home Audience 12 When there is heavy discharge. Normal and pathological discharge in women: color, volume, smell and consistency. Thick and thin white discharge in women

When there is heavy discharge. Normal and pathological discharge in women: color, volume, smell and consistency. Thick and thin white discharge in women

From this article about a woman's discharge, you will learn:

1
Where does vaginal discharge come from?
2
What kind of discharge is normal?
3
How and for what reasons can normal discharge change?
4
What does the change in the nature of discharge indicate?
5
Which discharges are pathological?
6
Features of discharge in various infectious diseases.

The nature of the discharge, its color, consistency, quantity, smell, subjective sensations can be very diverse. And it is important to draw a clear line between normal discharge in a healthy woman and pathological discharge indicating the presence of a disease.

What discharge is normal?

Normally, the nature and amount of discharge is not constant and can change under the influence of many factors: age, phase of the menstrual cycle, sexual arousal, onset of sexual activity or change of sexual partner, pregnancy, lactation, climate change, and taking oral contraceptives.

In girls, discharge appears several months (up to a year) before the first menstruation. Before this period, girls should not normally have any discharge. And if they appear, then most often it is associated with diseases of the intestines or urinary system. Normally, they are watery or mucous, transparent, may have a whitish or yellowish tint, odorless or with a weak sour odor (since the environment in the vagina is acidic, PH = 3.8-4.4). And normal discharge never causes discomfort in the form of itching, burning, or pain.

With the establishment of the menstrual cycle, the consistency and amount of discharge begins to change depending on its phase. So, in the follicular phase (after menstruation before ovulation), the discharge is watery, in small quantities (up to 2 ml per day), may contain clots up to 2 mm, may have a whitish or yellowish tint, odorless or with a weak sour odor.

During ovulation (1-2 days), the discharge becomes abundant (up to 5 ml per day), viscous, thick - reminiscent of egg white, and may acquire a beige tint.

During the luteal phase (from the moment of ovulation until menstruation), the discharge becomes creamy, its quantity decreases, but a few days before menstruation it can increase again.

During perimenopause, with changes in the level of sexual hubbub, there is a tendency for the amount of discharge to decrease.

Also, the nature of the discharge may change, but remain normal, under the influence of a number of factors:

At the beginning of sexual activity and when changing sexual partners. This is due to the colonization of new non-pathogenic microflora and is accompanied by copious discharge, which may change color, but is not accompanied by itching, burning, or an unpleasant odor;

Sexual arousal and sexual intercourse. At the same time, the number of discharges increases.

Taking hormonal contraceptives (and using not only pills, but also patches, injections, vaginal rings), since their mechanism of action is based on suppressing ovulation. At the same time, the number of discharges becomes smaller.

Lactation. While a woman is breastfeeding her baby until the menstrual cycle returns, there is also no ovulation, so there is also a decrease in the amount of discharge.

Pregnancy. And during pregnancy, this is especially pronounced in the second half, the amount of discharge increases. This is due to the intensive blood supply to the pelvic organs. And in recent weeks, the amount of discharge increases further due to the release of the mucus plug. But in the later stages of pregnancy, you need to be attentive to the discharge - very thin discharge should alert you, as this may indicate leakage of amniotic fluid.

Postpartum period - discharge after childbirth (lochia) is normally observed for 6-8 weeks and its character gradually changes from bloody (as with heavy periods), in which clots may be present, bloody-mucous, mucous-bloody to mucous. And if for some reason the lochia stopped much earlier, then this is a cause for concern, and in this case an examination by a gynecologist is required.

Changing the nature of discharge

A change in the nature of the discharge: an increase in quantity, a change in color, smell, consistency in most cases indicates the presence of a disease, both infectious and non-infectious in origin. Below we will analyze in detail all possible changes in discharge and features of discharge during various infections.

Bloody (red, scarlet, brown) discharge indicates the content of blood in it and can occur both normally and indicate the presence of a disease.

Black, brown discharge also contains blood impurities, and acquires a dark color as a result of oxidation in the vagina.

So, spotting may occur under the following conditions::

Before menstruation and after their cessation - perimenstrual - light, without a specific odor. There is no clear answer as to whether this is the norm, since each case requires an individual and comprehensive approach. Such discharge can be either a variant of the individual norm or indicate the presence of a disease (endometriosis, adenomyosis, polyposis, etc.);

Sometimes ovulation can be accompanied by spotting when a particularly large follicle bursts, and lasts from several hours to several days. Ovulatory bleeding is normal;

Very often, bloody discharge is accompanied by the presence of an intrauterine device;

Intermenstrual bleeding may be accompanied by the use of hormonal contraceptives. If this phenomenon occurs regularly while taking hormonal contraceptives or wearing an IUD, you should discuss this with your gynecologist.

