Vaginal discharge is a common symptom in women and is often completely normal and a sign that the vagina is functioning properly.Your vagina is acidic in order to protect you from infections.A healthy vagina carries away dead cells and germs from your body.Vaginal discharge can be a symptom of an illness.Maintaining good vaginal health depends on being able to discern normal vaginal discharge.
Step 1: Understand the function of vaginal discharge.
Every day the vagina excretes small amounts of fluid.The purpose of vaginal discharge is to collect old cells and foreign bodies, and to expel them from the vagina.The discharge encourages a healthy balance ofbacteria and yeast which protects against infections.Vaginal discharge is good for you.Your body protects itself through discharge.During sleep, women will have a discharge every 80 minutes.Men have an erection every 80 minutes during sleep.
Step 2: Understand what vaginal discharge looks like.
Normal vaginal discharge is usually clear and odorless.It can be watery or thick, but the consistency should be smooth and lump free most of the time.It is normal for premenopausal women to have a small amount of vaginal discharge every day.Vaginal discharge can vary from one woman to another.
Step 3: It is possible that your discharge may change.
There are a number of reasons that your vaginal discharge may look different.To find out if you have recently experienced any of the conditions listed, run through this quick check list.The most common reason for your discharge to change is ovulation.The discharge is stretchy and slippery.During the time that an egg is ready for fertilization, the purpose of this change is to allow easier passage of sperm.Just before and after your menstrual cycle, discharge can be thick and white.There is an increase in the amount of discharge that pregnant women notice.The discharge can become thicker in the last few weeks before delivery.Women will experience discharge after delivery.This particular discharge is made up of blood, small clots, and tissue from the lining of the uterus that built up over the course of pregnancy.It will change into a pink discharge over time.As estrogen levels fall, the normal amount of vaginal discharge decreases.Watery discharge that is clear or slightly white is a sign of sexual arousal.lubrication to protect the vagina is the purpose of this discharge.
Step 4: Don't worry about cleaning your discharge.
Your discharge is the way your body protects itself.It's advisable on rare occasions.If you don't like the feeling of being wet in your underwear, consider wearing panty-liners.These can be purchased at a number of stores.If you want a cheaper and more natural solution, you can make your own pantyliners out of fabrics you have around the house.
Step 5: Look at the color and texture of your vaginal discharge.
There is a chance that it is abnormal and a symptom of an infection or change in the vaginal environment.If the discharge isn't clear or white, you may have a problem.White discharge that is itchy is the most common symptom of a pathology.The discharge is green and foamy.The discharge was grayish, brownish or greenish.Foul-smelling discharge.There was a discharge accompanied by pain, burning, and bleeding.It is heavier than usual.
Step 6: The discharge should be evaluated.
You should now assess which of the conditions that can cause abnormal discharge may apply to you.If your discharge doesn't fall in the normal range of colors and texture, it could be a sign of something more serious.Vaginosis is caused by "bad"bacteria.The good and bad types ofbacteria help to regulate their growth.There are too many badbacteria in cases ofbacterial vaginosis.Symptoms include itching or burning in the vagina, as well as grayish-yellow discharge.Most discharges have an odor due to vaginosis.If your discharge is thick and white, it could be a sign of a yeast infection.You may also experience itching and burning sensations as a result of the change in texture and color.A strong scent is not usually produced by yeast infections.The second most common type of vaginal infections are these.They are more likely to occur after a regimen of antibiotics in patients with diabetes.A symptom of trichomoniasis is discharge that is green in hue andfrothy in texture.There is a single-cell parasites that can be passed between sexual partners.The third most common infection that can affect your vaginal discharge can also cause vaginal itching or pain.Sometimes the sole symptom of increased vaginal discharge is the common STDs chlamydia and gonorrhea.The discharge's characteristics can vary, but it is often discolored.It was thick and foul-smelling.During sexual activity, women may experience pain, as well as spotting or brown discharge.There are diseases that can be spread sexually.Vaginal cancer is a very rare cause of abnormal discharge.
Step 7: There are other causes of abnormal discharge.
