| Category | Vaginal Discharge |
Vaginal Discharge
Vaginal discharge, also commonly known as leukorrhea, is a fluid that's usually clear or whitish and comes from your vagina. It helps maintain the vagina's delicate balance of good and bad bacteria, protecting it from infections. Glands inside the vagina, uterus, and cervix produce a fluid throughout the day that carries away dead cells and bacteria. This keeps your vagina clean and helps prevent infection.
Vaginal discharge is a natural and healthy part of having a vagina. The amount can vary, as can odor and color, depending on the time in your menstrual cycle. It may also smell different when you're pregnant, or if you've been letting your personal hygiene slide. If the color, smell, or consistency seems quite different than usual, especially if you also have vaginal itching or burning, you could be dealing with an infection or other condition. Dr. (Smt) Sanju Agrawal is the best vaginal discharge doctor in Indore MP.
Types of Vaginal Discharge
Normal Discharge
Vaginal discharge may look different throughout the month. It’s normal for it to vary in consistency, ranging from clear and slippery to white and thick, or even sticky and paste-like. It’s also normal for different people to have different amounts of vaginal discharge.
Vaginal discharge during pregnancy
If you see more vaginal discharge when you’re pregnant, it’s actually a good thing. The discharge makes it harder for infections to travel from the vagina to the womb. Your body creates more of the hormone progesterone when you’re pregnant to help thicken the lining of your uterus. This can cause more discharge. Toward the end of your pregnancy, you might start to see some streaks of pink in your leukorrhea. That's just your cervix shedding mucus, and it’s one of the ways your body starts to prepare for birth.
Vaginal discharge before period
You may have less discharge toward the end of your menstrual cycle. But it’s also normal to see some brown spots right before your period. If you have a lighter flow, it takes longer for menstrual blood to travel down the cervix, so the color change is likely just older blood. In rare cases, brown discharge may be a sign of a more serious problem.
What does the color of vaginal discharge mean?
The color of your vaginal discharge can mean there’s a problem:
Yellow, grey or green: Yellow, grey or green discharge may suggest a bacterial or sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Brown or red: Brown or red discharge is usually related to irregular menstruation or pregnancy (implantation bleeding). If you have brown or red-tinged discharge and it’s not your period, it may indicate a problem.
Clear or white: Normal vaginal discharge is clear, white or off-white. If your discharge is white, but seems thicker than usual or causes itching, it may be a yeast infection.
Causes Of vaginal discharge
Normal causes:
Hormonal changes: Estrogen levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, which can affect the amount and consistency of discharge. For example, discharge may be heavier and thinner around ovulation and before your period.
Sexual arousal: Sexual arousal can cause an increase in vaginal discharge, which helps to lubricate the vagina for sex.
Pregnancy: Discharge is often increased during pregnancy due to increased blood flow to the vagina.
Certain medications: Some medications, such as birth control pills, can affect vaginal discharge.
Infectious causes:
Bacterial vaginosis: This is the most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge. It is caused by an overgrowth of "bad" bacteria in the vagina, which can lead to a fishy Odor and discharge that is grey, white, or green.
Yeast infection: This is another common cause of abnormal discharge. It is caused by an overgrowth of yeast in the vagina, which can lead to itching, burning, and discharge that is thick and white.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Some STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, can cause abnormal vaginal discharge. The discharge may be yellow, green, or pus-like, and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, burning, or bleeding.
Non-infectious causes:
Douching: Douching is the practice of cleaning the vagina with a liquid solution. Douching can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina and lead to abnormal discharge.
Irritants: Soaps, perfumes, detergents, and other irritants can cause itching, burning, and discharge.
Allergic reactions: Some women may have an allergic reaction to spermicides, latex condoms, or other products used in the vagina. This can cause itching, burning, and discharge.
Medical conditions: Some medical conditions, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and cervical cancer, can cause abnormal vaginal discharge.
When to see a doctor?
It is important to see a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Discharge that is green, yellow, or gray
Discharge that has a strong odor
Discharge that is accompanied by itching, burning, or pain
Discharge that is heavier than usual
Discharge that lasts for more than a week
Bleeding between periods
Vaginal Discharge Treatment
How you treat vaginal discharge will depend on what’s causing the issue. Some examples include:
Yeast infection: Abnormal vaginal discharge caused by a yeast infection is usually treated with antifungal medications. These come as pills, as well as creams or gels that can be inserted directly into the vagina.
