Ms. Cheng, a reader from Shandong, asked: I am 55 years old and have been menopausal for 3 years. However, recently I have noticed that my vaginal discharge has not decreased but has actually increased compared to before. Is this normal? Why has the discharge suddenly increased? Could I have some kind of gynecological disease?
I. What exactly is secretion?
Vaginal discharge, commonly known as leukorrhea, is divided into liquid and solid components. It is mainly composed of a mixture of vaginal mucosal exudate, cervical gland secretions, and endometrial secretions , and contains lactic acid, vaginal bacilli, white blood cells, etc.
Vaginal discharge is a barometer of women's health. Normal vaginal discharge is colorless and transparent or milky white, with a consistency that is neither too thick nor too thin, and has no odor . Changes in the color, odor, texture, or amount of vaginal discharge may be related to conditions such as vaginitis or cervicitis, and should be taken seriously.
Second, is excessive discharge a sign of strong libido?
The amount of vaginal discharge is related to the level of estrogen . During puberty, as the ovaries begin to develop, estrogen is gradually secreted, and vaginal discharge begins to be discharged. There is more vaginal discharge in the middle of the menstrual cycle or around ovulation.
Normally, a woman's vaginal discharge increases significantly before sexual intercourse. Some women find their underwear is always damp, no matter when, and assume it's because they have a strong sex drive and are embarrassed to talk about it.
So, is excessive vaginal discharge caused by a high sex drive? Theoretically, the amount of vaginal discharge is indeed related to factors such as libido, sex hormone levels, and the degree of sexual arousal . Women with higher sex hormone levels may experience increased vaginal discharge and excessive vaginal lubrication.
Physiological factors
However, not all cases of increased vaginal discharge are related to excessive libido . From a hormonal perspective, ovulation and the period before menstruation are the times when vaginal discharge is more abundant. During ovulation, under the influence of a large amount of estrogen, vaginal discharge will increase significantly , specifically appearing as colorless, odorless, transparent, and slippery discharge without any unusual smell.
Two to three days after ovulation, vaginal discharge gradually decreases, and the vaginal environment becomes drier. Additionally, vaginal discharge increases significantly one to two days before menstruation, as the increased secretions from the uterine cavity and shed vaginal cells before menstruation serves as a signal that menstruation is approaching. These are all normal occurrences of increased vaginal discharge and are nothing to worry about, requiring no treatment.
Pathological factors
From a pathological perspective, gynecological inflammations such as vaginitis, cervicitis, and endometritis can also cause increased vaginal discharge . In addition, the discharge may be yellow or grayish-white in color, or have an odor, and may be accompanied by discomfort such as vaginal itching, irregular vaginal bleeding, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and dyspareunia.
Environmental factors
If the increased vaginal discharge is pathological, timely treatment is necessary to address the underlying cause and avoid delaying the condition. Another cause of increased vaginal discharge is wearing overly tight underwear or pants, which prevents ventilation in the genital area, especially in hot weather. The mixture of sweat and the resulting dampness makes the underwear feel uncomfortable.
Therefore, when there is an increase in vaginal discharge, you should consider whether you are ovulating or your period is about to start. Secondly, you should observe whether the color, odor, texture and amount of vaginal discharge are normal. If they are not normal, you should consider whether it is caused by gynecological inflammation.
In addition, you should choose comfortable and breathable underwear and avoid wearing pants that are too tight.
3. Women should be vigilant if they experience these 6 types of discharge.
Abnormal vaginal discharge may be a warning sign of underlying health issues and should be taken seriously. Generally, abnormal vaginal discharge can manifest in the following ways:
First , if the discharge is heavy, often soaking the underwear, and is watery and thin, it may be related to gynecological inflammations such as vaginitis or cervicitis , and you should go to the hospital for examination in time.
Secondly, it has a cottage cheese-like appearance and is accompanied by discomfort symptoms such as vaginal itching. Upon closer inspection, the vulva is also covered with a white membrane, which may be related to fungal infection .
Third, if there is blood mixed in the vaginal discharge, and the amount of blood varies, this may be related to diseases such as cervical erosion or cervical cancer , and further examination is needed to determine the cause.
Fourth, if vaginal discharge is pale yellow or dark yellow, it may be related to a vaginal infection . If the discharge changes from yellow mucus to yellow pus, it indicates that the inflammation has become more serious and requires timely treatment.
Fifth, vaginal discharge that is watery, thin, and has a foul odor is commonly seen in vaginal tumors such as uterine cancer and cervical cancer .
Sixth, excessive vaginal discharge with yellowish-green foam, vulvar itching, and local redness and swelling are symptoms of trichomoniasis.
IV. Five Important Points for Caring for Your Private Parts
For women, intimate hygiene is closely related to health. Improper intimate hygiene can lead to a host of problems. Therefore, to properly care for your intimate area and prevent gynecological diseases, you should:
1. Pay attention to personal hygiene , shower frequently, change underwear frequently, wear comfortable and breathable pants, and keep the private parts dry and clean;
2. Properly clean your private parts and underwear . Avoid frequent use of feminine washes. Wash underwear separately from other clothes to avoid cross-infection.
3. After urinating or defecating, wipe your private parts properly , using toilet paper to wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from the anus from being transferred to the vagina and reduce the risk of infection;
4. Clean your private parts, especially the vulva, before and after sexual intercourse , and use condoms correctly to avoid the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
5. In terms of diet, the flavor should be light, avoid spicy food , and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits to replenish water and vitamins.
Women should love themselves, not only in their clothing and appearance, but also in their intimate health. Have you learned how to care for your intimate area and become a "fresh and clean" woman?
References:
[1] "Don't be ashamed! Always have discharge on your underwear? Be alert to these disease signals." Science Popularization China. 2020-05-17
[2] "These diseases can actually be found on your underwear!" Health Times. 2016-08-05