There are many things that can affect the vaginal environment.The vagina can be exposed to a new type of cleaning agent.Chemicals found in detergents and fabric softeners, feminine sprays, creams, douches and contraceptive foams may irritate the vagina and/or the skin around it.Antibiotics can increase the chance of infections.Changes in your vaginal discharge may be caused by any of these.When your discharge began to seem different to you, think about what you've used recently.If you eliminate the potential cause, you can see if your symptoms disappear.If you recently changed to a new laundry detergent, it is a good idea to return to your old brand.You may have found the culprit if your symptoms go away.If your symptoms persist even after you've looked at new chemicals in your environment, you should visit your doctor.The vaginal environment can be altered by systemic illnesses.Women with diabetes have an increased risk of infections.It's not uncommon for a vaginal discharge with a foul odor to be caused by a forgotten t-shirt.You can do your own investigation if you suspect that you left a feminine hygiene product inside of yourself.Place one foot on the edge of your bathtub or toilet after washing your hands.Go inside your vagina and feel around for yourself.If you can't locate the string to pull it out, then use your finger and thumb to grab it.If you don't know if you pulled all of the pieces out, contact your doctor as nothing should be left behind.It is likely that there is nothing up there if you feel all the way up to your cervix.If you still suspect that there is something up there but can't find it, contact your doctor, who can do a more thorough check for you.
Step 8: You should consult your physician.
You should visit your doctor if you think your discharge is abnormal.Don't rely on your own diagnosis as confirmation of a particular condition, it's useful to pay attention to your body and its many changes.Your health care provider can examine you, run any necessary tests, and decide on a course of action or treatment.If you've had a yeast infection in the past and feel confident in your ability to diagnose it, this may be an exception.Treatments for yeast infections are available over-the-counter at drug stores and can be administered at home.After this over-the-counter, standard treatment for candidiasis, it is advisable to visit your doctor.
Step 9: Make an appointment with your doctor.
If you suspect that your vaginal discharge is abnormal, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.You should be prepared to describe the discharge's color, consistency, and Frequency.If you're currently menstruating, it's best to wait until after your cycle ends to see your doctor.If there are significant symptoms, be seen as soon as possible.If you are visiting a walk-in clinic, you should be prepared to give a full medical history.
Step 10: Let the doctor know if there are any relevant conditions or actions.
If you think you may be pregnant or recently had sex without a condom, you should tell your doctor.
Step 11: A pelvic exam is included in a physical examination.
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may perform a partial or full exam.Your health care provider will perform an internal exam on your vagina and vulvar.Your doctor is looking for conditions such as cysts, irritation, and abnormal discharge.The internal exam has two parts, the speculum exam and the bimanual exam.Your doctor will insert a lubricated metal or plastic speculum into your vagina during the exam.When the vagina opens, the walls of the speculum are separated.This may feel slightly uncomfortable, but it shouldn't.If you feel pain, let your health care provider know.She can change the size or position of the speculum.The Pap test is usually done at this time, but it might be deferred if there is a significant vaginal infection.Once the infection is cleared, you should return for a Pap test.A small brush or spatula is needed in the Pap test to take a small sample of cells.The sample will be examined to see if there are any precancerous cells.A sample from the vagina can be used to test for STDs.Your doctor will take samples of vaginal discharge and measure your vaginal pH.The second test, the bimanual exam, requires your doctor to insert one or two gloved and lubricated fingers into your vagina while gently pressing on your lower abdomen with the other hand.This is a way to check for the size, shape, and position of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes, which could affect your fertility and health.An enlarged uterus could mean that you are pregnant or have fibroids, while pain or tenderness in the adnexa areas (ovary/tube) experienced during the exam could indicate an infection, cyst or possible mass.Your doctor may perform a rectal exam as part of a pelvic exam.Your doctor will put a gloved finger into the rectum to check for tumors.
Step 12: Send your samples to a lab.
All cultures and samples will be sent to the laboratory by your doctor after the exam.The most important test for vaginal discharge samples is a wet prep test.A technician will mix a sample of vaginal discharge with saline and put it on a slide to examine in a wet prep test.Results are available immediately when this is done in the doctor's office.The technician will look at the slide at both medium and high power.Trichomonas are flagellated organisms that can be identified by their twisting motion.The existence of clues cells in the sample means that vaginosis may be present.The yeast may be identified on the slide as budding or branching forms.The Pap test can be used to determine the presence of yeast.
Step 13: Wait for your test results.
Make sure to find out when you should get the results of the tests so you can meet with your doctor to discuss your treatment plan.