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Apr 28, 2006
Vaginal discharge: Difference between normal discharge and infection
by MariAnne
 The glands inside vagina and cervix normally make small amounts of fluid. This fluid flows out of the vagina each day, carrying out old cells that have lined the vagina and that looks as vaginal discharge. This is body’s way of keeping vagina healthy and clean. The discharge is usually clear or milky and does not smell bad as abnormal. The color and thickness of the discharge change with monthly cycle because it is thicker when woman ovulate. This means the time when your ovaries releases an egg. It is different when woman is breastfeed or when she is sexually excited. Normal vaginal discharge has several purposes that are very important for health environment in vagina. This is cleaning and moistening the vagina and helping to prevent and fight infections. Each woman should notice change in vaginal discharge, because some changes in discharge may indicate a problem. Every woman who thinks she might have a problem should see a doctor as soon as possible. Before everything, each woman should learn some of the differences between normal and abnormal vaginal discharge. This might help you to recognize changes that may occur and when it is not normal vaginal discharge. Normal vaginal fluids can vary somewhat in texture and color. It can be somewhat thin, sticky, and elastic or thick and gooey. Vaginal fluids should be clear, white or off white in color.Different types of discharge
What changes may be a sign of a problem?Changes that may signal a problem include an increased amount of discharge, change in color or smell. If this happens with discharge, and irritation, itchiness or burning in or around vagina it is not normal. This is condition called vaginitis. A discharge that stained with blood when woman has not having her period could also be a sign of a problem. If you have any of these signs, you should see your doctor. It is very important to keep an eye out for changes in vaginal fluids.
How to prevent vaginitisAfter you use the toilet, you should always wipe from front to back. This may help prevent getting bacteria from your rectal area into your vagina that could cause you to have a problem. Wear cotton underpants during the day all the time. The cotton allows your genital area to breathe free. You should not wear underpants at night. Try to avoid wearing tight pants, pantyhose, swimming suits, biking shorts or leotards for long periods. Change your laundry detergent if you think it may be irritating your genital area. The latex in condoms and diaphragms and the sperm-killing gels for birth control can be irritating for some women. If you think one of these things is a problem for you, ask your doctor for advice about other types of birth control. To prevent vaginitis try to avoid hot tubs and try to bathe or shower daily and pat your genital area dry. Avoid feminine hygiene sprays, colored or perfumed toilet paper, deodorant pads or tampons and bubble bath if you really want to prevent any vaginal infection and abnormal vaginal discharge. It is good to eat yogurt with live cultures or take Lactobacillus acidophilus tablets when on antibiotics to try to avoid a yeast infection. Of course, use condoms to avoid catching or spreading sexually transmitted diseases. Keep your blood sugars under good control if you have diabetes, since this is also cause for abnormal vaginal discharge. If the discharge came because of sexually transmitted disease, your sexual partner must receive treatment as well, even if they have no symptoms. Many organisms can harbor themselves without producing symptoms that you might notice. Failure of partners to accept treatment can cause continual re-infection. If you do not take care of this, it could lead to serious problem like infertility.
What cause changes in vaginal discharge?These changes of vaginal discharge can occur if the normal balance of healthy germs in your vagina is upset. Many things can disturb the balance of a healthy vagina, including douching, feminine hygiene sprays, certain soaps or bubble baths, antibiotics, diabetes, pregnancy or infections as you already have heard. Vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis and trichomoniasis are common causes of abnormal vaginal discharge. Some infections transmit by having sex, such as gonorrhea, while other infections can occur with or without having sex, such as bacterial vaginosis or yeast infection. Although, the symptoms of these infections can be very similar, but there are some differences.
If you have any of the symptoms of abnormal vaginal discharge, it is very important to see a doctor or to visit a teen clinic. Mainly, it is important for girls who recently have had sex. This is especially those who have had sex without using a condom. Many sexually transmitted diseases cause changes in vaginal discharge or cause other infections that affect discharge as well. How can douching be harmful for vaginal discharge?The chemicals in douches you use may irritate vagina and change the normal balance of germs in your vagina. Douching can also spread an infection into the uterus, increasing your risk of getting pelvic inflammatory disease. This is an infection of the fallopian tubes, which can cause you to be unable to have children, very serious conditions. Douching is not necessary to keep your body clean. Smells you may notice usually come from outside the vagina or your vulva. You should keep this area clean with gentle soap and water can prevent smells.
What is the treatment of common vaginal conditions?Self-care action plan could be the best treatment for your vaginal conditions. You may be familiar with the symptoms of thrush and make your own diagnosis even before you visit the doctor. If you have used a thrush treatment with no improvement, then there may be another cause for the discharge. In this case, you should see your doctor. You should also see your doctor if you find any swellings, sores or skin changes or if you have any unexpected bleeding.
What might help the doctor to determine appropriate treatment?Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination including a pelvic exam to get right diagnosis. Medical history questions may include questions like:
Your doctor has to be informed about possible odor, pain, itching, burning and does your sexual partner has a discharge as well. For diagnosis of abnormal vaginal discharge, it is also important to report about your sexual relationships like multiple sexual partners or sexual partners that you do not know very well. It might be important to know if there is anything, which relieves the discharge. The doctor should have diagnostic tests as well, that include cultures of your cervix, examination of vaginal discharge under the microscope and Pap smear. Treatment depends on the underlying condition, where suppositories, creams or antibiotics may |
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