In other cases, if bloody vaginal discharge is not associated with the menstrual cycle, it can be considered a manifestation of an existing pathological process:

For menstrual irregularities, hormonal imbalance;
Endometriosis (adenomyosis);
Chronic endometritis;
Cervical cancer;
Cervical erosions;
Polyposis;
Papillomas, genital warts.

If spotting occurs after sexual intercourse, then in most cases this is due to existing pathology in the cervical area (erosion, cancer, genital warts) and their trauma.

If spotting occurs during menopause, this is an alarming signal, and you should always be on guard for cancer. In this case, you should not delay your visit to the gynecologist and self-medicate.

As for sudden red discharge, it can be caused by an unexpected miscarriage in the first months of pregnancy. If an ectopic pregnancy develops, a woman experiences very strong, prolonged bleeding. If, in addition to discharge, a woman also exhibits some symptoms of pregnancy, then she should be immediately taken to the hospital.

Bloody discharge during pregnancy in most cases indicates pathology and is observed when:

Implantation of the embryo in the uterine cavity - on average 7-10 days after fertilization, therefore it is often perceived as menstruation, although the discharge is less abundant, more spotting, from dark red to brown in color, lasting from several hours to several days. This is normal;
Threat of miscarriage;
Premature abruption of a normally located placenta;
Placenta previa;
For some infectious diseases;
Removal of the mucus plug - sometimes there may be bloody inclusions, which are normal.

Yellow, whitish vaginal discharge is most often a sign of sexually transmitted infections. This color is due to the presence of leukocytes and dead bodies of microorganisms in the secretions.

Purulent vaginal discharge is observed in infectious pathologies such as chlamydia, trichomoniasis, candidiasis, gonorrhea and others. In most cases, such discharge is accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the form of itching, burning, swelling of the genital organs, and painful sensations in the lower abdomen and lumbar region.

During pregnancy, whitish, viscous vaginal discharge is considered normal if no other symptoms of the disease are noted.

Curd-like discharge is characteristic of thrush (candidiasis).

Foamy, thick discharge is more often observed with trichomoniasis and inflammation caused by mixed flora.

Vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor, reminiscent of rotten fish, characteristic of gardnerellosis (bacterial vaginosis).

The appearance of yellow, purulent, white, gray or greenish discharge several days or weeks after sexual intercourse in most cases indicates the occurrence of one or another infectious disease. Specific changes in vaginal discharge in various genital infections.

The most common causes of changes in the nature of vaginal discharge are specific infectious and inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system, namely trichomoniasis, candidiasis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, as well as bacterial vaginosis and nonspecific inflammatory diseases of the genital organs. Let's consider the characteristic changes in discharge for each of these infections and methods for determining them.

Trichomoniasis: copious white, yellowish or greenish foamy discharge with an unpleasant odor, accompanied by itching and/or burning, painful urination. Diagnostics - examination of a native smear or a smear after Romanovsky-Giemsa staining, PCR examination of vaginal discharge (the most reliable method) or bacteriological culture.

Thrush (candidiasis)– thick discharge, similar to lumps of yellowish cottage cheese, the amount of discharge is significantly increased.

Accompanied by intense, debilitating itching of the genitals, redness, and swelling of the external genitalia. Diagnosis – microscopic examination of vaginal smears, bacteriological culture of discharge.

Bacterial vaginosis– the amount of discharge increases significantly, the color of the discharge is grayish-white, an unpleasant odor appears (the smell of rotten fish) and a mild, periodically occurring itching of the external genitalia. Symptoms worsen after sexual intercourse. If the process continues for a long time, the discharge becomes yellow-green and sticky. Diagnosis - bacteriological culture of vaginal discharge.

Chlamydia– an uncharacteristic increase in the amount of discharge. The discharge is characterized by a yellow color (this sign is especially noticeable to the doctor when examining a woman in the mirror), often accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, painful urination, enlargement and soreness of the Bartholin gland. Diagnostics - PCR studies of discharge from the cervical canal (the most reliable method), bacteriological culture.

Gonorrhea– moderate yellowish-white vaginal discharge, accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, pain when urinating and, often, intermenstrual bleeding. To confirm the diagnosis, microscopic examination of discharge, bacteriological culture and PCR research are used.

Nonspecific vaginitis (colpitis)- vaginal discharge is the main symptom. Their characteristics are varied: liquid, watery, sometimes thick, purulent, often foul-smelling, often mixed with blood. Acute inflammation is accompanied by itching, burning or heat in the genital area. The diagnosis is confirmed by microscopic examination of vaginal smears.

