Why does women discharge

You should contact your doctor if you notice your vaginal discharge has changed from its typical consistency, color, and smell, or if you have other symptoms in your vaginal area. Unusual vaginal discharge may be a sign that you have an infection, a sexually transmitted disease STD , or another health condition that could include:. You may also experience a change in vaginal discharge because of a foreign object in your vagina. This can include pieces of toilet paper. If a child experiences vaginal discharge before puberty, there may be a possibility that a foreign object is in the vagina.

Abnormal discharge may also be a side effect of douching. Douching is cleaning the inside of the vagina with water or other products. Douching is not necessary for a woman and may actually cause infection. It can interfere with the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina. One in 4 women in the United States between ages 15 and 44 douche. It is not recommended by doctors. Douching is linked to infections, STDs, and even fertility problems. Abnormal vaginal discharge is not a symptom of one single infection or health condition.

Your doctor will need to review your symptoms and may conduct tests to determine the cause of unusual vaginal discharge. If you have a yeast infection, your doctor will prescribe an antifungal medicine in pill or cream form. Other conditions, like trichomoniasis or bacterial vaginosis, may require an antibiotic in addition to other treatments. STDs should be treated with antibiotics.

Read more: Home remedies for vaginal yeast infections ». Vaginitis refers to inflammation of the vagina, which can occur from an infection or irritation due to factors such as douches, lubricants, and ill-fitting clothing. Bacterial vaginosis is a condition that results from an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina.

This vaginal infection is the most common among females aged 15—44 years. The exact cause of bacterial vaginosis remains unclear. Females can develop bacterial vaginosis after sexual intercourse. However, this condition is not a sexually transmitted infection STI. Some also report a strong, fishy vaginal odor, especially after sexual intercourse. Vaginal yeast infections result from an overgrowth of the Candida fungus. The most common symptom of a vaginal yeast infection is an intense itching in the vagina and vulva.

Vaginal yeast infections can also cause an odorless vaginal discharge that looks similar to cottage cheese. Vaginal yeast infections are treatable at home using over-the-counter antifungal ointments. Symptoms should improve within a few days. However, severe infections can last longer and may require medical treatment. Trichomoniasis is an STI caused by a parasite. Females can develop trichomoniasis after having sex with someone who has the parasite.

Although most people who have trichomoniasis do not experience symptoms , some may have an itching or burning sensation in the genital area. Trichomoniasis infections can also cause excess vaginal discharge that has a foul or fishy odor and a white, yellow, or green color.

It may also be thinner than usual. Healthy vaginal discharge varies from person to person. It also changes throughout their menstrual cycle. In general, healthy vaginal discharge can appear thin and watery or thick and cloudy. Clear, white, or off-white vaginal discharge is also perfectly normal. Some females may have brown, red, or black vaginal discharge at the end of their menstrual periods if their vaginal discharge still contains blood from the uterus. Natural hormonal changes during ovulation can cause an increase in vaginal discharge, which should return to normal after ovulation.

It is not always necessary to see a doctor about excessive vaginal discharge. However, a female may want to consider seeing their doctor if their vaginal discharge has an abnormal appearance.

Your doctor may want to take a scraping from your cervix to check for HPV or cervical cancer. Your discharge may also be examined under a microscope to pinpoint an infectious agent. To prevent infections, practice good hygiene and wear breathable cotton underwear. Also, practice safe sex and use protection to avoid STIs.

To decrease the likelihood of yeast infections when taking antibiotics, eat yogurt that contains live and active cultures. If you know you have a yeast infection, you can also treat it with an over-the-counter yeast infection cream or suppository. Vaginal discharge is a healthy part of vaginal health.

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So how can you tell when vaginal discharge may be signaling a problem? Changes that may signal a problem include an increase in the amount of discharge, and a change in the color, smell or texture of the discharge.

You may also experience other symptoms with a change in discharge, such as irritation, itchiness or burning in or around your vagina. The combination of these factors can help reveal what may be going on in your body. Vaginal itching, burning, soreness, or pain.

Some women experience pain when urinating or having sex along with and redness, swelling or rash around the vulva. You will learn to recognize what is normal for you, and what may be signaling a problem—especially if you experience other symptoms at the same time, like pain, itching and irritation. Only you know your body.