Causes, Types, Diagnosis and Treatment

Vaginal discharge serves an important housekeeping function in the female reproductive system. Fluid made by glands inside the vagina and cervix carries away dead cells and bacteria. This keeps the vagina clean and helps prevent infection.

Most of the time, vaginal discharge is perfectly normal. The amount can vary, as can odor and color (which can range from clear to a milky white-ish), depending on the time in your menstrual cycle. For example, there will be more discharge when you’re ovulating, breastfeeding, or sexually aroused. It may smell different when you’re pregnant or you’ve been letting your personal hygiene slide.

None of those changes is cause for alarm. However, if the color, smell, or consistency seems quite different than usual, especially if you also have vaginal itching or burning, you could be dealing with an infection or other condition.

What causes abnormal discharge?

Any change in the vagina’s balance of normal bacteria can affect the smell, color, or discharge texture. These are a few of the things that can upset that balance:

See the chart below to learn more about what a particular type of discharge might mean.

Types of Abnormal Discharge and Their Possible Causes

How does the doctor diagnose abnormal discharge?

The doctor will start by taking a health history and asking about your symptoms. Questions may include:

• When did the abnormal discharge begin?
• What color is the discharge?
• Is there any smell?
• Do you have any itching, pain, or burning in or around the vagina?
• Do you have more than one sexual partner?
• Do you douche?

The doctor may take a sample of the discharge or do a Pap test to collect cells from your cervix for further examination.

How is abnormal discharge treated?

How you are treated will depend on what’s causing the problem. For example, yeast infections are usually treated with antifungal medications inserted into the vagina in cream or gel form. Bacterial vaginosis is treated with antibiotic pills or creams. Trichomoniasis is usually treated with the drug metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Tindamax).

Here are some tips for preventing vaginal infections that can lead to abnormal discharge:

• Keep the vagina clean by washing with a gentle, mild soap and warm water on the outside. There is no need to put soap directly in the vagina.
• Never use scented soaps and feminine products or douche. Also avoid feminine sprays and bubble baths.
• After going to the bathroom, always wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from getting into the vagina and causing an infection.
• Wear 100% cotton underpants, and avoid overly tight clothing.

Vaginitis | Vulvovaginitis | MedlinePlus

What is vaginitis?

Vaginitis, also called vulvovaginitis, is an inflammation or infection of the vagina. It can also affect the vulva, which is the external part of a woman’s genitals. Vaginitis can cause itching, pain, discharge, and odor.

Vaginitis is common, especially in women in their reproductive years. It usually happens when there is a change in the balance of bacteria or yeast that are normally found in your vagina. There are different types of vaginitis, and they have different causes, symptoms, and treatments.

What causes vaginitis?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women ages 15-44. It happens when there is an imbalance between the “good” and “harmful” bacteria that are normally found in a woman’s vagina. Many things can change the balance of bacteria, including

• Taking antibiotics
• Douching
• Using an intrauterine device (IUD)
• Having unprotected sex with a new partner
• Having many sexual partners

Yeast infections (candidiasis) happen when too much candida grows in the vagina. Candida is the scientific name for yeast. It is a fungus that lives almost everywhere, including in your body. You may have too much growing in the vagina because of

• Antibiotics
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes, especially if it is not well-controlled
• Corticosteroid medicines

Trichomoniasis can also cause vaginitis. Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted disease. It is caused by a parasite.

You can also have vaginitis if you are allergic or sensitive to certain products that you use. Examples include vaginal sprays, douches, spermicides, soaps, detergents, or fabric softeners. They can cause burning, itching, and discharge.

Hormonal changes can also cause vaginal irritation. Examples are when you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or when you have gone through menopause.

Sometimes you can have more than one cause of vaginitis at the same time.

What are the symptoms of vaginitis?

The symptoms of vaginitis depend on which type you have.

With BV, you may not have symptoms. You could have a thin white or gray vaginal discharge. There may be an odor, such as a strong fish-like odor, especially after sex.

Yeast infections produce a thick, white discharge from the vagina that can look like cottage cheese. The discharge can be watery and often has no smell. Yeast infections usually cause the vagina and vulva to become itchy and red.

You may not have symptoms when you have trichomoniasis. If you do have them, they include itching, burning, and soreness of the vagina and vulva. You may have burning during urination. You could also have gray-green discharge, which may smell bad.

How is the cause of vaginitis diagnosed?

To find out the cause of your symptoms, your health care provider may

• Ask you about your medical history
• Do a pelvic exam
• Look for vaginal discharge, noting its color, qualities, and any odor
• Study a sample of your vaginal fluid under a microscope

In some cases, you may need more tests.

What are the treatments for vaginitis?

The treatment depends on which type of vaginitis you have.

BV is treatable with antibiotics. You may get pills to swallow, or cream or gel that you put in your vagina. During treatment, you should use a condom during sex or not have sex at all.

Yeast infections are usually treated with a cream or with medicine that you put inside your vagina. You can buy over-the-counter treatments for yeast infections, but you need to be sure that you do have a yeast infection and not another type of vaginitis. See your health care provider if this is the first time you have had symptoms. Even if you have had yeast infections before, it is a good idea to call your health care provider before using an over-the-counter treatment.

The treatment for trichomoniasis is usually a single-dose antibiotic. Both you and your partner(s) should be treated, to prevent spreading the infection to others and to keep from getting it again.

If your vaginitis is due to an allergy or sensitivity to a product, you need to figure out which product is causing the problem. It could be a product that you started using recently. Once you figure it out, you should stop using the product.

If the cause of your vaginitis is a hormonal change, your health care provider may give you estrogen cream to help with your symptoms.

Can vaginitis cause other health problems?

It is important to treat BV and trichomoniasis, because having either of them can increase your risk for getting HIV or another sexually transmitted disease. If you are pregnant, BV or trichomoniasis can increase your risk for preterm labor and preterm birth.

Can vaginitis be prevented?

To help prevent vaginitis

• Do not douche or use vaginal sprays
• Use a latex condom when having sex. If your or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms.
• Avoid clothes that hold in heat and moisture
• Wear cotton underwear

Vaginal Discharge – Women’s Health Issues

Vaginal Discharge—What’s Normal and What Isn’t

is usually clear or opaque, and may also be slightly yellowish or whitish-yellow. If it begins to be yellowish-green in color, however, this is not normal.

Yellow discharge

may be an indication of a vaginal infection known as trichomoniasis. This kind of discharge is usually yellow in color, not particularly thick, sometimes frothy and accompanied by symptoms of itching and a bad odor. It is frequently transmitted by sexual intercourse, or by foreign objects being placed into the vaginal cavity, such as tampons or sex toys/equipment.

Whitish to pale yellow discharge

is generally due to a fungal infection (yeast infection). The discharge is often thick, and may have an odor something like spoiled milk. It may cause an itching or burning sensation, particularly while urinating, due to irritation in the vagina, and can be accompanied by severe redness and burning in the groin area as well. This type of discharge is often caused by the use of antibiotics or in patients with weak immune systems, such as patients taking immunosuppressant drugs, patients with diabetes, etc.

Green discharge

is caused by certain types of bacterial infection due to foreign objects being placed into the vagina, or even from sexual intercourse with a person who is infected with a disease such as gonorrhea, etc. In this case, the vaginal discharge will be green or yellowish green and have a foul, fishy odor. Patients may also experience an itching or burning sensation while urinating.

Brown discharge

is usually caused by a slower shedding of the uterine lining and will generally occur after the menstrual cycle. Sometimes, during menstruation, there are leftovers of the uterine wall that were not yet completely shed, or that did not make a timely exit during the menstrual cycle. When this old blood is discharged from the body it may be discolored and cause the normal vaginal discharge to be brown in color. Brownish discharge could be due to the uterus stretching. However, if it is also frothy, has a foul odor, and is accompanied by burning and itching symptoms while urinating, this is considered abnormal vaginal discharge and is caused by vaginal irritation which can also cause burning and redness in the groin area. If you experience these symptoms, you should definitely go to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Vaginal Yeast Infections | Michigan Medicine

Topic Overview

What is a vaginal yeast infection?

Yeast is a fungus that normally lives in the vagina in small numbers. A vaginal yeast infection means that too many yeast cells are growing in the vagina. These infections are very common. Although they can bother you a lot, they are not usually serious. And treatment is simple.

What causes a vaginal yeast infection?

Most yeast infections are caused by a type of yeast called Candida albicans.

A healthy vagina has many bacteria and a small number of yeast cells. The most common bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus, help keep other organisms—like the yeast—under control.

When something happens to change the balance of these organisms, yeast can grow too much and cause symptoms. Taking antibiotics sometimes causes this imbalance. The high estrogen levels caused by pregnancy or hormone therapy can also cause it. So can certain health problems, like diabetes or HIV infection.

What are the symptoms?

A yeast infection causes itching or soreness in the vagina and sometimes causes pain or burning when you urinate or have sex. Some women also have a thick, clumpy, white discharge that has no odor and looks a little like cottage cheese.

These symptoms are more likely to occur during the week before your menstrual period.

How is a vaginal yeast infection diagnosed?

It’s easy to guess wrong about a vaginal infection. See your doctor if you aren’t sure what you have or if this is the first time you have had these symptoms. Also see your doctor if you are pregnant. Your doctor may want to do a vaginal exam.

How is it treated?

If you have had a yeast infection before and can recognize the symptoms, and you aren’t pregnant, you can treat yourself at home with medicines you can buy without a prescription. You can use an antifungal cream or a suppository that you put into your vagina. Or your doctor may prescribe a medicine to treat the infection.

If your symptoms are mild, you may want to wait to see if they clear up on their own.

Yeast infections are common during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, don’t use medicine for a yeast infection without talking to your doctor first.

If you use a cream or suppository to treat the infection, don’t depend on a condom or diaphragm for birth control. The oil in some medicines weakens latex, the material often used to make these devices.

Many women have infections that come back. If you have more than four yeast infections in a year, see your doctor. He or she may do some tests to see if your yeast infections are being caused by another health problem, such as diabetes.

Can vaginal yeast infections be prevented?

If you practice good genital hygiene, you can help prevent infection.

• Keep your vaginal area clean. Use mild, unscented soap and water. Rinse well.
• After using the toilet, wipe from front to back to avoid spreading yeast or bacteria from your anus to the vagina or urinary tract.
• Wear underwear that helps keep your genital area dry and doesn’t hold in warmth and moisture. One good choice is cotton underwear.
• Avoid tight-fitting clothing, such as panty hose, and tight-fitting jeans. These may increase body heat and moisture in your genital area.
• Change out of a wet swimsuit right away. Wearing a wet swimsuit for many hours may keep your genital area warm and moist.
• Change pads or tampons often.
• Don’t douche or use deodorant tampons or feminine sprays, powders, or perfumes. These items can change the normal balance of organisms in your vagina.

Cause

A vaginal yeast infection is caused by an overgrowth of yeast organisms that normally live in small numbers in the vagina. Things that may encourage an excess growth of vaginal yeast include:

• Using antibiotics.
• Having high estrogen levels (hyperestrogenemia), such as during pregnancy, hormone therapy (HT or ET) use, high-dose birth control pill use, and the menstrual cycle.
• Having diabetes, especially if your blood sugars are not well controlled and tend to be high.
• Having an impaired immune system.
• Using corticosteroids, such as prednisone.
• Being overweight.

