White vaginal discharge - symptoms, treatment and causes of whiteness

White vaginal discharge

is a common condition that causes great anxiety in women. But is it always worth sounding the alarm and how dangerous is this symptom? Absolutely every girl experiences discharge from time to time, but in some cases such a symptom may indicate serious illness. Therefore, it is very important to be able to recognize your conditions and be able to distinguish pathology from a normal natural process in the body. Leucorrhoea can be either with or without an unpleasant odor, and have different shades (from reddish-brown to yellow).

The consistency of the discharge also varies: it can be curd-like

,
liquid
,
foamy or jelly-like
. To determine the diagnosis, the presence or absence of symptoms accompanying the discharge is important: itching and burning in the intimate area, irritation or redness of the external genital organs. Read this article to find out if you should be concerned about your discharge. If the symptoms indicate danger, we will help solve your problem. Sometimes white discharge is unthinkingly associated with the presence of thrush. You should not make such mistakes; it is important to find out about the reliable causes of discharge in order to prevent complications. Symptoms of thrush include leucorrhoea, but not all leucorrhoea indicates thrush.

When white vaginal discharge is not dangerous

As mentioned above, vaginal discharge is common to all women from time to time. What symptoms of vaginal discharge may indicate normal processes in the body:

• Transparent color - colorless or transparent white discharge
• Liquid or jelly-like - consistency similar to water or mucus
• Unsystematic discharge - if you notice strange discharge, sometimes you should not sound the alarm in the first hours. However, if they last longer than two days, you should be wary.
• With discharge there are no accompanying symptoms - heat, redness of the genitals, itching and burning sensation in the vagina
• Small amount of discharge - if only a small amount of discharge is produced, in many cases you can breathe easy. But remember that the small volume must be combined with other signs of the absence of pathologies.

In a healthy woman, the periodic presence of mucous transparent discharge is normal. They are secreted to clean the internal cavity of the vagina and protect it from infection. Also, in many respects, the presence or absence of discharge depends on the general health of the woman, and most importantly on her female condition - the menstrual cycle and the period of pregnancy, especially during the period of ovulation. During pregnancy, girls experience an increased amount of liquid discharge. Similar discharge can be observed with strong sexual arousal.

Thick discharge at different periods of the menstrual cycle

The content of the article

Each stage of the menstrual cycle is manifested by characteristic vaginal discharge:

• During menstruation,
  in addition to spotting, a woman may notice the appearance of blood clots and thick red mucous discharge. This is considered normal and should not cause concern. Thus, the uterus is cleared of the separated mucous membrane.
• After the end of menstruation,
  a woman normally experiences an odorless, light milky mucous discharge. The volume of fluid released during this period should not exceed 2 ml per day.
• Ovulation
  is manifested by white or transparent thick discharge. In appearance, they are similar to the white of a raw chicken egg.
• At the end of the menstrual cycle
  (a few days before the start of menstruation), the amount of leucorrhoea increases. In this case, there are no other symptoms that may indicate the development of pathology.

If thick vaginal discharge is accompanied by additional symptoms that cause discomfort to the woman, immediate consultation with a doctor is required. These symptoms include:

• burning, itching in the vagina;
• weakness, fatigue;
• nausea, vomiting;
• increase in body temperature.

Thick discharge mixed with pus indicates the development of cervicitis. When stressed, they intensify, and after menstruation they acquire a viscous consistency. White, abundant, curd-like discharge, accompanied by burning, itching and plaque on the genitals, is a sure sign of thrush.

Thrush

Let us immediately note that the most common cause of profuse white vaginal discharge is still thrush or, as this disease is scientifically called, vaginal candidiasis. Its cause is a fungus of the genus Candida, which is part of the normal microflora of the female reproductive system, but for some reason it begins to multiply incredibly quickly, which leads to pathology. In this case, leucorrhoea has a cheesy consistency, it is very abundant and all this, as a rule, is accompanied by terrible itching in the pelvic area.

Do not panic, because the symptoms of this disease are quite easy to get rid of using specialized vaginal suppositories and ointments, such as, for example, clotrimazole. However, relieving symptoms does not guarantee that the disease will not manifest itself again after a few days, and therefore, in order to find out the exact causes and avoid relapses of candidiasis outbreaks, we recommend that you undergo a consultation and examination with a gynecologist. You can read more about thrush in this article.

Thick discharge during pregnancy

The first discharge associated with pregnancy is clear, liquid and abundant. At later stages, their composition and consistency changes - they become viscous and thick. An increase in the volume of discharge can be triggered by the outflow of cervical mucus, which becomes a harbinger of imminent labor. This condition is considered normal when there are no accompanying pathological symptoms.

You should be concerned when the following changes are observed:

• the separated mass became cheesy, foamy, with clots;
• an unpleasant odor appeared;
• the volume of discharged fluid increased.

