5 Types of Vaginal Discharge and What They Mean

Vaginal discharge raises common questions for women, including what’s normal and what’s not. Justine Burris, CNM, MSN, UnityPoint Health, talks in-depth about female vaginal discharge, from healthy discharge colors, to what concerns might require a trip to see a provider. 

What Does Vaginal Discharge Mean?

Burris describes vaginal discharge as fluid released by glands in the vagina and cervix. The fluid carries dead cells and bacteria out of the body, and vaginal discharge helps keep the vagina clean and prevent infection. Burris also says normal vaginal discharge varies in amount and ranges in color from clear to milky, white discharge. Discharge may have a slight odor as well, although a foul, fishy odor is a sign of an infection.

“There are times when discharge amounts can change,” Burris says. “Immediately after a period, there is almost no discharge. Two to three days after the period ends, there is a thick, white discharge. A few days later, the consistency changes to appear more like mucous. Before ovulation, the discharge becomes clear and sticky, and before the next period, discharge is thick and white in consistency.”

Vaginal discharge during pregnancy is thin, white, milky and mild smelling. The amount of discharge also increases during pregnancy. However, during perimenopause and menopause, discharge decreases due to low levels of estrogen.

The following can cause estrogen levels to drop, leading to little to no vaginal discharge:

• Medicines or hormones used in the treatment of breast cancer, endometriosis, fibroids or infertility
• Surgery to remove the ovaries
• Radiation treatment to the pelvic area
• Chemotherapy
• Severe stress, depression or intense exercise

Vaginal Discharge Color Meaning

Thick, White Discharge

If thick, white discharge goes along with other symptoms, such as itching, burning and irritation, it is probably due to a yeast infection. If not, it is normal discharge. You may also notice an increase in thick, white discharge before and after your period.

Yellow Discharge

Yellow discharge is abnormal discharge, as this is a sign of a bacterial infection or sexually transmitted infection. There also may be an odor associated with it.

Brown Discharge

Brown discharge may be caused by irregular period cycles. If brown discharge keeps appearing, a patient should schedule an appointment with a provider to be evaluated. This could be a sign of uterine or cervical cancer. Additionally, during menopause, a woman should not have any type of vaginal bleeding, which is also a sign of uterine cancer.

Green Discharge

Having green discharge is not normal. This is a sign of bacterial infection or a sexually transmitted infection, such as trichomoniasis. Anyone experiencing green discharge should see her provider. If you are diagnosed with trichomoniasis, you’ll be placed on antibiotics.

Yeast Infection Discharge

Yeast infection discharge is caused by an overgrowth of fungus in the vagina. Symptoms of yeast infection discharge include a thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge, along with itching, redness, irritation and burning. Roughly 90 percent of women will have a yeast infection at some point in their life. Yeast infections are not contagious, and over-the-counter antifungal creams are available for a patient to use. But, if symptoms don’t improve with treatment or she has more than four yeast infections in a year, she should see her provider.

“Stay aware of normal and abnormal changes in vaginal discharge. This allows patients to identify infection and other problems. If you have any questions about the type of vaginal discharge you’re experiencing, contact your provider,” Burris says.

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Types, Causes, When to Be Concerned

Thick, white discharge is typical during the menstrual cycle and usually indicate ovulation. However, occasionally it could indicate an uncerlying health issue.

Vaginal discharge is a healthy part of vaginal health. The type of vaginal discharge you experience changes during your menstrual cycle, but in almost all cases, it’s a sign that everything is working well. In fact, the discharge can mean your vagina is healthy.

Vaginal discharge is used to help keep your vaginal tissues moist and lubricated. It’s influenced by your reproductive hormones, which is why it changes throughout the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy.

Vaginal discharge is also your body’s way of maintaining the pH balance of your vagina. The fluids act as natural lubrication to move bacteria, dirt, and germs out of your vaginal cavity.