Most yeast infections involve Candida albicans ( C. albicans), a yeast that can be treated effectively with standard yeast infection medicine. Recurrent vaginal yeast infections tend to involve non– C. albicans types of yeast, which are more resistant to the standard treatments for C. albicans yeast infections.

Symptoms

The symptoms of vaginal yeast infection include:

• Vaginal itching that is often severe.
• Vaginal discharge that is usually white, thick, clumpy, and odorless.
• Red, irritated skin around the opening to the vagina (labia).
• Pain while urinating when urine touches irritated skin.
• Pain in the vagina during sexual intercourse.

Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are more likely to occur during the week before a menstrual period.

There are other conditions with similar symptoms, such as bacterial vaginosis or a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Itching and redness of the vulva can also be caused by a reaction to vaginal products such as soap, bath oils, spermicidal jelly, or douches. If you are unfamiliar with your symptoms, see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

What Happens

Vaginal yeast infections often clear up on their own without treatment, usually when menstruation begins. Menstrual blood raises the vaginal pH, causing the number of yeast cells to decrease because they can’t grow in the pH present during menstruation.

There are significant differences between occasional, easily treatable yeast infections and recurrent infections that seriously affect a woman’s life. Recurring vaginal yeast infections can be difficult to prevent or cure. Women who have recurring yeast infections should be evaluated for other causes (such as diabetes, hormone therapy, or treatment-resistant strains of yeast) so that the cause can be treated or reversed.

What Increases Your Risk

Your risk of getting a vaginal yeast infection can be increased by a number of medical and lifestyle factors.

Some of the common things that put you at risk for vaginal yeast infection include:

• Use of antibiotics. These medicines upset the normal balance between yeast and bacteria in the vagina. Antibiotics can kill too much “good” bacteria and result in too much yeast growing in the vagina, sometimes causing symptoms of a yeast infection.
• Problems with your immune system that affect the normal balance of yeast and bacteria in the body. Having a condition such as poorly controlled diabetes or HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) can lead to too much yeast growing in the vagina. Taking corticosteroid medicines sometimes also weakens the immune system and increases the risk for yeast infections. Pregnant women are also at higher risk for getting yeast infections because of shifting hormones that can weaken the immune system.
• Wearing tight-fitting, nonabsorbent pants or undergarments that hold in warmth and moisture.
• Using feminine hygiene sprays, talcs, or perfumes in the vaginal area.
• Douching.

Vaginal yeast infections are not sexually transmitted. After having unprotected sex with a partner who has a yeast infection, you may have more than the normal amount of yeast in your vagina. But if after having sex you develop a yeast infection that causes symptoms, it is most likely because other things are also involved.

When should you call your doctor?

Use the following guidelines for seeking medical care when you have vaginal symptoms.

Call your doctor immediately if you:

Call your doctor for an appointment within 1 week if you:

• Have an unusual vaginal discharge, and this is the first time you have had an infection that might be a vaginal yeast infection.
• Have unusual vaginal itching.
• Have pain during sex or urination.
• Have any other symptoms that may point to a vaginal infection.
• Continue to have symptoms despite home treatment with a nonprescription medicine.
• Have symptoms return within 2 months, and you have not been taking antibiotics.

Watchful waiting

If you are sure your symptoms are caused by a vaginal yeast infection, waiting several days to see if the symptoms clear up on their own is not harmful, especially if you expect your menstrual period within that time. Sometimes a menstrual period will relieve the symptoms of a mild yeast infection. If your symptoms continue, you can use nonprescription medicine. If symptoms continue after treatment, see your doctor.

Who to see

Health professionals who can diagnose and treat a vaginal yeast infection include:

Exams and Tests

Your doctor may be able to diagnose your vaginal symptoms based on your medical history and a vaginal exam.

If your vaginal symptoms are not typical of a vaginal yeast infection, your doctor can look for signs of yeast or other organisms using a wet mount test of vaginal discharge.

You may have other tests if you have vaginal yeast infections that are severe or that keep coming back (recur), such as:

• A vaginal culture. This test can confirm that you have a yeast infection. A sample of vaginal discharge can be taken during a wet mount test. If more than the normal amount of yeast grows in the sample over a short period of time (a few days), then your symptoms are likely caused by a yeast infection.
• A blood test to find out if you may have diabetes or another health problem that makes you more likely to get yeast infections.

Although a yeast infection can be detected during a routine Pap test, this type of test is not typically done to diagnose vaginal infections.

Treatment Overview

You have a number of treatment options for a vaginal yeast infection, including nonprescription vaginal medicine, prescription oral or vaginal medicine, or nonprescription vaginal boric acid capsules.

Only use nonprescription vaginal yeast infection treatment without a doctor’s diagnosis and advice if you:

• Are not pregnant.
• Are sure your symptoms are caused by a vaginal yeast infection. If you have never been diagnosed with a vaginal yeast infection, see your doctor.
• Have not been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection (STI), which would require a medical exam.
• Are not having multiple, recurrent infections.

The risk of self-treatment is that your symptoms may be caused by another vaginal infection, such as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), that requires different treatment. If you may have been exposed to an STI, it is best to discuss your symptoms with your doctor before using a nonprescription medicine. Your doctor may recommend testing for STI if you have risk factors for these infections.

Yeast infection during pregnancy

Vaginal yeast infections are common during pregnancy, likely caused by elevated estrogen levels. If you are pregnant, don’t assume you have a yeast infection until it is diagnosed, and don’t use nonprescription medicines without discussing your symptoms with your doctor.

Vaginal medicine is the recommended treatment for vaginal yeast infections during pregnancy.^{footnote 1}

Recurrent yeast infection

For a vaginal yeast infection that recurs within 2 months of treatment, or four times in 1 year (recurrent vaginal yeast infection), see your doctor. Further testing or a different treatment may be needed. If you have been using a nonprescription medicine for your vaginal symptoms, be sure to tell your doctor. This information could affect what treatment is recommended.

Recurrent vaginal yeast infection can be treated with prescription oral medicine, nonprescription vaginal medicine, or vaginal boric acid capsules, followed by less frequent medicine over 6 months to 1 year to prevent reinfection.^{footnote 1}

A vaginal yeast infection is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI). After having unprotected sex with a partner who has a yeast infection, you may have more than the normal amount of yeast in your vagina. But if after having sex you develop a yeast infection that causes symptoms, it is most likely because other factors are also involved.

What to think about

It is important to complete the entire recommended treatment to cure a yeast infection.

Vaginal infections caused by types of yeast other than Candida albicans may be more difficult to cure with standard antifungal medicine. For treatment-resistant infections, a culture of vaginal discharge is done to identify the type of yeast causing the infection.

Boric acid is usually effective for treating Candida albicans ( C. albicans) infection, and non– C. albicans yeast infections that don’t respond to antifungal medicine.^{footnote 2}

Prevention

The following actions can help prevent a vaginal yeast infection.

• Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nonfat dairy products. Some women think that eating foods with lactobacillus organisms, such as yogurt or acidophilus milk, will help prevent yeast infections. So far there is no evidence for this connection. But eating foods that contain lactobacillus can be part of a healthy diet.
• Control diabetes. Good control of blood sugar levels decreases the risk of yeast infections anywhere on your body.
• Avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics. Antibiotics can change the normal balance of vaginal organisms, allowing excess growth of yeast.

If you practice good genital hygiene, you can also help prevent infection.

• Keep your vaginal area clean. Use mild, unscented soap and water. Rinse well.
• After using the toilet, wipe from front to back to avoid spreading yeast or bacteria from your anus to the vagina or urinary tract.
• Wear underwear that helps keep your genital area dry and doesn’t hold in warmth and moisture. One good choice is cotton underwear. Try sleeping without underwear.
• Avoid tight-fitting clothing, such as panty hose, and tight-fitting jeans. These may increase body heat and moisture in your genital area.
• Change out of a wet swimsuit right away. Wearing a wet swimsuit for many hours may keep your genital area warm and moist.
• Change pads or tampons often.
• Don’t douche or use deodorant tampons or feminine sprays, powders, or perfumes. These items can change the normal balance of organisms in your vagina.

Home Treatment

Do not self-treat a vaginal yeast infection if you:

• Are pregnant.
• Are not sure your symptoms are caused by a vaginal yeast infection. If you have never been diagnosed with a vaginal yeast infection, see your doctor before treating it with a nonprescription antifungal cream. Sometimes women think they have a vaginal yeast infection when symptoms are caused by a different condition, such as bacterial vaginosis or a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
• Have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection (STI), which would require a medical exam.
• Are having a recurrent infection.

Using nonprescription medicine

When using a nonprescription vaginal medicine for a vaginal yeast infection, follow the directions on the package insert, as well as these guidelines:

• Use pads instead of tampons while you are using nonprescription vaginal medicines. Tampons can absorb the medicine.
• Avoid using soap when cleaning the vaginal area—rinse with water only.
• If sexual intercourse is painful, avoid it. Otherwise, use a water-soluble lubricating jelly (such as K-Y Jelly) to reduce irritation. The oil in antifungal creams or suppositories can weaken latex. This means condoms and diaphragms may break, and you may not be protected from STI or pregnancy.
• If the genital area is swollen or painful, sitting in warm water (in a bathtub or sitz bath, not a hot tub) may help. Or instead, you may try putting a cool, damp cloth on the area. Do not rub to try to relieve itching.

Report your symptoms to your doctor if:

• You are not sure that you have a yeast infection.
• Your self-treatment is not working after one complete course of therapy.

Things to consider

The risk of self-treatment is that your symptoms may be caused by a type of vaginal infection other than a yeast infection, such as bacterial vaginosis or a sexually transmitted infection (STI). If you have pelvic pain or fever, get an evaluation by a doctor.

If you are pregnant, it is important to be evaluated for vaginal symptoms. Some vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia, may increase your risk of complications during pregnancy.

If you have risk factors for an STI, discuss your symptoms with your doctor before using a nonprescription medicine. Risk factors for an STI include having sex without a condom or having more than one sex partner.

Talk to your doctor before you try unproven home treatment methods, such as applying tea tree oil in the vagina or taking garlic supplements. These treatments have not been well studied. They may even cause other problems, such as allergic reactions, in some women.^{footnote 3} Douching is not recommended, because it can make some infections worse.

Medications

Antifungal medicines are the standard treatment for a vaginal yeast infection. You can insert a cream or suppository antifungal cream into your vagina or take a pill by mouth. Vaginal boric acid capsules are sometimes used.

Antifungal medicines that you take as a pill by mouth affect the entire body (so it can also treat any yeast infection elsewhere in the body). Vaginal medicine only affects the area in which it is applied.

If you are thinking about using nonprescription treatment, see:

Medicine choices

• Vaginal antifungal medicines, such as miconazole (Monistat) and tioconazole (Vagistat), are available in 1-day, 3-day, and longer courses, depending on the strength of the medicine. These are available over-the-counter or with a prescription.
• Oral antifungal medicines are available with a prescription and are easy to use.
• Vaginal boric acid capsules are available over-the-counter. But they are not safe to use if you are pregnant.

