Any fluid that comes from the vagina is called vaginal discharge. Generally, some discharge from the vagina is a part of body secretions. A normal vaginal discharge is without foul smell and not accompanied by itching. The vagina normally secretes fluids to keep the vagina clean, lubricated and moisturized, which prevent any infection from entering inside. It is normally thin, sticky, and elastic.
Every woman should know the following things about normal vaginal discharges (fluids):
- Girls may notice changes in their vaginal discharge at different times of the month.
- Every woman has a different smell of vaginal discharge; therefore, a woman must learn what is normal and abnormal for her.
- Quality and quantity of your normal vaginal fluid changes with the various stages of your normal menses. The fluid may be more when you are in the middle of the cycle.
- Near ovulation (the period of release of the egg from the ovary [woman’s reproductive organ]), you may sense some wetness or transparent/clear fluid in your vagina. At the beginning of ovulation, you may have slightly thicker vaginal fluids like an egg white.
- After pregnancy and childbirth, it is normal to bleed for the next 7-10 days and have lochia (red, yellowish, and whitish discharge).
How do you recognize unhealthy vaginal discharge?
You can easily recognize if there is a problem with your vaginal discharge. You may notice
When should you be worried about vaginal discharge?
Only you can notice your vaginal discharge, and if it doesn’t seem normal to you and if you find any differences in consistency, color (greenish, yellowish, brownish, or greyish), or odor, then you must meet your gynecologist.
If you have had sex and had these above symptoms, then it is important to find out whether you have contracted any sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Most of the time, unhealthy vaginal discharges can be treated easily.
What does it mean when vaginal discharge changes?
It is important to pay attention to your vaginal discharge because every woman is different. You must learn to recognize what is normal for you. Do not ignore what your vaginal discharges are trying to tell you. If you have different unhealthy vaginal discharges, it may mean you have some problems such as follows:
- Cloudy or yellowish discharge means you may have gonorrhea (clap).
- Frothy, yellow, or greenish fluid with a foul odor means you may have trichomoniasis (trich).
- Thick white cheesy discharge means you may have candidiasis (a yeast infection).
- White, grey, or yellowish discharge with fishy odor means you may have bacterial vaginosis (a bacterial infection), which is common in pregnancy or in the case of multiple sex partners.
- Bloody or brownish discharge or spotting may point to serious causes and may need an urgent medical opinion.
You may experience changes in your vaginal fluids due to some diseases or in certain conditions such as follows:
- Use of antibiotics or steroids
- Use of birth control pills
- Douching (showering of the vagina with water and soap)
- At menopause
- After surgery in your groin
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (inflammation of woman’s reproductive organs)
- Diabetes
- After labor, childbirth recently
QUESTION
What percentage of the human body is water? See AnswerCDC: https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/genital/index.html https://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/stdfact-bacterial-vaginosis.htm https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/candidiasis.htm
American family physician https://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/1101/p1777.html
Kids health organisation https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/vdischarge2.html
Top What To Know About Vaginal Discharge? Related Articles
What Are Causes of Yellow Discharge and What Does It Mean?
What is yellow discharge, and what could it mean? Learn the common causes of yellow discharge and when it is necessary to see your doctor for treatment. Normal vaginal discharge is typically thin, clear or white. Vaginal discharge during pregnancy that is yellow, green, gray, red or frothy could be a sign of infection and may require medical treatment.
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
How Do I Get Rid Of Yellow Discharge?
It is normal for women to have discharge throughout their monthly cycle. However, yellow discharge accompanied by a fishy smell may be a sign of a bacterial or sexually transmitted infection.
How Long Does it Take for a Vaginal Suppository to Absorb?
Vaginal suppositories take between 15 and 30 minutes to dissolve and get absorbed into the body. The absorption of a vaginal suppository depends on several factors, including the type of suppository, active ingredient, pH and moisture level of the vaginal environment, and the size and shape of the suppository. The time for the absorption process of a vaginal suppository to complete can vary widely and is difficult to determine.
How Many Days Before a Period Do You Get Discharge?
Vaginal discharge is a normal part of a woman's menstrual cycle. Learn about vaginal discharge before a period, how many days you get discharge before your period, signs and causes of vaginal discharge, and when to see a doctor if there's a problem. Vaginal discharge is the fluid secreted from the uterus, cervix (neck of the uterus) and vagina. A thick yellow vaginal discharge may point to vaginitis (infection of the vagina).
Is It Normal to Have Discharge After Sex?
What is vaginal discharge? Learn the signs of vaginal discharge and what to do if you experience it.
What Does It Mean If I’m Having a Lot of Vaginal Discharge?
It's normal for women to have some amount of vaginal discharge. Learn more about what it can mean if you have more vaginal discharge than usual or if your discharge has an unusual appearance.
Can You Have a Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Without Having an STD?
In about 10% of cases, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) may occur without having an STD. The majority of PID is sexually transmitted. The most common causative microorganisms of PID are sexually transmitted and include gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomonas and mycoplasma.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in women include gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, and HPV infection (genital warts). Learn about types, symptoms, and treatment.
STD Quiz
There are more sexually transmitted diseases than just the ones you've heard of. Find out what you've been missing with the STD Quiz.
STDs Facts Slideshow
Sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and genital herpes are common STDs. Think you might have an STD? You’re not alone. Find pictures of herpes, gonorrhea, and more. Learn how venereal disease can harm your health, and how to tell your partner if you have an STD.
How Do I Stop My Private Parts From Itching at Night?
Itchy genitals can be a symptom of many different conditions. You can stop your private parts from itching at night by washing them regularly, wearing clean underwear, and eating a balanced diet.
Vaginal Health Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
Take this Vaginal Health Quiz to learn about about common problems that women experience, and when to see a doctor about problems down there.