Vaginal discharge is a special signal representing the health of a woman's reproductive system. It is a mixture of vaginal mucosal exudate, cervical gland secretions, and endometrial secretions, containing exfoliated vaginal epithelial cells, white blood cells, sugars, lactic acid, and vaginal lactobacilli. Abnormalities in vaginal discharge, such as changes in color, consistency, quantity, or odor, often indicate a problem in the genital area and require further examination.
Expression 1: Large quantity
The discharge is mostly transparent and watery, but the amount is so large that it often soaks the underwear. Apart from this, there are no other abnormal symptoms. This kind of discharge is abnormal and may be related to chronic vaginitis and cervical erosion. Further examination at the hospital is needed for diagnosis.
Expression 2: White, viscous discharge
Although it looks almost the same as normal vaginal discharge, the amount is increased and it is a slightly viscous white mucus. This type of discharge is seen after using medications containing estrogen or when there is pelvic congestion. It is caused by increased secretion from the cervical glands and vaginal mucosa and generally does not require special treatment.
Expression 3: Cottage cheese-like leukorrhea
This is a characteristic symptom of yeast infection, usually accompanied by severe itching of the vulva. The vulva and vaginal walls are often covered with a white, membrane-like substance that is difficult to wipe off. If wiped off, a red, swollen mucous membrane surface is exposed, making it susceptible to yeast infection. It is also often accompanied by vulvar itching and a burning sensation. This is especially important for diabetics and pregnant women, as their weakened immune systems make them more prone to yeast infections.
(7 facial expressions related to a woman's private parts that may indicate disease)
Expression 4: Bloody leukorrhea
This refers to vaginal discharge mixed with blood, the amount of which varies. The presence of this type of discharge should raise suspicion of malignant tumors, such as cervical cancer, uterine cancer, or vaginal tumors. Some benign conditions can also cause this type of discharge, such as cervical erosion, cervical polyps, or as a side effect of an intrauterine device (IUD).
If this symptom frequently occurs in cold weather, and a gynecological examination reveals no inflammation or erosion, it is recommended that you consult a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. This is because traditional Chinese medicine believes that women with weak constitutions and cold uterus often experience this type of vaginal discharge.
Symptom 5: Foul-smelling, foamy vaginal discharge
The main symptom is increased vaginal discharge, which is white or yellowish-green and frothy, with a fishy odor. Frothy discharge is the main characteristic of trichomonal vaginitis. In addition, there may be a burning sensation, pain, and dyspareunia in the vagina. Scratching often leads to vulvitis, local congestion, and swelling.
Expression 6: Yellowish discharge
If the discharge is pale yellow and mucous, it is often seen in cervical erosion, chronic cervicitis, etc., which are caused by mild infection. However, if the discharge changes from yellow and mucous to yellow and purulent, it indicates that the inflammation has become more serious, which may be endometritis or acute pelvic inflammatory disease, requiring timely medical treatment.
If the discharge is dark yellow and watery, it is often due to necrosis or degeneration of diseased tissue, commonly occurring in submucosal fibroids, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, and fallopian tube cancer. If the yellow, watery discharge is copious and has a foul odor, further examination should be conducted to determine the cause and appropriate treatment should be given.
Expression 7: Watery leukorrhea
This type of vaginal discharge is yellow and watery, or resembles the water used to wash meat, and sometimes it looks like rice water, accompanied by a foul odor. It is commonly seen in cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, and fallopian tube cancer, and sometimes in submucosal fibroids and cervical polyps complicated by infection.
Health Tip:
To prevent and treat abnormal vaginal discharge, firstly, reduce your intake of spicy, greasy, and cold foods, and increase your consumption of foods that nourish the spleen and kidneys and clear heat and dampness, such as lotus seeds, jujubes, yams, and Job's tears. The following lifestyle precautions should also be taken:
1. Like the armpits, the vulva is a place that is prone to sweating. It is best to shower every day, especially after exercising and sweating. Choose absorbent cotton underwear and avoid hot and non-breathable clothing such as jeans. Keeping the vulva dry is the most important thing.
2. While the currently popular thongs are sexy, they don't absorb sweat well and can easily cause friction and chafing, making it easier for bacteria to invade. It's best to wear them less often.
3. Try to use panty liners as little as possible. If you have a lot of discharge, your underwear will be damp. Change your underwear more often.
4. After using the toilet, wipe from front to back with toilet paper, not from back to front, to avoid the toilet paper touching the anus first, which may bring too many bacteria to the vaginal opening.
5. Sexual activity can also increase the chance of infection. The vulva should be cleaned before intercourse, and the semen should be expelled by Kegel exercises (abdominal and pelvic contractions) after intercourse, because semen is alkaline and will change the pH of the vagina. People who want to conceive can also use this method, because sperm can move quickly and are not affected, or use condoms to prevent semen from entering.
6. In addition to fungi, some pathogens are more likely to be present in men. If a woman is infected, she should pay attention to whether her sexual partner also has similar problems (such as urethritis) and should be treated at the same time. Otherwise, after the woman is cured, she may be reinfected through sexual contact and relapse repeatedly.
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