Recognizing Changes in Vaginal Discharge

Identifying Abnormal Vaginal Discharge

Abnormal discharge can be defined as a discharge occurring in an unusual volume, color, or odor. Most abnormal discharges are due to STDs, especially in young women and teenagers. Symptoms of the two most common STDs, chlamydia and gonorrhea, include discharge and itching or burning while urinating, sometimes with bleeding. Note that most discharges due to STDs begin after a sexual encounter without protection. Causes of abnormal discharge other than STDs include:

• Vaginal infection with mixed flora
• Cervical cancer
• Diabetes and menopause
• Vaginal candidiasis or yeast infection
• Disruption of the normal flora of the vagina by administration of antibiotics

Five Types of Vaginal Discharge by Color

Knowing what the various colors of discharge mean can be important to understand in infections or other health concerns. Following are the most common types of vaginal discharge and what they can mean:

Healthy White Discharge

A thick, white discharge is usually healthy and can increase in volume before or after your period. This could mean a yeast infection if the discharge comes with other symptoms like itching, burning, or irritation. Yeast infections are non-sexually transmitted; they are conditions resulting from a change in the balance of bacteria and fungus in your vagina, usually after medication in the form of antibiotics on other ailments.

Yellow Discharge: An Alarm Bell

Yellow discharge is usually due to the bacterial infection as well as STDs such as trichomoniasis and chlamydia. Slight discoloration does not usually signify that you're suffering from a particular disease. In case of yellow discharge, get yourself checked using chlamydia std rapid kit test.

Abnormal Green Discharge

Green vaginal discharge is quite rare and mostly indicates a bacterial infection or STD; the most frequent one is trichomoniasis. If you have green vaginal discharge, you need to see your physician immediately and take an appropriate STD rapid kit test.

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Brown Discharge: Is it an Abnormal Menstruation?

Brown vaginal discharge usually depicts an abnormal flow cycle and can indicate cervical or uterine cancer because of the blood components involved in the discharge. The brown vaginal discharge, especially during menopause, requires immediate consultation with a medical expert.

Understanding Differences in Discharge Volume

Excessive Vaginal Discharge

Some may be considered normal, for instance, when one gets sexually excited or during ovulation. Conditions which may also cause increase of vaginal fluid secretion are bacterial infection or sexually transmitted diseases.

Low or No Vaginal Discharge

On the other extreme, one could have reduced or no discharge of all. Disorders like post-menstrual phase, perimenopause, menopause, or reduction of estrogen for whatever reason will minimise the vaginal fluids.

"Knowing the type of discharges and their meanings, women can self-monitor their health and seek timely medical intervention when necessary."

Preventing Abnormal Vaginal Discharge

There is no prevention for normal vaginal discharge. On the other hand, the abnormal discharge with respect to consistency, color, odor, and volume needs attention. The prevention that might consider avoiding abnormal vaginal discharge includes:

• Avoid douching as this can remove the helpful bacteria from your vaginal flora.
• Wear cotton underwear because it is well-ventilated as opposed to all synthetic fibers to avoid a yeast infection.
• With protected sex, one has more protected intercourse with condoms, fewer sexual partners, and regular tests to prevent diseases due to abnormal discharge causing chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis.
• Also, avoid using aromatic soaps or monthly sanitary products since they may disturb the delicate balance between good bacteria and fungi in your vaginal flora.

STD Treatment

If you have less vaginal discharge than usual, you should immediately go to the doctor and check whether this condition is physiological or pathological. Thus, menopause is also a normal condition of a woman's organism, which is characterized by the lack of estrogen in the organism. But in cases when such a condition occurs not due to menopause, treatment is required.

Changes in the Vaginal Discharge

Knowing the type of discharges and their meanings, the women will be able to self-monitor their health to seek timely medical intervention when necessary. Whereas the normal discharge is a sign of healthiness in the reproductive system, changes in its characteristics can also mean some problems are brewing that might need medical concern. Always consult with your health care provider if you notice consistent or concerning changes in your vaginal discharge.

References

1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Vaginal Discharge.
2. Mayo Clinic. Vaginal Discharge: What's normal, what's not.
3. National Health Service. Vaginal Discharge.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaginal Discharge.
5. Harvard Health Publishing. What's normal vaginal discharge and what's not?