Dr Dulcy on women’s health
VAGINAL DISCHARGE: IT COULD BE A YEAST INFECTION OR SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS There are several different types, so learn about them.
Vaginal discharge can be a normal and regular occurrence. However, there are certain types of discharge that can indicate an infection. Abnormal discharge may be yellow or green, chunky in consistency, or have a foul smell.
Abnormal discharge is usually caused by fungal or bacterial infection. If your discharge looks unusual or is foul-smelling, or you have other symptoms like pelvic pain and burning on passing urine, you should see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
There are several different types of vaginal discharge.
These types are categorised based on their colour and consistency. Some types of discharge are normal, but others may indicate an underlying condition that requires treatment. A bit of white discharge, especially at the beginning or end of your menstrual cycle, is normal. However, if the discharge is accompanied by itching and has a thick, cottage cheeselike consistency or appearance, it’s not normal and needs treatment. This type of discharge may be a sign of a yeast infection. A clear and watery discharge is perfectly normal.
It may be especially heavy after exercise. Ovulation can be accompanied by discharge as well, which is clear but stretchy and mucous-like. This is normal. Brown or bloody discharge is usually normal, especially when it occurs during or right after your menstrual cycle. A late discharge at the end of your period can look brown instead of red.
You may also experience a small amount of bloody discharge in between periods, which is called spotting. Spotting during the normal time of your period and if you have recently had sex without protection, could be a sign of pregnancy. Spotting during an early phase of pregnancy can be a sign of miscarriage, so it should be discussed with your gynaecologist. In rare cases, brown or bloody discharge can be a sign of advanced cervical cancer.
This is why it’s important to get a yearly pelvic exam and pap smear, during which your gynaecologist will check for cervical abnormalities.
A yellow or green discharge, especially when it’s thick, chunky, or accompanied by a bad smell, is not normal. This may be a sign of the infection trichomoniasis, which is commonly a sexually transmitted infection.
If you have unusual discharge with other symptoms such as a fever, pain in the abdomen, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or increased urination, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.
Your doctor may want to take a scraping from your cervix to check for HPV or cervical cancer. Your discharge may also be examined under a microscope.
CAUSES OF VAGINAL DISCHARGE
Normal discharge is healthy, and it’s your body’s way of cleaning and protecting the vagina. It’s normal for discharge to increase with exercise, sexual arousal, ovulation, birth control pill use, and emotional stress. Abnormal vaginal discharge, however, is usually caused by an infection.
BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS
Bacterial vaginosis is a bacterial infection and is common. This causes increased vaginal discharge that has a strong, foul and sometimes fishy odour, although it produces no symptoms in some cases. Women who receive oral sex or who have multiple sexual partners have an increased risk of acquiring this infection.
TRICHOMONIASIS
This is another type of infection, but a protozoan (a single-celled organism) causes it. The infection is usually spread by sexual contact, but it can also be contracted by sharing towels or bathing suits. This infection results in a yellow or green discharge that has a foul odour.
2 days
to 14 days a er exposure, symptoms usually occur
YEAST INFECTION
A yeast infection is a fungal infection that produces white, cottage cheese-like discharge in addition to burning and itching sensations. The presence of yeast in the vagina is normal, but its growth can multiply out of control in certain situations.
The following may increase your likelihood of yeast infections: stress, diabetes, oral contraceptives, pregnancy, overuse of antibiotics (especially prolonged use over 10 days).
Vaginal yeast infections, also known as candidiasis, are a common condition among females. A healthy vagina has bacteria and some yeast cells.
But when the balance of bacteria and yeast changes, the yeast cells can multiply. This causes intense itching, swelling, and irritation.
Treating a vaginal yeast infection can relieve symptoms within a few days. In more severe cases, it may take up to two weeks.
Vaginal yeast infections aren’t considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Sexual contact can spread it, but women who aren’t sexually active can also get them.
Vaginal yeast infections have a common set of symptoms, such as: vaginal itching, swelling around the vagina, burning during urination or sex, pain during sex, soreness, redness and rash.
GONORRHOEA AND CHLAMYDIA
Gonorrhoea and chlamydia are sexually transmitted infections and can produce an abnormal discharge, which is often yellow, greenish, or cloudy. Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria.
People who have chlamydia often do not have outward symptoms in the early stages. That might make you think you shouldn’t worry. However, chlamydia can cause health problems in the later stages, including preventing women from getting pregnant or even endangering their pregnancies.
If you have unprotected sex with someone whose STI status you’re not certain of, get tested. You should get tested every time you might have been exposed. Gonorrhea passes from person to person through unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal sex. People with numerous sexual partners or those who don’t use a condom are at greatest risk of infection.
Symptoms usually occur within two to 14 days after exposure. Some people infected with gonorrhoea never develop symptoms. It’s important to remember that a person with gonorrhoea who doesn’t have symptoms, also called a non-symptomatic carrier, is still contagious. A person is more likely to spread the infection to other partners when they don’t have noticeable symptoms.
PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE
Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection that is often spread by sexual contact. It occurs when bacteria spreads up the vagina and into other reproductive organs. It may produce a heavy, foul-smelling discharge.
HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) OR CERVICAL CANCER
The human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which is spread by sexual contact, can lead to cervical cancer. While there may be no symptoms, this type of cancer can produce a bloody, brown, and/ or watery discharge with a bad odour. Cervical cancer can easily be prevented or found with yearly pap smears and HPV testing.
HOME CARE FOR VAGINAL DISCHARGE
You should practice good hygiene and wear breathable cotton underwear. Don’t use douches because they can make discharge worse by removing useful bacteria. You should also practice safe sex and use protection to avoid sexually transmitted diseases. To decrease the likelihood of yeast infections when taking antibiotics, eat yoghurt that contains live and active cultures. If it is a yeast infection, you can also treat it with an over-the-counter yeast infection cream or suppository.