However, from time to time, white discharge may be a sign of an underlying problem. Read on to learn when white discharge means you need to seek a doctor’s guidance.

Thick, white discharge can occur throughout your menstrual cycle. This discharge is known as leukorrhea, and it’s completely normal.

The discharge may start out thinner in the days leading up to ovulation, or when an egg is released. During ovulation, the discharge or mucus may become very thick and mucus-like.

This is a sign that you’re ovulating, and some people who ovulate use this as a natural indication of fertility. If you were trying to get pregnant, seeing this thick white discharge may indicate it’s time to have sexual intercourse.

As long as the discharge does not have a bad odor and you’re not experiencing any other symptoms, this type of discharge is healthy.

This extra fluid might require you to wear a panty liner, but it shouldn’t require you to visit a doctor.

In the first days of your menstrual cycle, you may experience thin, milky white vaginal discharge. Some people describe this discharge as an “egg white” consistency.

This thinner discharge is a sign that you’re preparing for ovulation. It’s completely typical. As you get closer to your period, the discharge may become thicker and more opaque.

This milky white discharge may also be a sign that you’re pregnant. In the early stages of pregnancy, some people produce a thin, milky white discharge. This discharge results from hormonal changes, which are the beginning stages of pregnancy.

The discharge can help clear away bacteria, germs, and dirt. It also helps form a mucus plug in the cervix. This keeps the cervix healthy and prevents the spread of bacteria into the uterus during pregnancy.

As long as the milky white discharge does not have an odor and there are no other symptoms, it’s most likely a sign of typical vaginal health.

However, if the color of the discharge develops a white-gray shade and a strong fishy odor, the discharge may be a sign of an infection.

Common symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include milky white and gray discharge with a strong, unpleasant odor.

When you’re not ovulating, your body will produce vaginal fluid that’s thick and sticky. This vaginal discharge will act as a barrier to prevent sperm from getting through your cervix and into your uterus.

While it’s not foolproof, the body’s natural defenses can also help prevent germs and bacteria from making their way into the cervix.

This can help you avoid an infection in the days just after your period, when your vagina produces less fluid than it does during the other points of your cycle.

The increased fluid helps wash out any bacteria or germs that could pose a risk to your vagina’s overall health and balance.

If you’re experiencing a thick, white discharge that can be described as clumpy or clotted, you may be experiencing discharge from a yeast infection.

The vagina does a wonderful job of maintaining the pH balance of an entire spectrum of bacteria and fungi that live in it. From time to time, this balance is upset, and certain bad bacteria or fungi are allowed to thrive.

That’s the case with a yeast infection. A fungus called Candida albicans can quickly blossom and develop into an infection.

People with yeast infections may experience:

• thick discharge with a cottage cheese consistency
• white discharge that may turn yellow or green
• an unpleasant odor coming from the vagina
• itching on the vulva or vagina
• swelling or redness around the vulva
• a burning sensation or pain during urination
• pain during intercourse

If you believe you have a yeast infection, over-the-counter treatment options are available. Prescription medications are used in more moderate or severe cases.

It’s a good idea to abstain from intercourse while you’re being treated for the infection. Partner treatment is not required for vaginal yeast infections, since it’s not considered an STI. However, in some people with recurrent infections, their partner may be treated.

If you’ve experienced more than 4 yeast infections in a 1-year window, make an appointment to see your doctor.

There may be underlying issues leading to your frequent vaginal infections, including the possibility of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC), a common condition in vagina owners with immune system conditions or who are living with diabetes.

If you experience excessive vaginal discharge, it could be a sign of an underlying condition, and you might need to seek medical care to stop it.

Excessive vaginal discharge can be a symptom of:

• an STI
• a bacterial infection
• a yeast infection

In almost every case, thick, white vaginal discharge is a sign of the health of your reproductive organs. However, from time to time, the discharge could be an indication of an underlying health issue.

