Discharge what is it

Vaginitis refers to inflammation of the vagina. It can be caused by bacterial vaginosis BV , yeast infections, trichomoniasis, allergies,…. Visit The Symptom Checker. Read More.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Alcohol Abuse. Home Diseases and Conditions Vaginal Discharge. Table of Contents. What is vaginal discharge? What changes may be a sign of a problem? Signs of yeast infections White, cottage cheese-like discharge Swelling and pain around the vulva Intense itching Painful sexual intercourse Signs of bacterial vaginosis A white, gray, or yellowish vaginal discharge A fishy odor that is strongest after sex or after washing with soap Itching or burning Slight redness and swelling of the vagina or vulva Signs of trichomoniasis A watery, yellowish, or greenish bubbly discharge An unpleasant odor Pain and itching when urinating Most apparent after your period.

What causes vaginal discharge? Many things can disturb the balance of a healthy vagina, including: Douching Feminine hygiene sprays Certain soaps or bubble baths Antibiotics Diabetes Pregnancy Infections How can douching be harmful?

How is vaginal discharge diagnosed? What is a yeast infection? What is bacterial vaginosis? What is trichomoniasis? What about other infections? Can vaginal discharge be prevented or avoided? After using the toilet, always wipe from front to back. This may help prevent getting bacteria from your rectal area into your vagina. Wear cotton underpants during the day.

Avoid wearing tight pants, pantyhose, swimming suits, biking shorts, or leotards for long periods. Change your laundry detergent or fabric softener if you think it may be irritating your genital area. The latex in condoms and diaphragms and the sperm-killing gels that are used for birth control can be irritating for some women.

Only you know your body. See what your vaginal discharge and other symptoms may be telling you. Opinions, content and any information expressed on or linked with this website, are intended to be general in nature and do not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Always seek medical advice from your professional healthcare provider. What is Vaginal Discharge? Recognizing Normal and Abnormal Discharge Changes that may signal a problem include an increase in the amount of discharge, and a change in the color, smell or texture of the discharge.

All is well Thick, white, and may resemble cottage cheese Vaginal yeast infection Vaginal itching, burning, soreness, or pain.

Do you have a yeast infection? Reviewed by: Robyn R. Miller, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Vaginal Discharge? What Is Normal Vaginal Discharge? Other symptoms might include: 3 Itching Burning Irritation Redness Pain during urination and sexual intercourse.

Your doctor may perform the following tests: 4 Pelvic exam involves your doctor examining the vagina and cervix by putting pressure on the uterus and ovaries to check for abnormalities in the tissue and organs. Wet mount examines a sample of discharge to look for a yeast, bacterial, or trichomonas infection. STD testing involves sending a sample of the discharge to a lab to test for gonorrhea , chlamydia , trichomonas or other organisms that may be causing the discharge.

Medication Options Treating the underlying issue for vaginal discharge might include medications, such as: 3,4 Corticosteroid cream like hydrocortisone or oral antihistamines to relieve itching Antibiotic medication to treat bacteria that cause infections Vaginal cream containing estrogen to treat vaginitis due to menopause Alternative and Complementary Therapies Self-care at home for vaginal discharge might include: 1,3 Over-the-counter antifungal cream for yeast infection Cold compress to relieve itching, swelling, or discomfort of the vulva Abstaining from sexual intercourse until irritation is gone, or having penetrative sex with a condom Keeping the genital area clean by washing daily without soap or with mild, nonallergenic soap, and rinsing and drying completely Changing underwear daily and cleaning the body daily.

If left untreated, some complications can develop, including the following: 5 , 6 If trichomoniasis or bacterial vaginosis is present, there's an increased the risk of sexually transmitted infections because of inflammation. Having symptomatic bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis while pregnant has been linked to premature deliveries and low birth weight. If left untreated, gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease PID. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause ectopic pregnancy in women.

The following are related to vaginal discharge: 1 Vaginal itching Bacterial vaginosis Yeast infection Sexually transmitted diseases , such as chlamydia , gonorrhea , or trichomoniasis Cervicitis Pelvic inflammatory disease Vaginitis Vaginal atrophy Vaginal fistula Cervical cancer Vaginal cancer Pregnancy Menopause. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. Mayo Clinic. February 14, Cervical Mucus Monitoring. UNC School of Medicine.

Barad DH.