Abnormal Discharge
What is vaginal discharge?
It is usual for the cervix and vaginal walls to produce a clear or white fluid known as discharge. The discharge mainly comprises mucous secretions, cells, and beneficial bacteria. It functions to lubricate the vagina and maintain a healthy acidic environment that prevents overgrowth of yeast and unhelpful bacteria.
Normal discharge is typically clear, white, or off-white, and it can range from thin and slippery to thick and glue-like, depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle.
It has a minimal or mild scent, but it shouldn’t be offensive or ‘fishy’.
During pregnancy, there tends to be an increase in normal discharge, whilst being on the contraceptive pill may reduce discharge volumes.
What is considered to be abnormal discharge?
Abnormal discharge is sometimes a sign of an infection.
The colour and consistency of the discharge may give clues as to the type of infection.
A thick, white discharge with a cottage cheese-like consistency may be a sign of Thrush, which is a yeast imbalance.
Chlamydia may cause yellow discharge, and it can sometimes have an unpleasant odour, but many women with Chlamydia have no symptoms at all. Another clue is painful urination or a burning sensation at the entrance of the urethra or the vagina.
Gonorrhoea can create yellowish discharge, although sometimes green in colour, and often, it’s in a larger volume than normal. It may be associated with some bloody spotting, too. Again, some women have no symptoms at all.
Trichomonas creates a thin and sometimes frothy discharge, which can vary in colour from yellow-greenish to grey, and there is often a heavier flow of discharge near the time of the menstrual period. It’s thought that around 70% of women have no symptoms at all during a Trichomonas infection, and screening is a great way to ensure you’re in total health.
If you’re concerned about your vaginal discharge, I’m here to help.
Bacterial vaginosis is an imbalance in vaginal bacteria caused by an overgrowth of bacteria such as Gardenerella, which replace the beneficial Lactobacilli bacteria that help maintain vaginal health.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) can cause a fishy-smelling discharge, and it may cause burning or itching around the vagina or when passing urine. Left untreated, it may go on to cause pelvic inflammatory disease and, in pregnancy, may cause miscarriage or premature birth.
Some women may experience symptoms because of more than one type of infection, and sometimes an abnormal discharge is caused by an object in the vagina, such as a forgotten or retained tampon.
Discharge can also be due to ectropion, cervical polyps and cervical cancer.
It’s important not to disturb the healthy balance of vaginal bacteria and yeasts, so avoid using vaginal douches, intimate wipes, or scented soaps and gels. When in doubt, plain water is best.
If you’re concerned about your vaginal discharge, I’m here to help.
When you come to the clinic, I’ll take a thorough history of your symptoms, listen to all your concerns and questions, and examine you carefully. During the examination (which may involve looking at the vagina and cervix using a speculum), I’ll take some swab tests for analysis, and sometimes urine and blood tests can help get to the cause of the problem.
If an infection is suspected, I may recommend a course of antibiotics, and test results are available rapidly.
Finally, remember that vaginal discharge is normal and nothing to be ashamed about. If you’re concerned about your discharge, please get in touch.