Determine what kind of discharge you have. Normally, vaginal discharge is clear or milky, depending on the day of the menstrual cycle. This natural lubricant is odorless; cleans and protects the vagina from bacteria. The secretions can also be scanty, viscous, or contain epithelial cells, in any case they should not cause discomfort. If you have such discharge, do not try to get rid of them. The presence of natural secretions maintains a healthy vaginal flora and prevents the development of infections.

Learn to distinguish the color and smell of vaginal discharge. Unusual color and bad smell can be a sign of pelvic infections after surgery. Pelvic inflammatory disease, vaginal atrophy during menopause, trichomoniasis and vaginitis. All of the above diseases must be diagnosed by a doctor in order to carry out appropriate treatment.

Consider the condition of your body. The nature of the secretions can change under the influence of various factors. The main ones are: nutrition, the period of ovulation, taking hormonal or medications, pregnancy, lactation and stress. Keep in mind that any of these factors can change vaginal discharge.

Taking antibiotics or perfumed hygiene products can upset the natural pH balance of the vagina.
Patients with diabetes are also at risk.

The presence of foreign objects. Finding a foreign body in the vagina can provoke pathological discharge. For example, a tampon left for a long time or part of a torn condom.

Learn the difference between the colors and smells of your secretions. A colorless discharge and an unpleasant smell in the vaginal area can be a sign of a pelvic infection after surgery, pelvic inflammatory disease, vaginal atrophy during menopause, trichomoniasis or vaginitis and a number of other vaginal infections, if you suspect an infection, be sure to consult a doctor . In addition to the fact that unusual discharge can be a sign of cancer and other sexually transmitted diseases, untimely treatment can lead to infertility and other serious consequences.

With bacterial vaginosis, the discharge is: gray, white or yellow, and also has a fishy smell.
If you have gonorrhea, you may have cloudy or yellow discharge.
White cheesy discharge is a symptom of yeast infections and can also be a manifestation of various sexually transmitted infections.
If you have irregular periods or cervical cancer, you may find bloody or brown discharge.
With trichomoniasis, a yellow-green, frothy discharge with an unpleasant odor is observed.
If you can't make an appointment with a doctor on your own, but you don't feel like talking to your parents about it, tell them that you have a menstrual irregularity and you need to see a gynecologist.
Before you determine the cause of unusual discharge, avoid taking medications. If this is the first time you have experienced the symptoms of a yeast infection, it is highly recommended that you see your doctor for a professional diagnosis.

Vaginal discharge normally does not cause any inconvenience to a woman. However, many strive to get rid of any vaginal discharge completely, considering it to be a sign of disease or impurity, not realizing that the discharge is as normal as salivation in the mouth.

Allocations are a kind of signal for a woman. If they dramatically change their color and smell, this is a sign of a possible disease.

Vaginal discharge: description, meaning and characteristics

Vaginal discharge is absolutely normal and does not indicate any pathology or disease. The vagina itself is lined from the inside with a mucous layer with many glands that secrete mucus. If you know what discharge is considered normal, you can suspect an inflammatory process in time and consult a doctor.

Like the intestines, the vagina has its own microflora. It is inhabited by various bacteria, fungi that maintain the condition of the mucosa, protect the walls of the vagina and uterus from the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.Trying to get rid of secretions completely is not only pointless, but also dangerous. The absence of any mucus indicates that the mucosa does not have a protective layer, which means that the path for infection is open.

Discharge is the process of cleansing and protecting a woman's genitals.

Normally, in a woman, starting from the moment of the arrival of the first menstruation, mucus is regularly released from the vagina, supporting the microflora of the genital organs. The amount of mucus may increase during ovulation or before menstruation. Before the onset of menstruation, there should be no vaginal discharge. Regular secretion of mucus before puberty speaks of pathological processes in the body, inflammation, etc.

The composition of vaginal discharge is determined by cells and various microorganisms. Normally, they may contain coccal bacteria, viruses, and fungi, but with active reproduction, they will cause an inflammatory process.

Allotments include:

Slime from . The cervix contains glands that secrete mucus that protects the uterus from infection.
Epithelial cells from the uterus. Epithelial cells are constantly updated, and the old ones descend into the vaginal cavity and go outside.
Various microorganisms. The flora of the vagina is represented by various lactic acid bacteria, cocci bacteria, Dederlein sticks, and also in small quantities. Conditionally pathogenic bacteria can also be contained in secretions, however, at the onset of the inflammatory process, their number increases, which leads to various.

Color: the norm and possible diseases

Gynecologists say that normal discharge in a healthy woman is scanty, transparent and odorless. However, taking into account the physiological characteristics of the body, the color of the discharge can vary to yellow.

As soon as the inflammatory process begins in the vaginal cavity, the color of the discharge changes. This is a signal to see a doctor and pass. It is not recommended to self-diagnose based on the color of vaginal discharge alone. The same symptom can be a manifestation of different.