If you need to consult a gynecologist, you can do so.

Every day a representative of the fair sex can meet in her underpants. This is both the norm and a deviation. It all depends on the nature of the discharge, smell and shade. Below in the article we will figure out which discharge is considered normal and which is not.

What does normal discharge mean?

Even a completely healthy girl can experience white discharge. And this is considered the norm. They are accompanied by a slightly sour aroma.

White or almost transparent mucous discharge is normal. They have an excellent effect on a woman’s overall health and protect the microflora of the internal genital organs from infections.

There are a number of symptoms by which a girl herself can distinguish pathological discharge from a normal natural process:

The smell may be slightly sour or absent at all.
At different periods of the cycle, they may differ slightly in shade (white, yellow, cream or translucent).
They can be either liquid or viscous.
No more than one teaspoon should be released per day.
Before menstruation, sexual intercourse or during periods of arousal, their number may increase.

Attention! As soon as the color of the discharge acquires a different shade and also appears, this is a reason to seek help from a doctor. Don't delay this, otherwise it will end very badly.

Why does the character of leucorrhoea change?

So, above we determined that white discharge is considered normal. Changes in their shade and character can be affected by hormonal levels. However, this does not indicate any violations of women’s health.

There are a number of factors that affect hormonal levels, which subsequently affects discharge:

Why does discharge with a specific odor occur?

Normal natural discharges are those that do not have an unpleasant odor. However, a representative of the fairer sex should also not feel:

nagging pain in the lower abdomen
burning
swelling

The presence of a strong sour odor may indicate a disease such as candidiasis or thrush. Almost every woman has encountered such a pathological process. It is accompanied by discomfort and unpleasant symptoms. The main causes of candidiasis:

Hormonal disbalance
Onset of pregnancy
Emotional stress
Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules
Poor quality underwear
Poor nutrition
Taking certain antibacterial drugs
Abrupt change in climatic conditions
Allergic reactions

Abnormal discharge in women

It is simply impossible to independently determine the disease, since many of them have similar symptoms. As soon as a woman notices slight deviations from the norm, she should definitely consult a doctor. Only diagnostic measures will help establish the exact problem and the cause that could influence its occurrence.

One of the indicators of a woman’s health is the characteristics of her sexual secretion. Discharge during sex is a complex process designed by nature itself. What they should be normally, and what should be considered a pathology - more details in this article.

Features of female discharge during arousal

Almost all sexual partners observe vaginal moisture during intimacy, and it increases with increasing sexual desire.

What is released in women when aroused?

In everyday life, the secretion that appears during sex is called lubrication. This is a transparent, odorless liquid mucus with a uniform consistency. The described substrate consists of liquid and cellular components, which are the secretion of glands of the epithelium of the vagina and uterine cavity, leukocytes and various microorganisms.

How much mucus should be normal?

Typically, female lubrication is released up to 5 ml per day. The amount of fluid with arousal increases significantly due to the rush of blood to the walls of the vagina and stimulation of the gonads. When girls are excited, discharge can be excessively abundant or, conversely, scanty. Sometimes the largest number of them is.

What is feminine lubricant for?

This secret performs many functions. With its help, sex becomes more comfortable, easy insertion and sliding are ensured. The sticky composition reduces the entry of foreign microorganisms, creating a protective barrier against germs and infections.

During the fertile period in the fair sex, this liquid adapts its composition, creating a favorable environment for sperm, thus promoting conception.

White discharge during sex (like cream)

Often ladies notice thick white discharge during and after sex. Many people describe it using the phrase “like cream.”

On medical forums, no one can really explain the nature of this secretion, and many users advise visiting a clinic and getting tested. However, experienced gynecologists argue that white creamy discharge should not frighten a woman if it does not have an unpleasant odor, is of uniform consistency, and is not accompanied by discomfort such as burning, itching and pain during urination. This feature, according to experts, is characteristic of mucus on certain days in the menstrual cycle.

The fact is that throughout the entire cycle, hormone levels are constantly changing, the amount of estrogen increases and decreases. The action of these substances determines the nature of female secretion. In addition to the vagina, the uterus produces mucus, the so-called cervical fluid.

Its main function is to help transport sperm to the egg. Figuratively speaking, this is a repository of semen, the environment of which is favorable for it and allows it to survive in the conditions of the acidic microflora of the vagina.

How does secretion change during sexual intercourse over the course of a month?

The characteristics of vaginal mucus depend on the phase of the menstrual cycle in which sexual intercourse occurred.

