Vaginal discharge is a normal bodily function, but changes in its color, consistency, or smell can indicate underlying health issues. Here are 5 important things that your vaginal discharge can reveal about your health, including potential causes and what to do about them.
- No discharge only dryness
Typically, your vagina should be warm and moist. Natural discharge helps to lubricate the surrounding regions.
So when you feel that your vagina is dry and even blistered, this is a distress sign.
Estrogen triggers natural lubrication of the vagina. But the insufficient supply of this vital female hormone may disrupt vaginal moistness.
The National Institute of Health reports that, experiencing dryness in the vagina can be a distressing sign. Estrogen is responsible for triggering the natural lubrication of the vagina. However, an inadequate supply of this essential female hormone can lead to disruptions in vaginal moistness. Low estrogen levels may result in vaginal dryness, which can cause discomfort and affect sexual well-being.
The female hormone dwindles with age. Hence you may think that this dryness down under only affects menopausal women.
This is far from reality because the condition isn’t limited to elderly women and happens to younger women also. Why? Your overall health may tamper with this self-lubricating process.
A spike in estrogen can occur for one week and then subdues for the rest of the month.
Hormonal levels decline when you are pregnant and lactating, which is okay. But excessive stress wipes your ability to moisten the vagina naturally.
Hence when you aren’t a newborn mother, vaginal dryness is a sign that you are battling too much anxiety and stress.
- Clumpy-like cottage cheese discharge
Vaginal discharge is as normal as saliva. But the secretion varies with your menstrual cycle.
A normal discharge is a whitish or transparent gel that leaves a whitish or light yellowish mark on your pant when it dries.
Besides, it is usually odorless or has a mild odor. This is due to its composition.
Vaginal discharge comprises dead cells and mucus passing through the sweat glands located deep in the vulvar vestibules.
But what happens when your discharge is lumpy and resembles cottage cheese? This type of discharge could point to a vaginal infection.
Thrush is an infection affecting the skin around the vaginal opening. It’s caused by an overgrowth of a fungus called Candida albicans.
A moderate propagation of this fungus is beneficial to the vaginal environment. Unfortunately, it tends to overspread, overrunning good bacteria as a result.
Once it spread, it causes discomfort. Its symptoms include vaginal itchiness and redness accompanied by a sweet or yeast-like smell.
- Thin greyish discharge
If a discharge has a whitish-gray color, it’s normal. But when it’s smelling like fish, you need to pay particular attention.
Usually, your vagina is an entire ecosystem with bacteria and other microorganisms living in harmony. Here, the good and the bad bacteria coexist and work in harmony to maintain cleanliness and calm.
Both these bacteria present in the vagina help to keep the condition within a certain acceptable range. But engaging in some vices could increase bad bacteria levels, reducing the ratio of the good ones.
Unsafe sex, having multiple partners, and even douching disrupts this delicate balance. This situation changes the viscosity and smell of the discharge.
As a result, you may hence notice a greyish thin flow. This type of discharge is associated with the presence of Bacterial Vaginitis or BV.
These bacteria alter the fragile cervical condition, causing abnormal vaginal discharge. The discharge is usually accompanied by irritation.
- Greenish-yellow foamy discharge
A sexually transmitted parasite called Trichomoniasis Vaginalis invades the vagina and urethra. It’s also called Trich.
Once you get infected, you notice several changes. You realize you have Trich when you have pain during urination or sex.
According to the study reported by Health line, Trichomoniasis Vaginalis, a sexually transmitted parasite commonly known as Trich, can invade the vagina and urethra. This infection is caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis and is commonly referred to as Trich for short. It is essential to be aware of this sexually transmitted infection and take necessary precautions to protect sexual health.
Besides, your vaginal discharge turns greenish-yellow. The strong stench is accompanied by a twitchy vagina, which creates an urge to scratch.
Luckily, this parasitic infection is treatable by medication. It takes just a week to clear it, but then you have to ensure that your partner is also treated.
Otherwise, you may end up contacting it again during subsequent sex.
But you could get infected by sharing infected towels or using an infected washroom. Thus maintain proper hygiene in addition to safe sex all the time.
Uterine fibroids could also manifest in a yellowish discharge. This noncancerous cell growth in the uterus can cause wide discharge spectra, including yellowish green.
- White transparent discharge
A white transparent and odorless discharge is what you expect to see coming out of your vagina. It could be thin or thick and sticky. It may also be slippery and stretchy.
All these changes signify changes in your body. Mucus is typically meant to moisturize the vagina.
According to the research published by WebMD, mucus in the vagina plays several vital functions within the reproductive system. Its composition and texture vary during the menstrual cycle, and these changes are essential for fertility and overall reproductive health. The different types of mucus produced at various stages of the menstrual cycle influence fertility and help support the chances of conception.