What the color says:

Yellow. Yellow discharge from the vagina does not always indicate pathology. If they are light, not plentiful, then this is the norm. Even brighter yellow discharge is considered normal if it appears a day or two before menstruation. In this case, there is no reason for concern. Vaginal discharge of a pronounced yellow color is a sign of an inflammatory process, if they have a sharp unpleasant odor, increase sharply in quantity, which was not observed before, and are also accompanied by irritation and redness of the genital organs.
Green. The green color of the discharge in any case does not apply to the norm. Even if other signs of inflammation have not yet appeared, this is already a signal that should not be ignored. As a rule, green discharge indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the vagina. The secretions turn green when the amount increases in them. Green discharge sometimes appears with vaginitis, inflammation, cirvicitis (inflammation of the cervical canal).
White. White or milky discharge is considered normal if they appear in small amounts, do not have a pronounced odor and are not accompanied by pain, cramps, itching. Thick and profuse white discharge may contain pus. As a rule, they are accompanied by an unpleasant odor.
Red. The red discharge contains blood. They are perfectly normal during menstruation and the day before (scanty spotting). Breakthroughs and spotting between periods can be a symptom of cervical cancer, early miscarriage, etc.

Smell and consistency: types, norm and pathology

In the absence of diseases, vaginal discharge has no odor. They are watery, not abundant, without inclusions and seals, clots. The consistency of the discharge may depend on the characteristics of the body. Even if the discharge has become somewhat thicker, this cannot be considered a pathology in the absence of other signs of inflammation.

A change in consistency is more often said when other symptoms appear, for example, when there is a change in color, the appearance of an odor, blood, etc. The appearance of bloody dense discharge with obvious clots and pain requires medical attention and consultation with a gynecologist.

In the case of odors, any unpleasant smell that was not there before is taken into account. It is advisable to visit a gynecologist if any smell appears, but sometimes the cause of this condition is insufficient personal hygiene.

You need to take into account the smell that appears on the condition that a woman is washed daily, changes linen and towels:

Sour smell. Most often, the sour smell of secretions occurs with the active reproduction of fungi (with candidiasis). In the people, this disease is called thrush. Yeast fungi begin to actively multiply with a decrease in immunity, causing an unpleasant sour smell, foamy or thick curdled discharge, itching and irritation of the genital organs. This disease occurs in many women and is not completely cured. In the presence of provoking factors, thrush may appear again.
The smell of fish. The pungent smell of fish in the discharge indicates more often vaginosis. The balance of beneficial and pathogenic bacteria in the vagina is disturbed, gray or greenish discharge appears with a strong unpleasant smell of stale fish.
Metallic smell. A metallic smell (smell,) occurs with bloody discharge. If they appear in the middle of the cycle, accompanied by severe pain, this may be a sign of an inflammatory disease or cervical cancer.
Putrid smell. The smell of rot, as well as abundant yellow discharge, can also be signs of cancerous tumors.

What to do if the discharge is bad

The first thing to do when suspicious discharge appears is to consult a doctor and go through. The gynecologist will listen to complaints, conduct an examination and take. A smear analysis will help identify the infection and clarify the pathogen.

It is not recommended to self-diagnose and begin treatment, attributing any discharge to thrush. Taking various antifungal drugs in the absence of candidiasis can only aggravate the situation.

If it is not possible to see a doctor at the moment, you can use universal anti-inflammatory topical agents that will help relieve symptoms before contacting a doctor. These drugs include Lactagel. This is a vaginal gel in the form of microtubes for single use. The drug helps to restore the normal microflora of the vagina, enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria. However, this measure cannot be considered universal for any disease.

To cure the cause of unpleasant discharge, it is necessary to make a diagnosis and undergo a comprehensive full-fledged treatment.

After the diagnosis is made, it is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations of the gynecologist. Many diseases can be recurrent, so interrupting the course of treatment at the first sign of improvement is not recommended.

No inflammatory and infectious diseases of the genital area should be treated at home with folk remedies. Only complete treatment and regular monitoring will help to avoid such serious complications as cancer, chronic inflammatory diseases, etc.

More information about vaginal discharge can be found in the video:

Most often, the treatment of such conditions begins with drug therapy. The doctor prescribes oral antibacterial or antifungal drugs, as well as topical suppositories, ointments, gels, douches to eliminate the infection. Often, for a full recovery, it is important to be treated together with a partner.

In some cases, physiotherapy, diagnostic and therapeutic curettage, as well as therapy to restore the normal microflora of the vagina are prescribed.

Any discharge from the vagina during the period causes concern in a woman for fear of harming the child and infecting. Most often frightening are spotting during pregnancy.

