Vaginal discharge

VAGINAL DISCHARGE

Increasing vaginal discharge and changing the nature of the vaginal discharge is one of the most common complaints that makes a woman comes to the gynaecologist clinic.

Vaginal secretions are more often than not are normal occurrences, because the reproductive system, the uterus and vagina are lined with mucous tissue, as is the case of the eyes and nose. This tissue usually produces semi-liquid substances. As in the case of the tears and nasal secretions are natural, so are the vaginal secretions. But sometimes and for many different reasons, the  nature of the secretions increases in quantity or change in  nature.

Natural secretions vary in quantity from time to time of menstrual cycle, and are usually white or translucent color, odorless, and do not cause itching.

Bacteria and fungi are usually present on the skin and mucous membranes, taking advantage of the opportunity to intrude on the human body, and the infection from  various diseases and infections can occur.

The acidity of the vagina is to eliminate these bacteria and weaken them during the woman’s fertile period ranging from puberty and ends in menopause, and this acidity comes because of the presence of female hormones.

Vaginal acidity is sometimes reduced for various reasons, including hormonal differences, such as during the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy. Some localized infections cause a change in the nature of the secretions.

Vaginal discharge may be unpleasant or may cause vaginal itching or burning that may vary in severity or may be frequent and have a thick white color such as cheese or green color.

Causes of different vaginal secretions include:

Hormones change as in pregnancy, breastfeeding, or using birth control pills.

; Use of vaginal creams, soap or bath foam with aromatic aroma that can cause localized sensitivity.

; Use of vaginal douches.

; Topical sensitivity of topical contraception such as vaginal barrier and rings.

; Wearing of non-cotton underwear.

Psychiatric disorder.

The presence of a foreign object inside the uterus such as a coil.

Atrophy in the vaginal area due to menopause.

Diabetes and what can be caused by immune deficiency and increase the incidence of fungal infections.

Some tumors, such as uterine fibroids or cervical polyps.

Some infections, such as: Vaginal infections and bacterial infections.

Cervical infections.

 Pelvic infections STI

Venereal diseases STD.

When to recommend a medical consultation !!:

The doctor advise to check the doctor in the following circumstances:

; If the vaginal secretions increase in a young girl.

; If the use of some drugs is accompanied by increase of secretions.

If increased secretions with some symptoms such as: pain in the lower abdomen, vaginal bleeding, or accompanied by high temperature or rash, or pain during urination or the presence of blood with urine.

; If the problem persists more than two weeks.

; If there is a possibility of infection with sexually transmitted diseases.

Prevention:

Attention to personal hygiene and topical cleanliness.

; Avoid using scented vaginal creams.

; Reducing the use of vaginal shower.

Attention to clean and topical contraceptive pregnancy after each use.

Do not use antibiotics over-the-counter.

Diagnosis and treatment:

The doctor tries to know the history of the problem from the review and ask about , the difference of vaginal secretions, she asks when it began? Does it continue throughout the month? What is its nature? Does it smell bad? Does it cause vaginal itching or burning? Are there any accompanying symptoms such as lower abdominal pain or high temperature?

Is there a change in the Personal hygiene tools? Is any medications been used prescription or over the counter.

The doctor then performs a clinical examination and takes a sample of the secretions to be examined under a microscope. A bacterial culture is used to determine the type of germ.

After the diagnosis, the appropriate treatment of the doctor is chosen according to the case, prescribe the medication if necessary, or just the necessary medical advice, if the case does not require the use of medicines.

Types of vaginal secretions

Natural secretions

Natural secretions in adults are watery, liquid, transparent, and are excreted from:

1 -The Bartholin’s gland - the most prominent areas.

2 - Vagina- which contains bacteria called (Doderlein) and these bacteria turn glycogen (sugar) to the acids in addition to contain the vagina on protein and some elements.

3 - Secretions of the cervix - uterus, and the fallopian tube where the peak is in the middle of the cycle, ie in the period of ovulation. In addition, the uterine glands increase as a result of ulcers or as a result of the use of contraceptives pills (pills containing estrogen and progesterone) or result of the frequent vaginal washing or  bath (douche) where this stimulates secretions from the cervix.

4 - Increase secretions during pregnancy due to the rise of estrogen and increase blood circulation.

B - Secretions resulting from diseases or infections:

The secretions are the result of inflammation of the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tube.

1 - Yellow or green discharge is the result of infection of the bacteria.

2 - White vaginal secretions, Curdy and lumpy and gives itching, which is caused by fungal infections.

3 - Vaginal secretions with a smell on the underwear, or bad smell indicates the presence of a foreign body or ulceration in the tissues.

4 - The presence of fistula where the urine passes through the vagina.

5 - Bleeding (blood) - be sure of its source and causes, where it is indicative of several possibilities: -

- Dysfunction of hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid or ovarian function (hormonal).

- Bleeding in menopause due to the thickness of the endometrial lining of the uterus or cancer or as a result of the presence of uterine fibroids.

- Blood diseases related to lack of materials for blood clotting.

Chronic acute infections.

- Benign and malignant tumors.

Mental and physical exhaustion and climate change.

- At the age of puberty - the result of irregularity and insufficient hormones.

- Injury to the vagina due to the presence of chemicals or foreign bodies.

Factors contributing to vaginal infections:

Exposure to cold.

- Transmission by men (gonorrhea, trichomonas, syphilis).

- insufficient hygiene of the reproductive system.

- Recurrent urinary tract infections.

- Treatment with antibiotics for a long time and exposure to chemotherapy.

Types of vaginal infections: -

1 - Inflammation of the vagina and external organs of the reproductive system and the urethra and the infection in adults  through sexual contact. (Gonorrhea, bacteria, traccomonas ... and other infectious diseases).

2 - Atrophy of the vagina  which is thin vaginal wall due to aging. The vagina  is affected by inflammation due to lack of estrogen.

3. Fungal infection. This is more common in pregnant or diabetic women who use oral contraceptives and antibiotics that kill bacteria that convert glycogen into acids, causing the vagina to become infected with fungal infections.

4- Infection of the vagina with bacteria.

5 - inflammation of wounds in the vagina due to infection of a foreign body or chemical substances or the result of sores resulting from infection with organic microbes.

Diagnosis of vaginal infections: -

The correct way is to ask the doctor to determine the type of infection by microscopy or culture of the sample taken from the vagina and the doctor can also diagnose and treat the source of inflammation.

Note: The vaginal wash and vaginal therapy must be stopped for 24 hours before taking the sample for testing.

Tips and advice for treating vaginal infections:

1.Wash the affected area with warm water well three times a day, then dry the area well or leave the clothes free for half an hour.

2. Treat the area well with the cream prescribed by the doctor after washing and leave free of clothes for a period of time.

3. When using vaginal suppositories, the load should be inserted as far as possible and preferably placed at night when preparing for sleep. And that to stay in the lying down position .

4 - Avoid underwear that contains nylon and used cotton clothes.

 

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