Do you think you know your vaginal discharge well enough? Hmm.. you may want to think again. What cues does it give you? Do you know that your vaginal discharge can tell a lot about your sex life, fertility, your level of immunity, general health, and much more?
Introduction
In my eight years of running the sexual health clinic in South London, it was most fascinating to discover the tale a woman’s vaginal discharge tells of her sexual health.
Show of hands if you have had bleached knickers… I have had quite a few; it is normal. The natural environment of the vagina is acidic and when not otherwise preoccupied with bleaching your knickers, it protects the vagina from infection 🙂
This level of acidity, keeps the naturally occurring vaginal bacteria including the lactobacilli, at a level enough to protect it from infection.
Before puberty and post-menopause, vagina infection is more common because of low oestrogen and high PH level.
Here are a few things our vagina discharge can tell you:
Discharge Cues
Vaginal discharge varies considerably based on the phase of menstrual cycle. It is more copious during ovulation or when emotionally stressed; at these times the discharge is mostly clear, stretchy, or whitish.
Does your vaginal discharge cause itchiness and pain, smelly, appears green or cheesy? These could indicate possible infections or hormonal changes.
Cyclical Vulvovaginitis
There is burning, itchy vulva and vagina, causing painful sex. The discharge could be thin, whitish, curdled, and copious. It happens same time each month, sometimes just before a woman’s period.
Main three causes:
Cytolytic vaginosis- simply an overgrowth of the normal bacteria, Lactobacilli, found in the vagina. This can be easily confused with vaginal thrush. The distinguishing characteristic is, it does not respond to thrush treatment. Once appropriately diagnosed, it can be treated by increasing the vagina’s PH level to reduce the number of lactobacilli.
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- 2–4 tablespoons of baking soda in 5 cm depth of water in a warm bath, several times in the first week, then once or twice per week.
Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis: this is quite rare. It is when a woman is hypersensitive to the progesterone hormone. The body perceives it as an allergen and produces antibodies against the progesterone. The woman would develop rashes anywhere in the body including the vulva a few days before her period and resolves afterwards. Specialist treatment is required, therefore speak with your healthcare professional.
Vaginal thrush: thick, cheesy vaginal discharge that sticks to the genitals causing extreme irritation. This is not a particularly sexually transmitted infection but could develop as a result of over washing, a suppressed immune system in pregnant women, diabetics, and those who are taking antibiotics or steroid medications.
Bacterial Vaginosis’ discharge is thin, and greyish, with a fishy smell. Another one that is not sexually transmitted but as a consequence of a “super clean” vagina! The other factors worth looking at are smoking, chronic stress, and contraceptive pill use.
Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)
Trichomonas vaginalis: sexually transmitted, the discharge may be greenish, frothy, and itchy inside the vagina.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea In a high percentage of women, there are no symptoms, however, there could be vaginal discharge that has pus with mucous, painful sex and bleeding after sex.
Sexually transmitted infections (STI) can be diagnosed by doing certain swab tests and treated with antibiotics. You can visit your local sexual health clinics.
Important points to note
1. Avoid washing the vagina with soap or douching!
2. Maintain a good immune system, eat, rest well, and be happy.
3. Practice safe sex.
4. Go for a regular sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening at least once every 3 months (if not in a long-term sexual relationship or doubt).
5. Check any abnormal vaginal discharge with your healthcare professional!
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