White Discharge Known As Vaginal Discharge : Sign Or Symptom, Cause, Color, Type, And Prevention

Discharge is a substance produced by the female productive  system that comprises of water, micro-organisms, and vaginal cell.White discharge or vaginal discharge is the biological fluid secreted from the vagina.The pH of White discharge normally is between 3.8 to 4.2. The pH of white or vaginal discharge may change depending on the disease present.The amount of vaginal discharge depends on the stage of cervical mucus production.It is secreted by the glands, located in the thickness of the cervical mucous lining.The process is regulated by the ratio of progesterone and estrogen levels in the blood.

THE STAGES OF SERVICAL MUCUS PRODUCTION

• Vaginal Discharge before period becomes thicker following the ovum's emergence from the follicle, in case conception does not take place.Its chemical composition changes under the influence of progresterone, which takes up the dominance in the second half of the cycle.
• Dry Days occur immediately after a period.There is almost no discharge in the period, since there is practically no estrogen activity.Chances of conception are minimal.
• The Dry Period is followed by white thick discharge, which is also little suitable for  comfortable fertilization in two or three days.
• The Discharge tends to acquire softer structure in another few days.It appears in the form of milky white cream-like mucus.
• It involves profuse liquid discharge in the next stage.
• The White Egg Stage actually preceeds ovulation.This period is marked by nutritive, sticky clear discharge and similar to the preceeding two stages it is highly suitable for providing a favorable environment for the encounter of sex cells.

Normal Discharge is cloudy white, has no odor or has slightly salty odor, increases in amount and become stringy (like egg white) during the middle of menstrual cycle when ovulating and is white or light yellow when drying on underwear.

A Vaginal Infection is known medically as Vaginitis.Vaginal infections happen in women for all ages ; to sexually active women and to women who are not sexually active.Vaginal discharge may occur if there is an infection in the cervix with gonorrhea or chlamydia.Vaginal discharge may increase due to stress and sexual arousal.

THE SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OF WHITE DISCHARGE OR VAGINAL DISCHARGE :

• Vaginal discharge is different from normal
• The odor of vagina
• The itching of vagina
• Pain or irritation when urinating
• Pain or burning with sexual intercourse

THE CAUSES OF VAGINAL DISCHARGE

• Bacterial Vaginosis is a bacterial infection.This infection causes increased vaginal discharge that has a srong, foul, and sometimes fishy odor.This infection can be increased if women who recieve oral sex or have multiple sexual partner.

• A Yeast Infection is a fungal infection that produces white, cottage cheese-like discharge in addition to burning and itching sensation.The presence of yeast in the vagina is normal, but its growth can multiply out of control in certain situations.The yeast infection can be increased such, as :

- Stress

- Diabetes

- Pregnancy

- Antibiotics (especially prolonged use over ten days)

- The use of control birth pills

• Trichomoniasis is caused by a protozoan (a single-celled organism).This infection is usually spread by sexual contact, but it can also be contracted by sharing towels or bathing suits.This infection results in a yellow or green discharge that has a foul smell.Its common symptoms are pain, itching, and inflammation

• Gonorrhea and Chlamydia can produce an abnormal discharge, which is often yellow, greenish, or cloudy.

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is often spread by sexual contact.It occurs when bacteria spread up the vagina and into other reproductive organs.It may produce a heavy, foul-smelling discharge.

• Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) infection is spread by sexual contact, can lead to cervical cancer.It can produce a bloody brown and/or watery discharge with a bad odor.

• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) is a tampon left in too long, a congenital vaginal or uterus problem, or an allergy to, or iritation from spermicides, vaginal hygiene products, detergents, and fabric softeners.

VAGINAL DISCHARGE BASED ON THE COLOR AND CONSISTENCY

• WHITE

A bit of white discharge is normal especially at the beginning or end of menstrual cycle.If the discharge is not normal accompanied by itching and has a thick , cottage cheese-like consistency or appearance.It is a sign of candida or yeast infection.

• CLEAR AND WATERY

Clear and watery are perfectly normal.It can occur at any time of the month.

• CLEAR AND STRETCHY

Clear, stretchy, and mucous-like rather than watery are normal.It indicates likely ovulating.

• BROWN OR BLOODY

Brown or bloody is usually normal, especially when it occurs during or right after menstrual cycle.A late discharge at the end of the period can look brown or instead of red.When spotting is experiencing a small amount of bloody discharge in between periods.

• YELLOW OR GREEN

Yellow or green is not normal when it is thick, chunky,  or accompanied by a bad smell.It is a sign of trichomoniasis infection.

Pathology Discharge can occur in a number of conditions, including infections and imbalances in vaginal flora or pH.The normal Vagina discharge pH ranges between 3.8 to 4.4.

FIVE TYPES OF PATHOLOGICAL VAGINAL DISCHARGE VARIANTS :

• CURDY DISCHARGE

The type of white or vaginal discharge occurs in the presence of fungal infection (thrush) before period.Fungal affection of the vagina assumes curdy discharge with acid , purulent smell, as well as significant swelling and reddening of vaginal mucous membrane.

• CREAMY STINKY VAGINAL DISCHARGE

The infection of the vagina can be affected by dysbacteriosis.This involves substitution of lactobacteria with pathogenic gardnerella vaginalis, which also make part of normal microflora, only in a limited number.In this case the mucus acquires fishy smell, which also provokes significant irritation in the area of sex organs.

• FOAMY DISCHARGE

It occurs the bubles in profuse liquid discharge.It is a symptom of trichomoniasis, which is a sexually contracted disease.

• CLEAR WATERY DISCHARGE

It contains the blood , while painful sensations may accompany the discharge from vagina.Such an alteration may be provoked by multiple conditions.

• MILKY WHITE DISCHARGE WITH VARIOUS ADMIXTURES

It appears the blood in the discharge.It is characteristics to various diseases, such as hormonal dysfunction, microtraumas, inflicted during intercourse, sexually transmitted disease, oncological pathologies of the uterus and the uterine cervix.

THE SYMPTOMS OF A PATHOLOGY

• White, thick, lumpy discharge that is itchy
• Discharge is accompanied by pain, itchiness, burning, and bleeding
• Foul-smelling discharge
• Green and foamy discharge
• Discharge is heavier or thicker than usual
• Grayish, yellowish, brownish, or greenish discharge

PREVENTION

• Keep the vagina clean and dry
• Never use the perfumed soaps, perfumed buble bath or gel, scented tampons, vaginal powders, or vaginal deodorant sprays.They can cause a vaginal infection and irritate a vagina.
• Practice a safe sex intercourse
• Don't wear tight and damp clothing because They can keep moisture in and irritate vagina.Using cotton underwear that absorbs moisture and allows air to get through.Avoid nylon and lyca.
• Don't douche.Douching can upset the normal balance of organisms in the vagina that can cause a vaginal infection and make an infection worse or spread the infection further up into the reproductive organs (uterus, fallopian tubes).
• Using protection to avoid sexually transmitted disease.