Vaginal discharge - Treatment must be needed || Dr. Nasren Nipa

 

Vaginal discharge - Treatment must be needed

Normal Vaginal Discharge :

Normal vaginal discharge is usually clear or milky and may have a subtle scent that is not unpleasant or foul smelling.Vaginal discharge is most often a normal and regular occurrence.

Cause of Normal Vaginal discharge :

Normal Vaginal discharge may be occur due to hormonal influence after puberty,in between menstruation,during pregnancy or side effect of some drugs likeantibiotic, increase with sexual arousal and 

ovulation,Exercise, use of birth control pills, and emotional stress.

Advantages of Normal vaginal discharge :

Normal vaginal discharge helps keep vaginal tissues healthy, provide lubrication and protect against infection and irritation.

Abnormal Vaginal Discharge :

Abnormal discharge may be yellow or green, chunky in consistency, or foul smelling.

Speculum examination of vagina and vaginal swab test is needed to diagnose actual cause of vaginal disease to treat properly.

Cause of Abnormal Vaginal discharge :

Abnormal vaginal discharge is usually caused by

1. Infective causes like 

a)Bacterial vaginosis :

Symptom:

Thin, gray, white or green vaginal discharge. Foul-smelling "fishy" vaginal odor.Vaginal itching.

Treatment:

To treat bacterial vaginosis, Metronidazole may be taken as a pill by mouth (orally) or topical gel that may insert into vagina.

b)Vaginal Candidiasis:

Symptom:

Redness and swelling of the vulva. Vaginal pain and soreness. Vaginal rash.Thick, white, odor-free vaginal discharge with a cottage cheese appearance.

Treatment:

Vaginal candidiasis is usually treated with antifungal medicine applied inside the vagina or a single dose of fluconazole taken by mouth.

c)Trichomoniasis Vaginalis:

Symptom:

Itching, burning, redness or soreness of the genitals; Discomfort with urination;A change in their vaginal discharge (i.e., thin discharge or increased volume) that can be clear, white, yellowish, or greenish with an unusual fishy smell.

Treatment:

The most common treatment for trichomoniasis involves taking one megadose of metronidazole or tinidazole.Risk of infection can be reduce by using condoms correctly every time having sex.

d)Gonorrhea:

Symptom:

Discharge from the vagina (watery, creamy, or slightly green),pain or burning sensation while urinating,the need to urinate more frequently,heavier periods or spotting,sore throat,pain upon engaging in sexual intercourse,sharp pain in the lower abdomen,fever.

Treatment:

Gonorrhea can be treated with the antibiotic ceftriaxone — given as an injection with oral azithromycin.

e)Chlamydia:

Symptom:

Pain or burning while peeing,pain during sex,lower belly pain,

abnormal vaginal discharge (may be yellowish and have a strong smell),bleeding between periods,pus or a watery/milky discharge from the penis,swollen or tender testicles.

Treatment:

Chlamydia can be treated with oral antibiotics usually azithromycin or doxycycline. Partner should be treated to prevent reinfection and further spread of the disease.

f)Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID):

Symptom:

Dull pain or tenderness in the stomach or lower abdominal area, or pain in the right upper abdomen(though this is much less common). Abnormal vaginal discharge that is yellow or green in color and has an unusual odor.

Treatment:

PID may be treated with Cefoxitin in combination with probenecid and doxycycline in women with PID.

g)Human papillomavirus (HPV)

 

2. Non infective causes like

a)Retained Tampon

b)Cervical cancer:

Symptom:

Abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods, after intercourse, or after menopause.Vaginal discharge that does not stop, and may be pale, watery, pink, brown, bloody, or foul-smelling.

Treatment:

The most common treatment for early-stage cervical cancers is radical hysterectomy (surgical removal of the cervix, uterus, and surrounding tissues called the parametrium). The alternative is radiation therapy (RT), which is usually given in combination with chemotherapy.

How do you protect yourself from Vaginal discharge :

1.Keep the vagina clean by washing with a gentle, mild soap and warm water on the outside.

2.Never use scented soaps and feminine products or douche.

3.After going to the bathroom, always wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from getting into the vagina and causing an infection.

 

If symptoms relating to abnormal vaginal discharge develop Especially if it is accompanied by a foul odor or has an abnormal color such as gray, green, or yellow,it must be treated according to cause of vaginal discharge otherwise it may develop Cancer, infertility.