7 WAYS TO KNOW IF YOUR VAGINAL DISCHARGE IS DANGEROUS AND HOW TO PREVENT IT FROM DESTROYING YOUR FALLOPIAN TUBES
PROBLEMS OF VAGINAL DISCHARGE
Ladies, must pay attention to this advice, especially if you wish to become pregnant someday. Pay attention to any possible vaginal infection you may have. I know, this is something we do not want to discuss. If the symptoms are not too severe, we put it down to a possible yeast infection and wait it out, praying it will quickly cure itself. In the process, we may use some over the counter remedies. But what we should be doing is seeing a doctor.Why? Infections in the vaginal region can be serious. They can lead to long term problems such as infertility issues later in life. They can make it difficult to become pregnant and they may cause complications to occur once you do become pregnant. They can even signal that you are infected with a possible STD (sexually transmitted disease).
A discharge is a fluid released from a hollow space like the vagina. The
vagina is a tube 8-12 cm long. It opens at the lips of the vulva and is closed
at the inner end by the cervix (the opening of the uterus or womb). Wetness in
the vagina is produced by mucus from the cervix and from the vaginal wall
during sexual arousal. Many different bacteria, yeasts and parasites
(microscopic forms of life or ‘bugs’) live normally in the vagina without causing
symptoms. The vagina is usually acidic because the normal bacteria produce
lactic acid. Normal bacteria help the vagina protect itself from the kinds of
bacteria that cause disease. Candida (yeast) can live in the vagina in low
numbers without causing any symptoms.
Vaginal discharge [or Discharge from the vagina] refers to secretions from the vagina . Such discharge can vary in:
[A]Consistency (thick, pasty, thin)
[B]Color (clear, cloudy)
[C]Smell (normal, odorless, bad odor)
Having some amount of vaginal discharge is normal, especially if you are of childbearing age. Glands in the cervix produce a clear mucus. These secretions may turn white or yellow when exposed to the air. These are normal variations.
The amount of mucus produced by the cervical glands varies throughout the menstrual cycle. This is normal and depends on the amount of estrogen circulating in your body. It is also normal for the walls of the vagina to release some secretions. The amount depends on hormone levels in the body.
Vaginal discharge that suddenly differs in color, odor, or consistency, or significantly increases or decreases in amount, may indicate an underlying problem like an infection.
CAUSES
The following situations can increase the amount of normal vaginal discharge:
[1]Emotional stress
[2]Ovulation (the production and release of an egg from your ovary in the middle of your menstrual cycle)
[3]Pregnancy
[4]Sexual excitement
ABNORMAL VAGINAL DISCHARGE
Unusual mucus or other substances coming from the vagina is a common problem. The discharge is often due to infection, and frequently associated with pain, burning, itching, and painful urination. Not all infections are sexually transmitted, so don’t assume that vaginal discharge means that you have an STD. There are a number of possible causes:
Inflammation of the vagina. Called vaginitis, this is the most common reason for discharges and is usually caused by infection. There are three main types of vaginal infections, all of which can be treated with oral or vaginal medications. Each infection tends to produce a distinct discharge:
[a]
Thick, white cottage cheese-like discharge, itching, irritated
skin—yeast infection, or candidiasis. Women with diabetes and those
taking antibiotics are more likely to develop this type of infection.
Most women will have at least one yeast infection at some point in their
lives.
[b]
Thin, yellow, foul-smelling discharge—Trichomonas, which is usually transmitted sexually.
[c]
Thin, gray or white, foul-smelling discharge—bacterial vaginosis.
[d]
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Frequently caused by STDs that
infect the cervix, uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes, this is the most
common and serious complication of an STD and occurs in 1 million women
every year. Symptoms include vaginal discharge or bleeding, lower
abdominal pain, and fever. Chronic PID can result from one or more
infections. The most common identifiable causes are gonorrhea or
chlamydia, both of which are sexually transmitted. About 20 percent of
women with PID become infertile.
[e]
Genital herpes. This infection can produce vaginal discharge if it
affects the cervix. The first episode of genital herpes also features
fever, itching, headache, and general muscle aches.
[f]
Infection of the inside of the uterus. This condition, known as
endometritis, is usually caused by STDs, fibroid tumors, cancer, giving
birth, or intrauterine devices (IUDs).
[g]
Inflammation of the vagina due to lack of estrogen. As a woman
enters menopause, her body produces increasingly erratic amounts of
estrogen. This often causes the vagina to dry out and become irritated.
The condition is known as atrophic vaginitis and is treatable by
estrogen replacement therapy, vaginal creams, and vaginal suppositories.
[h]
Other, less common causes of vaginal discharge include pregnancy, genital warts, cancer, and foreign objects in the vagina, such as a tampon that could not be removed.
Your doctor will ask you about the type of discharge and whether it occurs immediately before, after, or during menstruation or sexual activity. You should also expect to undergo a pelvic exam.
Normal discharge doesn’t smell, and does not cause any irritation or itching.
A discharge is likely to be abnormal if:
[1] it smells fishy
[2] it’s thick and white, like cottage cheese
[3] it’s greenish and smells foul
[4] there’s blood in it (except when you have a period)
[5] it’s itchy
[6] you have any genital sores or ulcers
[7] you have abdominal pain or pain on intercourse
[8] it started soon after you had unprotected sex with someone you suspect could have a sexually transmitted disease.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
[1]Bacterial vaginosis — Bacteria that normally live in the vagina overgrow, causing a grey discharge and fishy odor that worsen after sexual intercourse. Bacterial Vaginosis is usually not sexually transmitted.
[2]Cervical or vaginal cancer (rarely a cause of excess discharge)
[3]Chlamydia
[4]Forgotten tampon or foreign body
[5]Gonorrhea
[6]Other infections and sexually transmitted diseases
[7]Trichomoniasis
[8]Vaginal yeast infection
PREVENTION
[1]Keep your genital area clean and dry.
[2]Avoid douching. While many women feel cleaner if they douche after menstruation or intercourse, it may actually worsen vaginal discharge because it removes healthy bacteria lining
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