Causes for vaginal discharge

Vaginal discharge serves an important housekeeping function in the female reproductive system. Fluid made by glands inside the vagina and cervix carries away dead cells and bacteria. Some types of discharge , however, could signal something more serious.

Learn about treatments, colors and consistency, and when to. Most causes of abnormal vaginal discharge — such as yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis or menopause symptoms — are relatively harmless, but they can be uncomfortable.

Abnormal vaginal discharge can also be a symptom of certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Discharge Colors and What They Mean. There are a lot of types of vaginal discharge, grouped based on their color and consistency. It’s hard to isolate the color alone, as one would have to take into account certain factors like a patient’s age, behaviors, menstrual cycle, and other symptoms. A vaginal discharge can be caused by a variety of things like STDs, and yeast or bacterial infections.

The discharge may change in color, have a foul or fishy smell, or be thick like cottage cheese. Some causes of vaginal discharge can be treated with home remedies.

Infectious causes need antibiotic treatment. Brown vaginal discharge may look alarming, but it isn’t always a reason for concern. You may see this color throughout your cycle, usually around the time of menstruation. Normal vaginal discharge helps keep vaginal tissues healthy, provide lubrication and protect against infection and irritation. Some colors indicate that the area is healthy, while others can signal an infection or a hormonal imbalance.

Regular menstrual periods are a fact of life for most women. But bloody vaginal discharge outside your period can seem alarming. It can sometimes signal a major problem. You can get vaginal discharge at any age.

You usually get heavier discharge during pregnancy, if you're sexually active or if you're using birth control. The amount of discharge varies. When it can be a sign of an. Clear vaginal discharge is an often common and normal symptom from the female reproductive system. Clear stretchy discharge is a sign of ovulation, while clear watery vaginal discharge occurs between periods, sexual arousal, or pregnancy.

The most common causes of vaginal discharge are the normal physiological discharge , bacterial vaginosis and candidal infections.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and non-infective causes should also be considered. There are many reasons why women experience watery vaginal discharge , and each cause serves a different purpose. Consequently, they may have different consistencies, colors, and amounts. Once a woman enters the reproductive age, she also starts secreting a clear water discharge. A white liquid that comes out of your vagina is secreted from glands in your cervix and the vaginal wall.

This discharge prevents infections by flushing out bacteria and dead cells from your genital area. It has a physiological role, but sometimes, it also has a psychological importance, especially when. This temporary thickening of the vaginal discharge is normal and is not associated with the symptoms and signs of vaginal infection. The symptoms and character of vaginal discharge depend upon the specific condition that is the cause of the discharge.

An appearance of this kind of discharge is not normal, especially if the fluid is thick and chunky and accompanied by pain and itching while urinating. This type of vaginal discharge is a symptom of sexually transmitted diseases, commonly known as Trichomoniais. In some cases the discharge may be heavy with a foul odor, odorless and clear or white, “fishy” smelling, or slightly bloodied. The type of discharge occurring will often point to the cause. This symptom may point to a serious illness, including sexually transmitted infection or cancer.

The color and thickness of the discharge change with your monthly cycle. The discharge is thicker when you ovulate (when one of your ovaries releases an egg), when you breastfee or when you’re sexually excited.