At the beginning there is very little mucus, it is transparent in color and quite watery. Its function at this stage is the barrier it forms in the cervical canal (the so-called cervical plug), which prevents the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the uterus.

As ovulation approaches, the amount of estrogen increases, which affects the functioning of the entire body, in particular the reproductive system and the properties of vaginal mucus. The vaginal secretion becomes abundant, thick, viscous and alkaline. It has a distinct odor of egg white and is creamy or white in color.

After ovulation, mucus is again produced in minimal quantities.

The nature of vaginal mucus and cervical fluid can even tell you what stage of fertility a woman is in and whether conception is possible.

To calculate the most suitable days for fertilization, you should pay attention to the signs and types of sexual mucus:

With scanty discharge and dryness in the vagina, conception is impossible (immediately after and before menstruation).
Sticky and sticky mucus that quickly dries on the fingers can only minimally contribute to the survival of sperm.
during sex without odor, they will tell you that ovulation is approaching and increasing your chances of getting pregnant.
The period of ovulation is characterized by the release of a white viscous liquid, reminiscent of egg white. Greatest chance of conception.
Then the level of estrogen declines, which makes the cervical fluid less capable of storing and transporting male semen.

These secretions can also change due to other factors. Stress and illness in the legs, hormonal imbalance, taking medications, including hormonal medications, antibiotics, allergic reactions, infectious diseases and gynecological pathologies can change the description of the mucus secreted during sex.

Heavy discharge during sex

Secretions released in significant quantities, as a rule, do not indicate pathology. In addition, the volume of discharge will help you determine the likelihood of conception through the vaginal method. It involves the following actions: inserting 2 fingers into the vagina (deep enough), then removing and determining the presence of fluid.

Heavy discharge during sex can indicate ovulation, as well as problems in the intimate environment, so this method only works in the absence of pathologies and diseases.

Pathologies and diseases

The cause of excessive secretion of lubricant in a girl during arousal can be certain disorders.

A common condition that causes excessive discharge is bacterial vaginosis. During and after sex, sticky, copious mucus is observed, yellow, green or dirty white in color with a rotten fishy smell. During sexual intercourse, discomfort in the form of burning and itching may occur.

A curdled consistency, white color and kefir smell will indicate the fungal disease Candidiasis, also known as thrush.

Sexually transmitted infectious diseases, such as chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea, often explain the significant leakage of foul-smelling fluid of different colors during intimacy.

Natural causes of copious white discharge in women after sexual intercourse

Such secretion can occur as a result of mixing vaginal secretions and a man’s sperm. Sometimes it has a yellowish tint and a protein smell, similar to a chicken egg. Usually this mucus does not cause discomfort. Genital discharge is quite abundant and indicates the completion of sexual intercourse with ejaculation into the vagina.

Often the cause of strong female discharge when the white color is excited is hypersensitivity. In this case, the symptom cannot be attributed to pathology; rather, it is a phenomenon of a psychological and emotional nature.

Scanty discharge during sex

Sometimes there is no lubrication at all, which is a consequence of the problem. Perhaps the acid-base balance is out of order or the microflora is disturbed. Most often, the reason is hormonal imbalance, which is why vaginal dryness is often detected during menopause.

Smirnova Olga (gynecologist, State Medical University, 2010)

The presence of vaginal secretion in moderate volume and not causing discomfort indicates the proper functioning of the reproductive system. Most often, transparent and white discharge is observed in women, which changes depending on the menstrual cycle and indicates the course of normal physiological processes in the body. Changes in the intensity of vaginal fluid excretion, its structure and smell may indicate a certain disease. Let's consider in this article when the designation of an unusual white secretion should be a reason to visit a doctor.

Leucorrhoea with age-related changes

Preparing for menstruation (12-16 years). Shortly before menarche, the girl's body begins to secrete a whitish or homogeneous structure. Such a substance should not contain flakes, hard lumps or other compactions. White means your first period is due in a few months. This symptom may also affect younger girls. Read one of our articles about girls influenced by their mother's hormones.
Reproductive period (16–45 years). For adult women, leucorrhoea in small quantities is a constant companion in life. They perform a protective function; during sex they moisturize the vagina, preventing damage and irritation of the mucous membrane. There is no need to treat them.
Premenopause (from about 45 years of age). In a healthy woman, a whitish secretion appears in a volume of 2 to 5 ml per day. With hormonal imbalance, there is a sharp decrease in the amount of leucorrhoea. In this case, you need to consult a doctor to prescribe medications that support hormonal levels.
Menopause (from about 55 years of age). Despite the small amount of vaginal mucus, it is extremely important to regularly visit the gynecologist and have a smear test. At this age, the female body is predisposed to various diseases, which are characterized by strong leucorrhoea of different structures.

