Vaginal Discharge - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment - Avicenna Health

The Definition

Vaginal discharge is a mixture of both fluid and mucus shed through the vagina.

Normal vaginal discharge keeps vaginal tissues healthy and protects girls and women from infection.

However, the amount and color of vaginal discharge depend on the stage of the menstrual cycle.

Symptoms

Vaginal discharge usually is clear or milky and does not have a bad smell.

Usually, the color and thickness of the discharge change depending on the menstrual cycle.

The discharge is thicker when ovulating, breastfeeding, using birth control, and When the women are sexually active.

Causes

_ Antibiotic or steroid use

_ Bacterial vaginosis, especially in pregnant women

_ Birth control pills

_ Cervical cancer

_ Sexually transmitted diseases

_ Diabetic Mellitus

_ Douches, scented soaps or lotions, bubble bath

_ Pelvic infection after surgical procedure

_ Pelvic inflammatory disease

_ Trichomoniasis

_ Vaginitis, irritation in or around the vagina

_ Yeast infections

_ Pregnancy

Risk factors

_ Trichomonas vaginalis infection: This contamination entails the liner of the vagina’s membrane, in addition to the cervix.

_ Candida albicans infection: Causes intense itching with inside the vagina and creates a thick white vaginal discharge.

When to see a doctor

You should see a doctor if: 

• Your vaginal discharge changes color or smell
• You turn out much discharge than usual
• You are feeling restless or sore
• You bleed between periods or once sex
• You get pain when urination
• You get pain within the space between your tummy and thighs

Diagnosis

The doctor will start asking about symptoms that may include:

• When did the abnormal discharge start?
• What color is the discharge appear?
• Is there any specific smell?
• Do you usually have any itching, pain, or burning?
• Do you have more than one sexual partner?
• Do you douche or apply perfume inside the vagina?

In addition, the doctor may take a sample of the discharge or do a Pap test by using cells from the cervix and send it to the lab for further examination.

Management

There are many management protocols related to the causes of vaginal discharge.

So here, we have some treatment programs:

• Bacterial vaginosis is treated with antibiotic medicine.
• Trichomoniasis is generally treated with oral antibiotics.
• Yeast infection is usually treated with medicine inside the vagina or with oral medicine.
• Sex partners should be treated sometimes, and you may need to avoid intercourse or use condoms until you have been treated.

Differential diagnosis

• Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection

• Streptococcal Vaginitis in adults

• Genital schistosomiasis

• Entamoeba gingivalis plus intrauterine device (IUD)

References

• Mayoclinic

• Web med

• PubMed

• Paras hospital

• Best practice.BMJ