What to think about

Antifungal creams and suppositories that you put into your vagina have fewer side effects than antifungal pills you take by mouth. This is because vaginal medicine isn’t absorbed into your body and only affects the genital area. Antifungal pills that are taken by mouth affect your entire body. Side effects from these pills are rare with one treatment dose. Side effects can include nausea, headaches, and belly pain. But taking a pill is convenient and is not messy. Medicine put into the vagina can be uncomfortable. And it may seem like more of a hassle than taking a pill.

The oil in antifungal creams or suppositories can weaken latex. This means condoms and diaphragms may break, and you may not be protected from STI or pregnancy.

If you are taking the anticoagulant medicine warfarin and you use a nonprescription vaginal yeast-fighting medicine, you may have increased bruising and abnormal bleeding. Talk with your doctor before using an antifungal medicine along with warfarin.

You are more likely to use a treatment correctly and complete the treatment if you get to choose the type you prefer. Talk with your doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of vaginal and oral medicines, including:

• How a medicine can be administered. Most of the vaginal treatments are available as creams, vaginal tablets, or suppositories.
• Whether oral or vaginal medicine is recommended. You may prefer to take pills rather than use medicine that is inserted into the vagina. Or the type of yeast infection you have may respond better to one method than to the other.
• Whether you should avoid sexual intercourse if you are using vaginal medicine. Some doctors advise that women avoid sex during treatment.
• Whether treatment should be continued during your menstrual period. Tampons can absorb medicine, so use pads if you are being treated with vaginal medicines during your period.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist to see whether you can get a generic form of a prescription medicine. Many generic medicines are now available to treat vaginal yeast infections. They are often less expensive than brand-name medicines.

Other Treatment

Some experts may recommend vaginal boric acid capsules as a treatment option for vaginal yeast infection, particularly infections that can’t be cured by prescription or nonprescription antifungal yeast infection medicines.^{footnote 4} Boric acid is a white, crystalline chemical substance that has antifungal and antiviral properties. It is used in various pharmaceutical products and is also available without a prescription.

If you are pregnant, do not use vaginal boric acid treatment.

References

Citations

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015). Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2015. MMWR, 64(RR-03): 1–137. http://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015. Accessed July 2, 2015. [Erratum in MMWR, 64(33): 924. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6433a9.htm?s_cid=mm6433a9_w. Accessed January 25, 2016.]
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2010). Vulvovaginal candidiasis section of Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines 2010. MMWR, 59(RR-12): 61–63. Also available online: http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/default.htm.
3. Lopez JEM (2015). Candidiasis (vulvovaginal). BMJ Clinical Evidence. http://clinicalevidence.bmj.com/x/systematic-review/0815/overview.html. Accessed April 15, 2016.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015). Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2015. MMWR, 64(RR-03): 1–137. http://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015. Accessed July 2, 2015. [Erratum in MMWR, 64(33): 924. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6433a9.htm?s_cid=mm6433a9_w. Accessed January 25, 2016.]

Other Works Consulted

• Pappas PG, et al. (2009). Clinical practice guidelines for the management of candidiasis: 2009 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 48(5): 503–535.

Credits

Current as of:
July 17, 2020

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Kathleen Romito MD – Family Medicine
Martin J. Gabica MD – Family Medicine
Deborah A. Penava BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH – Obstetrics and Gynecology

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015). Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2015. MMWR, 64(RR-03): 1-137. http://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015. Accessed July 2, 2015. [Erratum in MMWR, 64(33): 924. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6433a9.htm?s_cid=mm6433a9_w. Accessed January 25, 2016.]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2010). Vulvovaginal candidiasis section of Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines 2010. MMWR, 59(RR-12): 61-63. Also available online: http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/default.htm.

Lopez JEM (2015). Candidiasis (vulvovaginal). BMJ Clinical Evidence. http://clinicalevidence.bmj.com/x/systematic-review/0815/overview.html. Accessed April 15, 2016.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015). Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2015. MMWR, 64(RR-03): 1-137. http://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015. Accessed July 2, 2015. [Erratum in MMWR, 64(33): 924. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6433a9.htm?s_cid=mm6433a9_w. Accessed January 25, 2016.]

Vaginal Itchiness, Burning & Discharge Treatment

The presence of vaginal itching, burning, or abnormal discharge could be both painful and concerning. Both could be indications of medical issues, ranging from infections to menopause. An overgrowth of vaginal bacteria can lead to bacterial vaginosis, a common health concern in women between the ages of 15 – 44. Bacterial vaginosis can be a significant cause of itching, burning, and abnormal discharge.

Vaginal discharge in women is a regular occurrence; however, certain discharge types can indicate an infection. Abnormal vaginal discharges are usually foul-smelling, and can have varying consistencies.

Most genital itching and discharge are not a significant concern. However, it can be an indication of other underlying health concerns or infections; it is ideal to consult your health care provider if you have vaginal itching, burning, or discharge.

Possible causes of vaginal itching & discharge

The following factors can cause vaginal discomfort, mainly an itching or burning sensation, along with discharge abnormalities in sensitive areas around the vagina and vulva.

• Menopause
• Irritants: foreign irritants including soaps, ointments, and creams
• Skin diseases
• Yeast infections
• Sexually transmitted infections: genital warts, genital herpes, trichomoniasis
• Vulva cancer
• Stress

 Among these, stress-driven vaginal concerns are a rarity.

Vaginal discharge types 

Green or yellow discharge. When a foul smell accompanies this discharge, it could indicate the vaginal infection trichomoniasis, which is transmitted via sexual intercourse.

Milky/thick white discharge. This is normal at the beginning and towards the end of the menstrual cycle. However, if the discharge feels thick and is accompanied by itching, it could indicate a yeast infection.

Water discharge. Watery or clear discharge is perfectly normal. This discharge type can be prevalent in individuals involved in rigorous exercise.

Stretchy discharge. A mucous-like discharge which is healthy and a sign that you are ovulating.

When to seek medical help

Seek medical help if the vaginal itching and abnormal discharge persist for more than a week and accompanied by the following health concerns:

• Ulcers or blisters
• Inflammations and swelling
• Increased or burning urination
• Unexpected weight loss
• Fatigue or sleeplessness
• Odorous or abnormal discharge

Frequently asked questions about vaginal itching and discharge

Is Bacterial vaginosis a Sexually Transmitted Disease?

Bacterial vaginosis is not considered an STD. However, having multiple male or female partners can make you vulnerable to bacterial vaginosis.

What causes excessive vaginal discharge?

Excessive vaginal discharge can be caused by various reasons, including changes in the menstrual cycle and infection. Consider contacting a health care professional if the concerns persist for more than a week.

How can I stop white discharge?

Clean the vaginal area with a small amount of gentle soap (although no soap is best!) and warm water. Do not use any ointments, scented soaps or sprays unless recommended by your healthcare provider.   

Is it normal to have discharge every day?

While it can be normal to have vaginal discharge every day, it is not common for all women. The frequency and the vaginal discharge type can also change according to the menstrual cycle. If you have any issues or are unsure if your discharge is healthy, we recommend discussing it with your women’s healthcare provider.

Causes and When It’s Normal

• White discharge commonly occurs three to five days before the start of your period.
• This happens because hormonal changes can increase the mucus produced by your vagina.
• But white discharge along with itching or burning could be a sign of a yeast infection or an STD. 
• Visit Insider’s Health Reference library for more advice.

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Finding vaginal discharge on your underwear is normal. Discharge is fluid that keeps the vagina lubricated and helps protect it from infections. You’ll often notice changes in color, consistency, and quantity throughout your menstrual cycle.  

Right before your period starts, you may notice white or creamy discharge in your underwear. Here’s why it happens and when you should worry about it. 

White discharge before your period

The white discharge you notice before your period is common. In most cases, it’s nothing to worry about and is only a sign that your period is about to start.  

The medical term is for this discharge is leukorrhea. It is made up of fluid and dead cells that shed from your vagina as it cleans itself. Your vaginal discharge could be white, creamy, milky, clear, or sticky. 

“Most women have an increase in vaginal discharge a few days prior to their period,” says Kecia Gaither, MD, a double board-certified OB/GYN and director of perinatal services at NYC Health. “This is due to hormonal effects which cause an increase in mucus production in the vagina.”

Note: White discharge usually occurs at the beginning and end of your menstrual cycle.

When you notice a thick white discharge, it’s typically a sign that you are about to ovulate. When you are ovulating, you will also notice a clear and stretchy discharge.

Ovulation is the stage of your menstrual cycle where an egg is released from your ovary. This is when you are most fertile and most likely to get pregnant. You might also experience a brownish discharge just after your period ends. 

“It’s most common to get white discharge three to five days before your period comes. It’s nothing to worry about except if it’s chunky, has a strong odor, is green, yellow or grey, or causes irritation,” says Sophia Yen, MD, CEO of Pandia Health and a clinical associate professor of pediatrics at Stanford Medical School.

When to see a doctor about white discharge

When other symptoms like itching and burning accompany your regular discharge it might indicate an infection. If you also notice a change in color, texture, smell, and quantity you might want to speak to a doctor. 

Here are some other causes of white discharge and conditions that could cause it you should be aware of. 

Yeast infection

A vaginal yeast infection is a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of yeast in your vagina. It’s also known as vaginal candidiasis. Pregnancy,

diabetes
, antibiotics, oral contraception or sex might be responsible for this overgrowth. 

One of the symptoms of a yeast infection is thick white discharge in your underwear. This discharge looks different from typical discharge because it is lumpier and has the consistency of cottage cheese. You may also experience the following symptoms: 

• Pain when urinating or during sex
• Itching 
• Burning

Yeast infections are very common — more than 1 million women in the US get yeast infections every year. They can easily be cleared up in a few days with some over the counter anti-fungal medication. But if your symptoms persist, then you should see a doctor about it. 

Note: For more information, read our article on how to treat a yeast infection.

Bacterial vaginosis 

When you have bacterial vaginosis, there is an upset in the balance of bacteria in your vagina, and it doesn’t produce enough good bacteria to keep the bad ones in check. This imbalance can be caused by taking antibiotics, douching, using an IUD, or sex. 

People with bacterial vaginosis will often experience no symptoms other than a thin white discharge accompanied by a strong fishy smell. Sometimes, the color of the discharge might also be dull gray or green. 

This condition is usually mild and could go away on its own in a few days. But if you experience symptoms like itching or burning when you pee, then you should see your doctor, who can prescribe antibiotic pills or creams. 

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD). It is caused by a parasite called trichomonas vaginalis which is passed from an infected person to an uninfected person during sex. 

This condition can cause a frothy white, yellow, or green discharge. It may also cause:

• Itching
• Pain when urinating
• An unpleasant odor

About 3.7 million people have trichomoniasis in the US. It’s typically treated with antibiotics that need to be taken for about 5 to 7 days. The most effective way to prevent the infection is by using condoms when having sex.

Insider’s takeaway

White discharge in your underwear before or even after your period is usually no cause for concern.

The amount and texture of the discharge can vary — while some women might notice only trace amounts, others may have as much as a teaspoon full. It is also not always completely white, and it can be creamy or clear, like an egg white. 

However, if you notice certain symptoms along with your discharge, then you should see your doctor, as it might be a sign of an infection.

