Vaginal discharge: What different colours of discharge mean and what to do.

Seeing a vaginal discharge may bring fear to one's heart and bring up questions like "Am I okay?" "Is this normal?" "Could this be a sign of an infection?" Rest assured, vaginal discharge is normal for every female that ovulates and even for menopausal women.

This article will enlighten you on what is normal and what indicates a red flag as it pertains to vaginal discharge.

Vaginal discharge is fluid secreted from tiny glands in the vagina and cervix. The fluid flows from the vagina each day to remove old cells and debris, keeping the vagina and reproductive tract from infection.

Your hormones influence the amount and consistency of vaginal discharge. This accounts for why there are different amounts before menstruation, during pregnancy, at menopause, or while using hormonal birth control.

Colours of vaginal discharge and what they mean

Red to Brown discharge is common due to menstruation. Menstrual flow occurs between 3 to 5 days in a cycle of averagely 28 days. Bleeding between menstrual periods with this colour could be a sign of an underlying infection. If it occurs in menopausal women, it could be a sign of cervical or endometrial cancer.

Creamy/light yellowish discharge is normal. It is a sign of healthy lubrication which keeps the vagina moist and reduce friction during sex. When the discharge is white, thick and produces a strong odour, it is a yeast infection.

Yellow to Green discharge may not signify a problem, especially if it coincides with change in diet or dietary supplements. Otherwise, it is a sign of a Sexually Transmitted Disease.

Different shades of pink usually contain a small amount of blood. It could be as a result of spotting before a menstrual period or after ovulation, sign of implantation bleeding in early pregnancy, discharge after sexual intercourse or use of fingers and sex toys due to irritation or tears.

Clear discharge, which may be slippery or have consistency of egg whites, is a go-to discharge a healthy body releases to re-balance itself. Discharge may become more slippery or clearer during ovulation, during sexual arousal and during pregnancy.

Grey discharge is not healthy. It can be a symptom of a bacterial infection called bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is a common overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. Antibiotics will likely be prescribed by the doctor after proper diagnosis.

Don't know when to see the doctor? Here are some signs indicating the need to:

Itching.

 Pain or discomfort.

Foamy discharge.

Bleeding between periods or after menopause.

Spotting after sex regularly.

Gray, Green or Yellow discharge.

A strong odour.

Burning sensation during urination.

 Swelling.

Some tips for preventing vaginal infections:

1. Keep the vagina clean by washing with a gentle, mild soap and warm water on the outside. Do not put soap directly in the vagina.

2. Never use scented soaps.

3. After going to the bathroom, always wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from entering the vagina.

4. Wear 100% cotton underpants and avoid extremely tight clothing.

5. Always wear dry underpants

You should note that, Spotting is bleeding that is not due to any underlying disease but can be caused by stress, certain medication or herbs like ginseng.

References:

www.webmd.com

www.healthline.com

www.medicalnewstoday.com