They may not be plentiful or they may be quite plentiful. In any case, bleeding during pregnancy is a bad sign. You need to see a doctor immediately. Sometimes spotting does not bring serious, but it is better to play it safe.In addition to bloody discharge, a pregnant woman may have discharge with an unpleasant odor and a changed color, which indicates an inflammatory process and also requires immediate treatment.

Types of selections:

White. During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur, which leads to an increase in the amount of discharge. It is perfectly normal if the discharge is clear, odorless and does not cause irritation, burning or redness. It is worth paying attention to the so-called mucous plug. It is a clot of mucus streaked with blood. It is formed in the area of the cervical canal and protects the uterus and the child from infection. The cork should come out before childbirth. If she came out earlier, this indicates a premature birth, the woman needs to be hospitalized.
Yellow discharge. If the discharge has a yellowish tint, this is not a pathology. Dark or rich yellow discharge with an unpleasant odor is a sign of an inflammatory process.
Brown. Brown discharge indicates the presence of clotted blood in the discharge. Like scarlet blood, such discharge may not be normal during pregnancy. They can indicate both an ectopic pregnancy and a possible threat of miscarriage. This may cause pain in the lower abdomen. If the gestational age is long enough, such discharge is attributed to the beginning of the birth process. They can appear simultaneously with contractions.

Any questions about discharge during pregnancy should be discussed with your doctor. The presence of an inflammatory process in the vagina is dangerous for.

Vaginal discharge can occur for a variety of reasons. They are divided into physiological, that is, normal, and pathological, which arise due to various diseases. A diagnosis based on this symptom cannot be established, so you should contact a gynecologist for an examination. Normally, the discharge contains mucus, epithelial cells, glycogen, bacteria, which are normally found in the vagina, and a secret from the Bartholin glands. Normally, their color is either transparent or whitish, and they are slightly viscous in consistency, sometimes small lumps may appear in them. There is no smell in the absence of pathology, and up to 5 ml per day is considered a normal volume.

Whites are physiological secretions, but are often copious and have an atypical odor. Because of them, a woman feels moisture and itching in the perineum. The cause of such a discharge can be various diseases of the pelvic organs, such as adnexitis, or sexual infections. They can also occur due to allergies to contraceptives or personal hygiene items.

The origin of leucorrhoea can be uterine, tubal or cervical. In the first two cases, they are more liquid in nature and there are many of them. Cervical leucorrhoea is thicker and much less of them.

The appearance of pus in the whites indicates the development of the inflammatory process. If there are streaks of blood or red discharge from the vagina, you should think about a tumor. Curdled leucorrhoea is characteristic of a fungal infection, and a putrid odor appears with genital infections.

Abundant nature of leucorrhoea is acquired against the background of taking contraceptives, with severe hypodynamia and constipation. With these phenomena, a pronounced stagnation develops in the pelvic organs, which contributes to the formation of a vaginal discharge of the type of leucorrhoea.

Mucous discharge

Discharges of a mucous nature are noted the first month after birth, which is associated with hormonal dependence on the mother's body. They form again around 10 years of age. The separation of mucus is periodic in nature, it is similar in consistency to egg white.

At puberty, women begin menstruation, which is cyclical. In its first half (from the first day of menstruation until the moment of ovulation), they are mucous and homogeneous, they can be transparent or white. In the middle of the cycle, they thicken a little and turn brown. After ovulation has passed, they become jelly-like and acquire a sour smell due to lactobacilli. Thus, the natural protection of the vagina from infection occurs. Vaginal discharge increases before menstruation.

During pregnancy, the discharge in women is watery, sometimes plentiful. Before the onset of the period of childbirth, the cervical plug comes out, which looks like a mucous clot, sometimes blood streaks can be noted in it. Very often this moment coincides with the beginning of contractions. If there is a liquid discharge, you should go for a consultation with a female doctor, as excessive amounts of water may drain.

With the appearance of red whites, one can suspect the threat of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, placental abruption, or other pathologies of pregnancy. The right decision would be to call an ambulance and inpatient treatment in gynecology.

White discharge

In puberty, white discharge from the vagina often indicates inflammatory processes in the intestines or pelvis. They are often accompanied by pain when urinating or pulling pains in the lower abdomen or lower back. Hyperthermia may accompany, and signs of inflammation will appear in the blood.

About a year before the onset of menstruation, the female body begins hormonal changes. There are strong secretions, liquid in consistency, having a white color with a sour smell. If no complaints are noted, then this condition should not be treated.

With the onset of sexual activity, the discharge from the vagina also changes, the reasons for this are due to the addition of the male microflora, which differs in composition from the vaginal. After passing the adaptation period, everything returns to normal, but until it has passed, the following changes occur:

more liquid discharge appears;
discharge in color may become white or yellow.

