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Vaginal discharge is a common phenomenon in women and completely normal, indicating that the "little girl" is doing well. The vagina has a naturally acidic pH with the function of protecting you from microbial entry. A healthy vagina regularly releases secretions to remove dead cells and bacteria from the body. However, keep in mind that in some cases, vaginal discharge can be a sign of infection or illness. To maintain the health of your genitals, you need to differentiate between what is normal and what is unusual in secretions.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Self-diagnosis of normal vaginal discharge

1. 

   Understand the function of vaginal discharge. The vagina has a special mucus layer that contains glands that secrete a small amount of fluid every day. The purpose of normal daily vaginal discharge is to focus on removing old cells, peeling off, and potential pathogens from the vagina. In addition, the exudate also helps maintain the balance of bacteria and yeast protects against inflammation.
   • In other words, most vaginal discharge is healthy. This is the body's natural defense weapon.
   • Women will release discharge every 80 minutes during sleep. This is a normal physiological function (a man's penis also erects every 80 minutes during sleep).

2. 

   
   
   Understand normal vaginal discharge. The discharge is normally clear or milky white and has a slight odor. The fluid can be liquid or thick or sticky, but its consistency should be smooth and lump-free.
   • Premenopausal women can secrete the usual amount of fluid each day by 1 teaspoon of white or clear. However, the amount and characteristics of vaginal discharge may vary from person to person.

3. 

   
   
   Find out common reasons why secretions change. There are many reasons for vaginal discharge that smells or looks a little weird. If you are concerned about this phenomenon, you should read this quick checklist to see if you are experiencing or have encountered any of the symptoms below. These are common but completely normal phenomena that cause secretions to change:
   • Ovulation: During ovulation, secretions are usually greater. The fluid is transparent, elastic and slippery, the reason being it facilitates the sperm to get inside and fertilize it.
   • Periods: The discharge is thick and white just before and after your period.
   • Pregnancy and postpartum: Pregnant women often have a lot of secretions and change in consistency. This becomes more evident in the last few weeks before labor, when the discharge becomes thicker and thicker. After giving birth, the mother will notice an exudate called "translation." This fluid includes blood, small clots, and tissue that slough off from the lining of the uterus that forms during pregnancy. Over time, the fluid will turn to a pink, liquid and then the volume of the fluid will decrease.
   • Menopause: Normal vaginal discharge levels are less during menopause because estrogen levels drop.
   • Aphrodisiac: White or clear liquid discharge is a sign of desire. This discharge has a lubricating effect that protects the vagina during sex.

4. 

   
   
   Don't worry about "clearing out secretions normally". Exudates are the body's natural defense. Vaginal douching is only recommended in rare cases.
   • If you are uncomfortable with the wet feeling under your crotch, you should use loaci5 tampons daily. These can be found at grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores. In addition, you can make your own fabric pads, or buy them at the craft store if you want to save costs and use natural materials.
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Part 2 of 3: Self-diagnosis of abnormal discharge

1. 

   Observe the color and texture of the vaginal discharge. If the discharge appears different from normal discharge, it may be an abnormality and a symptom of an infection or a change in the vaginal environment. As a rule, if the discharge is not transparent or white, you may have a problem. Common symptoms of the pathology include:
   • White, thick, lumpy discharge causes itching.
   • Greenish liquid and foamy.
   • Gray, yellow, brown or green discharge.
   • Exudate smells bad.
   • Exudate accompanied by pain, itching or burning, bleeding, etc.
   • The discharge is more or thicker than usual.

2. 

   Diagnosis of exudate. After examining the discharge, you can assess the cause of the abnormal discharge. If the translation doesn't have a normal color and texture, it could be the result of one of the following conditions:
   • Vaginal infections: This is a common cause of abnormal secretions in women of reproductive age. Vaginal infections are mild vaginitis caused by harmful bacteria. Basically, there are two types of good and bad bacteria, the beneficial bacteria play the role of limiting the growth of harmful bacteria. In the case of bacterial vaginosis, this balance is disturbed, allowing harmful bacteria to multiply. Some of the symptoms include a gray or yellowish discharge that is slippery, and has a fishy smell, along with an itchy or burning vaginal sensation. Most smelly discharge is caused by bacterial vaginosis.
   • Vaginal candidiasis (fungal infection): If the discharge is white but thick and lumpy (like milk cheese), this could be a sign of a fungal infection. In addition to a change in texture and color, you will notice itching and burning. Fungal infections usually do not cause bad odors. This is the second most common vaginal infection in women. They usually occur after treatment with antibiotics, in diabetics or in immunocompromised patients.
   • Vaginitis caused by whip : The discharge is pale green and ‘effervescent’ are symptoms of vaginitis caused by whip. This is a form of infection with trichomoniasis, a type of sexually transmitted unicellular parasite. It is the third most common vaginal infection that affects vaginal discharge, causing itching and pain in the vagina.
   • STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection): Chlamydia and gonorrhea sometimes have only one symptom: increased vaginal discharge. Exudate characteristics can vary, but are usually discolored (eg gray, yellow, green), thick, and foul-smelling. Women also feel pain during sex, and notice a streak or subsequent brown discharge. Vaginal infections, candidiasis, and whip vaginitis are also sexually transmitted.
   • Vaginal or cervical cancer: Note that cancer of the vagina or cervix is ​​a rare cause of discharge abnormalities.

