Vaginal Discharge - Symptoms, Causes, Color, Treatment

Vaginal Discharge is composed of fluid and cells. The fluid usually varies from being white and sticky to clear and watery. It flows out of the vaginal canal, helps eliminate the old cells, protects the reproductive system from infection, and keeps it healthy and clean. The amount, colour, volume, and consistency of discharge vary from woman to woman, depending on whether she is in her monthly cycle.

• 1 to 5 days:      Red or bloody discharge due to loss of uterine lining.
• 6 to 14 days:    Comparatively less discharge with white, yellow, cloudy or sticky mucus as the period ends.
• 14 to 25 days:  After the ovulation period, the mucus is thin, slippery, and discharge is cloudy, yellow, or white.
• 25 to 28 days:  Mucus is softer than before, and the discharge is less until the next menstrual cycle.

• Medication: Use of antibiotics or steroids and pills for birth control may result in vaginal infections.
• Infections: Infections like Bacterial vaginosis, sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea, and pelvis inflammation (PID) result in foul-smelling and inconsistent vaginal discharge.
• Use of Scented Sprays and Soaps: These may result in vaginal infection and abnormal vaginal discharge.
• Retained Tampon or Pad: Forgotten pad and tampon may result in vaginal infection along with vaginal discharge.

Signs of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge are: -

• An increased amount of discharge
• Itching, pain, burning, and irritation
• Thick and foul-smelling discharge
• Dark or white stains on underwear

Symptoms of Vaginal Infection are: -

• Yeast Infection: White, cottage cheese-like discharge along with pain and swelling in the vulva. You might experience intense itching and painful sexual intercourse.
• Bacterial Vaginosis: White, grey, or yellowish discharge with a fishy odour along with itching, swelling, and burning sensation in the vagina and vulva.
• Trichomoniasis: Watery, yellowish, or greenish discharge with an unpleasant odour. You might experience pain and itching while urinating, which usually happens after your period.

Pelvic exam: To check for abnormalities in the tissue and organs of the vaginal and cervix.
pH test: To detect how acidic the discharge is.
Lab test: To see if there is a yeast, bacterial, or trichomonas infection.
Reviewing the medical history and STD test: To test gonorrhoea, chlamydia, trichomonas, and other organisms that might be the source of the discharge.

• Pelvic Exam: To check for abnormalities in the tissue and organs of the vaginal and cervix.
• pH Test: To detect how acidic the discharge is.
• Lab Test: To see if there is a yeast, bacterial, or trichomonas infection.
• Reviewing the Medical History and STD Test: To test gonorrhoea, chlamydia, trichomonas, and other organisms that might be the source of the discharge.