Vaginal Discharges

What are Vaginal Discharges?

Vaginal discharge is one of the most common reasons for women to apply to health centers, obstetrics clinics and clinics. It’s pretty annoying. Especially in the summer period, since some hygienic rules cannot be paid attention to, the complaint of vaginal discharge increases considerably.

What are the Causes of Vaginal Discharge?

Vaginal flora deteriorates due to the sweating of the genital area due to the effect of air temperature, the wet swimsuits and bikinis on us, dirty pool water that is not sufficiently disinfected or excessively chlorinated pool water, and vaginal discharge complaints arise.

First of all, is every vaginal discharge pathological or in which type of vaginal discharge complaints should be consulted without neglecting them, it is necessary to talk about them.

The vagina is anatomically the place where sexual intercourse is made and this is always wet. In the period from puberty to menopause, a continuous secretion is secreted from some glands in the vagina with the effect of estrogen hormone, and thus the vaginal mucosa is always wet and moist. The reason is to make sexual intercourse easier and comfortable. It is not desirable to be completely dry. Otherwise, sexual intercourse will be extremely painful and painful, and some open wounds will occur. In addition, during arousal before sexual intercourse, there is an increase in secretion from some glands at the entrance of the vagina, and this is to facilitate sexual intercourse.

In addition, the 12th-14th day of the menstrual period, which coincides with the egg cracking days. In these days, there is a significant increase in vaginal discharge, which is due to the fact that the sperm in the semen discharged into the vagina during sexual intercourse can easily pass through the uterine canal and reach the tubes and fertilize the egg.

All these mentioned currents are normal, physiological, that is, natural flow. It is a must have situation. It is colorless and odorless. Due to the increase in the amount of discharge during ovulation periods, it may contaminate some underwear, sometimes its color may be in the form of egg white, but it is completely natural and some microorganisms are found naturally in the vaginal mucosa. We call these beneficial bacteria. Especially “Lactobacilli” break down the glycogen in the vagina and turn it into lactic acid and play a role in making the PH of the environment acidic. Vagen PH is therefore around 3.8-4.5 under normal conditions. This acid PH leads to the breakdown of other pathogenic bacteria.

However, if the conditions change, the PH of this vagina also deteriorates. For example, there is a practice that Turkish women do very wrong. Trying to wash the inside of the vagina by spraying strong water with a shower head in order to make ablution after menstruation or sexual intercourse causes the healthy vaginal flora to be expelled together with the water, which makes it open to some infections. In addition, having to use antibiotics for any reason due to diseases such as ear, tooth, lung inflammation causes our beneficial lactobacilli to die, while killing the bacteria that cause the infection.

Other Factors Causing Deterioration of the Flora of the Vagina

• Menstrual bleeding that lasts longer than normal
• condom use
• Washing the inside of the vagina by spraying water from the shower head
• Using tampons etc.

When vaginal PH deteriorates, it makes the vagina open to some opportunistic infections. The vagina becomes inflamed and this condition is called Vaginitis. The most important opportunistic infections are Bacterial Vaginosis and the other is Fungal infections.

Types of Vaginal Discharge

Bacterial Vaginosis

It is an infection that is effective in the degraded flora due to the scarcity of lactobacilli and causes undesirable malodorous discharges, especially caused by the increase of Gardnerella vaginalis in the vagina. There is a gray-white, slightly yellowish, copious smell (fishy smell is typical) discharge. This bad smell increases especially after menstruation and during sexual intercourse. Bacterial vaginosis can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, as well as in young girls who have not started sexual life or women who do not have a sexual life. In the treatment, besides the appropriate antibiotics, vaginal gels that will provide the glycogen and lactic acid of the vaginal environment and increase the lactobacilli should be applied.

Candidial Vaginitis (Fungus)

Fungal infection, which we call Candida in the vagina, is most common after the use of antibiotics, during pregnancy, in diabetes patients, or in people with impaired body immune system (immune resistance), such as in patients undergoing cancer treatment. It’s not sexually transmitted. It causes marked itching, redness and discomfort. Sexual intercourse is extremely painful and painful. There is pain and pain during urination. Vaginal discharge is curdled or cheesy, or creamy white. It is odorless. The presence of an odor may indicate that a bacterial infection has also been added. Oral or vaginal tablets and suppositories are given in the treatment. Likewise, vaginal gels that will provide glycogen and lactic acid in the vaginal environment and increase lactobacilli should be applied.

Trichomonas vaginalis

It is another cause of vaginal infection and discharge. It is transmitted through sexual intercourse. It produces copious amounts of yellow-greenish discharge, the discharge is very foul-smelling. Burning and itching are evident due to the discharge. There may be pain in the groin. The diagnosis is made with the findings during the examination and the culture antibiogram test to be taken. Appropriate antibiotics are used in its treatment. The male partner must also be treated. Otherwise, the infection may recur.

During menopause, vaginal pH changes due to the lack of estrogen hormone, lactobacilli decrease, and vaginal dryness occurs. A slight bloody vaginal discharge may be seen with vaginal itching and burning sensation due to vaginal dryness.