Which vaginal leucorrhoea is dangerous?

We have determined how to distinguish healthy discharge, now we need to understand the signs of problems. In many ways, these points directly follow from the previous point - those leucorrhoea that do not have the listed signs of healthy processes in the body usually indicate the presence of problems. In some cases, the presence of a symptom immediately indicates pathology. If you notice one of these symptoms in combination with white discharge, seek help from your gynecologist as soon as possible:

1. An unpleasant smell of discharge is one of the main symptoms of unhealthy leucorrhoea. Healthy discharge usually does not have a distinct odor. The smell may resemble rot, fish, or mustiness. These are obvious symptoms of the disease.
2. Unpleasant sensations in the vaginal area - itching, burning and dryness in the intimate area, coupled with white discharge, also indicate pathology.
3. Redness and sores on the external genitalia - changes in the appearance of the vagina and labia do not occur without a reason, especially in combination with leucorrhoea.
4. The color of the discharge - in normal health, the discharge has a transparent color and the consistency resembles a thick liquid or mucus. Accordingly, yellow, red, brownish discharge indicates pathology

Types of leucorrhoea

Depending on the place of formation, leucorrhoea is classified into the following types:

• Vaginal
  . They usually appear after suffering from inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system. Discharge in this case can be the result of transudation (leakage of the liquid part of the blood) into the lumen of the vagina, caused by mechanical or chemical effects on the mucous membrane of the organ. During the oncological process, vaginal discharge can be sanguineous.
• Cervical
  . Symptoms of diseases of the cervix, endocrine system, tuberculosis. Depending on the origin, they may contain pus or blood impurities. With cervical cancer, leucorrhoea usually has a liquid consistency.
• Uterine
  . The appearance of uterine leucorrhoea indicates endometritis or tumors. The acute course of endometritis is accompanied by purulent discharge, and the chronic form is watery. With cancer of the uterine body, the uterine discharge is watery, and during the disintegration of the tumor it becomes red-gray in color.
• Pipe.
  Tubal discharge is usually watery and yellow in color. Tubal leucorrhoea appears due to cancer of the fallopian tube. Their consistency is watery with an admixture of blood. This disease is quite rare and is the result of advanced inflammation of the cervix or fallopian tubes.

We determine the disease by the color of the discharge. Symptoms

It is impossible to determine one hundred percent the cause of leucorrhoea based on its symptoms - there can be more than a hundred of them. You can make assumptions based on patient statistics, but it is simply necessary to contact a gynecologist and undergo diagnostics. When it comes to health, it's always better to be sure.

• Clear, foamy leucorrhoea
  may indicate the presence of
  chlamydia
• A gray tint in vaginal discharge
  coupled with a fishy odor may indicate the presence of
  bacterial vaginosis.
• A yellowish tint to the leucorrhoea
  may be a sign of
  trichomoniasis.
• A greenish tint
  to the discharge indicates purulent inflammatory processes. The stronger the inflammation, the more pronounced the green color will be in the leucorrhoea.

Diagnostics

If there is vaginal discharge with or without any unpleasant odor, a consultation with a gynecologist is indicated, during which the external and internal genital organs are examined in detail using physical and instrumental methods. To clarify the cause of leucorrhoea, various clinical and microbiological studies are performed, of which the greatest diagnostic value is:

• Vaginal examination.
  Examination of the vagina and cervix in speculum is the main diagnostic method, during which the amount and nature of pathological discharge is assessed, inflammatory or atrophic changes in the epithelium are identified. The condition of the excretory ducts of the Bartholin glands and the urethral orifice must be studied.
• Colposcopy
  . Visualization of the mucous membrane of the vaginal part of the cervix is ​​necessary to exclude erosions, genital precancerous conditions and malignant neoplasms. During colposcopy, a test with acetic acid and a Schiller test are performed. If necessary, the method is supplemented by cervicoscopy, and if uterine leucorrhoea is suspected, by hysteroscopy.
• Ultrasonography
  . An ultrasound of the pelvic organs is recommended if the discharge is accompanied by severe pain in the lower abdomen and intermenstrual bleeding. Sonography allows you to identify the causes of leucorrhoea: neoplasms, cysts, inflammatory changes in the fallopian tubes and ovaries. To clarify the diagnosis, hysterography is sometimes prescribed.
• Bacteriological analysis of secretions
  . Discharge with a foul odor often occurs with genital infections, therefore, to detect them, a vaginal smear is taken for microflora, and a cultural examination of the leucorrhoea is carried out. To quickly detect the most common pathogens, ELISA reactions and direct RIF, PCR diagnostics are used.