It’s important to see a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms along with unusual vaginal discharge:

• pain
• itching
• discomfort
• bleeding
• skipped period
• rashes or sores along with vaginal discomfort
• a burning sensation when you urinate or have intercourse
• a strong and persistent odor coming from the vagina

As long as the discharge you’re experiencing does not also meet those criteria, the excess fluid coming out of your vagina is a sign of overall health. In other words, it’s a good thing.

Avoid upsetting the pH balance in your vagina by skipping soaps, scented washes, douches, or any other products that strip the vagina of its natural moisture and built-in defenses.

The vagina is designed to care for itself and prevent future infections. Healthy vaginal discharge plays an important role in this.

Vaginal discharge is completely common — and it’s healthy for it to change color and texture as you go through different parts of the ovulation cycle.

However, if you’re dealing with pH imbalance, a yeast infection, STI, or another issue, your vaginal discharge could be one of the main signs something is up.

If your discharge has an odor, is white-gray, or is clumpier than usual, it could be time to consult your doctor.

White discharge in women: types and differences

Comment from an expert
Gynecologist Anastasia Degteva

“Discharge that can stain underwear is completely normal. In the middle of the cycle, they can become profuse, usually they are transparent and viscous. In the presence of itching, burning or an unpleasant odor, you should not engage in self-diagnosis and self-treatment! Even an experienced gynecologist without tests will not be able to accurately diagnose, since the symptoms of most diseases are very similar. Self-medication can change the picture of the disease, make it difficult to diagnose, cause a relapse, or require more serious therapy.

Vaginal discharge is any discharge from the vagina that is not associated with menstruation. They are absolutely normal and all women have them. The discharge in women consists mainly of cervical secretions, they can be transparent, whitish and white. The volume, type, color, and texture of vaginal discharge depend on the phase of the menstrual cycle and fluctuations in sex hormone levels. It is thanks to them that the vagina and cervix are cleansed of dead cells and bacteria, maintain a healthy acid-base environment, which means they help us avoid infections, inflammation and other troubles.

Vaginal discharge varies in volume, color, texture and smell in the same cycle, and of course it can vary from woman to woman.

Let’s take a closer look at what kind of discharge women have in different phases of the cycle:

• At the beginning of the cycle, progesterone and estrogen levels are very low, and the discharge is usually dry and sticky, some women have almost none at all. In any case, it is difficult to notice them, because menstruation occurs these days.

• Gradually after the end of menstruation, the level of estrogen rises, this period of the cycle is characterized by white thick discharge, they are thick and sticky to the touch.

On average, such a white creamy discharge in women appears on the 9-10th day of the cycle, but this depends on the length of the cycle and the duration of menstruation.

• During ovulation, estrogen levels peak and the discharge is most abundant, stringy, clearer and egg white in texture. On average, the vagina produces about 1 teaspoon of discharge per day, but during the period of ovulation, the volume can be 10-20 times more than usual, this is absolutely normal. It decreases 1-2 days after ovulation. This volume can cause discomfort, and it is especially convenient to use panty liners.

• White, sticky discharge before menstruation appears shortly after ovulation. In this phase of the cycle, the hormone progesterone dominates.

In the vast majority of cases, thick white discharge in women without itching and odor is absolutely normal, but you should be aware of the signs that you should see a doctor:

• Pain or burning during urination or penetrative sex

• Itching

• Discomfort

• Rash or inflammation

• Strong persistent vaginal odor (metallic, pungent or just unusual)

• If the discharge suddenly changes color, smell or texture

• If there are noticeably more of them than usual

• Discharge not white or clear but gray, green, brown

What types of secretions should I pay attention to?

White mushy, cheesy discharge

Let’s answer the question: “What kind of discharge do women have with thrush?” – Discharge from candidiasis is usually white. Candidiasis is a type of fungal infection caused by fungi of the genus Candida. This fungus is found in the normal flora of the mouth, vagina, and colon, but it can overgrow and destroy the balance. This condition has other symptoms: burning and itching in the vulva and vagina, burning during urination, pain during penetrative sex.

