What you should know about vaginal discharge?
Vaginal discharge is a combination of fluid and cells continuously shed through your vagina.
Normal vaginal discharge helps keep vaginal tissues healthy, provide lubrication and protect against infection and irritation.
The amount, color and consistency of normal vaginal discharge varies.
Abnormal vaginal discharge — for instance, fluid with an unusual odor or appearance or discharge that occurs along with itching or pain — may be a sign that something's wrong.
Causes
Most causes of abnormal vaginal discharge — such as yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis or menopause symptoms — are relatively harmless, but they can be uncomfortable.
Abnormal vaginal discharge can also be a symptom of certain sexually transmitted infections.
Possible causes of abnormal vaginal discharge include:
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Cervicitis
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Gonorrhea
- Forgotten (retained) tampon
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Vaginitis
- Yeast infection (vaginal)
- Cervical cancer
- Pregnancy
- Vaginal atrophy
When to see a doctor
Schedule a doctor's visit if you have:
- Greenish, yellowish, thick or cheesy vaginal discharge
- Strong vaginal odor
- Redness, itching, burning or irritation of your vagina or the area of skin that surrounds the vagina and urethra (vulva)
- Bleeding or spotting unrelated to your period
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/vaginal-discharge/basics/definition/sym-20050825
