclean down there”. But in reality it is a normal occurrence and it has very unique functions when it comes to a woman’s reproductive system as this can be an indicator to women if there is something going on that needs to be further addressed.
What is the vaginal discharge?
Vaginal discharge is fluid that is secreted from glands in both the cervix and the vagina which carries away dead cells and bacteria therefore keeping the vagina clean and healthy. The vagina has a variety of good bacteria (flora) that aids in this cleaning. Normally the discharge is a clear or whitish fluid and the amount being secreted can vary from person to person. Color, consistency and amount can change from day to day and these are also affected by where a person is on their menstrual cycle.
- Days 1 to 5: The body is shedding uterine lining, therefore the discharge is red or bloody. This is also called a period.
- Days 6-14: Vaginal discharge during this time may be a little less than normal as the egg starts to develop and mature. The mucus typically is more cloudy and white or yellow with a sticky texture.
- Days 14-25: Discharge becomes thin and slippery before ovulation and then after ovulation the mucus will return to being white or yellow with a sticky texture.
- Days 25-28: Before a period starts again the cervical mucus will not only lighten up in color, but the person will start to see less of it as well.
What are the signs of abnormal discharge?
Just like discharge can tell if everything is normal within the vagina, it can also tell a person if there is something wrong and needs to be addressed. But sometimes looking at discharge alone does not tell the whole story of what is physically happening. Presence of odors, itching or burning and any abnormal color or consistency will help a person to determine if there is an issue at hand.
Below describes the different colors of vaginal discharge and what possible infections or conditions that can be associated with them.
What can cause a change in vaginal discharge?
There are a few things that can cause an imbalance in vaginal discharge:
- Bacterial infections. Bacterial infections, such as, bacterial vaginosis can occur mainly in women who have multiple sex partners or are pregnant.
- Birth control medications. These medications can actually off-set the balance of hormones and cause discharge to appear differently than normal.
- Cancer. Cervical cancer can occur and may cause discharge to appear differently.
- Pregnancy. Being pregnant can also change the discharge.
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). STDs such as chlamydia or gonorrhea are major ones that many females can get from their sexual partners.
- Diabetes. Patients with diabetes have high blood sugar (glucose) levels and often have to urinate in order to get rid of the excess glucose, therefore making them more prone to having abnormal vaginal discharge and urinary tract infections (UTIs) as well.
- Douches, scented soaps or lotions, bubble baths. These can all off-set the vaginal pH and cause disruptions in the normal function of the vagina. It is best to avoid or limit these products.
- Pelvic infection after surgery.
- Parasitic infections. Trichomoniasis is an example of one that is usually contracted and caused by having unprotected sex.
- Vaginal atrophy. Occuring mainly during menopause, this thinning of the vaginal wall can also further lead to a change of the vaginal discharge.
- Vaginitis. Irritation in or around the vagina, can be caused by infections or even by taking some antibiotics.
- Yeast infections. Usually caused by fungi and can lead to uncomfortable vaginal itching, vaginitis and abnormal texture of vaginal discharge.
- Changes in condom use or lubes. If condom use is inconsistent during sexual activities or a certain lube is used that might be new, vaginal discharge can appear differently than normal as well. This can sometimes further lead to infections.
What should be done if abnormal discharge is present?
The first thing would be to take note of what the changes are in regards to color and consistency, presence of odor, itching or burning sensations. Next, it is important to be aware of changes in your normal routine currently, such as, taking any new medications, a period either approaching or happening at the same time and even if you have recently changed sexual partners or are having unprotected sex. In addition, it is pertinent to also be aware of any other changes happening in your body such as, increased frequency in hunger, urination or thirst, abnormal vaginal pain, excessive crampings, or even abnormal periods as these can be signs of other underlying conditions that might need to be addressed by a physician.
How is abnormal vaginal discharge treated?
Treating the causes of abnormal vaginal discharge is what will ultimately help restore and balance the vagina. If the cause is a bacterial infection or a yeast infection, medications such as antibiotics and antifungals will be used for treatment. These can be taken either orally or intravaginally depending on patient preference. If the cause is vaginal atrophy, many times this is caused by menopause, hormonal replacement therapy will be the primary treatment in this case.
What can be done to prevent abnormal vaginal discharge?
Here are some helpful tips that will help avoid abnormal vaginal discharge and other vaginal problems:
- Keep the vagina clean using gentle soap and warm water and also avoid douching and using scented vaginal products. Remember internally, the vagina is very much capable of cleaning itself, there is no need to apply extra products, just keep the external area clean.
- Avoid tight clothing and wear 100% cotton underwear.
- Always wipe front to back to prevent bacteria from the rectal area from getting to the vaginal area.
- Avoid having multiple sex partners if possible and always wear condoms especially if not with the same partner.
- Drink plenty of water and watch your intake in carbs, sugar and alcohol. What you eat actually has a huge impact on vaginal discharge and vaginal health overall because eating excessive amounts of foods rich in sugar and carbohydrates can show up as, may exacerbate or even cause yeast infections. Alcohol can have this same effect as well. Eating foods that promote vaginal health will help the body to continue to clean itself.
The vagina is such a unique organ in the female body as it can do wonders. Not only is it able to bear and birth a child, but it also has its own capabilities of cleaning and preventing infections. Vaginal discharge varies from person to person, therefore it is important for a woman to be able to distinguish between their normal vaginal health and any abnormalities they might be experiencing. This will help their gynecologist understand what is going on and if there are any serious issues that need to be further addressed. Remember, the vagina is amazing and is able to do so many wonderful things in life, doing your part to keep it healthy will, in turn, allow it to provide so many benefits.
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