Mucus is a routine plumbing mechanism for the maintenance of female reproductive health. They help remove sweat, and dead cells, and maintain optimum pH levels.
When volume increases and the mucus is thin and milky, it may be a sign of early pregnancy, less than two weeks.
Sometimes, the mucus thickens significantly and gets stretchy and creamy viscosity like egg whites. This indicates that your periods are around the corner.
The changes are caused by increased progesterone. Similarly, supple estrogen makes the mucus clear and stretchy.
But during sexual arousal, the mucus flow increases. A spike in blood flow to the vagina widens mucus glands for additional lubrication.
To bring everything together, we gave people five things their vaginal discharge reveals about their overall health. We are confident that through this information, you can learn about your vaginal discharge and what it tells you about your overall health.
Vaginal Discharge Causes
and Treatment
Vaginal discharge is a common occurrence among women of reproductive age. It refers to the fluid or mucus that is secreted from the vagina. This discharge can vary in color, consistency, and odor, and can be influenced by several factors such as hormonal changes, infections, and certain medications. While some amount of vaginal discharge is normal and even necessary for maintaining vaginal health, an abnormal or excessive discharge can be a sign of an underlying condition. In this paper, we will discuss the causes and treatment options for vaginal discharge.
Causes of Vaginal Discharge:
1. Hormonal changes: The vaginal discharge is influenced by hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle. Estrogen, a hormone that is responsible for maintaining vaginal health, increases in the first half of the cycle, leading to an increase in the amount of discharge. This discharge is usually clear or white in color and does not have a strong odor.
2. Infections: Vaginal infections are one of the most common causes of abnormal vaginal discharge. These infections can be caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses and can lead to changes in the color, consistency, and odor of the discharge.
– Bacterial vaginosis (BV): BV is a common bacterial infection that occurs when there is an imbalance in the normal bacteria present in the vagina. The discharge in BV is usually thin, greyish-white, and has a fishy odor.
– Yeast infection: Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans. The discharge in a yeast infection is thick, white, and has a cottage cheese-like consistency.
– Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis can also cause abnormal vaginal discharge. The discharge in these infections may be yellow, green, or frothy and often has a foul odor.
3. Cervical conditions: Certain conditions affecting the cervix, such as cervical polyps, cervicitis, or cervical cancer, can also cause abnormal vaginal discharge. The discharge may be watery, bloody, or have a foul odor.
4. Allergic reactions: Some women may experience an allergic reaction to certain products, such as soaps, perfumes, or latex condoms, which can lead to irritation and abnormal discharge.
Treatment Options:
The treatment for vaginal discharge depends on the underlying cause. It is essential to consult a healthcare provider to determine the cause of the abnormal discharge and receive appropriate treatment. Some common treatment options include:
1. Antibiotics: Bacterial infections such as BV or STIs are usually treated with antibiotics. It is crucial to complete the full course of antibiotics even if the symptoms improve to prevent recurrence.
2. Antifungals: Yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal medications, such as clotrimazole or fluconazole. In severe or recurrent cases, a healthcare provider may prescribe a stronger antifungal medication.
3. Hormonal therapy: In some cases, hormonal imbalances can contribute to abnormal vaginal discharge. Hormone therapy, such as oral contraceptives, may be recommended to regulate hormone levels and reduce the amount of discharge.
4. Removal of cervical polyps: If the abnormal discharge is caused by cervical polyps, they may need to be removed by a healthcare provider.
5. Lifestyle changes: Making certain lifestyle changes, such as avoiding scented products, wearing cotton underwear, and practicing good hygiene, can help prevent and manage abnormal vaginal discharge.
Prevention:
While some causes of vaginal discharge cannot be prevented, there are certain measures that can reduce the risk of developing an infection or imbalance:
1. Practice safe sex: Using condoms during sexual activity can help prevent the spread of STIs and reduce the risk of developing an infection.
2. Avoid douching: Douching can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina and increase the risk of developing an infection.
3. Practice good hygiene: Keeping the genital area clean and dry, and wiping from front to back after using the bathroom can help prevent infections.
4. Choose breathable underwear: Wearing cotton underwear and avoiding tight-fitting clothes can help keep the genital area dry and prevent the growth of bacteria.
Conclusion:
Vaginal discharge is a common occurrence in women, and in most cases, it is a normal part of the reproductive cycle. However, when the discharge is abnormal, it can be a sign of an underlying condition that requires medical attention. It is essential to consult a healthcare provider if you experience any changes in your vaginal discharge to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment. By practicing good hygiene and making certain lifestyle changes, you can reduce the risk of developing an abnormal discharge and maintain vaginal health.