Such changes occur when changing sexual partners. If a woman uses contraceptives or breastfeeds, then the discharge from the vagina becomes more scarce and thickens, which is associated with a decrease in the secretion of female hormones.

Candidiasis

With candidiasis, or as it is popularly called thrush, a cheesy character of the discharge from the vagina appears with a very characteristic sour smell. They are usually white in color. The disease also causes itching and swelling of the genital organs, irritated skin in the perineum. Thrush can be a marker of reduced immunity. Quite often, candidiasis is accompanied by HIV or sexual infections.

Green and yellow highlights

A yellow and green discharge may appear with STIs, gardnerellosis, or with genital inflammatory processes of a nonspecific nature. In the first case, itching and pain during urination will always be present.

Yellow, green, and frothy discharges are found in chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. They are not always abundant, but they often have a frothy character. Such diseases should always be treated as they can lead to infertility.

Gray discharge accompanies gardnerellosis. Very often they have the smell of rotten fish. Pathology does not always need to be treated, since its pathogens normally live in the vagina, but if the amount of discharge has increased, they have acquired a yellowish-green color and become sticky, which means it's time to see a gynecologist.

With colpitis, whites are the main symptom. If the disease worsens, then the discharge becomes stretchy, its quantity increases, turbidity appears, and sometimes pus with streaks of blood. Sometimes there is a smell of rot.

In inflammatory processes in the ovaries and fallopian tubes (salpingitis and adnexitis), leucorrhea is accompanied by pain in the abdomen. With an exacerbation of the processes, the pain is severe, it can be cramping. With chronic diseases, the pain becomes dull and pulling. These diseases usually occur due to STIs, therefore, the discharge is of the same nature.

So, the main causes of green-yellow discharge can be:

STI in case of foamy discharge;
colpitis, adnexitis in the acute period in the case of profuse compartments;
adnexitis, salpingitis in the chronic period in case of minor secretions.

Brown and pink discharge

This color of the vaginal discharge is associated with the presence of blood in them. There are physiological and pathological causes.

Physiological

Ovulation. The allocated secret is not visible on linen, it can be found only on a napkin. Their number is very small.
The end of menstruation, the rejection of the old endometrium and the growth of a new one. The color is pinkish brown.
Taking hormonal drugs. Discharges of a bloody nature. If such secretions continue for more than three months, the drug must be replaced.
Before childbirth. Cervical mucus is secreted with an admixture of blood.

Pathological

Among the pathological causes of this condition are venereal diseases, precancerous and oncological processes, as well as cervical erosion.

In sexually transmitted diseases, in particular, with gonorrhea, pathogens affect the ovaries and fallopian tubes. When streaks of blood appear with pus in the mucus, as well as bleeding outside of menstruation, there is a high probability of gonorrhea, which progresses.

With inflammation of the endometrium, that is, with endometritis, brown discharge may occur before or after menstruation. Sometimes they also happen in the middle of the cycle. Endometritis is often accompanied by the growth of the endometrium, as well as the shortening of the cycle. This can lead to hemorrhagic anemia, hemoglobin can drop to 50 g / l. Among the symptoms should be noted chronic fatigue, dizziness and increasing shortness of breath. It should be noted that the growth of the endometrium is an obligate precancer, that is, with a high degree of probability it can provoke cancer.

In order to eliminate inflammation, long courses of antibiotics are prescribed, which last about 3 months.

Endometriosis is a pathology in which the endometrium grows in the muscular layer of the uterus, in its neck, as well as in the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Very often, the endometrium also grows in the abdominal cavity. Its cells can be brought into places that are atypical for themselves during childbirth, abortion or instrumental examination. A frequent complication of the disease is adhesive disease and infertility.

Symptoms of this disease are pain during menstruation, as well as constant discharge from the vagina of a bloody nature, as well as from all places where the endometrium accumulates. Colposcopy reveals small cysts and nodules, as well as red, bluish, and sometimes white stripes. After menstruation, the amount of discharge decreases, they acquire a brownish tint. By the next monthly number increases again.

Allocations in oncological processes

Vaginal discharge due to oncological processes is a fairly common situation. Most often they appear due to endometrial hyperplasia, as already mentioned above, as well as due to polyps and tumors.

Polyps are formations from the endometrium that are somewhat elongated above it. One of the most common symptoms of polyposis is the appearance of brown discharge and bleeding in the postmenopausal period. During sex, a woman experiences severe discomfort, and after it, spotting may appear.

Polyps can appear due to hormonal imbalance, as well as due to inflammatory processes. The main complication is infertility.

In tumors with uterine localization, uterine bleeding occurs in the later stages. In the early stages, there may sometimes be spotting with a brown tint. Neoplasms are divided into benign, which include the above polyps, myoma and fibromyoma, as well as malignant - endometrial cancer, cervical cancer and others.

