Vaginal discharge

As Vaginal discharge, vaginal discharge, genital fluoro, white flow, or vaginal discharge is often a symptom of a disease in women, in which there is a disturbed formation of the normally non-pathological vaginal flora.

What is vaginal discharge?

Vaginal discharge (discharge from the vagina), genital fluorine or vaginal discharge is the natural discharge from the female sexual organ that occurs in every sexually mature woman and often accompanies her from the first period to the end of her life.

The color, smell, consistency and amount of vaginal discharge can be particularly affected. A thorough examination by the gynecologist should accordingly take place in order to rule out complications and diseases of the female genital organs.

The vaginal discharge is used to clean the vaginal canal and should not usually cause any discomfort. However, this is often one of the first indicators of vaginal disease - these show up as foul-smelling, painful or noticeably colored vaginal discharge and signal that the mucous membranes or other parts of the genital organ are diseased.

causes

There are many reasons for abnormal vaginal discharge - they are mainly determined by examining a sample in the laboratory. Foul-smelling, increased discharge in combination with irritated skin and itchy areas indicate a fungal infection. Darkly discolored vaginal discharge could also represent a sexually transmitted disease or sexually transmitted disease, and this usually also changes the smell of the discharge negatively.

The analysis also pays attention to the consistency, because every change can represent a different state. All of these changes belong to the group of treatable diseases, which, as a rule, do not have to entail any complications or unpleasant treatments if they are recognized in time. It looks different if the vaginal discharge is bloody. This could be due to a simple injury to the mucous membranes, but it is also a warning sign of advanced cervical or ovarian cancer. Even particularly unfavorably located cysts can cause bloody vaginal discharge.

Diseases with this symptom

• Vaginal fungus
• Ovarian cancer

• Bacterial vaginosis
• Vaginal inflammation

• cervical cancer
• Chlamydia

course

If the vaginal discharge develops due to an infection or a similar condition, the change usually occurs a few days or weeks after being infected with the pathogen. The incubation time depends heavily on the pathogen in question - in some cases the change in discharge begins immediately, while others take weeks to develop.

However, when the condition is serious, the abnormal vaginal discharge is often one of the last symptoms to develop. In cervical cancer, in some cases it does not even show up in the terminal stages.

Cysts, on the other hand, are initially accompanied by severe pain in the lower abdomen and only lead to bleeding if they develop further in a problematic manner. If blood is seen in the vaginal discharge, it can be assumed that the underlying disease has advanced to an advanced stage and immediate treatment is needed.

Complications

Vaginal discharge can cause a strong odor. If the discharge smells particularly fishy, ​​there may be an infection. The discharge can also be particularly strong and thus a sign of illness. If the discharge is yellow or brown, it may be bacterial inflammation.

White, green, or purulent vaginal fluoroids or crumbly or lumpy discharge also indicate a disease. Inflammation can rise and cause fallopian tube and ovarian inflammation or uterine inflammation. As a result, it can lead to inflammation of the abdominal cavity or infertility.

If the discharge is thick, white, it may be vaginal thrush. In addition, there is often severe itching. If the discharge occurs long after the menopause, it could be a tumor. If there are sore blisters in addition to the discharge, it may be genital herpes.

Other complications related to vaginal discharge may include redness, severe itching, and burning pain. Frequent need to urinate and burning sensation when urinating can also occur. There may be whitish deposits on the labia or on the vaginal mucosa. You may experience new, unfamiliar pain during intercourse. In addition, there may be a fever and a general feeling of illness.

When should you go to the doctor?

Every woman develops vaginal discharge from the time she has her first menstrual period. As soon as this deviates from its normal appearance, which is different for every woman, the gynecologist should be consulted. Of course, it should be noted that it is changed shortly before the menstrual period and at the time of ovulation and that it does not follow a familiar pattern during pregnancy.

Noticeable changes are a bad smell, a different consistency or a dark discoloration of the vaginal discharge. Such changes are mostly related to diseases, for example bacterial infections, sexually transmitted diseases or diseases of the internal genital organs. The woman should be particularly careful if she notices blood in the changed vaginal discharge or if the vaginal discharge regularly contains small amounts of blood. This indicates injuries and should be clarified by a doctor, as the woman cannot tell from the outside whether there is a problem.

