What is vaginal discharge?

White discharge or leukorrhea is a common issue for women. It is a type of white fluid secreted from a woman’s uterus, called leucorrhoea or white discharge. Most white discharge is related to lifestyle and physiology, requiring no treatment. Usually, normal discharge is thin and slightly sticky. However, the matter should be taken seriously when the amount of white discharge is excessive, contains blood stains, or has an abnormal odor.

What causes vaginal discharge?

It is normal for women to experience vaginal or menstrual discharge. Mental stress, lack of adequate rest and nutrition, unclean clothing, and the use of birth control pills can lead to increased white discharge. White discharge can naturally increase during pregnancy, sexual arousal, before menstruation, and between periods. White discharge does not harm the body; rather, the body performs two important functions by producing white discharge:

– It helps to keep the genital area clean and moisturized.

– It protects against menstrual infections.

How much vaginal discharge is normal?

The amount of white discharge varies from person to person due to hormonal changes in the body. It is normal to have 2-5 ml of white discharge per day, but sometimes it can be more or less.

Types of vaginal discharge

Vaginal discharge has two types:

1. Normal discharge
2. Abnormal discharge

Normal discharge:

Discharge is usually thin but can sometimes be thick and sticky. Normal discharge can be primarily of two colors:

– Bright and colorless

– White as milk

Transparent and colorless discharge may change to white or yellowish when exposed to air. Normal discharge has no odor.

Abnormal Discharge:

Fungal infections, bacterial infections, vaginal inflammation, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and pelvic inflammatory disease may cause foul-smelling and abnormal discharge. Abnormal discharge can be white, gray, ash, green, greenish-yellow, or reddish.

5 Types of discharge that need to be seen by a doctor quickly 

1. White Colored Vaginal Discharge

In this case, the discharge appears white and chalky, resembling curd or cheese, but usually, there is no odor. This can be due to a fungal infection, which occurs when there is a reduction in beneficial bacteria and an increase in fungi in the vagina. For example, taking antibiotics for an illness can kill the beneficial bacteria during the menstrual cycle, leading to this condition. 

The symptoms of a fungal infection 

Excessive discharge

Intense itching and burning around the vagina

Pain or discomfort during intercourse

2. Grey Discharge 

Grey or ash-colored discharge is seen in a type of vaginal infection called bacterial vaginosis. A severe odor is present in this discharge, but there is no pain or discharge. If there is a change in the balance of germs in the vagina due to any reason, the normal environment of the vagina is disrupted. Then this disease may be seen. It is not a sexually transmitted disease. However, sexual intercourse can increase the risk of this disease. In this case, the following symptoms are observed

The discharge becomes grey and watery.

It smells like rotten fish and has a bad odor, especially after sex. 

3. Green vaginal discharge

Green discharge may occur due to gonorrhea. The complication is caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae.. Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease. The symptoms of green vaginal discharge are as follows:

Pain and burning sensation during urination

Pain in the lower abdomen

Pain or discomfort during intercourse

Vaginal bleeding between two menstrual periods

Sometimes there is fever and bleeding during intercourse. Therefore, if not treated promptly, the infection can spread to the uterus, which can later lead to various complications, including problems during pregnancy

4. greenish-yellow discharge

Such greenish-yellow discharge can be caused by a vaginal infection called ‘Trichomoniasis’. The disease is caused by a bacterium called Trichomonas vaginalis. It is a sexually transmitted disease. In this case, the symptoms are:

Discharge that looks like foam

Increased amount of discharge and smells like fish

Pain, itching, and a burning sensation around the vagina and sometimes in the area between the thighs

Vaginal redness or swelling

Pain or discomfort during urination and intercourse

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5. Red discharge

Such red discharge before and after menstruation is usually considered normal, but in the following three cases, if there is red discharge or blood from the vagina, you should consult a gynecologist immediately.

Bleeding or redness without menstruation

This is one of the symptoms of cervical cancer. Sometimes it can be due to natural causes, such as taking birth control pills.

Bleeding after intercourse

Some bleeding may occur if the menstrual tract is injured during intercourse. It can also be caused by various infections and diseases. Sometimes this symptom can appear in cervical cancer or vaginal cancer.

Red discharge or blood passing after the end of the menstrual period

Menopause means the permanent cessation of menstruation. Women over the age of 45 are generally considered to have reached menopause if they have stopped menstruating for a year. Any kind of bleeding in the vagina after menopause is a cause for concern. That may be a sign of uterine cancer. Don’t panic if you experience these symptoms. These symptoms can be caused by factors other than the cancer. However, there is a possibility of cancer, so it is necessary to see a doctor promptly.

10 HOME REMEDIES TO STOP VAGINAL DISCHARGE

1. Raw Tomato: Start eating raw tomatoes every day; it can reduce the problem.
2. Onion: Drink two teaspoons of onion juice mixed with an equal amount of honey in the morning and evening.
3. Cumin: Mix cumin powder with water and drink it. Alternately, you can mix it with honey.
4. Ginger: Mix 10 grams of ginger with water and drink it. Do this for one month.
5. Fenugreek: Consuming boiled fenugreek seeds can solve the problem of white discharge. Boil fenugreek with half a liter of water in a pan, let it cool, then drink it.
6. Okra: You can boil some okra and eat it.
7. Guava leaves: In case of problems like white discharge and itching, boil some guava leaves in water and drink it twice a day after it cools down.
8. Banana: Eat a banana every day.
9. Milk: Drink a glass of chilled milk with a teaspoon of honey in it. Your health will also improve, and the weakness for secretion will also be reduced. Use this method for at least 2 months.
10. Sour Cord: You can eat two spoons of sour cord daily.