If whites with a fetid odor and blood appear, this may be a sign of tumor decay. It should be borne in mind that oncological processes of the uterus metastasize very quickly, so this pathology must be operated on as soon as possible.

Summarizing

There are many causes of vaginal discharge. They can be physiological or pathological. Every woman should monitor her discharge, then it will be easier for her to notice any changes that may alert her. If the amount of such secretions has changed dramatically, their color, smell, texture has changed, this should serve as a reason to visit a gynecologist. It must be remembered that a large number of pathologies are easier to prevent than to treat.

Vaginal discharge is the result of the work of glands located in the mucous membrane of the vagina. By the nature of the discharge, it is possible to assess the state of the organs of the female genital area.

Normal vaginal discharge is not considered a disease, as it is necessary for the normal functioning of the reproductive system. In the vestibule of the vagina and near the cervix, there are secretory glands that produce mucus, which is necessary to moisturize the mucous membrane and form a healthy microflora. Healthy secretions are formed in a small volume, they are transparent, odorless and are not accompanied by pain and itching. When the type of discharge changes, this indicates the presence of a pathological process in the organs of the female genital area.

Types of secretions

Depending on the amount of mucus produced, the discharge is divided into scanty, abundant and normal.

Meager is called discharge, which is not enough for the normal functioning of the vagina and external genitalia. The mucous membranes begin to dry out and crack. During sexual intercourse, friction and pain are felt. Scanty discharge is the result of hormonal changes due to age, endocrine disease, or taking hormonal drugs.

Abundant discharge is called, which leads to a constant feeling of moisture in the vagina. They are visible on underwear. Abundant discharge can be diagnosed in young women during ovulation in the middle of the menstrual cycle, they are transparent and do not have an unpleasant odor. During pregnancy, especially before childbirth, the discharge also becomes more abundant. These are healthy secretions, they should not be feared. If the consistency, volume, color or smell of secretions changes, this indicates the beginning of the pathological process.

Discharge is considered natural if it sufficiently moisturizes the vagina and does not cause anxiety. In the presence of normal discharge, additional moistening of the vagina before intercourse is not required.

The consistency of the discharge varies into watery, mucous, cheesy and foamy.

Liquid discharge - watery and mucous - odorless and colors appear normal. Watery discharge is noted in the middle of the cycle during the period of ovulation, mucous membranes appear during intercourse and serve as a lubricant.
Thick curdled discharge indicates the presence of a fungal infection. Doctors usually diagnose candidiasis. The secretions resemble liquid cottage cheese, they are not uniform in consistency.
Foamy discharge indicates the presence of a bacterial infection. This is especially dangerous if they have an unpleasant odor or a pronounced color. Foamy discharge is the hallmark of trichomoniasis.

The color of the discharge distinguish between transparent (normal), white, bloody, yellow, green and brown.

Clear discharge is normal. Usually they are invisible on underwear and on the body.
Thick white discharge indicates the presence of candidiasis (thrush). In a healthy state, white discharge may appear before childbirth.
Bloody and brown discharge are the most dangerous, as they signal the presence of blood in the vagina. Normally, they occur only during menstruation. When taking hormonal contraception, especially in the first months, the appearance of intermenstrual bleeding is acceptable, this is considered normal and indicates the body's adaptation to artificial hormones. In other cases, bleeding indicates the presence of a serious pathology or the onset of bleeding.
Yellow and green discharge indicates the presence of an infectious-inflammatory process.

By smell, discharges are differentiated without smell, with a sweet smell, with a sour smell, with an unpleasant smell.

The phrase "odorless discharge" is arbitrary, since all human discharge is characterized by some smell. In a healthy state, this smell is pleasant and barely perceptible. It is individual for each person. Since a person feels it constantly, he eventually ceases to feel it. If a woman does not smell the discharge, it can be said that the discharge is odorless.
Discharge with a sweetish or sour smell most often speaks of thrush. Candida fungi use sugar for food, love it and settle in a sugar-rich environment.
Discharge with an unpleasant odor is caused by a bacterial infection. They often smell like stale fish. Anaerobic bacteria give the characteristic smell of fish. The stronger the smell, the stronger the infection.

Reasons for the appearance

Intimate secretions serve as a kind of indicator of the health of the female sphere.

With natural secretions that do not cause discomfort, we can conclude that the organs of the female reproductive system are healthy. However, regular examinations by a gynecologist at the beginning of the cycle are still necessary. Many pathological processes pass without symptoms; only a gynecological examination and laboratory tests can show their presence.

The type of discharge in a healthy woman can be affected by several factors. These are stress, climate change, taking hormonal drugs, taking potent drugs, and allergic reactions. Also, the nature of the discharge can be affected by personal hygiene.

A woman should be concerned when the discharge changes in consistency, acquires a strange color or smell, and their intensity changes. Often, such discharge is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, itching, pain in the perineum, irritation of the external genital organs, and discomfort during urination.