Cloudy white discharge

Such discharge is characteristic of gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease. Gonorrhea in women is often asymptomatic and easy to overlook or mistake for something else. But sometimes there are other symptoms: bleeding between periods, pain during penetrative sex, burning, more abundant white discharge than usual.

White discharge with odor

This type of discharge is characteristic of bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis is an inflammation caused by an overgrowth of certain types of bacteria found in the vaginal ecosystem. Other symptoms: dryness, itching, burning during urination.

Foamy, yellow, greenish discharge with an unpleasant odor

This type of discharge is characteristic of trichomoniasis, another sexually transmitted disease. Any person leading an active sex life can get sick with it. 70% of people do not experience any symptoms in the first weeks after contact with an infected person. Other symptoms: burning, itching, redness and soreness of the vagina, pain after urination and sex, increased urge to urinate, bleeding after sex.

What else can cause abnormal discharge?

The bacterial and acid-base balance in the vagina is very sensitive, and failures and unusual discharges can also be caused by other causes:

• Stress

• Too tight, synthetic underwear

• Medications (e.g. antibiotics and steroids)

• Taking oral contraceptives

• Menopause, pregnancy and other hormonal changes

• Diabetes

• Cervical cancer

How to take care of yourself?

To prevent infections, you need to maintain hygiene and wash yourself once a day. Remember that the best underwear for your health is cotton and not too tight. Of course, sometimes you can wear other types of underwear, but not on a permanent basis.

Only have safe sex if you don’t plan on having a baby. Ask your partner for an up-to-date STD report before having unprotected sex, and get yourself checked regularly, even if you only have sex with one person. Unfortunately, we can only be responsible for our own actions, and many diseases can be contracted not only through sex. Remember, it is much easier to prevent a disease than to treat it later.

If you’re on antibiotics, it’s best to support your gut and vaginal microbiome by supplementing with fermented milk products that are rich in live, beneficial lactobacilli. You can also ask the doctor to advise dietary supplements and medicines containing lactocultures.

Try to use panty liners made from natural materials, 100% cotton is best.

Synthetic materials can cause allergies and create an unfavorable environment for bacteria to grow. Perfect for daily panty liners.
Kotex Natural and
Kotex Natural Plus. The top layer of these pads is made from 100% cotton, produced without the use of chlorine and harsh chemicals. They are hypoallergenic and suitable for even the most sensitive skin.

Remember that the vagina is a self-cleaning organ with a sensitive microbiota environment, so remember to take care of yourself:

• Do not douche or wash the inside of the vagina. Together with pathogenic bacteria, you will wash out the beneficial ones. This procedure does more harm than good.

• Do not use soap to wash the inside of the vagina, even specialized. It is ONLY for the outside and must not get inside.

• Never use deodorant or scented washcloths.

• Do not touch the inside of the vagina with unwashed hands.

• Wash and wipe in the direction from the vagina to the anus, avoid contact of the vagina with objects that touched the anus.

• It is best to wear 100% cotton underwear at all times, avoid tight-fitting clothing, especially in hot weather.

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White discharge (leucorrhea) from the vagina: diagnosis and treatment

Where can I buy?

Encyclopedia

Diseases of the intimate area

When can a white, creamy discharge from the vagina appear, and what does it indicate?

The author of the article

Molchanov Oleg Leonidovich

Gynecologist, reproductive specialist, doctor of medical sciences.

Vaginal discharge

Any woman may be concerned about the nature of her vaginal discharge from time to time. The properties of vaginal discharge, as a rule, change even within one month, although not always significantly. However, this still causes emotional discomfort to a woman, since it is difficult for her to figure out which discharges are the norm and which are not.

Pathological discharge is always a reason to visit a gynecologist, as it directly indicates some kind of malfunction in the female body. It is important for a woman to understand which discharge is normal and which may be associated with the disease. In this case, she will be able to undergo the necessary examination on time, receive the correct treatment and prevent the development of serious complications.