At any period of life, a woman should regularly visit a gynecologist. Only a specialist can accurately determine the cause of the appearance of white discharge.

The detection of any pathologies at an early stage of development determines the speed, effectiveness and possibility of their cure.

Volume of discharge

The quantitative indicator of whitish secretion changes throughout the entire menstrual cycle:

Immediately after menstruation. Whitish secretion is practically absent or appears in small quantities.
Mid-cycle (ovulation). There is noticeably more mucus from the vagina. At this time, the appearance of copious white discharge (from 5 to 10 ml per day) is allowed, which can drag on. But only for a few days without additional unpleasant symptoms.
After ovulation. There is less secretion during this period, it gradually becomes colorless, and its volume increases immediately before menstruation, but not more than a teaspoon per day.

Such dynamics are not observed in every woman due to the individual state of hormonal levels and a specific period in life.

Scarce

Most often, a woman does not worry about minor whitish discharge. But they may also require treatment in some situations. The presence of scant milky secretion (0.1–0.2 ml) or its absence may be associated with various disorders. Gynecologists note complete and partial vaginal dryness, which occurs due to the following factors:

Possible excess or deficiency of hormones.
Development of inflammation in the pelvic organs (temperature rises).
Endocrine disorders.
Imbalance of vaginal microflora.
Presence of infections and pathogenic bacteria.
Bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol).
Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules.
Abuse of douching.

Secretion should be released at regular intervals throughout the day, and increase during arousal. When there is a lack of natural lubrication, the risk of damage to the inner walls of the vagina during sex increases. Microtraumas caused by friction create favorable conditions for the proliferation of fungi and bacteria.

A dry period can normally occur only after menstruation and during menopause. The decline of reproductive function provokes inactive functioning of the gonads. Libido decreases and secretion production decreases, so a woman needs to control hormone levels and use additional moisturizers during coitus.

Abundant

In the absence of discomfort or bad odor, a lot of white discharge does not indicate pathology. This secretion occurs only for a few hours or days.

Among the non-dangerous reasons for designating the described discharges, it is worth highlighting:

reaction of the reproductive system to arousal;
entry of sperm into the vagina;
change of sexual partner;
unprotected sexual intercourse resulting in ejaculation into the vagina;
taking oral contraceptives;
hormone treatment;
pregnancy;
puberty in girls.

However, there should not be too much vaginal mucus. A clear sign of a malfunction is the appearance of strong white discharge with an odor over a long period of time. The panty liner gets wet quickly (in less than an hour), and the secretion does not decrease in volume for two or three days.

A pathological increase in odorless secretion is most often caused by:

cervical erosion;
acute salpingitis;
adnexitis.

The presence of copious white discharge with an unpleasant odor may indicate the presence of vaginosis, vaginitis or vaginal dysbiosis.

It is impossible to establish what kind of negative process may be occurring in the body without the help of a doctor.

Secretion consistency

An important factor in the diagnosis of white vaginal discharge is its thickness. Normally, the consistency of the secretion changes during the monthly cycle:

Beginning of the follicular phase. Cervical mucus is quite dense and viscous due to the predominance of progesterone. At this time, a plug is formed that protects the reproductive system from infections and microbes.
Shortly before ovulation. The secretion still retains a thick state, but becomes more and more viscous. The mucus is sticky in nature, but the stretch does not exceed one centimeter.
During ovulation. The body creates favorable conditions for the penetration of sperm, so the mucus from the cervical canal is liquid, loose,... Some women experience a watery secretion, but without discomfort.
Corpus luteum phase. The liquid secretion becomes thick again and practically disappears. The appearance of copious white vaginal discharge in women can be noticed shortly before menstrual bleeding.

Watery

The appearance of liquid discharge (more than five days) may characterize the initial stages of the following diseases:

The secret can flow like water. If the pathology is not treated, then other unpleasant sensations are added to the watery secretion. White mucus can also change its shade over time to pink, green, yellow, gray, depending on the existing disease.

Thick

Thick or thick vaginal discharge can be caused by harmless reasons:

predominance of cervical fluid in the secretion;
high levels of progesterone during a specific period of the cycle;
first 12 weeks of pregnancy;
sudden climate change;
use of suppositories, gels, ointments;
reaction to synthetics;
using inappropriate intimate hygiene products.

If there is a dense secretion without odor and itching, one can assume an increase in the number of pathogenic microorganisms in the vagina or a decrease in the number of lactobacilli. The most common pathology is the initial stage and chronic form of thrush. It provokes not only curdled, but also.