“It’s important to know the difference between everyday discharge and discharge you need to see your doctor about. If it has a strong odor, or its bright yellow, green or grey, if it’s itchy or it causes swelling, burning, or irritation then it might be a sign of an infection,” says Yen.

Cervicitis – causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment in Astrakhan | Diseases

Reasons

Infectious

• Chlamydial infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria (most common)
• Neisseria gonorrhoeae (second most common) gonorrhea
• Genital herpes caused by herpes simplex virus
• Infections caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma genitalium

Other reasons

• Gynecological procedures
• Items (such as a diaphragm) in the vagina for too long
• Chemicals in douching fluids and contraceptive creams
• Latex condoms if a woman is allergic to latex

Symptoms

Cervicitis may not cause symptoms.The most common symptoms are unusual vaginal discharge (sometimes yellow-green and similar to pus) and vaginal bleeding between periods or after intercourse. Some women experience pain during intercourse and / or urination.

Depending on the cause of cervicitis, women may have other symptoms. For example, if the cause is pelvic inflammatory disease or herpes simplex infection, the woman may have a high fever and lower abdominal pain.Women often get reinfected.

Diagnostics

Because cervicitis often causes no symptoms, the diagnosis can be made during a routine pelvic exam. In order to clarify the diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe the following types of examination:

• medical examination;
• analysis of a sample taken from the cervix;
• tests for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause and symptoms of the disease, the severity of the course, as well as the presence of concomitant diseases and drug therapy received for concomitant pathology.With this in mind, the doctor can prescribe:

• medications (antimicrobial or antiviral).

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Purulent plugs in the throat: description of the disease, causes, symptoms, cost of treatment in Moscow

Purulent plugs in the throat are a sign of untreated acute tonsillitis or chronic tonsillitis. If there is no treatment, then the exacerbation of sore throat occurs from three times a year and can cause the development of severe complications.

Chronic tonsillitis, due to which pus plugs appear in the throat, occurs in 7% of adults and 15% of children. Traffic jams are not always present during the disease, but appear periodically at the moment when there are factors provoking a deterioration in the condition. The size of such formations can be from 1 mm to 1 cm. The record weight of the cork is 40 g. It is the appearance of purulent plugs that explains why there are white lumps in the throat.

Such accumulations of pus can form only in the palatine tonsils, since this is due to the peculiarities of their structure.They have special channels, in the exit from which a cork appears. If the tonsils are removed, then the formation of purulent plugs in the throat becomes impossible and the problem is solved once and for all. Without surgery, it is quite possible to cure the disease with proper therapy. Delaying seeing a doctor greatly increases the likelihood that a tonsillectomy operation will be required.

Can I delete it myself?

Everyone should know what to do if there are purulent plugs in the throat.Self-medication with them is highly undesirable.

Doctors do not recommend that you independently carry out procedures to remove plugs from the tonsils. The risk of harm in such a situation is much higher than the possibility of curing a sore throat. As a result of such manipulations, there is a danger of injury to the lymphoid tissues, due to which profuse bleeding will occur from them, which may require urgent medical attention. Also, improper cleansing of the glands sometimes provokes the spread of infection throughout the body, which is dangerous to health.

The only relatively safe method of removing plugs on their own, doctors consider extrusion with the tongue. They are pressed on the tonsils, causing the plugs to come out. After that, the throat is gargled to remove them. It is extremely harmful to swallow purulent accumulations. The tongue does not injure the delicate tissues of the mucous membrane and does not exert dangerous strong pressure, at which pus can escape inside, when there is a high likelihood of developing sepsis. A person with such purification will not harm himself.

Also, although doctors do not recommend it, sometimes you can do a homemade tonsil cleanse with a cotton swab or stick. The method is risky and traumatic, since you can press too hard and provoke the release of pus into deep tissues with the subsequent development of dangerous complications.

If there is no opportunity to visit a doctor, but you need to clean the tonsils, the procedure is carried out at home. This can be done no earlier than 2 hours after eating.Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth and throat with an antiseptic solution. A tampon made of sterile cotton wool, or a cotton swab treated with an antiseptic, is applied to the base of the tonsil and pressed upward. There should be no pain during the procedure. If, after 3 attempts, the purulent plug does not come out, then you cannot continue.

Prevention

You can prevent throat problems and the occurrence of congestion and sore throat if you do not forget about a number of preventive measures.They allow you to maintain good local and general immunity and prevent the development of sluggish inflammatory processes in the tonsils. Preventive measures are needed as follows:

• brushing your teeth in the morning and evening using not only a brush, but also a floss;

• treatment of diseased teeth and gums;

• rinsing your mouth after eating;

• drinking at least 2 liters of water per day, not counting liquid food;

• smoking cessation – toxins in nicotine smoke have a detrimental effect on lymphoid tissues and significantly aggravate the patient’s condition;

• proper nutrition, in which the body will receive all the necessary substances daily;

• wearing clothes for the weather, so as not to freeze and not overheat;

• refusal of strong alcohol – it burns the tonsils and causes an aggravation of the inflammatory process;

• full treatment of acute sore throat with a visit to a doctor and being on sick leave.

• treatment of nasal inflammation.

If you carry viral infections and acute tonsillitis on your feet, you can seriously undermine your health. In such a situation, even preventive measures cannot prevent the problem.

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90,000 Greenish discharge in women

In the absence of menstrual bleeding, a woman may have other secretions that differ in color, consistency and smell.Normally, as a rule, they do not have a pungent odor, are colorless and do not cause any inconvenience. If you can observe cheesy discharge in women of a greenish odorless color, then this may be a sign of the presence of a gynecological disease, which can be diagnosed by the attending gynecologist. You should not postpone a visit to a specialist in order to avoid neglect of the disease, which is fraught with serious complications.

Why do women have greenish vaginal discharge after menstruation?

If the discharge is accompanied by a strong odor, then this indicates the spread of dangerous bacteria inside the female body.You should pay attention to the color of the existing secretions. If a woman has itching and greenish discharge with a sour odor, then this may indicate gynecological diseases such as a bacterial infection in the vagina (gardnerellosis), inflammation of the ovaries (acute adnexitis), fallopian tubes (acute salpingitis).

Discharge is green because it contains a large number of leukocytes.

A scanty discharge with a greenish tinge may also occur if a woman has cervical erosion.And if they have a “fishy” smell, then this is a sign of vaginal dysbiosis.

Abundant discharge of a greenish color indicates the severity of the infectious process. If thick discharge is combined with mucus and intensifies after the act of defecation, then they speak of purulent cervicitis.

Also, a woman may have a greenish discharge if she has sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea, trichomoniasis).

In some cases, depending on the severity of the disease, in addition to discharge with a greenish tint, a woman may have:

• increase in body temperature;
• pulling pains in the lower abdomen;
• general weakness and loss of strength.

How to treat greenish vaginal discharge?

Since colorless discharge is considered normal, the presence of a greenish tint indicates an inflammatory process occurring in the female genital organs, and requires immediate medical intervention to establish an accurate diagnosis and select a comprehensive treatment aimed at eliminating the cause that caused the greenish discharge.

It is important for a woman to maintain cleanliness of the genitals and dryness in the perineal area, since excessive contact with tight clothing can unnecessarily irritate the external genitals.As a result of such mechanical action, the addition of other bacterial diseases is additionally possible.

It is important to remember that during the period of accurate diagnosis and treatment, it is necessary to exclude sexual relations with a partner until complete recovery.

The presence of green discharge can destroy the normal microflora of the vagina, as a result of which, in the future, a woman may have difficulties in conceiving and carrying a child.

It is not recommended to self-medicate, as this can harm the female body and the disease itself will become chronic.The most effective means of treating gynecological diseases accompanied by the presence of green discharge are: vaginorm, nimorazole, tinidazole, metronidazole, ornidazole, clindamycin, diflucan, flucostat.

Any discharge, except for colorless and without a pungent odor, should be considered pathological, which forces a woman to consult a gynecologist for accurate diagnosis and treatment. This will preserve women’s health in full and reproductive function, in particular.

90,000 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YEAST INFECTION AND BACTERIAL INFECTION | COMPARE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SIMILAR TERMS – LIFE

Yeast infection versus bacterial infection Fungal infection and bacterial infection are two common health problems faced by the vast majority of women across all

Yeast infection versus bacterial infection

Fungal infection and bacterial infection are two common health problems faced by the vast majority of women across the country, but remain topics of hidden debate as most women are ashamed to talk about these infections in public.Of these, the more common bacterial infection known as bacterial vagionosis or BV. Women, when they have a vaginal infection, think they are suffering from a yeast infection, when in fact they have BV. This is due to the similarities between the two types of infections. However, there are also differences that this article intends to highlight. This will enable women to learn about the infection they are suffering from and to take appropriate treatment.

Yeast infection

This is an infection caused by an overgrowth of a fungus already present in a woman’s body, known as Candida albicans.There are many reasons for this overgrowth, such as diabetes, overuse of antibiotics, a weak immune system, hormonal imbalances during pregnancy, or malnutrition. This infection has many symptoms that vary from case to case, and if a woman has any of these symptoms, she should see a gynecologist immediately. These symptoms include burning, itching, pain during intercourse, white lumpy discharge with no odor or yeast odor. This infection can be treated with over-the-counter medications or, in some cases, a doctor’s prescription may be required.There are traditional home remedies for yeast infections that work well, such as tea tree oil, yogurt, or raw garlic.

Bacterial infection

As the name suggests, this is a bacterial infection. When the vagina is in good condition, it contains beneficial bacteria known as lactobacilli. This is a wonderful bacterium as it keeps the pH level in the vagina slightly acidic to keep out harmful organisms.When this bacteria is replaced by harmful bacteria, BV occurs. A woman may know that something is wrong when symptoms such as swelling, itching and yellowish discharge with an unpleasant odor appear, almost like a fish. These symptoms vary from case to case, and there have been cases when a woman was sick with BV and did not feel anything. BV can be treated with antibiotics.

Difference Between Yeast Infection and Bacterial Infection

So, obviously, the biggest difference between yeast infection and bacterial infection is smell.If your discharge smells bad, you can be sure it is not a yeast infection. But sometimes there is no smell with BV, so it is imperative to see a doctor for proper treatment. Doctors usually confirm BV by checking the pH level in the vagina with a test kit. If you have a fungal infection, your vaginal pH will not change, but in the case of BV, the pH will rise above 4.5. Another difference is that yeast infection can occur at any age, and even babies can have it, but BV usually only occurs in women who have had intercourse.

classification and provoking factors, diagnosis and treatment features

Discharge from the urethra in men is quite common and can have a completely different pattern of occurrence. In urological practice, this symptom is in the first place when patients seek medical help and provides important diagnostic information to a specialist – urologist when examining a patient.

Physiological discharge from the urethra

Urethral discharge can be both physiological and pathological in nature, and the pathology does not have to involve the urethral canal.

There are several variants of urethral discharge that occur in a healthy state. These secreted fluids include:

• Urine;
• Prostate secretion or lubricant;
• Ejaculate or semen.

The most common variant of the fluid secreted from the external opening of the urethra of a physiological nature is urine. The volume of urine can vary widely and is the main end product of the urinary system.

Depending on the physiological activity of the body and the rate of glomerular filtration, the volume of urine can vary from 600 ml to 1500 ml per day.