Types of discharge in women

Vaginal discharge is as normal as the production of saliva or sweat. Often, women form the erroneous idea that any vaginal discharge is a sign of some kind of disease, and that they should not be at all. However, it is not.

Discharge is one of the manifestations of the protective properties of the vagina. Thus, it is “cleansed” from microbes, dead epithelial cells and mucus. The secretions are needed to moisturize the mucous membrane and prevent various infections ¹ .

All vaginal discharge has a common name – leucorrhoea. Whites are produced by special gonads. The properties of physiological (normal) and pathological leucorrhea differ ^1.2 .

Characteristics of vaginal discharge (leucorrhoea)

Color

Normal: transparent, translucent, whitish or slightly yellowish

Possible pathology: may vary from white to yellow and green, as well as bloody or bloody

Consistency

Norm: Mucous, creamy, rarely watery. Usually homogeneous (rarely with small lumps)

Possible pathology: curdled (with large and small lumps), thick cream, watery

Smell

Norm: odorless or slightly acidic odor

Possible pathology: odor is sharper, more unpleasant, specific in some diseases (for example, “fishy” in bacterial vaginosis)

Quantity

Norm: not abundant (normal per day up to 5 ml, which is approximately equal to 1 tsp). The amount may increase briefly in the middle of the menstrual cycle

Possible pathology: more often copious, more than 5 ml per day. The abundant nature of the whites does not change throughout the cycle.

In some diseases, they may be mild, which requires additional assessment of other parameters

Causes of white discharge

The nature of leucorrhea directly depends on the hormonal background of a woman:

• fluctuations in various hormones during the menstrual cycle
• before the girl’s first menstruation
• during menopause
• during pregnancy

The nature of vaginal discharge is also influenced by age, the presence or absence of concomitant diseases, the use of certain drugs (for example, combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and other hormonal drugs) ² .

White, creamy discharge from a woman may be normal, or may signal pathology.

When is white discharge normal?

During the menstrual cycle, the nature of the vaginal discharge changes as follows:

In the first phase of the cycle

vaginal discharge is not abundant (usually scanty), mucous, as a rule, transparent or translucent with a whitish tint. Due to the small amount of estrogen (female sex hormones) immediately after menstruation, the blood supply to the vagina is not so intense, there are few layers of the vaginal epithelium, and the discharge is insignificant. As the amount of estrogen increases closer to the middle of the cycle, the blood supply to the vagina also increases, and there is more discharge.

By the middle of the

cycle, under the influence of a changing ratio of hormones, the secretions acquire a more mucous character and the properties of “viscosity”. The volume of secretions becomes larger than in the first phase of the cycle. These changes in secretions are characteristic of the period of ovulation – the release of the egg from the ovary. Normally, this occurs around the 14th day of the menstrual cycle.

In the second phase of the

cycle, after the release of the egg, the follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, which produces the hormone progesterone. The secretions at the same time lose water and extensibility properties, become thicker. Their number usually decreases. At this time, a creamy discharge of white or slightly yellowish color may appear ^3.4 .

Normally, white, creamy discharge is observed in a woman in the second phase of the cycle after ovulation. Their quantity is insignificant, there is no smell, pathological impurities are not contained.

White discharge as a sign of disease

Various diseases of the reproductive system in women are often accompanied by pathological discharge.

Inflammation of the appendages (in particular, fallopian tubes)

The so-called “tubal” leucorrhea appears. Thick, copious, creamy leucorrhoea, mixed with pus or blood. They may have a yellow or green tint. With inflammation of the uterine appendages, pain and discomfort often appear in the lower abdomen. In acute inflammation, especially due to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), body temperature often rises.