When Candida fungi enter the female vagina, beneficial microorganisms begin to fight pathogens. This process provokes a change in the consistency of vaginal secretions. In 90% of cases, the early development of thrush is not accompanied by thick white and itching.

The same situation occurs with chronic candidiasis. The aroma and pain disappear, but the disease does not disappear. In this case, white thick discharge in women is characterized by latent inflammation of the cervix, provoked by thrush.

Mucous

The appearance of white mucous discharge in women can be caused by:

chlamydia;
bacterial vaginosis;
gonorrhea (gonorrhoea);
trichomoniasis.

The whitish tint of secretion with mucus causes an increased number of leukocytes and pathogenic microflora. As the disease progresses, the fluid often becomes yellow, greenish or purulent. And its consistency becomes foamy.

Curd

The most common reproductive system disorder among women is thrush. Candidiasis often manifests itself as a white, thick discharge with itching and burning. Vaginal secretions may come out in large quantities and become cheesy over time.

The consistency is heterogeneous with lumps or flakes. Reminds me of curdled milk or cottage cheese. They have a very pungent sour smell. In addition to the described characteristics of the discharge, the following symptoms occur:

pain during sex;
discomfort during urination;
may pull in the lower abdomen;
burning of the external genitalia.

They differ in the severity of symptoms.

When candidiasis occurs with virtually no symptoms, it is very easy to confuse the pathology with other diseases. Because of this, women cannot properly treat the problem without the help of a doctor. Especially when combining thrush with other fungal and infectious diseases.

The structure of secretion during candidiasis may contain large quantities of:

lumps;
flakes;
clots;
veins;
solid pieces of unknown origin.

The occurrence of itching and white discharge in women can be associated with diseases such as trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginitis.

The smell of discharge

Diseases of the reproductive system are often characterized by white liquid. The only exception is secretion with an unsaturated sour odor due to the vaginal environment. A strong, unpleasant aroma cannot be considered the norm.

Pathological mucus may smell like:

Fish

A common cause of white spots is vaginal dysbiosis. Itching in the perineal area may begin if left untreated for a long time.

Urine

Due to stress, excess weight, and excessive physical activity, fluid from the bladder can leak. Therefore, y. For treatment, it is necessary to undergo examination by a gynecologist and urologist.

Tukhlyatina

A rotten aroma may occur against the background of gardnerellosis. The color of the vaginal fluid gradually changes, and the white mucus appears dirty. The smell of rotten fish may indicate the formation of polyamines.

Herring

Due to the large amount of pathogenic flora against the background of a decrease in the number of beneficial bacteria, bacterial vaginosis develops. There is significant leucorrhoea on the underpants with a very unpleasant smell of herring.

Bow

A sign of a fungal disease. The onion aroma intensifies after sexual intercourse and during monthly bleeding.

Acetone

White discharge in women with a pungent odor of acetone can be associated with diabetes mellitus due to the formation of ketone bodies. Additional reasons: problems with metabolic processes, diseases of the urinary system, strict diets.

Iron

The presence of such an odor may be due to the presence of blood. The daily secretion remains white, but after sex, a woman often notices brownish marks on her underwear. The danger is posed by a focus of cervical erosion, which without treatment often degenerates into cancer.

These problems provoke the appearance of white discharge with an odor without itching.

The exception is vaginal dysbiosis and gardnerellosis, which are also characterized by a burning sensation.

If leucorrhoea does not go away

Girls may experience constant white spotting due to:

If white discharge appears, you need to contact a gynecologist to establish an accurate diagnosis and select effective treatment.

Pathology according to the type of leucorrhoea

Secretion can be released from various parts of the reproductive system. The origin of leucorrhoea or discharge in white women may be as follows:

Pipe. Whitish secretion occurs due to an inflammatory process in the uterine tubes. First, the fluid accumulates, gradually entering the uterus, and only then ends up in the vagina.
Vaginal. Vaginal diseases cause microflora disruption. This could be thrush, dysbiosis or infection of the reproductive system.
Cervical. The appearance of leucorrhoea is most often caused by cervicitis. Inflammation is provoked by pathogenic microorganisms against the background of gonorrhea, mycoplasmosis and chlamydia.
Uterine. White secretion from the uterus is released due to endometritis (acute, chronic, specific). Fluid from the cervix enters the vagina, where it mixes with normal fluids.

A woman is unable to independently determine the area of the reproductive system where exactly a significant strange secretion could originate. The cause of white discharge in women should be determined by a doctor, and priority in treatment should be given to traditional medicine. In gynecology, there are several diagnostic methods. The specialist will evaluate the symptoms, check the smear material and only then prescribe appropriate therapy. Incorrectly selected therapy is not only useless, but also extremely dangerous to health.