Also, vaginal discharge can occur due to cancer in the uterus or cervix. In this case, there may be copious slimy discharge with thin bloody lines on it, or it may come in dark colored pieces of abundant blood. The discharge is usually foul-smelling. It is necessary to carefully evaluate and conduct further examinations.

In Which Situations Should You See a Doctor?

If you have more discharge, burning, itching than before, or if you feel pain, burning, odor during sexual intercourse, if the color of your discharge is yellow-green-gray-red or if there is a foamy discharge, if you bleed during or after sexual intercourse, a woman should be consulted. You should consult your obstetrician, or gynecologist. All of these are signs of vaginal infection and must be treated properly. Otherwise, the factors that cause infection in the vagina continue to multiply and move upwards and reach the uterus, tubes and ovaries. This can cause inflammation, obstruction, adhesions and even infertility of the uterus-tube and ovaries. The treatment we call chronic pelvic infection is extremely difficult,

Ways to Avoid Vaginal Discharge

• Wear cotton underwear. Candida infection, or fungus, grows best in a moist environment. Since cotton absorbs moisture and better, it prevents the spread of fungal infection.
• Paying attention to personal hygiene. Be sure to wipe the genital area from front to back to prevent bacteria from spreading from the anus to the vagina.
• Avoid very tight tight pants. Loose pants keep you cool, dry and airy.
• Keep yourself dry and clean. Dry well after your bath. Change your sweaty clothes and wet swimsuits. The fungus likes to multiply in moist environments.
• Do not spray perfume or deodorant on your genital area, change your tampon or pad frequently, do not use scented tampons.
• Clean only the outside of your vagina with soap and water, do not shower inside your vagina.
• Stay away from stress. Stress weakens your immune system and lowers your resistance to infections. Exercise, meditation and getting enough sleep will reduce your stress and help you relax.
• Buy natural yogurt and probiotics. Antibiotics destroy the good bacteria in your body, if you are taking antibiotics, take care to feed with natural yogurts containing beneficial bacteria such as lactobacilli.
• If you are experiencing recurrent vaginal infections, consult your doctor.

Difference Between Normal Vaginal Discharge and Abnormal Discharge?

The normal vaginal discharge your body produces changes throughout your menstrual cycle and at various times in your life. It may decrease or increase at different times.

Generally healthy vaginal discharges:

• Appears clear or white
  • It has a slight distinctive odour, but it is not strong.
  • It may leave a yellowish color on your underwear • Its
  color and consistency may change depending on your menstrual cycle
  • Vaginal discharge consists of fluids from the uterus (uterus), cervix and vagina. You may notice that your discharge becomes darker when ovulation occurs from your ovaries. This shift marks the moment when your fertile time peaks.

During pregnancy, your body produces more vaginal discharge than usual. Since you do not ovulate at menopause and estrogen levels decrease, there is less or no vaginal discharge. As a result, premenopausal and postmenopausal women experience vaginal dryness.

Abnormal vaginal discharges:

• If the color of your vaginal discharge is yellow, green or even gray
  • If its color and consistency looks like cheese
  • If it looks foamy
  • If fish, yeast or another pungent odor is heard
  • If there is a brown color or the appearance of bleeding and spotting
  • If you feel vaginal itching, swelling, burning and pain, you should definitely see your doctor.

What are the causes of non-physiological (natural) vaginal discharge?

Abnormal vaginal discharge may indicate an infection, sexually transmitted disease, or other health problem:

Such as fungal infection, vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, trichomonans, gonorrhea (gonorrhea), chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

You may also notice a change in your vaginal discharge due to a foreign body in the vagina. If a girl experiences vaginal discharge before puberty, there is a high probability that there is a foreign body, a piece of toilet paper, etc. in the vagina.

Abnormal vaginal discharge can also be a side effect of douching. Cleaning the inside of the vagina with water or other products can actually cause infection by affecting the normal bacterial balance in the vagina. This condition, which is never recommended by doctors, can lead to infections, sexually transmitted diseases and fertility problems.

How to diagnose vaginal discharge?

• Gynecological examination
  • Pap Smear test
  • Taking vaginal discharge to examine under the microscope (vaginal culture-antibiogram test)
  • PH tests

How are Vaginal Discharges treated?

If you have a yeast (candida) infection, your doctor will prescribe an antifungal medication in the form of an oral pill, vaginal swab or cream. Your doctor will add antibiotics to your prescription for discharge due to bacterial infections such as Trichomons or bacterial vaginosis. Sexually transmitted diseases are treated with antibiotics that you will use with your partner. It is possible to have more than one infection at a time.

Contact Information  for  Solving Vaginal Discharge Problems  with  Jin.Op.Dr. Yeşim Yercok :

Address:  Fener Kalamış cad. Billur apt. No:5 Da:9 Kızıltoprak – Kadıköy / İSTANBUL

Phone:  +90 216 385 17 15

E-Mail:
info@dryesimyercok.com