Inflammation of the uterus (endometritis)

Leucorrhea may also be thick, creamy, bloody or pus-filled. Quite rarely, there is an increase in body temperature and pain. As a rule, symptoms are not expressed. Sometimes only pathological discharge indicates a disease.

Inflammation in the cervix (cervicitis)

Discharge may not be as heavy, but is constant throughout the cycle, often foul-smelling and tinted yellow or green. There is no temperature or other general manifestations of inflammation. Pain in the lower abdomen is also not typical. With cervicitis, there are often spotting from the genital tract that is not associated with menstruation, especially after sexual intercourse.

Inflammation in the vagina (colpitis)

The discharge is varied. It all depends on the microorganism that caused the disease. More often they are plentiful, can be thick with a gray, yellow or green tint, have a cheesy texture, have an unpleasant odor and irritate the skin and mucous membranes of the genital organs ^2.5 .

In various gynecological pathologies, white, creamy discharge is permanent, more abundant than normal. They can also be shades of yellow, gray, or green, irritate the skin and mucous membranes of the genitals, and emit an unpleasant odor.

The most common local inflammatory diseases of the external genitalia (vulva) and vagina. Every year, millions of women go to the doctor complaining of heavy discharge ⁶ .

Among all diseases of the vagina, women most often experience:

• Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
• Candidiasis (thrush)
• Aerobic vaginitis
• Sexually transmitted infections (trichomoniasis, chlamydia, gonorrhea) ^2.7 .

  Treatment of diseases that cause white vaginal discharge

  Important!
  Treatment of any inflammatory process that is associated with the appearance of pathological vaginal discharge depends on the pathogen and is carried out only after a specific diagnosis has been made!

  Sexually transmitted infections that cause inflammation in the uterus and its appendages, as well as cervicitis and colpitis, are treated with broad-spectrum antimicrobials. Doses and duration of the course are determined individually in each case of the disease.

  Inflammation caused by opportunistic microbes, localized in the cervix and vagina, treated with various antimicrobial drugs. Among these drugs, preference is given to those that have the ability not only to stop the growth of bacteria, but to cause their death. It is also important that the drug can act on a wide range of pathogens, as more and more diagnostics reveal a combination of microbes responsible for inflammation.

  Sertaconazole

  Sertaconazole is one of the available modern drugs that meet the requirements of safety and efficacy. The overwhelming majority of fungi of the genus Candida, which cause the development of vulvovaginal candidiasis (thrush), are sensitive to the antifungal action of sertaconazole. Due to the special chemical structure, sertaconazole stops the reproduction of fungi and causes their death.

  Sertaconazole has a number of advantages in terms of ease of use. Original preparations Zalain ^® containing sertaconazole is available as a cream and vaginal suppositories.

  About the use of sertaconazole for the treatment of thrush, see a short video by Professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Shikh Evgenia Valerievna.

  Contents

  Types of secretions

  Reasons for the appearance

  Treatment

  drugs

  0% read

  Zalain ^® Suppositories

  Zalain ^® suppositories with sertaconazole in the composition are used topically and once for vaginal candidiasis.

  Studies confirm that up to 90% of Candida species die within an hour after sertaconazole application ^1,2,8 .

  The drug is easy to use (it is necessary to insert 1 suppository into the vagina once).

  The use of 1 vaginal suppository is explained by the fact that sertaconazole has a high lipophilicity – it dissolves well in lipid (fat) cell structures. Due to this, the drug is stored in the vaginal mucosa for a long time (7 days) in a therapeutic concentration, having a triple mechanism of action on Candida fungi: it stops the growth and reproduction of fungi, promotes their death and prevents the transition of fungi into a pathogenic form ¹¹ .

  For women, this prescription is very convenient.

  single administration of 1 suppository

  Local effect of the drug

  Absorption of sertaconazole into the bloodstream does not occur ¹³

  Can be used during pregnancy and lactation

  *if the benefits outweigh the risks

  Where to buy Zalain ^® Candles

  Instruction

  Prevention of diseases causing profuse white vaginal discharge

  Prevention of inflammatory diseases in women is very important. Many predisposing factors, such as an unhealthy lifestyle, frequent change of sexual partners, uncontrolled use of antibiotics, improper hygiene, a woman can eliminate herself.