A decrease or increase in the production of urine occurs in various diseases of various organs and tissues, but most often the renal parenchyma.

In addition to urine from the external opening of the urethra, under normal conditions, other discharge may appear, in particular, lubricant, prostate secretions and semen. In most cases, these substances are formed during the development of certain conditions, for example, during arousal of the external genital organs.

The release of lubricant is not accompanied by any discomfort or pain, and the appearance of semen or ejaculate accompanies the onset of orgasm.

The grease has a colorless appearance and a viscous consistency, is released in small quantities and does not have any odor.

All other discharge, except for those described above, are pathological and indicate the presence or development of the disease, and not necessarily with localization in the urinary system.

Important! A secret similar in characteristics to a lubricant appears with chlamydia, which can mislead a man in determining the symptom of the disease and lead to a late diagnosis of the disease.

Pathological discharge from the urethra

Pathological secretion from the urethral canal is one of the main and most important symptoms for carrying out a differential diagnostic search among diseases of the urogenital tract in men.

Almost all discharge of a pathological nature occurs in response to the formation of a local infectious and inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the urethra or bladder.

Pathological secret is a typical reaction of the body to an infectious process in the terminal sections of the urinary system.

Despite the fact that the infectious process is the most common cause of the appearance of pathological discharge from the urethral canal, there are many other reasons, which include:

• Mechanical trauma of the urethral mucosa;
• Allergic-type reaction in response to certain drugs excreted through the urinary system;
• Cancer lesion of the male reproductive system.

Each specific disease will be manifested by its own characteristic type of discharge from the urethra, which helps in the diagnostic search for a preliminary diagnosis and the appointment of laboratory and instrumental diagnostic studies.

Discharge with odor

As mentioned above, in addition to the color of the secreted fluid, other parameters, for example, odor, play an important role in differential diagnosis.

In some infectious diseases, the odor can have a pronounced specific character, which simplifies the diagnosis of the disease.

Most often, a secret with an odor occurs with the development of a purulent inflammatory process as a result of gonorrhea or the development of nonspecific bacterial inflammation with urethritis of unknown etiology.

Discharge with blood

Brown discharge or even spotting can indicate the progression of the inflammatory process and the development of complications, for example, with ulceration of the mucous membrane of the urethra or bladder.

When diagnosing a pathological secretion with an admixture of blood, it is very important to exclude or confirm the presence of cancer of the pelvic organs, since spotting is often a symptom of tumor growth in bladder or prostate cancer.

The appearance of a secret with an admixture of blood leads to the fact that the liquid becomes reddish or even red in color with a large percentage of blood in the discharge.

Purulent discharge

Pathological discharge from the urethra in some men may also have a purulent character, which indicates the development of a purulent process – complications of inflammation. Purulent discharge acquires a greenish tint, has a pungent odor and a thick consistency.In patients with purulent lesions of the urethra, the clinical picture of inflammation is pronounced.

Pain and burning sensation in the urethra in men becomes permanent. The formation and discharge of purulent masses from the urethra may increase in the morning or during bowel movements, which indicates a lesion of the bladder. Often, purulent discharge from the urethra indicates the development of complications of the inflammatory process and requires urgent treatment.

What color is the discharge and its main causes?

Depending on the type of infectious agent (bacterial, viral or fungal etiology), as well as other pathological conditions, the separated fluid may take on a specific form.The main variants of the secret include: various in color (white, yellow, green, red, brown, and others), consistency (watery or thick mucus) and odor of pathological fluids.

White discharge

Discharge of white color can become a symptom of spermatorrhea – a process uncontrolled by the autonomic nervous system of the release of ejaculate from the urethral canal.

It is characteristic that this kind of discharge occurs without excitement, which can be the cause of a violation of the autonomic innervation of the pelvic organs and male genital organs.

Disturbed innervation leads to dyskinesia and weakness of the sphincter apparatus of the urethra, in particular the detrusor, which leads to the spontaneous appearance of ejaculate.

In addition to disorders of autonomic innervation, spermatorrhea can be caused by diseases of the central nervous system.

Another variant of the appearance of a white or whitish secretion is the defeat of the urethral canal of fungal etiology. Most often, fungi of the genus Candida act as an infection, which cause candidiasis of the urethra.With this disease, the secret from the external opening of the urethra has a white color and a cheesy consistency.

It is important to distinguish white discharge in spermatorrhea and fungal infection of the urethral mucosa. With candidiasis, the discharge is odorless, however, patients complain of severe discomfort in the external genitals and intense itching in the urethra in men. With smermatorrhea, the discharge is not accompanied by discomfort and itching.

Transparent or cloudy discharge

A clear or slightly cloudy urethral discharge may be a sign of chlamydia.Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that affects the genitourinary system.

Chlamydia manifests itself as a vitreous discharge and does not have a large volume.

The appearance of a discharge often occurs after the act of urination and is accompanied by itching and burning, in some cases pain and stinging may appear and the patient may complain that his skin itches in the external genital area.

Yellow discharge

Yellow discharge occurs as a result of infectious diseases such as:

• Trichomoniasis is an infectious disease that occurs when Trichomonas is introduced into the mucous membrane of the urethra;
• Gonorrhea is an infectious and inflammatory disease caused by Gonococcus.

In both cases, the pathological discharge has a yellow color with various shades, however, the secretion in trichomoniasis does not have a pronounced pungent odor, as in gonorrhea. Also, with acute gonorrhea, patients experience severe pain syndrome, especially with the act of urination. The discharge has a thick, often pus-like consistency, and the pain is constant.

Diagnostics and treatment

In order to establish an accurate clinical diagnosis, a specialist urologist must carefully interview the patient, collect data from the anamnesis of the disease and examine the patient, only after that the patient is assigned a set of laboratory and instrumental diagnostic studies.It is mandatory to take a pathological discharge from the urethra for subsequent research, which includes:

• Visual assessment of the discharge;
• Microscopic examination;
• Bacteriological examination with inoculation of pathological discharge on nutrient media;

In addition, the patient undergoes a complex of instrumental examinations, which includes: ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs, cystoscopy and X-ray methods of investigation with contrast.

Therapeutic tactics largely depends on the cause that caused the development of pathological discharge. With the infectious nature of the secreted fluid, a course of antibiotic therapy with a control bacteriological study is mandatory. It is necessary to start treating the infectious and inflammatory process as soon as possible. For any type of inflammation, the following must be used:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs from the NSAID group, these include (Baralgin, Diclofenac, Ketorol, Nurofen and other analogues).Also, drugs from this group have a pronounced analgesic effect. They can be used both locally and in tablet form;
• Physiotherapy procedures. For the purpose of complex action in urological practice, procedures such as magnetotherapy and laser action on tissues are used. Physiotherapy procedures help to regenerate tissues involved in the inflammatory process more efficiently.
• Separately, it should be said about the washing of the urethral canal using antiseptic solutions.The most common and effective solutions include (Furacilin, Collargol, Miramistin, Chlorhexidine aqueous solution). All these drugs have a pronounced bactericidal effect when douching the urethra, and also allow mechanical cleaning of the urethra from thick mucus or purulent masses.

Rinsing must be performed at least twice daily to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. An alternative to the use of antiseptic solutions can be a variety of decoctions according to folk recipes.

In consultation with the attending physician, it is possible to use some alternative methods of combating the infectious process. Freshly prepared broth from oak bark shows high efficiency, which has a pronounced bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect.

Treatment is effective only if it is aimed at eliminating the main factor in the onset of pathological secretions.

In cases where a bacterial infection is known, antibacterial drugs that are sensitive to this type can be used.If the urethritis is of a fungal nature (candidiasis of the urethra), then they resort to the use of antifungal systemic drugs, for example, Nystatin, Pimafucin or Levorin.

Conclusion or general recommendations from a specialist portal

At the time of treatment and during the rehabilitation period, try to adhere to a more thorough conduct of personal intimate hygiene procedures.

Important to note. That at the time of treatment, you need to give up excessive and intense physical activity, as well as sexual contact.Refusal of sex is necessary in order to give the genitals that have undergone an inflammatory process to fully recover, including protecting your partner from infection.

Be sure to fully undergo antibiotic therapy, as some types of bacteria can form resistance to antibiotics, which delays treatment and forces the use of antibacterial drugs with a large number of side effects.

Try to follow all the recommendations of the attending physician and not self-medicate, as this is fraught with the progression of the disease and the development of complications.

Discharge from the urethral canal can be both pathological and physiological. To understand the reason for the appearance of the secret, you need to have an idea of ​​the possible options.

Discharge from the urethra in men, the cause, which cannot be determined by macroscopic examination, should be examined microscopically and using bacteriological culture. This is the only way to reliably determine the cause of the pathological discharge from the urethra.

Source: https: // dinlab.ru / urologiya / vydeleniya-iz-uretry-u-muzhchin

Diseases causing the appearance of purulent discharge from the urethra in men

The urethra, or urethra, is a hollow muscular tube through which urine is evacuated from the bladder. In men, this anatomical formation is also used for the release of sperm during ejaculation.

A clear liquid, which is the secretion of the urethral glands and appears during sexual arousal, is also considered physiological.The appearance of pathological purulent discharge from the urethra is one of the signs of the disease.

In our review, we will analyze the causes, mechanism of development, as well as the principles of diagnosis and treatment of this unpleasant symptom.

What are the discharge from the urethra

Any infectious, inflammatory or systemic disease of the genitourinary system has its own symptoms, the most obvious of which are associated with the appearance of pathological discharge. Most often they are a sign of a struggle between the causative factor and the body’s immune system or become a manifestation of the direct destruction of the urethra wall.

All pathological discharge in men can be classified as follows:

• Spermatorrhea – involuntary loss of ejaculate without prior erection. It is possible with prostatitis (for example, at the time of tension of the abdominal muscles with a strong cough, straining), degenerative processes in the spinal cord.
• Prostatorrhea is a clear, slightly viscous secretion of the prostate gland that does not contain germ cells, usually at the end of urination.It often becomes one of the manifestations of chronic inflammation of the prostate.
• Hematorrhea – discharge of bloody fluid from the urethra. It occurs with mechanical damage to the urethra (for example, during medical or diagnostic procedures), trauma to the penis, arterial hypertension, malignant neoplasms.
• Leukocytic urethrorrhea is a clear or cloudy liquid, saturated with leukocytes, involuntarily excreted from the urethra.As a rule, it is a protective reaction of the body against the penetration of infection. It is the initial stage of exudative inflammation.
• Mucopurulent discharge is the main symptom of urethritis of infectious etiology, including STIs. They include mucus that forms in the urethra, serous fluid, and a small number of leukocytes. The color ranges from milky white to cream, the amount is always small. Such discharge is distinguished by the almost complete absence of subjective signs of the disease (cramps, burning, itching in the urethra), the appearance after the act of urination.
• Purulent discharge from the urethra contains mucus, a large percentage of leukocytes and desquamated epithelium. They are a thick, sticky yellow liquid (sometimes with a greenish tinge), which is secreted in large quantities from the urethra. They are accompanied by patient discomfort and general symptoms of intoxication. Such discharge is a sign of pronounced inflammation of the walls of the urethra.

Reasons: what is wrong with health

Purulent discharge from the urethra occurs most often in urological practice.The main reasons for their appearance are presented below.

