I have a burn on my left side but Iam only 14 years old and Idk what it is but it's tryna get my attention
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Vaginal Discharge: What’s Abnormal?
Vaginal discharge serves an important housekeeping function in the female reproductive system. Fluid made by glands inside the vagina and cervix carries away dead cells and bacteria. This 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 color can range from clear to a milky white-ish), 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.
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What causes abnormal discharge?
Any change in the vagina's balance of normal bacteria can affect the smell, color, or discharge texture. These are a few of the things that can upset that balance:
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 gonorrhea (STDs), sexually transmitted infections
Diabetes
Douches, scented soaps or lotions, bubble bath
Pelvic infection after surgery
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Trichomoniasis, a parasitic infection typically contracted and caused by having unprotected sex
Vaginal atrophy, the thinning and drying out of the vaginal walls during menopause
Vaginitis, irritation in or around the vagina
Yeast infections
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See the chart below to learn more about what a particular type of discharge might mean.
Types of Abnormal Discharge and Their Possible Causes
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Type of Discharge What It Might Mean Other Symptoms
Bloody or brown Irregular menstrual cycles, or less often, cervical or endometrial cancer Abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain
Cloudy or yellow Gonorrhea Bleeding between periods, urinary incontinence, pelvic pain
Frothy, yellow or greenish with a bad smell Trichomoniasis Pain and itching while urinating
Pink Shedding of the uterine lining after childbirth (lochia)
Thick, white, cheesy Yeast infection Swelling and pain around the vulva, itching, painful sexual intercourse
White, gray, or yellow with fishy odor Bacterial vaginosis Itching or burning, redness and swelling of the vagina or vulva
How does the doctor diagnose abnormal discharge?
The doctor will start by taking a health history and asking about your symptoms. Questions may include:
When did the abnormal discharge begin?
What color is the discharge?
Is there any smell?
Do you have any itching, pain, or burning in or around the vagina?
Do you have more than one sexual partner?
Do you douche?
The doctor may take a sample of the discharge or do a Pap test to collect cells from your cervix for further examination.
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How is abnormal discharge treated?
How you are treated 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. Trichomoniasis is usually treated with the drug metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Tindamax).
related content
VIDEO
Embarassing Question: Can I Lose Something in My Vagina?
Here are some tips for preventing vaginal infections that can lead to abnormal discharge:
Keep the vagina clean by washing regularly with a gentle, mild soap and warm water.
Never use scented soaps and feminine products or douche. Also avoid feminine sprays and bubble baths.
Vaginal discharge serves an important housekeeping function in the female reproductive system. Fluid made by glands inside the vagina and cervix carries away dead cells and bacteria. This 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 color can range from clear to a milky white-ish), 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.
related content
VIDEO
Embarassing Question: Can I Lose Something in My Vagina?
What causes abnormal discharge?
Any change in the vagina's balance of normal bacteria can affect the smell, color, or discharge texture. These are a few of the things that can upset that balance:
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 gonorrhea (STDs), sexually transmitted infections
Diabetes
Douches, scented soaps or lotions, bubble bath
Pelvic infection after surgery
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Trichomoniasis, a parasitic infection typically contracted and caused by having unprotected sex
Vaginal atrophy, the thinning and drying out of the vaginal walls during menopause
Vaginitis, irritation in or around the vagina
Yeast infections
ADVERTISEMENT
See the chart below to learn more about what a particular type of discharge might mean.
Types of Abnormal Discharge and Their Possible Causes
related content
VIDEO
Embarassing Question: Can I Lose Something in My Vagina?
Type of Discharge What It Might Mean Other Symptoms
Bloody or brown Irregular menstrual cycles, or less often, cervical or endometrial cancer Abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain
Cloudy or yellow Gonorrhea Bleeding between periods, urinary incontinence, pelvic pain
Frothy, yellow or greenish with a bad smell Trichomoniasis Pain and itching while urinating
Pink Shedding of the uterine lining after childbirth (lochia)
Thick, white, cheesy Yeast infection Swelling and pain around the vulva, itching, painful sexual intercourse
White, gray, or yellow with fishy odor Bacterial vaginosis Itching or burning, redness and swelling of the vagina or vulva
How does the doctor diagnose abnormal discharge?
The doctor will start by taking a health history and asking about your symptoms. Questions may include:
When did the abnormal discharge begin?
What color is the discharge?
Is there any smell?
Do you have any itching, pain, or burning in or around the vagina?
Do you have more than one sexual partner?
Do you douche?
The doctor may take a sample of the discharge or do a Pap test to collect cells from your cervix for further examination.
ADVERTISEMENT
How is abnormal discharge treated?
How you are treated 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. Trichomoniasis is usually treated with the drug metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Tindamax).
related content
VIDEO
Embarassing Question: Can I Lose Something in My Vagina?
Here are some tips for preventing vaginal infections that can lead to abnormal discharge:
Keep the vagina clean by washing regularly with a gentle, mild soap and warm water.
Never use scented soaps and feminine products or douche. Also avoid feminine sprays and bubble baths.
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I had these exact symptoms at the start of Lyme disease, which was later diagnosed.
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I had these exact symptoms at the start of Lyme disease, which was later diagnosed.
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I had these exact symptoms at the start of Lyme disease, which was later diagnosed.
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Im going through the same exact situation as all of you. My discharge looks like dry clumpy pieces of toilet paper. My question is..... how old are some of you? maybe its our age. Im 47 and our bodies are changing or nearing menopause, im just guessing. im so confused and im wondering whats going on. This is embarrassing also. What can it be.. ? im concerned.
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I have the same issue. Does anyone else take yaz or Yasmin? Could it be related to high estrogen levels?
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I have battled with this for about 3 or 4 years now. I work in a laboratory and have actually swabbed my vagina and looked at this discharge under a microscope. It is not yeast! Lactobacillus is the healthy bacteria that lives in our vaginas...I believe it is ph/bacterial related. I have a cure!! Go to the store and get some vinigar douches...some places don't carry the vinigar type....ok, then look for the capsules you take for BV(in the feminine products isle)....make sure they are full of lactobacillus (the good bacteria)...you are supposed to take them orally, but I figured if you used an acidic douche to deliver the lactobacillus straight to the vag, that would be a lot more efficient. So you screw the top of the douche off and break two or three of the capsules apart and pour the powder into the douche. Once all of it is in, screw the lid back on and shake it all up. Now, you are ready to douche. Do this right before bed and I swear, your vagina will not have those chunks of toilet paper in 2 days max. Yeast infections itch and the discharge is thick. This condition with the wet toilet paper discharge really has no discomfort except maybe the embarrassment of having chunks of white stuff coming out of your vagina. I truly hope this helps!
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I had this same problem. It is BV or bacterial vaginosis. Get your dr. To prescribe vaginal boric acid capsules. It works like a charm. You will have to do this periodically. If I notice any odor or itchiness I start the boric acid regimen.
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Im really worryed I'm 13 I never had sex and I have the same thing as you guys.....
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So weird! I've been having this strange discharge as well, and also the other symptoms you listed. I'm currently going through all kinds of testing for the dizziness and bloatedness. I never thought the issues could be connected, but maybe you're on to something!
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