  Preventive measures for inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs include:

  Timely treatment and compensation of chronic diseases

  Having one sexual partner

  Stopping smoking and alcohol abuse

  Healthy nutrition

  Proper genital hygiene ⁷

  The choice of intimate hygiene products should be approached with particular care. The use of ordinary soap or products not specifically designed for intimate hygiene can lead to dryness and discomfort, irritation. Such funds are not preventive for various diseases of the intimate sphere.

  To date, special products for intimate hygiene have been developed, which have a number of useful characteristics. For example, the cosmetic Zalagel ^® Intim contains betaine and tea tree oil, thanks to which it moisturizes and protects the vaginal mucosa from pathogenic microbes.

  How to use Zalagel ^® Intim helps to maintain physiological balance in the intimate area and provides comfort due to its cooling and deodorizing effect.

  Zalagel ^® Intim

  Zalagel ^® Intim can be used in both men and women for external use. Also, this gel is approved for use in adolescents from 14 years of age.

  Recommended daily use Zalagel ^® Intim 1 time per day in the absence of any complaints or 2 times per day in case of initial discomfort externally in the intimate area ¹⁰ .

  Gently cleanses the intimate area

  Creates a destructive environment for fungi of the Candida genus

  Protects the female genital organs from infections

  Tea tree oil, which is part of the product, has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect

  Reduces itching and irritation

  Where to buy Zalagel ^® Intim

  or

  Find your nearest pharmacy

  Instruction

  Answers to questions

  What does white, odorless discharge mean?

  Answer: Vaginal discharge must always be evaluated for various characteristics in order to understand whether it is normal or abnormal.

  The absence of an unpleasant odor and the white color of the discharge are characteristics of normal leucorrhoea. However, it should also be observed whether the nature of the discharge changes naturally during the menstrual cycle, whether there are impurities of other shades or blood. Assess if there are any additional symptoms (itching and burning in the vagina, discomfort in the lower abdomen, etc.). If in doubt, it is recommended to immediately consult a gynecologist.

  Do I always need to see a doctor if I have discharge?

  Answer: Vaginal discharge is normal. It is important to have an idea about the nature of vaginal discharge in the norm and in the presence of pathology. If this starts to bother you a lot, you need to visit a gynecologist.

  What should my partner do if I have abnormal discharge?

  Answer: if a woman has abnormal discharge from the genital tract, her partner must undergo a comprehensive clinical and laboratory examination at an appointment with a urologist.

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  Sources

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  2. Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases accompanied by pathological discharge from the female genital tract /ROAG/ edited by Prilepskaya V.N., Kira E.F. – 2019
  3. Buchta V. Vaginal microbiome. Ceska Gynekol. 2018 Winter;83(5):371-379. English. PMID: 30848142.
  4. Powell AM, Nyirjesy P. New Perspectives on the Normal Vagina and Noninfectious Causes of Discharge. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Sep;58(3):453-63. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0000000000000124. PMID: 26125958.
  5. Hainer BL, Gibson MV. vaginitis. Am Fam Physician. 2011 Apr 1;83(7):807-15. PMID: 21524046.
  6. Amrin SS, Lakshmi GJ. Vaginal discharge: The diagnostic enigma. Indian J Sex Transm Dis AIDS. 2021 Jan-Jun;42(1):38-45. doi: 10.4103/ijstd.IJSTD_92_18. Epub 2020 Jul 31. PMID: 34765936; PMCID: PMC8579582.
  7. Hillier SL, Austin M, Macio I, Meyn LA, Badway D, Beigi R. Diagnosis and Treatment of Vaginal Discharge Syndromes in Community Practice Settings. Clin Infect Dis.