Gonorrhea

This is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by a pathogenic bacterium of the species Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The source of infection is a sick person, and infection most often occurs during unprotected sexual intercourse. The incubation period, that is, the time from infection to the appearance of the first signs of the disease, is 2-5 days.

Pay attention! The term “gonorrhea” is literally translated from Latin as “seminal flow”.Abundant purulent discharge from the penis was mistakenly believed by ancient scientists to be leaking seminal fluid.

Gonococcal urethritis becomes a typical manifestation of gonorrhea. In men, it has the following symptoms:

• copious and thick yellow discharge from the urethral canal of a purulent nature, having an unpleasant putrid odor;
• itching, pain and burning along the urethra, worse during and immediately after urination.

If gonorrhea itself can be considered, albeit unpleasant, but completely harmless and well treatable infection, then its complications are extremely dangerous to health.They often develop in the absence of timely medical attention and chronic inflammation. In men, gonorrheal urethritis can be complicated:

• orchiepididymitis – inflammation of the testicle with the epididymis;
• prostatitis.

In rare cases, people with reduced immunity develop generalization of the infectious process with lesions of gonococci of the skin, large joints, liver, heart muscle and central nervous system.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is usually called a group of diseases caused by intracellular parasitic agents – chlamydia.The main route of transmission of STIs remains sexual, contact and household infection (when using common hygiene items) is extremely rare.

Among the symptoms of the disease in males, there are:

• mucopurulent, vitreous discharge of a transparent or whitish color from the urethra;
• burning when urinating;
• edema, redness of the external opening of the urethra;
• pain in the groin, radiating to the lower back, lower abdomen, anus;
• General manifestations of intoxication – fever to subfebrile numbers, weakness, lethargy, decreased performance.

After several days, accompanied by a vivid clinical picture, the symptoms of chlamydia subside. This indicates the transition of the disease into a chronic form and an increased risk of complications such as prostatitis, cystitis, etc.

Balanoposthitis

Balanoposthitis is usually called inflammation of the glans penis and the inner surface of the foreskin. Due to the anatomical features of the structure and a small number of vessels feeding this anatomical region, it is more susceptible to inflammatory changes than others.

The immediate causes of the development of the disease include:

• nonspecific infection – various types of bacteria, viruses, fungi, mycoplasmas, etc.;
• dermatological problems – dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen planus;
• systemic and autoimmune disorders in diabetes mellitus, lupus, psoriasis;
• Mechanical damage to the foreskin when wearing tight underwear, prolonged intercourse;
• non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.

Clinical signs of balanoposthitis can be:

• Copious purulent whitish or yellow deposits on the glans penis;
• itching, burning, sharp soreness in the area of ​​the head of the penis;
• hyperemia and dryness of the foreskin, the appearance of irritation, spots, bumps and other signs of inflammation on it.

Gardnerellosis

Pay attention! For a long time it was believed that gardnerellosis is a disease associated with vaginal dysbiosis in women, and does not develop in representatives of a strong half of humanity.Later it was proved that the pathogen is capable of causing urethritis in men with a specific course.

In most cases, gardnerella, having entered the urethra of a man during intercourse, does not lead to its pathological changes and is safely excreted from the body after 2-3 days. But sometimes microorganisms “linger” in the patient’s urethra, causing a chronic sluggish process, which is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Scant greenish purulent discharge;
• itching, burning when urinating.

Prostatitis

It is accompanied by pathological discharge from the urethra and prostatitis – a common disease among the stronger sex, which is characterized by inflammatory lesions of the prostate gland.

The appearance of a yellowish discharge most often indicates a chronic form of the disease that is not treated or treated incorrectly. Such prostatitis, as a rule, is characterized by a progressive sluggish course, in which periods of relative well-being are replaced by an exacerbation, accompanied by:

• an increase in the number of pathological secretions;
• intense pain in the perineum, radiating to the sacrum, lower back, testicles, rectum;
• Difficulty and painful urination.

Ignoring these symptoms sooner or later leads to the development of infectious-inflammatory and other complications of nearby organs. The most dangerous among them are orchiepididymitis and infertility caused by it, adenoma and prostate cancer.

Do not postpone the visit to the doctor

Every adult man has already sufficiently studied his body and knows perfectly well the nature, quantity, color and smell of physiological discharge from the urethra. Any deviation of these parameters from the usual norm is a reason to consult a doctor.

The following signs should alert you:

• Appearance of light spots on underwear.
• Detection of crusts and dried up secretions covering the urethra after a night’s sleep.
• Droplets of pus when pressed lightly on the urethra.
• Increased discharge after consuming spicy or excessively salty food, alcoholic beverages.

To independently identify scanty discharge, you need to examine the first portion of morning urine for the presence of purulent flakes, clots and other pathological impurities.To do this, immediately after waking up, release a small amount (50-60 ml) of urine into a transparent glass and carefully examine it with sufficient lighting.

A urologist or venereologist deals with the diagnosis and treatment of problems with the genitourinary system in men. The standard examination plan for patients with purulent discharge from the urethra includes:

• Collection of complaints and anamnesis. Tell your doctor how long ago you noticed purulent discharge in yourself, whether you associate their appearance with something.Do not forget to tell your doctor about any other complaints you are currently concerned about. Consider if you have had unprotected sex or other possible risk factors for STIs recently.
• Examination of the penis (special attention is paid to the head), the external opening of the urethra and the perineum, during which the specialist can identify possible damage to the skin and mucous membrane of the penis, hyperemia, rash and other signs of infectious and inflammatory diseases.
• Palpation of lymph nodes.Many inflammatory processes of the urethra are accompanied by lymphadenitis – an increase in peripheral l / y in the groin, accompanied by discomfort or soreness.
• Digital rectal examination of the prostate gland. Prostatitis, as one of the causes of purulent discharge, is manifested by an increase and soreness of this organ.
• Bacterioscopic (microscopic) and bacteriological (bacteriological) examination of urethral discharge. Allows not only to identify the causative agent of the infection, but also to determine its sensitivity to antibiotics, which will greatly facilitate further treatment of the disease.
• General laboratory analyzes of urine and blood. With their help, the specialist assesses the general condition of the body and identifies possible concomitant pathology.
• Instrumental tests – ultrasound, cystoscopy, urography, etc. They are used to make an accurate diagnosis and identify the degree of disruption of the internal organs.

Principles of therapy for genitourinary infections

Treatment of diseases accompanied by the appearance of purulent discharge from the urethra depends on the causes that caused it.

Empirical (experimental, not confirmed by laboratory test data) prescription of antibiotics is practiced only in case of severe manifestations of intoxication – high temperature, chills, asthenic syndrome. With mild or moderate urethritis, it is recommended to wait for the results of a bacteriological examination before starting therapy.

For example, the drugs of choice for gonorrheal or chlamydial urethritis are

• Cefixime;
• Ciprofloxacin;
• Ofloxacin;
• Azithromycin;
• Doxycycline.

In the treatment of chronic prostatitis, antibiotics from the pharmacological groups of aminoglycosides, cephalosporins and protected penicillins are most often prescribed. Depending on the microbial agent that became the causative agent and the characteristics of the course of the disease, the course of treatment can last from several days to 3-4 weeks.

In addition to antimicrobial agents, the following will help to cope with purulent discharge faster:

• antispasmodics (Papaverine, No-shpa), relaxing the smooth muscles of the urethra and promoting its sanitation;
• NSAIDs (Ketonal, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen), which reduce the activity of the inflammatory process and eliminate painful symptoms;
• drug / non-drug immunomodulators that increase the body’s resistance to infectious processes.

Any discharge from the penis, which began to differ from the usual in nature, quantity, consistency and color, require a doctor’s consultation. Shyness and “hushing up” the problem in this case are bad allies. Timely started treatment allows you to quickly and effectively cope with the disease and avoid the development of serious complications.

Source: https://venerbol.ru/vydeleniya/gnojnye-iz-uretry-u-muzhchin.html

Yellow discharge in men

Yellow discharge in men can appear with various urogenital diseases.Men who have this problem should visit a urologist or andrologist. Normally, the stronger sex should not have abundant discharge from the penis.

When a man is sexually aroused, a small amount of lubricant may leak from his penis. But such discharge usually disappears after a short time after intimacy. Quite often, yellow mucus appears due to sexually transmitted diseases, so a man is recommended to undergo an appropriate examination by a venereologist to identify the cause of the pathology.

How to detect pathology

Highlights can have different colors. Their shade largely depends on the severity of the disease, the cause of inflammation in the urethra. The secretions include fluid, mucus, and cells. With a large accumulation of cells, the discharge becomes cloudy.

If there are a large number of leukocytes in the discharge, they acquire a yellow or greenish tint. With candidiasis in men, as a rule, an abundant white liquid with a dense consistency is released from the genitals.Stains from it can be easily seen on shorts.

Yellow mucus may appear in the presence of cancer of the urethra or genitals. In cancer, the mucous membrane of the urethra is often covered with ulcers, which leads to an inflammatory process in the body. In this case, the mucus may contain bloody impurities.

Quite often, a man’s discharge appears in abundant quantities, they are accompanied by painful sensations in the urethra.But events can develop in a different way. For many of the stronger sex, yellow discharge appears only in the morning after a long break in urination. To detect the problem, the following diagnostic measures are carried out:

• Microscopic examination. With this diagnostic method, you can see epithelial cells, leukocytes, fungi and bacteria.
• In some cases, culture is done.
• In order to exclude the presence of genital herpes or chlamydia in a patient, PCR diagnostics are used.

You need to prepare for diagnostic procedures in advance: it is not recommended to take antibiotics, antifungal drugs, antiseptics for three days before the examination.

Usually, the specialist does not prescribe medications to the patient until the results of the examination are received. But in severe acute diseases, it is advisable to prescribe antibacterial agents that have a wide range of applications. After receiving the test results, the man is prescribed another drug.

Discharge with urethritis

Yellow discharge indicates the presence of an inflammatory process. A large amount of pus accumulates in the mucous secretion. Yellow discharge often appears in men with specific urethritis. The cause of the inflammatory process in the urethra is sexually transmitted diseases: gonorrhea, chlamydia.

The causative agents of nonspecific urethritis are opportunistic microorganisms such as fungi or coccal bacteria.These microorganisms are also present in the body of a healthy man. But with a weakening of immunity, the risk of urethritis increases.

The cause of the appearance of non-infectious urethritis is mechanical damage to the urethra, chemical burns.

Inflammation of the prostate gland

Prostatitis often develops in the stronger sex who have crossed the fifty-year mark. With inflammation of the prostate gland, painful sensations in the groin area, pain during urination, weakness occur.The following reasons for the development of prostatitis should be named:

• Irregular sex life.
• Hypothermia.
• Chronic diseases of the genitourinary sphere.
• Sexually transmitted diseases.
• Injury of the soft tissues of the pelvic organs.

With prostatitis, the discharge is usually yellow or yellow-green. With an exacerbation of the disease, they are usually accompanied by pain. The patient may have a rise in body temperature.

Sometimes a yellow discharge is observed in prostatorrhea. This pathology occurs with a decrease in the tone of the prostate.

Odorless discharge appears during massage of the prostate gland, after heavy physical exertion.