Bacterial vaginosis: If the discharge is caused by bacterial vaginosis, it can be treated with antibiotic pills or creams.
Trichomoniasis: For “trich” infections, your doctor will usually prescribe the drug metronidazole or tinidazole.
Tips to prevent vaginal infections & discharge
There's no need to put soap directly in your vagina.
Never douche or use scented soaps and feminine products in your vaginal area. Also, avoid feminine sprays and bubble baths.
After going to the bathroom, always wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from getting into your vagina and causing an infection.
Wear 100% cotton underwear, and avoid overly tight clothing.
FAQ
What causes blood red to dried brown vaginal discharge?
Red bloody discharge is common during periods. Colours might range from cherry red at the beginning of your period to rusty brown. Some people have Irregular periods and spotting. Others experience spotting due to their birth control method or hormonal changes.
What causes cream or milky white vaginal discharge?
A variety of white shades of discharge, from eggshell to cream, can be common. Unless your discharge is accompanied by certain textures or smells, don’t fret too much. milky white vaginal discharge can occur for many of the same reasons as clear discharge.
What causes pale yellow to neon green vaginal discharge?
Pale yellow discharge is more common than you might think. Sometimes the colour is daffodil yellow. Other times it’s more of greener chartreuse. This colour is usually a sign of an infection, but if you know you’re probably in the clear (as in it’s a one-off occurrence), what you eat could affect the colour. Some people report this colour change occurring whenever they take new vitamins.
Why causes vaginal discharge to smell?
Yup, healthy vaginal discharge has a smell. The smell comes from the combination of cells and organisms in it. Tack on Sweat from neighbouring groin glands, too. Just like the amount of vaginal discharge secreted is dependent on hormones, so is the smell. This is why you might notice it smells different throughout the month. Sometimes you might not smell it at all.
When should you consult a healthcare professional?
If you’re worried about your discharge colour, amount, or other symptoms, your body is pretty good at letting you know. It’ll send some pretty specific cues, like itching, pain, and burning during urination, to tell you to get a downstairs check-up.
Is it normal to have a lot of discharge every day?
It’s normal to have some vaginal discharge each day. But if it feels like you have an unusually large amount, it could be a sign of an infection.
Who treats abnormal vaginal discharge?
You can treat vaginal discharge caused by a yeast infection with over-the-counter medications. But for other types of infections, such as bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis, your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics.
How does vaginal discharge change if you’re pregnant?
It’s normal to see an increase in the amount of vaginal discharge during pregnancy. This is to prevent infections from traveling up into your uterus. Increased levels of progesterone can also make you produce more discharge. You should contact your pregnancy care provider if you notice changes in vaginal discharge during pregnancy.
Why do I get vaginal infections?
You might have a higher risk of getting infections if you:
Have sex without protection or with many partners.
Have untreated or under-treated diabetes.
Take birth control pills.
Are taking antibiotic medicine.
Have an HIV infection or have a decreased immunity.
Use certain soaps, sprays or detergents.
Douche.
When is vaginal discharge a sign of an infection?
Your vaginal discharge might be a sign of an infection if it:
Causes itching.
Causes swelling.
Has a bad or fishy-smelling odour.
Is green, yellow or grey.
Looks like cottage cheese or pus.
Causes pelvic pain or pain when you pee.
Why choose Dr.(Smt) Sanju Agrawal for Vaginal Discharge Treatment in Indore?
Treat Vaginal Discharge Concerns with Confidence: Choose Dr.(Smt) Sanju Agrawal she is the best doctor for vaginal discharge treatment in Indore
Dr. Sanju Agrawal, a leading gynaecologist with an illustrious background holding an MBBS, M.S., and D.N.B in Indore renowned for her compassionate and comprehensive approach to women's health. With extensive experience in treating vaginal discharge issues, Dr. Agrawal offers: Accurate Diagnosis, Personalized Treatment Plans, Gentle and Effective Care & a Supportive Environment
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