Vaginal discharge, also known as leukorrhea, is closely related to estrogen. It serves as a "barometer" of the health of the female reproductive system. To check if vaginal discharge is normal, one should observe its quantity, color, texture, and odor.
Some women tend to ignore abnormal vaginal discharge or try to treat it themselves with vaginal douches, which is not advisable. In some cases, abnormal vaginal discharge is an initial warning sign of malignant gynecological tumors. Gynecologists emphasize that it is crucial not to be ashamed to see a doctor if you experience abnormal vaginal discharge, as this could lead to missing the optimal treatment window.
What does abnormal vaginal discharge indicate?
Normal vaginal discharge is white, thin, pasty, or egg-white-like, highly viscous, odorless, and scant in quantity, and has no adverse effects on women's health. Individual sensitivity to vaginal discharge varies; some women experience no discomfort even with abundant discharge, while others feel intense discomfort even with normal or slightly excessive discharge. Abnormal vaginal discharge is defined as changes in its color, consistency, or quantity.
Purulent leukorrhea: Yellow or yellowish-green discharge with a foul odor is usually caused by infection, indicating that you may have vaginitis, chronic cervicitis, vaginal cancer or cervical cancer complicated by infection, pyometra, etc.
Watery vaginal discharge: This type of discharge is copious, resembling rice water, and sometimes has a foul odor. It should raise suspicion of cervical canal disease, fallopian tube cancer, etc. A cervical curettage procedure or lower abdominal ultrasound is recommended for diagnosis. In addition, watery vaginal discharge can also be seen in some chronic inflammations, such as submucosal fibroids with infection, chronic salpingitis, and cervicitis.
Bloody vaginal discharge: If there is blood in the vaginal discharge outside of menstruation and there is no obvious inflammation or trauma, especially if it worsens or appears after sexual intercourse, or if there is a history of severe cervical erosion, cervical cancer should be suspected, and a pathological biopsy should be performed in time to confirm the diagnosis.
Clear, mucous discharge: It looks similar to normal discharge during ovulation, but the amount is significantly increased. This may indicate ovarian dysfunction or well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the cervix.
Curd-like or cottage cheese-like appearance: often indicates candidiasis vaginitis, frequently accompanied by severe vulvar itching or burning.
Grayish-white, homogeneous, fishy-smelling vaginal discharge: often indicates bacterial vaginosis, with a fishy odor and accompanied by mild vulvar itching.
Thin, frothy, grayish-yellow or yellowish-white discharge: This often indicates trichomonal vaginitis, which may be accompanied by vulvar itching.
How to prevent abnormal vaginal discharge?
Under normal circumstances, the vagina is dominated by lactobacilli, along with small amounts of anaerobic bacteria, mycoplasma, and Candida, forming a normal ecological balance. However, when the body's immunity is low, endocrine hormones change, or external factors such as tissue damage or sexual intercourse disrupt the vaginal ecological balance, these resident bacteria can become pathogenic, breaking through the vaginal barrier and causing infection.
Experts advise that women should pay attention to the following points to prevent abnormal vaginal discharge in their daily lives:
1. When cleaning the vulva daily, avoid over-cleaning and frequent use of medicated washes, disinfectant panty liners, etc., as this can easily disrupt the vagina's slightly acidic environment.
2. Pay attention to care during pregnancy. During pregnancy, sex hormone levels, vaginal glycogen, and acidity all increase, making the body more susceptible to fungal infections. For pregnant women, oral medications are not recommended; instead, local preventative and adjunctive treatment options should be chosen.
3. Be careful with washing machines. Do not wash underwear with other clothes. They should be washed separately and then sun-dried.
4. Pay attention to hygiene in public places. When traveling, avoid using hotel bathtubs, wear long pajamas, and place toilet paper under the toilet seat before use, etc.
5. Use proper contraception. The estrogen in birth control pills can promote fungal infections. If you experience recurrent yeast infections, try to avoid using hormonal contraceptives.
6. Both partners need treatment. If you have a yeast infection, not only you but also your partner needs to be treated for the desired effect.
7. Wear cotton underwear. Tight-fitting synthetic underwear increases the temperature and humidity in the vaginal area, creating an ideal environment for fungal infections to thrive! Opt for cotton underwear instead!
8. Control blood sugar and properly cleanse the vulva. Women with diabetes often have high vaginal glycogen levels. Glycogen fermentation produces alkaline substances, causing the normal vaginal pH to deviate from 3.5-4.5 to 5.5, disrupting the vagina's self-cleaning function and making it more susceptible to fungal infections. Therefore, while controlling blood sugar, it's also important to use a pH 4 mildly acidic feminine wash when cleaning the vulva daily.
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