Prostatorrhea is accompanied by itching in the urethra. Prostatorrhea is often combined with spermatorrhea. With this pathology, sperm is spontaneously released from the urethra.

Yellow discharge with gonorrhea

Yellow discharge is often accompanied by painful sensations in the groin area.Many members of the stronger sex have a burning sensation when urinating. For example, with gonorrhea, the sensitivity of the urethra increases significantly, the head of the penis turns red and looks swollen.

A man’s body temperature often rises. Discharge in this disease can be colored in both light yellow and yellow-green. Pain in the male genital area may appear within a few days after unprotected sexual intercourse.

In the absence of proper treatment, the patient has serious complications:

• Gonorrheal epididymitis.With this disease, an inflammatory process occurs in the testicular area, the patient’s temperature rises sharply, and the scrotum edema appears. Groin pain is usually worse with movement. In a man, sperm motility is noticeably reduced, and the quality of intimate life deteriorates. Bilateral epididymitis leads to infertility.
• Appearance of abnormalities in the urinary system.
• Gonorrheal conjunctivitis. It causes blindness and tissue necrosis of the eye.
• Inflammatory skin diseases.

Treatment

In order to eliminate yellow discharge in gonorrhea, to reduce the likelihood of complications of the disease, a man needs to take antibacterial drugs.

Correct power supply

A man needs to monitor his diet. In order to increase the effectiveness of treatment, you need to drink fresh vegetable juices, prepare salads with the addition of herbs. It is recommended to include fresh fruits and berries in the diet. Pickled foods, smoked meats, hot spices should be excluded from the menu.It is recommended to stop drinking alcoholic beverages.

Traditional methods

Prostatitis and other diseases of the genitourinary sphere, provoking the appearance of yellow mucus, can be treated with folk remedies. A man needs to pay attention to the following recipes:

• It is recommended to drink 0.2 liters of juice squeezed from viburnum berries. This berry is also used for the preparation of various medicinal decoctions. The duration of the course of treatment is at least a month.
• You can take 200 ml of a decoction made from the herb of yarrow. They drink it in 100 ml four times a day.

Treatment of prostatitis with a decoction of yarrow should be carried out for two weeks.

In case of abundant yellow discharge, it is recommended to use an infusion prepared from black currant leaves: 400 ml of boiling water are poured over 20 grams of plant raw materials. You need to use 100 ml of the product three times a day.

Black currant berries are also endowed with a lot of useful properties.They have anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects on the body. Medicinal decoctions and infusions are prepared from them.

Such folk remedies are also used:

• 10 grams of cornflower flowers are poured over 0.2 liters of boiling water. The mixture is infused for one hour, after which it is filtered. It is necessary to drink 20 ml of the product three times a day before meals.
• 20 grams of sedge root is poured into 600 ml of boiling water, the mixture is heated over low heat for 10 minutes.The tool is insisted for at least two hours. It should be taken 70 ml four times a day. The duration of the treatment course is at least a month.
• 10 grams of burdock roots are poured with 200 ml of boiling water, the mixture is infused for 20 minutes. Then filter the infusion and drink 10 ml of the product three times a day. There are practically no contraindications to the use of burdock. This medicinal plant is endowed with pronounced antiseptic properties, but the herb should not be used if there is an individual sensitivity to its components.

Before using medicinal decoctions and infusions, you should consult your doctor. If side effects appear, you need to stop taking the drug.

A yellow discharge may indicate the presence of various diseases of the genitourinary system.

To establish the exact cause of their appearance, various diagnostic methods are used: bacteriological examination or inoculation on nutrient media.

Source: https://stojak.ru/mochepolovye-bolezni/zheltye-vydeleniya-u-muzhchin.html

5 main causes of purulent discharge from the urethra in odorless men

The male reproductive system is designed in such a way that the urethra performs 2 functions: the export of semen and urination.

As expected, the canal is covered with a mucous membrane, in which special glands produce secretions to protect internal organs from external infection.

Why do pathological signs appear in the form of purulent discharge in men from the urethra? This article will tell you all about it.

What follows normally from a man’s urethra?

As we have already said, under certain circumstances, semen or urine appears. The rest of the time, you can see some of the secretion of the prostate and inner membrane. It is transparent or whitish, has a slight sperm odor, and a slimy consistency. The amount of discharge is estimated at a few drops per day.

A healthy man has no itching in the urethra, perineum, on the head, no rashes, redness, swelling.Urination is normal, without burning or pain. There is no involuntary leakage of urine, false desires. The jet is straight and even.

Erection occurs, as usual, due to individual characteristics, ejaculation also does not cause problems.

In addition, natural secretions in men include:

• Ejaculation during sleep without intercourse in adolescents;
• Slight appearance of sperm in an adult with prolonged abstinence;
• Transparent lubricant on excitement, which is a mucous secretion with some male germ cells;
• Smegma, produced by the glands along the edging of the head under the foreskin, is necessary to counteract mechanical friction.The consistency is dense, the color is white.

Attention! Evaluation of the discharge is carried out only when leaving the urethra, those who have been on linen for some time will not give a correct idea of ​​the color, consistency and smell.

Pathological discharge in men

Pus is a mixture of dead bacteria, leukocytes, epithelial cells and the mucous membrane’s own secretions. Any dead bodies, even microscopic ones, spread an unpleasant smell of something rotten.

Density is provided by epithelial fragments.The color of the selection is yellow or green, or borderline between them. Dead microbes give a hue, and leukocytes are white. The result is a dense, opaque tone.

From this we get that the appearance of discharge with pus from the urethra is evidence of the acute stage of the infectious process. The condition of tissue inflammation, which is manifested by edema and redness of the head, and sometimes the entire member of the man, is accompanied.

Eruptions in the form of spots, blisters, itching. When urinating, the damaged mucous membrane becomes irritated, which leads to a burning sensation, the same effect occurs during intercourse.The swollen tissue narrows the urethral lumen, so the urine stream can go to the side or bifurcate.

There are pains in the head, testicles, groin, abdomen.

Discharge of a purulent character in a man occurs with various pathologies. They are united by one thing – the inflammatory process in the urethra, which is scientifically called urethritis.

Sexually transmitted diseases are those that provoke microorganisms – gonococcus, treponema, Trichomonas, chlamydia, mycoplasma, as well as genital herpes and some types of papillomavirus.Inflammation of the urethra caused by the activity of such microbes is called specific. By the nature of the discharge and related signs in a man, a specific pathogen can be suspected:

1. A viscous, sticky, transparent liquid in a modest volume with slight itching and discomfort in the head area occurs with chlamydia, mycoplasmosis and ureaplasmosis. Although the latter pathology is not classified as venereal.
2. With an exacerbation of the same infections, the discharge becomes thicker with a white tinge.
3. Gonococci and Trichomonas cause clearly purulent masses of green-yellow color, abundant with the smell of spoiled fish and a foamy structure. A man complains of severe itching in the opening of the urethra and the head, problems with urination, pain in the perineum and lower abdomen.

Sexually transmitted diseases are pathologies that enter the body in most cases through the genital tract as a result of unprotected sex with a carrier. On the Internet, you can find very contradictory data on which pathogens are classified as STDs.

Despite the fact that candida, gardnerella, ureaplasma are transmitted during copulation, they are considered opportunistic.

At the same time, treponema, gonococcus, Trichomonas, mycoplasma and chlamydia, as well as HIV, genital herpes, cervical papilloma and molluscum are listed under ICD 10 as STDs.

Nonspecific urethritis in men

Opportunistic microorganisms are bacteria and fungi that have been incorporated into the normal microflora of the genital organs from birth or over the course of life.

When stable, lactobacilli contain pathogens to avoid disease. But as soon as immunity falls, microorganisms begin to multiply rapidly, leading to inflammation.

In the process of vital activity and the fight against leukocytes, discharge also occurs with some amount of pus:

1. When Candida multiplies, white thick masses with a lumpy granular consistency appear, less often creamy. The smell is reminiscent of the scent of curdled milk.After being outside for some time, the leucorrhoea turns yellow, which makes them look like purulent. Inflammation is popularly called thrush, which worries women more than men. Concomitant symptoms – itching, burning, hyperemia of the mucous membrane.
2. Gardnerellas, when multiplying in the urethra, give a clinic similar to gonorrhea. This is a purulent greenish discharge with a fishy smell, a frothy consistency, as well as itching and problems with emptying the bladder. In the stronger sex, pathology rarely occurs.
3. Other microbes – E. coli, staphylococcus, streptococcus can lead to pus from the urethra.The discharge is usually yellow, profuse with an unpleasant odor.

Attention! Inflammation can also occur under the foreskin, which is called balanoposthitis. Sometimes it is a complication of urethritis in a man and vice versa.

Injuries, allergic reactions in the urethra lead to inflammation. In such a situation, a large number of leukocytes rush to the damaged area, they devour their own cells and die. As a result, purulent discharge from the opening of the urethra occurs.

Trauma occurs during careless sexual intercourse, as a result of shock, placement of a medical catheter and other external factors. As a rule, pus appears when any bacteria attach.

An allergy in the urethra flares up in response to the use of personal hygiene products, or rather, to its components, to the fabric from which a man’s underwear is made. And also on food ingredients and medicines, soluble substances from which pass through the bladder and urethra.Usually, the reaction manifests itself in increased production of its own secretion with itching and redness. But with severe allergies, pus occurs.

Causes of discharge not in the urethra

Prostatitis, cystitis, pyelonephritis, orchitis are diseases of the internal organs of the male genitourinary system. They lead to the appearance of a discharge with an admixture of pus. In addition, there is the appearance of blood in the urine, semen and secretory fluid, urinary disorders, pain in the abdomen, sides, lower back.

Attention! With prostatitis, sexual function suffers, there are problems with erection and ejaculation.

All biological fluids in the body acquire color when soluble substances with pigments enter. Therefore, the consumption of large amounts of freshly squeezed juices, fruits and vegetables of yellow and orange color causes panic when yellow, brown, pink semen occurs. The man mistakenly believes that this phenomenon is pus, blood or other pathological discharge.

Interesting fact! The strong smell of food is also transmitted to urine and semen.

Something in lifestyle, behavior and circumstances causes the above problems with a symptom of purulent urethral discharge in men:

• Decreased immunity.Sitting on the cold, colds, stress, general diseases weaken the body’s defenses, which gives a green light to opportunistic candida, staphylococcus and others;
• Every day a new partner without a condom is a dream of many men, but in practice such a life leads to sexually transmitted diseases;
• Problems with cleanliness. You need to wash your genitals daily, plus every time before and after sex. Anal contacts are permissible only in a condom, since there are a large number of nonspecific microorganisms in the rectum;
• Treatment with corticosteroids, antibiotics, radiation and radiotherapy can provoke candidiasis and other opportunistic infections;
• Diabetics and people with chronic general illnesses are often at risk for infectious urethritis.

Diagnosis of purulent discharge in men

It is possible to independently confirm the presence of urethritis, if the signs are not very pronounced, in this way:

• At the next urination, direct the first part of urine into a glass container;
• Empty the rest into the toilet;
• Inspect the received material. In the presence of lumps, flakes, dense clots in the form of threads and turbidity of urine, we can talk about an inflammatory process.

