Vaginal Discharge
What is Vaginal Discharge?
A clear and milky sort of liquid that tends to come out from vagina, anytime, is called vaginal discharge. Vagina, a female specific organ, acts as a route between the uterus and other internal reproductive parts of the reproduction system.
Basically, discharge from the vagina is natural and is acidic in nature. Vagina also has pH value that prevents entrance of infection in the internal organs. The discharge secreted by the vagina in normal condition usually keeps it clean and healthy.
Secretion of discharge is normal, but, in some conditions after getting contaminated by any infection it causes certain illnesses in the body. Discharge is actually produced from glands in the vagina and is flown out, along with, the old lining cells of the vagina. It helps in maintaining suitable temperature in the vagina and in keeping it lubricated. It does not have any foully odor and when dries look very much like a milky substance. These spots can be found anytime, any day. It is natural and does not indicate its presence through any alarming activity like pain.
Factors behind secretion of vaginal discharge in normal conditions:
1. Women secrete discharge during their menstrual cycle: It is a very common and general part of woman’s life, facing every month. Fluid comes out from the glands and cervix part of the vagina.
2. In special cases, like in pregnancy or when a woman is taking any birth control pill, she feels discharge secreting from her vagina.
3. At times, when a woman takes emotional stress, she might secrete discharge from the vagina.
4. After child birth, during breastfeeding time, some amount of vaginal discharge is noticed.
5. Discharge is also seen at the time of sexual excitement.
6. Other than this, during ovulation period and depending on the diet some amount of discharge is secreted from the vagina.
7. Discharge is seen continuously coming out from the vagina before 2-3 months to menopause, happening of older women above 40. Again, the condition is very normal and tends to happen due to changes occurring in the body.
8. Normally, discharge is secreted high in volume during middle days of menstrual cycle, means in ovulation period.
Till here, the secretion of vaginal discharge is termed as normal but above this it becomes abnormal and tends to cause several medical complications in the body.
Symptoms of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge
Abnormality in vaginal discharge can be seen by some signs and symptoms it producing:
1. Basically, the discharge coming out changes its color from white or transparent to some yellowish fluid.
2. The amount of discharge secreted becomes high and can create irritation to the woman. Increase in the amount during menstrual period is normal, but else to this condition the symptom indicates abnormality.
3. Itchiness, burning sensation or irritation occurring along with these symptoms, mentioned above, defines abnormality.
4. Presence of blood clots during non-menstrual period indicates medical problem.
5. Turning of vaginal discharge into cheesy-like fluids.
6. The abnormal vaginal discharge further replicates some vaginal infections, affecting patient’s health and comfort.
Causes of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge
1. Previously, in 19th century, women aged between 18-44 years used to douche a lot, in order to keep their vagina clean or for birth control. Since, then the new products to do vaginal douching had been developed. But, then also, the affects are seen in cases of douche usage.
2. Other feminine hygiene products that are not medically certified are contributing high in the spread of the infections.
3. Usage of some specific antibiotics results in abnormal vaginal discharge
4. Again, in special cases, like in pregnancy and in diabetes, some cases of abnormal vaginal discharge are still found.
5. Problem in menstrual cycle also results in abnormal vaginal discharge. Women are more prone to get vaginal infections during this period. It may be caused due to lowering of acidic level of vagina during these days.
Vaginal infections caused by abnormal vaginal discharge:
1. Generally, women face problems of vaginal infections due to attack of some bacteria, yeast, and protozoa. Infections cause when the growth of good microorganisms, in the vagina, gets disturbed by the growth of other bad microorganisms.
2. The infections are indicated due to some symptoms like burning sensation, itching, or increase in secretion, redness in the discharge or swelling in the vagina.
3. Bacterial vaginosis is caused by micro-organisms, named Gardnerella vaginalis, producing very foully odor coming out from the vagina after sexual intercourse.
4. Candida vaginitis is caused by the attack of yeasts in the vagina. The symptoms include two very different conditions, one with no discharge and another with high amount of discharge, and irritation or burning sensation in the vagina.
5. Trichomonos vaginitis is similar to bacterial vaginitis, resulting in discoloration of the discharge, foully smell, and irritation in the vagina.
Diagnosis of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge
The signs and symptoms are in it self very clear to describe the medical complication. Whenever, a woman starts feeling these symptoms in her congenital part she should immediately approach the physician or other doctor.
In the initial stage of the treatment, the doctor might ask some questions regarding the medical history, to be precise presence of any sexually 
transmitted disease. Then, urine tests and microscopic examination of the vagina are taken to confirm the presence of exact disease.
In microscopic examination, doctors insert swab in the vagina to detect presence of microbes in the vagina.
Vaginal discharge is tested to conclude the exact disease.
Treatment of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge
1. Treatment starts after detecting the actual cause of the vaginal problem. In general, doctors prescribe some creams and antibiotics to be applied on the vagina to kill the microbes growing there.
2. Metronidazole is, an oral medication, given to treat bacterial vaginosis. The medication can sometimes cause side-effects like stomach upset or nausea, or vomiting to women who drink alcohol.
3. Some other oral medications like clindamycin are available, along with creams and gels, to treat the disease effectively.
4. Treatment of yeast infection, usually, requires application of vaginal creams or suppositories to be placed in the vagina to help it cure faster. This type of medication generally takes more time to complete recovery process, around seven days.
5. Some creams, like miconazole and clotrimazole, can not be purchased from the medicine store without carrying any prescription. Recurrence of the infection after taking medicine needs consultation to the doctor again.
6. Women should always take care about that their infection is fully treated or cured before doing sexual intercourse with their partners. Because these types of infections usually calls for sexually transmitted disease.
7. Metronidazole, an oral medication, is given to treat trichomonas vaginitis. Again, treatment should be proper taken to avoid getting sexually transmitted disease.
Prevention of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge
1. First and foremost thing is to take care of the cleanliness of your vaginal part. It should be properly clean every time. Hygiene is must during menstrual period, as chances of getting affected by the vaginal infections are very high during the period.
2. Douching is not at all an advisable practice to be performed by any women. Although, it helps in keeping the vagina clean during menstrual cycle or after sexual intercourse. But, it is seen that it kills both good and bad microbes living in the vaginal discharge. It disturbs the balance of the pH and acidity level of the vagina.
3. Do not use any vaginal cream or suppositories without any consultation. Sometimes chemical present in the cream can affect the natural balance of the vaginal discharge. With this, cases of certain allergy occurring because of their usage are also noticed.
4. Diet rich in Lactobacillus acidophilus is recommended to the women suffering from this medical complication. Tablets of the bacteria are prescribed, along with antibiotics, to treat yeast infection. This helps in reducing the side-effects of antibiotics and speedy recovery from the infection.
5. Diabetes is found to be one rare cause of vaginal discharge. So, it is advisable to keep the blood sugar in check to prevent this disease to happen.
6. Always use protection, like condoms, in case you want to do sexual intercourse during vaginal infection. The infections certainly can cause sexually transmitted disease in both men and women.
7. And, never take excess of stress. This will only make you more prone to these type of diseases and will not at all help you out in dealing with situation around.
8. Consult your doctor to avoid very dangerous medical complication, like infertility, causing due to recurrence of these infections.