Women in a committed relationship should also pay attention to changes in vaginal discharge, because they are also not safely protected from sexually transmitted diseases. In addition to infection from a partner, there are other, albeit rare, transmission routes. Infections of the genital organs are unpleasant, but they can be treated effectively with antibiotics - the sooner the doctor's appointment is, the sooner other symptoms can be prevented and the basic problem can be quickly eliminated.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

If an unusual or pathological vaginal discharge occurs, the doctor must first check for pathogens from sexually transmitted diseases and infectious diseases. It can then be treated with the appropriate antibiotic in a targeted manner. For mild fungal infections, a cream is usually prescribed with which the affected areas of the vagina must be rubbed. More severe infections are cured by an oral agent.

Other underlying diseases, however, have to be treated with antibiotics, which are injected or administered intravenously, in order to be able to develop their effects. The vaginal discharge returns to normal and indicates the end of the disease. Cancer or cysts that cause bloody discharge are usually treated surgically. Problems caused by cysts are already resolved and there is no longer any bloody vaginal discharge, cancer, however, requires individual follow-up treatment. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgical removal of the affected tissue are among the standard therapies that a woman can expect in this case.

Outlook & forecast

The vaginal discharge is usually not a cause for concern and is part of the body's natural self-cleaning process. It therefore takes place for life in women and changes its color, consistency and quantity, particularly depending on the woman's menstrual cycle. Due to the natural course, after the menopause and the absence of menstrual bleeding, there is a decrease in vaginal discharge.

Diseases that lead to a change in vaginal discharge are in most cases easily curable and treatable. The discharge changes its smell and color in many cases with sexually transmitted diseases. Tripper, chlamydial infection or syphilis are treated with antibiotics and generally have a good chance of recovery. Genital herpes disease is not considered to be curable. However, medication is administered so that when the viral disease breaks out, the cold sores in the genital area regress and the symptoms are alleviated.

Inflammation of the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries can also be cured with medication. Warts, fungal infections or abnormalities in the ph value in the vagina can lead to changes in the vaginal discharge. These complaints can also be treated well within a medical treatment.

With all diseases, the sooner they are diagnosed and treated, the better the prospect of a speedy recovery. In syphilis, early diagnosis and treatment are life-saving and vital.

prevention

In many cases, pathological vaginal discharge does not have to occur at all, because there are effective preventive measures. Women should only engage in sexual intercourse with strangers with sufficient protection: only condoms or femidoms offer this if used correctly. In this way, fungal and bacterial infections can be effectively avoided, and the vaginal discharge will not develop any unhealthy properties even after intercourse.

If there has been cheating (cheating) within the relationship or if the woman suspects this, she must speak to her partner about it in her own health interests and, if necessary, refrain from sexual intercourse or use mechanical prevention until she is safe.

Even before a woman notices blood in the vaginal discharge, she should have regular gynecological examinations and a swab of the cervix made - this allows dangerous cervical cancer to be detected early and treated painlessly and without complications.

You can do that yourself

Adequate intimate hygiene is important with vaginal discharge. Both inadequate hygiene and excessive hygiene (rinsing, aggressive intimate hygiene products and intensive washing) disrupt the vaginal environment and irritate the skin. Only the outer genital area should be washed with lukewarm water or soap-free washing lotions with a pH value of around 4 to 4.5. Drying off well is important. The external genital area outside the labia minora can be cared for with a neutral skin oil. This keeps sensitive skin supple and reduces the smallest injuries and inflammations.

After a bowel movement, proper cleaning is essential. So that no intestinal germs get into the vagina, you should wipe from front to back. Tight synthetic clothing and airtight panties should not be worn if you have vaginal discharge. They promote the growth of fungi and bacteria in the external genital area and hinder the exchange of air. Pathogens can get inside and cause infections.

Too much stress can lead to vaginal discharge. Thus, attention should be paid to reducing stress and regular relaxation phases. During sexual intercourse, condoms and femidoms protect against sexually transmitted sexually transmitted diseases and infectious diseases and thus also against vaginal discharge.

It is also important to have a healthy lifestyle that strengthens the body's defenses. This includes abstaining from nicotine, little or no alcohol consumption, regular exercise and a healthy, wholesome diet.