For a full diagnosis, a man needs to visit a urologist or andrologist.Your doctor will take a swab from your urethra for testing. Sometimes microscopy is enough, but if chlamydia is suspected, for example, a PCR method is used. In addition, a urinalysis is required and more.

If an STD is detected, the patient is referred to a venereologist.

Treatment

Therapy is selected based on the cause of the disease:

1. Antibiotics for infection in the urethra with purulent discharge.
2. Complex treatment for inflammation of internal organs.
3. Antihistamines for allergies.

It should be noted that it is impossible to destroy any infection at random with a selected broad-spectrum drug. Chlamydia and mycoplasma require the use of drugs that can work inside the cell. To some, the pathogen will not be sensitive at all. Therefore, even a doctor sometimes needs to carry out a bacterial culture in order to prescribe an effective treatment.

No matter how varied the options are, most often pus in the discharge appears in acute infections.Therefore, men should be careful about the hygiene of the genitals and sexual contacts.

Source: https://vydeleniya.ru/u-muzhchin/gnojnye-iz-uretry.html

90,000 white, slimy, odorless, odorless

Discharge (med .: Fluor vaginalis, genitalis) occurs in women some time before puberty and accompanies them until menopause. The secretion of vaginal secretions is completely normal, subject to hormonal fluctuations – an increase in secretions during ovulation or pregnancy.But stress, vaginal infections, or even tumors affect the color and texture of the discharge.

Description

Every woman knows a milky white secret that flows from the vagina every day. Vaginal discharge, also known as fluoro-vaginalis or genitalis, first appears several years before puberty and accompanies women every day until menopause.

Smell, color and amount of secretion varies from woman to woman.In healthy women, the discharge is odorless and has a white, almost milky color, which gave them the name “white stream” (fluoride albus). Depending on the hormonal fluctuations during the female cycle, its sequence and quantity change. Many women notice their ovulation due to increased fluid secretion. The reason is the increase in the female hormone estrogen. On the other hand, just before or after menstruation, the vaginal secretion becomes somewhat viscous again.

Discharge with a protective function

Discharge from the vagina certainly has its purpose: the mucus from the uterus and vaginal cells naturally leaves the body.At the same time, it contains many lactic acid bacteria, which create a mild acidic environment in the vagina, preventing unwanted intrusions. Finally, the secretions also prevent sperm from entering the uterus, which is not prepared for pregnancy.

Causes and possible diseases

The discharge is mainly altered due to vaginal infections with bacteria, viruses, fungi and Trichomonas. Yellow or brown discharge, foul odor, or lumps often appear right away.In addition, other factors play a role, such as fluctuations in hormones, the use of certain medications, or mental disorders.

Bacterial infections

Bacterial vaginal infections are characterized by a grayish, low viscosity discharge, which usually has an unpleasant fishy odor. A particularly common cause of vaginal inflammation (vaginitis) is the bacterium Gardnerella. In addition to other bacterial species such as staphylococci or streptococci, sexually transmitted diseases cause changes in secretions.These include:

Chlamydia: Infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is still one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. In women, infections of the genitals and urinary tract often go unnoticed. Signs can only be increased, partially purulent-yellow discharge and pain when urinating. Until the age of 25, women should undergo an annual examination by a gynecologist, since chlamydial infection can lead to infertility. Chlamydial infection can be easily treated with antibiotics.

Gonorrhea (gonorrhea): This sexually transmitted disease is still very widespread. Yellowish discharge and burning are some of the first symptoms. Later, uterine inflammation and bleeding may occur. Often, however, gonorrhea is asymptomatic, but a person can infect others.

Fungal infections

The acidic environment of the vagina usually prevents the growth of the yeast Candida albicans. However, if lactic acid bacteria become a minority due to antibiotic therapy or a weakened immune system, vaginal mycosis can develop.Typical signs are lumpy white discharge, accompanied by severe redness of the mucous membrane, itching and burning pain.

Trichomoniasis

Small movable flagella ( Trichomonas ) are transmitted mainly through sexual intercourse and therefore belong to sexually transmitted diseases. In women, the vagina and urethra are affected. Itching and foul-smelling yellow discharge are signs. With the help of antibiotics, Trichomonas are treatable.

Viral infections

• Herpes simplex virus: Herpes simplex virus type 2 is the main cause of genital herpes. In addition to the typical vesicles in the vagina, labia and mucous membranes, there is redness, itching, heavy discharge, and fever.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV): Genital transmission of the virus causes irritating genital warts that often go unnoticed. Reddish-brown color is characteristic.Certain subtypes of HPV cause cervical cancer, which young girls can prevent with a vaccine.

Other influencing factors

• Hormonal fluctuations: Under the influence of the female sex hormone estrogen, secretions become more fluid and transparent shortly before ovulation. They are more viscous before and after your period.
• Stress and Physical Arousal: Strong discharge may also occur due to mental stress.
• Foreign objects, such as a forgotten tampon, are ideal breeding grounds for bacteria. Fishy odors, grayish vaginal discharge, and signs of vaginal inflammation (colpitis) are unpleasant symptoms.
• Allergies: Allergy to latex can cause vaginal burning sensation, painful intercourse and altered discharge .
• Antibiotic therapy : Some antibiotics kill lactic acid bacteria in the vagina and thus facilitate the entry of other pathogenic microorganisms.Lactic acid treatment subsequently helps to restore the vaginal environment.
• Tumors: Focus on discharge that is irregular, sometimes bloody or watery, or after menopause. Benign tumors such as polyps can be the cause. Symptom is a reddish-brown discharge. Watery, strong-smelling, or even spotting can be signs of genital cancer.
• Altered Vaginal Environment: Once the acidic vaginal climate is out of balance, foreign invaders can more easily become trapped and cause infections.Favorable factors include diabetes mellitus, use of hormonal contraceptives (such as pills), and excessive intimate hygiene.
• Genital tuberculosis : Genital-transmitted tuberculosis of the lungs is now very rare in Europe; it leads to infertility.

Discharge during pregnancy

High discharge during pregnancy worries many women. Often, especially at this time, vaginal discharge is secreted.This is a discharge that happens even without pregnancy: a white river.

However, vaginal infections may occur during pregnancy. In most cases, they pose a certain risk to the unborn baby – some pathogens can cause premature birth. During childbirth, there is also a risk of contamination of the baby with pathogens.

Therefore, if the vaginal secretion changes, you should contact your gynecologist. Appropriate drugs can combat abnormal discharge during pregnancy without risk to the baby.

There are some other rules of conduct that help with heavy vaginal discharge:

• In case of heavy discharge, panty liners and tampons should be used.
• Intimate hygiene is very important, but should only be done with pH neutral lotions and soaps.
• No intimate shower: air can enter the circulatory system and cause serious complications. Therefore, gynecologists advise against taking a shower.
• Light and airy clothing and cottons promote good oxygen exchange and thus prevent the further spread of bacteria.

Discharge in men

A venereal disease (STD) exits the male urinary fluid, which is not urine or semen. Along with symptoms of urinary tract infection such as frequent urination in drops and pain during urination, they also manifest as purulent discharge from the urethra.

Inflammation of the urinary tract – non-gonorrheal urethritis (NGU): This most common form of urethritis is caused by various microbes that are transmitted during intercourse.Chlamydia is especially responsible for this. Men between the ages of 20 and 35 are often infected with the following microbes:

• Chlamydia trachomatis (40 to 80 percent),
• Ureaplasma ureolyticum (20 percent),
• Trichomonas (four percent),
• Genital mycoplasma.
• Streptococci.

More often non-gonorrheal urethritis (NGU) is manifested by mild symptoms that cannot be directly related to STDs.Signs:

• Burning pain when urinating.
• Frequent urgency to urinate with just a few drops.
• Burning or itching of the urethra.
• Swollen lymph nodes in the groin.
• Glassy discharge.

Gonococci are also transmitted through the mucous membrane of the mouth and anus through oral and anal intercourse. Thus, it can also lead to symptoms. A small proportion of those infected (about five percent) have no symptoms, but are still highly contagious.

Urinary tract infection – Urethritis gonorrhoica (GU): is an infection with gonococci. This infection is also known as gonorrhea.

Typical signs of gonorrheal urethritis are:

• Painful urination, comparable to “glass fragments in the urethra.”
• White or purulent discharge.
• Itching of the urethra.

Without therapy, symptoms resolve in about eight weeks.However, pathogens can continue to ascend through the genitourinary tract to the epididymis and cause infertility. May significantly affect the prostate and cause a burning sensation.

When should you see a doctor?

An unbalanced vaginal environment makes it easier for many intruders to enter and cause infection and disease. Thus, various pathogens can cause typical changes in discharge, such as strong odor, discoloration or texture.A particularly heavy discharge can also be a sign of illness. Therefore, women should be good at observing and analyzing their discharge. Most of these are easily treatable vaginal infections.

Thus, vaginal fungus appears as a viscous white discharge and itching. Fungal infection is one of the most common vaginal diseases.

Discharge that occurs long after menopause is especially severe. This could be a sign of cancer.

You should definitely visit your gynecologist if:

• The amount of off-cycle discharge has changed significantly.
• Color changes: yellow or brown, green, white or purulent vaginal discharge indicate disease.
• Changes Texture : Loose or lumpy discharge may be a sign of illness.
• Odor has changed: A particularly suspicious-smelling secretion may be a sign of infection.
• Other complaints occur, such as severe itching, redness and burning pain.
• Urinary symptoms, such as frequent urination or pain are added.
• Whitish deposits on the mucous membrane of the vagina or labia.
• Unusual, new pain occurs during intercourse.
• General malaise, fever and other symptoms are added.
• Allocation after menopause occurs.

If the discharge occurs in men, they should not hesitate to visit a urologist. With antibiotic treatment, urethritis can be controlled. It is important to treat your partner to avoid re-infection.

What does the doctor do?

The contact person for changes in discharge is primarily the gynecologist. He will first ask a few questions about the consistency, color, and odor of the discharge. This information can already give the gynecologist the first suspicions. Mention should also be made of taking medications and past illnesses.

On a follow-up pelvic examination, the gynecologist may detect changes in the vaginal mucosa, such as redness or thickening. With the help of a smear, pathogens such as bacteria, fungi or Trichomonas can be detected directly under the microscope. In addition, the pH, which is usually around 4.5, is easily determined with a test stick.

For certain pathogens such as chlamydia special investigation should be done in laboratory .This usually takes a few days, but gives confidence in a possible infection.

If no inflammation is found, rule out tumor. Again, a swab is taken – in unclear cases, this is the removal of a small tissue sample (biopsy), carefully examined by the pathologist.

Therapy depends on the cause. A fungal infection can be well treated with antifungal agents in the form of vaginal suppositories. Antibiotics are used selectively for bacterial infections. It is important in treating all types of infections that the partner is treated to avoid subsequent re-infection.

You can do it yourself

Contamination during intercourse can only be reliably avoided with condoms. But the vaginal environment must be in balance – a strong immune system can more easily ward off intruders:

• Lactic acid treatment: lactic acid bacteria can be weakened, especially after the disease has been defeated or with antibiotics. Tampons with yogurt or special lactic acid suppositories bring the vaginal flora back into balance.
• Intimate hygiene: not too much, but not too little. This principle is important in the field of intimate hygiene. Thorough cleaning of the vagina with harsh soaps should be avoided.