Symptoms
Symptoms of abnormal vaginal discharge can include:
Change in color (e.g., yellow, green, gray)
Change in consistency (e.g., thick, frothy, cottage cheese-like)
Unpleasant odor (e.g., fishy)
Increased amount of discharge
Itching or burning in the vagina
Pain during urination
Pain during sexual intercourse
Vaginal bleeding or spotting unrelated to menstruation
Causes
Causes of abnormal vaginal discharge include:
Bacterial vaginosis (BV): An overgrowth of bacteria normally found in the vagina.
Yeast infection (candidiasis): A fungal infection caused by Candida.
Trichomoniasis: A sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: Sexually transmitted bacterial infections.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): An infection of the reproductive organs, often caused by STIs.
Cervicitis: Inflammation of the cervix.
Foreign object in the vagina: Such as a forgotten tampon.
Douching: Disrupts the normal vaginal flora.
Allergies or irritants: Soaps, detergents, perfumes.
Atrophic vaginitis: Thinning and drying of the vaginal walls after menopause.
Medicine Used
Medications used to treat abnormal vaginal discharge depend on the cause:
Bacterial vaginosis: Antibiotics such as metronidazole or clindamycin (oral or vaginal).
Yeast infection: Antifungal medications such as fluconazole (oral), clotrimazole, miconazole, or terconazole (vaginal creams or suppositories).
Trichomoniasis: Antibiotics such as metronidazole or tinidazole (oral). Both partners need to be treated.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: Antibiotics such as azithromycin, doxycycline, or ceftriaxone. Both partners need to be treated.
Is Communicable
Communicability depends on the cause:
Bacterial vaginosis: Not generally considered sexually transmitted.
Yeast infection: Not usually sexually transmitted, but can occur.
Trichomoniasis, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea: Highly communicable; sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Precautions
Precautions to help prevent abnormal vaginal discharge:
Practice safe sex: Use condoms consistently and correctly.
Maintain good hygiene: Wash the external genital area with mild soap and water.
Avoid douching: Douching disrupts the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina.
Wear breathable cotton underwear.
Wipe from front to back after using the toilet.
If prone to yeast infections, avoid excessive sugar intake and consider probiotic supplements.
Get regular STI screenings if sexually active.
How long does an outbreak last?
The duration of symptoms varies:
Bacterial vaginosis: With treatment, symptoms usually resolve within a few days to a week.
Yeast infection: With treatment, symptoms typically improve within a few days and resolve within a week.
Trichomoniasis: With treatment, symptoms usually resolve within a week.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: With appropriate antibiotic treatment, the infection is usually cleared within a week.
Without treatment, infections can persist for extended periods and lead to complications.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis usually involves:
Medical history: Discussion of symptoms, sexual history, and other relevant medical information.
Pelvic exam: Visual examination of the vagina, cervix, and external genitalia.
Vaginal swab: A sample of vaginal discharge is collected and examined under a microscope or sent to a lab for testing to identify the cause of the infection (e.g., bacteria, yeast, parasites).
pH test: Measuring the acidity of the vaginal discharge.
STI testing: If an STI is suspected, tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and other STIs may be performed.
Timeline of Symptoms
The timeline of symptoms depends on the underlying cause:
Bacterial vaginosis: Gradual onset of symptoms, including discharge and odor, which may worsen over time.
Yeast infection: Symptoms can develop relatively quickly, within a few days, including itching, burning, and thick discharge.
Trichomoniasis: Symptoms may appear within 5 to 28 days after infection, but some people may not have any symptoms.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: Symptoms may appear weeks after infection; some people may not have any symptoms.
Important Considerations
Self-treating is not recommended: Always consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.
Complete the full course of medication: Even if symptoms improve, finish all prescribed medications to ensure the infection is completely eradicated.
Sexual partners may need to be treated: In the case of STIs, both partners must be treated to prevent reinfection.
Untreated infections can lead to complications: Such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Pregnancy: Vaginal infections during pregnancy can pose risks to both the mother and the baby; prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential.