The vagina plays several key roles in maintaining women’s health body. Under normal conditions the vagina performs self-cleaning method wherein it flushes out the dead debris of cells in the form of discharge. The amount of discharge varies from its color, texture, odor depending on their woman’s monthly cycle and stages of her life, but variety of this White Vaginal Discharge of vaginal fluid discharge can also impose health risk conditions.
What is vaginal discharge?
In This Article
- 1 What is vaginal discharge?
- 2 Types of Normal White Discharge
- 3 What is abnormal discharge?
- 4 Types & Causes of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge
- 5 Treatment for White Vaginal Discharge
- 6 When to seek Medical Professional?
Women often experienced a vaginal discharge in normal occurrence. The white vaginal discharge is a fluid that made by glands inside of women reproductive organ specifically in the cervix where it releases away the dead cells and bacteria through the vaginal opening.
In most cases this kind of discharge is perfectly normal especially if it’s odorless. However, certain types of release of this milky fluid can be a sign of infection. The color of the fluid releases through the vagina is categorizes based from its color consistency and odor. Some of these are normal but others signals health risk condition and treatment must be sought upon.
Types of Normal White Discharge
There are four types of white discharge that most women normally experience. In many cases the presence of creamy white fluid can be a sign of ovulation. During the ovulation stage, the women’s body is intact with high amount of progesterone (this progesterone causes the menstruation) which leads to a continuous discharge of the fluid.
When women are pregnant, it is expected that the body undergoes changes and the first stage that will experienced is the release of creamy white and thick fluid which is called Leukorrhea. During this stage the vagina is extremely well functioning to perform more discharge in order to keep the cervix healthy, moist and sealed.
Prior to the start of menstruation the discharge of white fluid is perfectly normal. Women shouldn’t worry about this event, because this type of discharge is normal at the beginning and end of the menstruation period.
It is also common to release white thick fluid during or after sexual intercourse. The fluid that released by female organ that acts a natural lubricant as well as hormones that causes sensation of arousal. If particular woman is sexually aroused, there is a natural phenomenon of excessive discharge of creamy white fluid from the vagina.
What is abnormal discharge?
As the color and consistency of the vaginal discharge is concern, it plays a significant role in determining your health condition. The vaginal discharge starts from normal color of milky white fluid to clear and brown color. However, if the discharge turned into unusual state of color such as yellow or green, pink, thick and white cheesy appearance and accompanied by recurring itch then it is a red flag condition.
Types & Causes of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge
1. Yellow or Green Vaginal Discharge
An appearance of this kind of discharge is not normal, especially if the fluid is thick and chunky and accompanied by pain and itching while urinating. This type of vaginal discharge is a symptom of sexually transmitted diseases, commonly known as Trichomoniais.
Fig.2 A magnification of Trichomonas Vaginalis, that causes Trichomoniais.
The Trichomoniais is caused by protozoan (single celled organism). This parasite is passed from an infected person to an uninfected during the unprotected intercourse. During the foreplay the parasite is being transmitted from the penile organ going to vagina, or vice versa, but it can also be spread from vagina to another vagina.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 70% infected people do not experience symptoms. If ever the parasite caused symptoms, they only range from mild irritation to severe inflammation. It is unpredictable also if get the infection, because some o