From the onset of puberty, girls begin to experience vaginal discharge. This is natural and indicates that changes are occurring in the body, due to which the ovaries and uterus develop and begin to function. There are certain signs that allow you to understand whether the organs of the reproductive system are functioning normally or whether there are any problems. A pathology is, for example, the presence of a color or a strong odor in the discharge. The reasons why heavy discharge appears are often questionable. Sometimes only a detailed examination will help you figure it out.

Content:

Causes and signs of normal leucorrhoea

Normal mucous secretions are formed as a result of constant renewal of epithelial cells of the mucous membranes of organs. Mucus is produced by the glands of the cervix; waste products of microorganisms that make up the vaginal microflora and other physiological fluids are added to it. Their consistency and volume depend on the characteristics of the body, age, and physiological state of the woman.

The difference between normal discharge and pathological discharge is that it does not cause discomfort and has no odor. They are transparent or white, with a faint yellowish or creamy tint. Ovulation discharge may contain minor traces of blood.

The appearance of heavy discharge is normal in the following cases:

Girls begin puberty. This occurs around 11-14 years of age. 1-1.5 years before this, mucous white discharge appears, which indicates hormonal changes in the body. Glands that produce secretory fluid begin to function in the cervix. The hormonal background does not form immediately. Processes in the organs of the reproductive system also proceed unevenly, and the volume of mucus produced fluctuates. A girl’s discharge during this period can be either small in volume or copious.
The moment of ovulation, the release of a mature egg from the protective shell (follicle), is approaching. Ovulation occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle. Heavy discharge facilitates the passage of sperm into the uterus to fertilize the egg.
The second half of the cycle ends. At this time, the main role is played by progesterone, the hormone responsible for maintaining pregnancy after conception. Thanks to its effect, the glands of the cervix begin to intensively produce jelly-like mucus, which is necessary to facilitate the penetration of the embryo into the uterus and its attachment to the wall. If conception does not occur, then menstruation begins. Therefore, an increase in the volume of mucus before menstruation should not be a cause for concern if it is white (maybe slightly creamy) in color and does not have an unpleasant odor.
Leucorrhoea worsens with sexual excitement.
The cause of watery discharge in a woman is pregnancy;
Menstruation may be heavy. They are normal if their volume does not exceed 80-100 ml and stop after a maximum of 5 days.

Video: Normal and abnormal vaginal discharge

Pathological discharge and its signs

Pathological leucorrhoea can be a manifestation of diseases of the genitourinary system associated with infection and the proliferation of opportunistic microorganisms. The cause of many diseases of the uterus and appendages is hormonal imbalance. It occurs in the body due to disruption of the endocrine system, the use of hormonal drugs, and violations of physiological norms.

Diseases can be the consequences of abortion, childbirth, or surgery on the reproductive organs. If heavy discharge occurs due to illness, it usually has an unpleasant odor, a foamy or cheesy consistency, yellow or green color, and contains blood impurities. They cause redness and swelling of the skin in the external genitalia and perineum. Typically, this results in burning and itching in the vagina, increased urination, and all this is accompanied by pain in the bladder.

Diseases that cause excessive leucorrhoea

Pathological discharge occurs as a result of disruption of the glands that produce mucus, cell death, damage to blood and lymphatic vessels, and the formation of pus. The danger is that inflammation quickly spreads in the genitals.

Inflammatory diseases

Copious discharge occurs during inflammatory processes in the following organs:

Colpitis (in the vaginal mucosa). The cause of the disease may be a disturbance in the composition of the microflora and the proliferation of opportunistic bacteria (staphylococci, streptococci). Failure to comply with hygiene rules and frequent douching contribute to the growth of the number of harmful microbes against the background of the death of beneficial bacteria. Depending on the degree of tissue damage, a woman experiences intense liquid or thick purulent discharge with a foul odor.
Cervicitis (in the flat and columnar epithelium of the cervix). Leucorrhoea may have a pinkish color due to the ingress of blood from damaged small vessels. This is especially noticeable after sexual intercourse. Before and after menstruation, the discharge becomes dark brown.
Endometritis (in the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity - endometrium). Due to damage to endometrial vessels, clots of coagulated blood appear in the discharge. Brown discharge may appear 2 days before your period.
Salpingitis (in the fallopian tubes). In the acute phase of the inflammatory process, the leucorrhoea is watery, has a green tint, and a foul odor.
Oophoritis (in the ovaries). Acute inflammation is accompanied by copious, foul-smelling yellow discharge mixed with pus and blood.

Inflammatory processes in the uterus and ovaries lead to women experiencing pain in the lower back and lower abdomen, increased temperature, and lead to menstrual irregularities. They often cause infertility or complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

Venereal diseases

They are characterized by copious watery purulent discharge with a specific odor. They cause burning and itching in the vagina. Urination becomes painful. Pain appears in the lower abdomen. Often such diseases occur in combination, masking each other. This makes them difficult to treat.

Warning: Treatment of sexually transmitted diseases will be effective only when both sexual partners are treated at the same time.

Trichomoniasis. The discharge in this disease is foamy, intense, and has a strong, unpleasant odor. Color – gray, with a yellow tint.

Chlamydia. Mucopurulent discharge with a foul odor is observed. Often in the initial stage it proceeds secretly. But even in the absence of symptoms, the likelihood of infection is high.

Gonorrhea. Gonococci affect the cylindrical epithelium located in the uterus, as well as the bladder and rectum, causing the appearance of cystitis and proctitis. A purulent, profuse yellow discharge appears. Pain in the lower abdomen and symptoms of damage to other pelvic organs occur. You may experience heavy bleeding between periods.

Video: Discharge in women with trichomoniasis

Non-inflammatory infectious diseases

Bacterial vaginosis. The death of beneficial lactobacilli causes increased proliferation of opportunistic bacteria that live in the body without showing anything until they find favorable conditions. The cause may be hormonal disorders, diseases of the genital organs, radiation therapy, use of antibiotics and other factors. A characteristic sign of dysbacteriosis is profuse discharge that irritates the skin of the external genitalia. They are gray in color and smell like rotting fish.

In the treatment of vaginosis, it is important to restore the balance of beneficial bacteria in the mucous membranes of the woman’s genital organs. To do this, doctors prescribe not only medications, but also products to normalize the vaginal microflora. Multi-Gyn ActiGel, which contains a complex of biologically active polysaccharides, which is obtained from a gel-like extract of aloe leaves, has proven itself well. It prevents pathogens from gaining a foothold on the genital mucosa and neutralizes them, thereby helping to restore healthy vaginal microflora.

Candidiasis– a fungal disease known as thrush. It is characterized by copious milky-white, cheesy discharge with a sour odor, causing severe itching and burning in the vulva area.

Video: Discharge from gardnerellosis (bacterial vaginosis)

How to determine the cause of pathological discharge

Based on the nature of the discharge, one can make an assumption about a possible pathology:

white curdled leucorrhoea with a sour smell occurs with candidiasis;
gray with a fishy smell, transparent, watery - with bacterial vaginosis;
yellow – for trichomoniasis;
bloody may appear in the presence of an intrauterine device, as well as endometriosis, erosion or cervical cancer;
purulent - occur during sexually transmitted infections.

If a woman has suspicious, heavy discharge, she should undergo an examination and take a smear for microflora analysis. A general blood test will confirm the presence of an inflammatory process. Special blood tests (PCR, ELISA) can detect hidden infections. Ultrasound, colposcopy and x-rays are used to detect pathological changes in organ tissue.

Warning: Treatment must be prescribed by a doctor. You can’t delay time and fight illnesses with home remedies. Diseases can become chronic and dangerous.

Features of leucorrhoea during pregnancy and after childbirth

During pregnancy, significant hormonal changes occur as the body prepares for childbirth. The walls of the uterus and vagina become softer and more elastic, and more mucus is produced to facilitate the passage of the fetus through the birth canal. Therefore, an increase in the volume of white, almost transparent discharge is normal. At the beginning of pregnancy they are thicker, and from the 2nd trimester they become more and more thin. In recent weeks, amniotic fluid may begin to leak, which indicates impending labor.

In addition to normal liquid discharge, pregnant women may also experience pathological discharge, which is dangerous to ignore. These include symptoms of thrush, vaginal dysbiosis, inflammatory diseases, and sexually transmitted infections. The doctor prescribes safe medications in order to save the woman from such pathologies and prevent infection of the fetus.

Bloody discharge occurs with erosion of the cervix. They may be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy if they are accompanied by pain on one side of the abdomen (where the fetus is implanted). Such discharge appears when the placenta is separated or there is a threat of miscarriage. To maintain pregnancy, bed rest and timely treatment are necessary.

After childbirth, a woman experiences lochia, a discharge associated with cleansing the uterus. In the first days they are intense, reminiscent of heavy periods with remnants of the placenta and epithelium. Gradually their volume decreases, leaving only yellowish mucus. After 1.5 months, the discharge takes on its normal appearance.