There are some symptoms by which you can preliminarily determine the disease. Of course, an accurate diagnosis is possible only with a doctor after an examination and laboratory diagnosis, but the appearance of some can give a more or less accurate picture of the disease.

White curdled discharge with a sweetish or sour smell indicates candidiasis. Other symptoms of candidiasis are:

burning, itching in the vagina and external genitalia;
swelling of the vagina after intercourse;
pain during urination and during intercourse.

Profuse yellow or foul-smelling bloody discharge may indicate bacterial vaginitis. This is an inflammation of the vagina caused by a violation of the microflora. This means that local immunity cannot restrain the growth of pathogenic bacteria, they attack the cells of the vagina, and the inflammatory process begins. Typical symptoms of bacterial vaginitis:

redness, itching and swelling of the genital organs;
pulling pains in the lower abdomen;
painful intercourse;
a slight increase in body temperature;
weakness and fatigue;
frequent urination.

Abundant frothy leucorrhoea with an unpleasant odor may indicate trichomoniasis. The causative agent of the disease are Trichomonas. The following symptoms are also observed:

irritation of the genitals and inner thighs;
erosion of the mucous membranes of the intimate zone;
pain when urinating;
pain in the lower abdomen;
pain during intercourse.

Homogeneous yellow-green discharge with an unpleasant odor can be a sign of gonorrhea. This is an acute infectious disease caused by gonococcus and sexually transmitted. The symptoms of gonorrhea are:

itching and pain in the urethra and vagina;
increase in body temperature;
separation of pus from the vagina;
frequent painful urination;
enlargement and soreness of the lymph nodes;
weakness;
nausea;
loss of appetite.

Serous-purulent discharge with blood often indicates the presence of a cyst in the uterus or its appendages. Symptoms of a cyst, in addition to spotting, are:

discomfort in the vagina;
pain in the lower abdomen;
pain during intercourse;
increase in menstrual flow;
violation of the menstrual cycle;
painful menstruation.

Bright yellow and green discharge in copious amounts with a very unpleasant odor signal endometritis. This is an inflammation of the uterus caused by bacteria or trauma. Symptoms of endometritis:

acute pain in the abdomen, in its lower part;
fever with chills;
increased heart rate;
painful urination;
weakness;
an increase in the uterus caused by inflammation of the tissues;
heavy and painful periods;
infertility.

Brown discharge during a delay in menstruation can inform about the pathological course of pregnancy, for example, an ectopic pregnancy. You can judge the likelihood of this pathology by the following symptoms:

lack of menstruation;
sharp or cramping pain in the lower abdomen, usually on the side;
toxicosis and other signs of pregnancy.

This is a very dangerous condition that requires immediate medical attention. Even if the pregnancy is uterine, but spotting is present, you should immediately consult a doctor, as this is a sign of a threatened abortion.

Which doctor should I contact for unhealthy vaginal discharge

If the discharge is unnatural in color, smell or consistency, you should visit a gynecologist. The doctor will ask about symptoms, perform a visual examination, take a vaginal swab, and make a diagnosis based on the test results. Analysis of vaginal discharge will show if there is a bacterial, viral or fungal infection, what is the degree of infection. After that, an ultrasound examination of the organs of the reproductive system is prescribed. Ultrasound will show the size of the organs of the female system, their position, the presence of neoplasms, such as cysts or tumors, and will help specify the diagnosis. In addition, the doctor prescribes a complete blood count, cytological examination and / or colposcopy.

With a cyst or tumor, an additional consultation with an oncologist will be required. If you experience heavy discharge against the background of stress, it is useful to consult a psychologist. If sexually transmitted diseases are detected, an immunologist's consultation will be required. With a long course of diseases, it is useful to contact an immunologist and assess the immune status. With abundant discharge against the background of allergies, it is recommended to consult an allergist. In children, unhealthy discharge is assessed by a pediatric gynecologist and pediatrician.

How to treat abnormal vaginal discharge

Treatment of problematic discharge should always be carried out with the participation of a doctor after a thorough diagnosis.

With a bacterial infection and inflammation against its background, antimicrobial drugs are prescribed. Antibiotics are prescribed orally and topically in the form of suppositories, creams, ointments.

For fungal infections, antifungal drugs are prescribed. It is worth remembering that thrush is a local manifestation of extensive damage to the body by a fungus, and its treatment is not limited to suppositories and creams. The bulk of the fungus is in the intestines, so the whole body as a whole, and not just the vagina, should be treated.

With a viral infection, antiviral drugs are prescribed. Viruses are dangerous organisms, and doctors have not yet learned how to effectively treat them. This is where immunity plays an important role.

When neoplasms appear, their conservative treatment or removal is possible. Here the decisive role is played by the nature of the neoplasm - benign or malignant - and the speed of its development.