To exclude syphilis, the Wasserman reaction is performed, and tests aimed at diagnosing tuberculosis are performed according to indications. Clinical and biochemical blood tests help to establish the causes of the inflammatory process; in case of space-occupying formations, the level of the main tumor markers is determined. For clarification, CT or MRI of the pelvic organs is used; in difficult cases, diagnostic laparoscopy is used. If you have persistent, scanty, odorless discharge, you may need to consult an endocrinologist.

A vaginal smear test will help determine the cause of leucorrhoea.

Allergy as a cause of white vaginal discharge

Quite often, the cause of all kinds of vaginal leucorrhoea is also an allergy. There can be a lot of reasons, but among them, as a rule, the following are the most common:

• Allergy to hygiene products, in particular those that have pronounced alkalinity, for example, laundry soap.
• Allergy to a condom, or more precisely to latex, which is the main component of this barrier contraceptive.
• Allergy to lubricants - products that are used as additional hydration before sexual intercourse.
• Rarely, women are allergic to the sperm of their sexual partner.

Discharge without odor

White, odorless discharge becomes more abundant during ovulation. They become thin, more watery than after menstruation.

When leucorrhoea has a thick consistency, this discharge usually accompanies sexual intercourse. The vagina is capable of producing natural lubrication so that a man's penis can easily enter.

Non-dangerous leucorrhoea may increase in the amount of secretion released in the early stages of pregnancy. The body thus creates protection for the fetus to prevent pathogenic bacteria and infections from entering. The use of intrauterine devices and special creams can cause odorless white discharge.

What other diseases may be associated with the presence of leucorrhoea?

1. Krauroses of various etymologies. Read a detailed article about how to treat kraurosis of the vulva
2. Vaginitis. The treatment of vaginitis is also described in detail. Being aware of the signs of disease is one of the most important guarantees of intimate health.

Gynecological plasma lifting has proven itself to be effective against chlamydia, bacterial vaginosis and purulent inflammation. If you have at least one of the symptoms listed above, contact your gynecologist. If you live in Moscow, you can do this at one of our Doktorru/Invitro medical clinics.

When should you see a doctor?

Abundant secretion from the vagina exceeds the norm, is accompanied by discomfort, a cheesy consistency, foamy or other abnormalities are considered a reason to consult a gynecologist.
First of all, he diagnoses the woman. The doctor monitors the color of the discharge and its abundance. He asks questions that clarify the detection of a symptom of the disease. From this the duration of the disease is traced.

The specialist prescribes general tests and conducts an examination. He palpates the inner thighs, lymph nodes and perineum.

To make an accurate diagnosis, you need to pay attention to the urethra. A careful examination can reveal the presence of swelling or inflammation.

Specialists refer patients for a bimanual vaginal examination. Sometimes a rectal examination helps in establishing an accurate diagnosis of diseases or in detecting pregnancy.

Other tests and examination methods to establish a diagnosis may include the following:

• Bacterioscopic examination with taking a smear of secretion;
• Referral for a blood test that identifies enzyme-linked immunosorbent components;
• The use of PCR diagnostics helps to accurately determine where and how the infection originated;

In some cases, ultrasound hardware examinations are used. This method helps by examining the organs of the genitourinary system. The use of calposcopy helps in identifying the diseases of cervical dysplasia and its erosion.

Diet

Poor nutrition can provoke relapses of thrush. Therefore, women who have encountered this pathology should not abuse the following products:

1. 1Sweets. It has been noted that women who consume large quantities of refined sugars are more likely to suffer from chronic recurrent thrush. Reducing their consumption reduces the number of relapses.
2. 2Yeast baked goods, baked goods, cheeses, kefir and other fermented milk products based on fungi. For their production, Saccharomyces fungi are used, which participate in fermentation processes and have a certain antagonism with lactic acid bacteria, reducing their number in the intestines. This issue requires more detailed study and full-fledged research.

Other risk factors

Long-term illnesses deplete the body: vitamins are consumed, and protein deficiency may occur, which is necessary for the production of immunoglobulins - immune defense factors. Severe pathologies are treated with medications that can directly affect the state of the immune system.

Antibiotics are not selective enough. Together with pathogenic microorganisms, they suppress the normal flora of the vagina.

Antibiotics do not work on fungus. Therefore, Candida fills the vacated niche. Women note that cheesy discharge often appears after a course of antibiotic therapy (up to 28-30% of women). Chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer has a similar effect.

Immune suppression occurs with long-term treatment with systemic and local glucocorticosteroids. Therefore, autoimmune diseases can be accompanied by chronic discharge from the genital tract.

Perineal ruptures and a short distance between the vaginal opening and the anus are also risk factors for recurrent candidiasis. A certain role is assigned to changing the sexual partner. Men rarely get candidiasis, but act as carriers of the fungus.