3. 

   Consider other causes of the abnormal discharge. There are many factors that affect the intimate environment.
   • Contact with foreign detergents and cleaning products can affect your genitals. Chemicals found in bleach and fabric softeners, genital deodorizers, creams, douches, contraceptive foam, or lubricants can irritate the vagina and / or the skin around the vagina. Medications like antibiotics can increase your risk of infection. One of these factors can cause symptoms and alter vaginal discharge. Consider new products to use near your head and when to start the unusual discharge. After narrowing down the possible causes, try eliminating them and see if the symptoms go away. For example, if you recently changed to a new laundry detergent, avoid using the product for a while and reuse the old one.If the symptoms go away, you probably have found the culprit! However, if symptoms persist even after considering new chemicals to use, you should see your doctor.
   • Systemic diseases can also affect the balance of the vaginal environment. For example, women with diabetes are at a higher risk of fungal infections (such as yeast infections).
   • Another uncommon cause of bad vaginal discharge is tampons that are left in the vagina. If you suspect that you are missing a tampon, do it yourself. Wash your hands and squat or place one foot on the tub or toilet. Reach deep into the vagina and search. If you find a tampon but you can't find a zipper, pull out slowly with your thumb and index finger. The tampon must remain intact; If they begin to decay and you are not sure if they have been pulled out, see your doctor to remove any remaining tampon. Note that if you have searched all the way down the cervix but have not found the tampon, you may not have anything in your body. If you still suspect that there is a foreign object inside but can't find it, you should see a doctor for a closer examination.

4. 

   Consult your doctor. After examining yourself, if you think discharge is abnormal, you should seek medical attention. It is very important to be mindful of yourself and change, but you should not rely on your diagnosis. You need to see a doctor to confirm, conduct the necessary tests and get treatment.
   • The one exception here is that you have had a previous infestation (vaginal candidiasis) and can diagnose yourself based on your experience. The fungicide is available over the counter and can be used at home. However, if the infection persists, seek medical attention.
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Part 3 of 3: Examination and testing

1. 

   Seek medical attention. You should go to the clinic as soon as you notice abnormal vaginal discharge. Prepare information regarding color, consistency and frequency of secretions.
   • If you are menstruating, wait until after the period ends if you can. However, if the symptoms are quite severe, you should go to the hospital as soon as possible, even if you are menstruating.
   • If you go to the hospital without an appointment and see a new doctor, you need to be well informed about your own health.

2. 

   Talk to your doctor about relevant conditions or behavior. For example, if you think you are pregnant or have recently had unprotected sex (without a condom), let your doctor know.

3. 

   Physical exam, including a pelvic exam. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may either perform a partial or full pelvic exam. Full examination includes external and pelvic exams:
   • Check out the outside - The doctor will examine the vaginal opening and vaginal folds. Specifically, your doctor will check for unusual discharge, cysts, genital warts, irritation, or other conditions.
   • Internal inspection (a) - Internal examination consists of two parts: speculum examination and two-handed examination. During the speculum examination, the doctor will insert a lubricated plastic or metal speculum into the vagina. The speculum separates into the vagina. You should feel no pain but some discomfort. If it hurts, let your doctor know. The doctor will adjust the size or position of the speculum. If you have vaginal infections, your doctor will delay a Pap test (cervical smear) because infection affects the accuracy of the results. If so, you should only have a Pap test after the infection has gone. During the Pap test, your doctor will use a flat stick or a small brush to spread a few cells in the uterus and test to find cancer or precancerous cells, if any. A sample of a fluid in the uterus can be taken from the vagina to test for sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, your doctor will measure the pH of your vagina and take a sample of the discharge for testing.
   • Inside inspection (b) During this test, the doctor will insert one or two lubricated gloved fingers into the vagina and gently press the abdomen with the other hand. This is a technique that examines the size, shape, and location of your uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes that can affect your fertility and your health. For example, an enlarged uterus may mean you are pregnant or fibroids, and pain in other appendages (ovaries / fallopian tubes) may indicate inflammation, cysts or problems. another topic.
   • While examining the pelvic area, your doctor may also examine the rectum by inserting a gloved finger into the rectum to check for lumps or other unusual problems.

4. 

   Send the sample to the laboratory. After the examination, the doctor will send the sample to a laboratory. The most important part of testing for vaginal discharge is the microscopic examination. During this test, the technician mixes the isotonic saline solution with a sample of vaginal discharge and drops the mixture onto a glass slide for testing. This can be done in the clinic, so the results are available immediately.
   • The technician will thoroughly test a medium and high energy slide to detect trichomoniasis, invasive cells, and yeast. Trichomoniasis is a whip fungus that can be identified through a characteristic spiral movement. Abnormal cells are abnormal cells whose presence in the sample indicates bacterial vaginosis. Finally, yeast can be detected on a slide and is a sign of a fungal infection. Fungal presence can be found through a Pap test.

5. 

   Waiting for results. You need to determine the timing of the test results to see your doctor in order to get treatment if you need it. advertisement

Advice

• Soaking in hot, unsapy water can sometimes help relieve the symptoms of discharge if you don't have an infection or illness.