In uterine pregnancy with the threat of miscarriage, the patient is sent to the hospital, the condition of the uterus, placenta, and fetus is examined. With an ectopic pregnancy, the immediate removal of the fetal egg from the woman's body is required.

In any case, when an unhealthy discharge appears, very careful hygiene is required, since many pathological discharges corrode the skin of the genitals. Sometimes the doctor prescribes baths with medicinal solutions and douching.

There are many folk methods for treating discharge. They sometimes help, but sometimes they can blur the clinical picture and make it difficult to diagnose and treat the disease. Of the folk methods, washing with decoctions of herbs is considered safe and useful. Chamomile, calendula, St. John's wort relieve inflammation, increase local immunity and soothe irritated skin. In no case should foreign objects be introduced into the vagina, as some folk recipes advise. This can harm the microflora and injure the already irritated vaginal mucosa.

How to prevent abnormal vaginal discharge

The first rule of preventing painful discharge is regular hygiene. It is necessary to wash yourself every time after visiting the toilet and in the evening before going to bed. Washing is carried out with clean warm water with special means for intimate hygiene. Ordinary soap can destroy the natural microflora and promote the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Hot water kills beneficial lactobacilli, while cold water can exacerbate a viral infection.

Underwear should be changed daily. Linen should let air through and absorb moisture, therefore, linen made from natural fabrics - cotton, linen is recommended. Synthetic underwear should not be worn all the time. Tight underwear and thongs irritate the skin of the genitals and reduce local immunity. Gynecologists do not advise using panty liners, as they interfere with air exchange. It's better to change your underwear more often.

The nature of the discharge is also affected by nutrition. Eating large amounts of sugary foods raises blood sugar and promotes the rapid growth of Candida.

The appearance of mucous secretions (leucorrhea), which look like snot, is part of the normal physiology of the female body. A variant of the norm is considered to be vaginal discharge of a mucous nature, which has a transparent or white color, and does not have an unpleasant odor.

The released secret takes part in the prevention of drying of the mucous membrane of the walls of the vagina, as well as protection against the penetration of pathogens, while helping the female body. The reasons why these symptoms may develop are very diverse.

Causes of mucus discharge in women

What does it say? Natural mucous discharge from the vagina occurs for various reasons:

It provokes the secretion of mucus when excited.
Experience any stress.
Abrupt climate change.
Treatment with hormone-containing drugs.
Allergy of local or general manifestation.
Improper intimate hygiene.
. Before and after menstruation, the amount and structure of mucus changes significantly.
, which increases the amount of estrogens in the body, which affects the quantitative and qualitative composition of secretions.

Clear vaginal discharge

If the mucus has a transparent structure, while not emitting a pungent odor and not causing discomfort, then this is simply proof of the correct functioning of the reproductive system, i.e. ovaries. Up to 2 ml of such a secret can stand out per day, while a slightly whitish tint does not yet indicate pathology. This is simply the process of cleansing the vagina.

The volume and structure of secretions change according to the phases of the menstrual cycle:

From 1 to 5-7 days - the period of menstruation. First, pink or brown smearing secretions appear, on day 2-4 they include the maximum volume of blood in the form of lumps or clots, on day 5-7 they again decrease to smearing.
From 5-7 to 13-14 days - the period of maturation of the egg. Abundant mucus is not secreted at this time - only about 2 ml of watery, mucous or thick particles with lumps. Do not worry if the color changes from transparent white to yellowish.
14-15 day - the time of ovulation. Estrogen reaches its maximum level, so mucus comes out up to 4 ml. Its structure is stretchy, but sometimes it can be watery, and often even sticky. The shade during this period is the most saturated.
16-28 days - the period before menstruation. The reproductive system calms down a bit - there is less discharge, but before the very end of the cycle, a sudden surge is possible due to an increase in the amount of hormones.

Sign of the disease

The smell and color of discharge, similar to snot, changes when inflammatory processes occur in the body after surgery, as a result of a decrease in immunity, hypothermia, and a violation of the vaginal microflora due to antibiotics. The peculiarity of pathological secretions is that they appear without any connection with the processes of the cycle, and continue after menstruation, when the mucus should be the thickest and produced in an insignificant volume.

Also, discharge in the form of snot, which has an unpleasant odor, is colored yellow, green or gray, frothy, abundant, curdled, indicates diseases of the genitourinary system, including those transmitted through sexual contact.

These include:

or mycoplasmosis;
Genital herpes - snot-like watery discharge, accompanied by the formation of painful blisters on the surface of the external genital organs;
- transparent or white discharge in the form of snot in large quantities with concomitant symptoms of the disease;
Gardnerellosis - discharge is abundant, mucous, gray in color with an unpleasant smell of fish;
- thick mucous discharge in large quantities in the form of curd flakes with a characteristic sour smell;
- discharge is abundant, mucous, green or yellow, due to the admixture of pus;
- profuse mucous discharge in the form of snot of a foamy nature, colored yellow or green.
Vulvovaginitis, endometritis, salpingo-oophoritis - all these are inflammatory diseases of the internal and external genital organs, the manifestation of which is the presence of abundant fetid mucous secretions of yellow or green color.

