Vaginal Discharge Management
Vaginal discharge serves an important function in the female reproductive system. Fluid made by glands inside the vagina and cervix carries away dead cells and bacteria, which keeps the vagina clean and helps prevent infection.
Most of the time, vaginal discharge is perfectly normal. The amount can vary, as can odor and hue (its colour can range from clear to a milky white), depending on the time in your menstrual cycle. For example, there will be more discharge if you are ovulating, breastfeeding, or are sexually aroused. The smell may be different if you are pregnant or you haven’t been diligent about your personal hygiene. None of those changes is cause for alarm. However, if the color, smell, or consistency seems significantly unusual, especially if it accompanied by vaginal itching or burning, you could be noticing an infection or other condition.
Causes of Abnormal Discharge
Any change in the vagina’s balance of normal bacteria can affect the smell, color, or discharge texture. These can be caused by antibiotic or steroid use, bacterial vaginosis, a bacterial infection more common in pregnant women or women who have multiple sexual partners, birth control pills, cervical cancer, chlamydia or other STDs, diabetes, soaps or lotions and yeast infections.
Treatment
After asking you a set of specific questions, your doctor might need to further investigate by taking a sample of the discharge or do a Pap test to collect cells from your cervix for further examination.
Your treatment will depend on what’s causing the problem. For example, yeast infections are usually treated with antifungal medications inserted into the vagina in cream or gel form. Bacterial vaginosis is treated with antibiotic pills or creams.
Prevention
To prevent vaginal infections leading to abnormal discharge, keep the vagina clean by washing regularly with a gentle, mild soap and warm water, avoid using scented soaps and feminine products, feminine sprays and bubble baths, after using the bathroom, always wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from getting into the vagina and causing an infection, and wear 100% cotton underpants, and avoid overly tight clothing.
Vaginal discharge serves an important function in the female reproductive system. Fluid made by glands inside the vagina and cervix carries away dead cells and bacteria, which keeps the vagina clean and helps prevent infection.
Most of the time, vaginal discharge is perfectly normal. The amount can vary, as can odor and hue (its colour can range from clear to a milky white), depending on the time in your menstrual cycle. For example, there will be more discharge if you are ovulating, breastfeeding, or are sexually aroused. The smell may be different if you are pregnant or you haven’t been diligent about your personal hygiene. None of those changes is cause for alarm. However, if the color, smell, or consistency seems significantly unusual, especially if it accompanied by vaginal itching or burning, you could be noticing an infection or other condition.