Possible gynecological diseases

The appearance of white vaginal formations with an unpleasant aroma implies the presence of pathologies:

• Salpingitis is considered one of the common diseases. Inflammation of the appendages occurs.
• This symptomatology is similar to the disease of oophoritis. Negative processes disrupt the functioning of the ovaries. There is a generalized disease if both pathologies occur in a woman’s body. It is called salpingophritis.
• Another reason is hypothermia.
• Another common disease of the genital organs is infection with candida fungus or thrush. Along with the formation of a cheesy secretion, an unpleasant odor may occur. During the discharge process, burning and itching is felt. Candidiasis should be treated immediately after the first symptoms, unusual discharge and associated odor occur. Treatment with medications occurs as prescribed by the attending physician. If reduced immunity remains in this state for a long time, then this provides a positive environment for the proliferation of viruses and fungi. This process leads to the progression of inflammation. The reasons why fungus develops include the following: changes or disturbances in hormonal levels;
• reduced immunity during pregnancy;
• stress and depression;
• physical and mental fatigue;
• failure to maintain intimate hygiene;
• trauma to the vaginal mucosa after sexual intercourse;

How is itching and discharge treated? General regimens and drugs

The choice of drugs and treatment regimens depends on the pathogen

Therapeutic tactics directly depend on the cause of discharge and itching in the woman’s intimate area. The treatment regimen is determined by the following principles:

• Sometimes the doctor recommends examining your sexual partner.
• Thrush is treated exclusively with antifungal agents (not antibacterial!). Advertised fungicidal preparations (Pimafucin, Flucostat, Mikosist) in a single use are effective only at the very beginning of thrush. The usual regimen is 150 mg on days 1, 4 and 7. Chronic candidiasis requires 2 weeks. treatment.
• Simultaneously with taking tableted antifungal agents, local treatment (cream, ointment, vaginal suppositories and tablets) is prescribed. Nystatin (weak) and Clotrimazole are approved for use in pregnant women. The most effective fungicidal drugs are Ketoconazole (Kanazol), Isoconazole.
• For candidiasis combined with bacterial vaginosis, combination medications are prescribed - Polizhinaks, Terzhinan, Klion-D.
• Vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections require antibacterial/antiparasitic systemic therapy. Metronidazole (Trichopol, Klion-D), Oxacillin, Clindamycin, Tinidazole, etc. are prescribed orally (in tablet form) or parenterally (iv infusions). The choice of drugs, and often this is a combination of two or three medications with different effects, is chosen in accordance with identified pathogenic microflora.
• A course of antibiotics must be combined with prophylactic use of antifungal agents, even in the absence of fungus in the smear.
• After antibiotic therapy, drugs are prescribed that strengthen local immunity, for example, Epigen spray.
• Sometimes, after treatment of the underlying disease, erosion disappears on its own. However, in most cases, there is a need for mini-traumatic treatment - cryodestruction, electrocoagulation, laser cauterization.

Strict adherence to medical prescriptions minimizes the risk of complications and guarantees relapse of the disease. But an effective treatment regimen does not exclude new infections with sexually transmitted infections. During treatment, a woman should know:

• Self-administration of medications often does not provide a cure. In such cases, there is a high probability of chronicity of the pathological process and the occurrence of severe complications.
• The remedies that eliminated itching and discharge in your friend or acquaintance are not always appropriate or effective in your case. Treatment is always individual and prescribed by a doctor!
• Washing, douching with home remedies (decoctions of calendula, chamomile, etc.) and antiseptics (Chlorhexidine, Furacillin) can reduce itching, but do not eliminate the infection. Home treatment only complements drug therapy.
• The disappearance of discharge and itching does not indicate recovery. Taking medications should continue strictly according to the prescribed regimen.
• Recovery is stated only if there are no abnormalities in the studies.

Consequences of discharge and itching in the intimate area in women

Severe itching in the intimate area in women and white discharge indicates an acute inflammatory process. Over a long period of time, the leucorrhoea becomes less thick and the itching weakens. However, this does not at all mean an improvement in the condition. Inflammatory pathology of the genital area often leads to serious complications:

• suppuration of scratches;
• infertility;
• spread of infection - for example, gonorrheal arthritis;
• degeneration into cancer.

About prevention

By following simple rules that have become a habit, it is easy to prevent the appearance of discharge and itching in women, rather than then wasting time, nerves and money on treating the resulting disease. Habits that preserve women's health:

• Washing 2-3 times a day with neutral products. Avoid douching.
• Sexual hygiene.
• Wearing cotton underwear, avoiding skinny jeans and slimming sets.
• Preventive examinations with a gynecologist 1-2 times a year.
• Treatment of chronic diseases and maintenance of immunity.

The most correct behavior for a woman when pathological discharge and itching appears is to contact a gynecologist and conduct laboratory tests. This is the only way to reliably determine the cause of unpleasant symptoms and effectively eliminate it, avoiding the chronic form of the disease and adverse consequences.

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