If any signs of pathology appear in the discharge, it is necessary to visit a gynecologist. An examination will be carried out to determine the cause, and adequate treatment will be prescribed.

Discharge with blood

Discharge in women, like snot with blood, indicates the appearance of a source of bleeding in the genitals. Most often, this is a slight damage to the vascular network of the uterus and its cervix, localized in the mucous layer. It does not yet lead to the development of full bleeding, not associated with menstruation.

The causes of discharge of this nature can be either a cancerous lesion of the cervix, tumor processes of the uterus (, fibromyomas), etc. In any case, the development of just such a symptom is a good reason for an urgent appeal to a gynecologist. In a pregnant woman in the early stages, the appearance of vaginal discharge of this nature usually indicates a potential threat of spontaneous abortion.

In the period after 22-25 weeks of pregnancy and later, the admixture of blood in the mucous secretion may prompt the doctor to think about the presence of a threat of premature detachment of the placenta or its possible presentation (placental tissue is associated with the internal cervical pharynx - a variant of pathology).

When is it considered normal?

They do not belong to the deviations from the norm of excretion that occur after sexual contact. For example, the normal function of the reproductive system may have the following features:

Clear or slightly white clots appear within 1-4 hours after sexual intercourse without the use of a condom.
Fluid, abundant white sputum is discharged in the morning and is evidence of evening or night contact without the use of barrier contraception.
It is also normal to have a scanty white creamy discharge that occurs in response to sexual intercourse with a condom.

Quite often, women have discharge with a brownish tinge, similar in consistency to snot. This is a sign of the presence, in addition to mucus, of bloody impurities. They can appear after taking hormonal contraceptives. If they are not accompanied by pain, discomfort, unpleasant odor and itching, then this should not cause concern for a woman, as it is considered the norm.

If the discharge is mucous and they have a brown tint, in addition, there is an unpleasant pungent odor, then you should consult a doctor who can make a verdict of chronic endometritis.

When is medical attention needed?

If vaginal discharge in the form of clear mucus is not accompanied by such pathological symptoms as an unpleasant odor, impurities of pus or blood, fever, pain and discomfort, then this is considered a variant of the physiological norm.

The following signs are the reason for contacting a medical specialist:

Increase in body temperature;
Aching and cutting sensations in the perineum;
Discomfort and pain during intimacy;
Violation of menstrual function;
Redness, rash and itching on the mucous membrane of the external genital organs;
Drawing pain in the lumbar region.

When one symptom or a combination of them appears, the woman is recommended to immediately undergo a medical examination. The choice of diagnostic and therapeutic tactics is handled by a specialist gynecologist or dermatovenereologist. If an infectious disease of a bacterial nature is detected, the patient is prescribed a course of antibiotic therapy with broad-spectrum drugs. If pathological discharges are provoked by the genital herpes virus, then this problem is solved with the help of antiviral agents. A prime example is the drug Acyclovir.

How to treat?

Normal healthy discharge should not be a concern, it is enough to maintain the required level of personal hygiene. It should be washed twice a day with ordinary water, change linen every day, it is desirable that it be made from natural fabrics. If you have to use panty liners, it is advisable to choose without various flavors and fragrances, as they can provoke microflora disturbances.

If the discharge increases in volume, acquires an unhealthy shade or smell, you should consult a gynecologist as soon as possible. Treatment will depend on the disease that caused the changes in the secret. The main thing is not to delay contacting a specialist, some diseases can be extremely dangerous, they lead to infertility and can even threaten a woman's health.

Prevention

Pathological mucous clear discharge in women is treated depending on what is causing the problem. For example, fungal flora is usually treated with antifungal drugs: they are injected into the vagina in the form of a gel or cream. Bacterial vaginosis is treated with antibiotic tablets or ointments.

Most vaginal infections and other diseases of the internal genital organs can be prevented with simple preventive measures:

Practice good personal hygiene and wash your outer labia regularly with mild soap and warm water.
If possible, limit the use of scented soaps and intimate hygiene gels.
Wear 100% cotton underwear and avoid overly tight clothing.
Always use a condom during sexual intercourse, and be sure to wash yourself after sex.

The female body is arranged in such a way that, in addition to monthly menstruation, transparent vaginal discharge is also observed. Often, such whites are the absolute norm and should not give cause for concern, especially if all preventive measures are followed. But any changes should make a woman see a doctor at least for advice. Be healthy!

(Visited 12 476 times, 5 visits today)

Leisure