Normal vaginal discharge is often experienced by many women. It does not require treatment as it is harmless. However, if the vaginal discharge that appears is disturbing or appears with other complaints, then this condition needs to be watched out for because it could be a sign of abnormal vaginal discharge.
Vaginal discharge is a woman's body's natural way to keep her feminine area clean and moist. Not only that, vaginal discharge can also protect the vagina from the risk of infection. Generally, normal vaginal discharge does not interfere with activities and can subside on its own.
However, sometimes vaginal discharge can also be caused by certain infections or diseases. The characteristics of abnormal vaginal discharge are certainly different from normal vaginal discharge. Therefore, it is important for you to know the characteristics of normal and abnormal vaginal discharge so that you do not react wrongly. Sometimes, vaginal discharge can also occur in pregnant women.
Here are the characteristics of normal vaginal discharge
Normal vaginal discharge has the following characteristics and characteristics:
- Clear or slightly white in color resembling raw egg whites.
- The texture is runny or slightly thick and sticky.
- No smell.
- Does not cause itching or pain.
- Solid white or slightly brown in color. Vaginal discharge like this usually indicates that a woman's body is approaching the time of menstruation.
Normal vaginal discharge is the most common vaginal discharge and can be experienced by all women, from children to adults. However, the amount, color, and consistency of the vaginal discharge may vary.
Changes in the characteristics of a woman's normal vaginal discharge can be influenced by breastfeeding, ovulation, side effects of using birth control pills, lots of exercise, stress, or sexual stimulation.
K SignsAbnormal white discharge that needs to be watched out for
Abnormal vaginal discharge will usually make women feel disturbed due to the emergence of certain symptoms. The following are the characteristics of abnormal vaginal discharge to pay attention to:
- It has a bad smell (e.g. foul or fishy smell) and is pungent.
- The number increased suddenly unlike usual.
- Yellow, green, or gray in color with a thick texture. Sometimes abnormal vaginal discharge can also have a lumpy texture.
- Bleeding and pain every time you have sex or outside of menstruation.
- Vaginal itching or pain
- The vulva and vagina appear red and swollen.
Sometimes abnormal vaginal discharge can also make women feel pelvic pain and pain or burning when urinating (anyang-anyangan).
As discussed earlier in this article, abnormal vaginal discharge can be a sign of disease. Some diseases that can cause abnormal vaginal discharge are:
- Bacterial infection of the vagina or bacterial vaginosis.
- Vaginal yeast infection.
- Vaginitis.
- Sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.
- Pelvic inflammation.
- Cervical cancer.
In addition, abnormal vaginal discharge can also be caused by the side effects of drugs, such as antibiotics and corticosteroids, vaginal irritation due to the use of scented soaps or vaginal cleansers, and improper vaginal cleaning methods.
Treatment for abnormal vaginal discharge is not the same for every woman and must be adjusted according to the cause. For example, if your abnormal vaginal discharge is caused by a yeast infection, your doctor will prescribe antifungal medication to treat it.
Therefore, when you experience disturbing symptoms of abnormal vaginal discharge, you should immediately consult with your doctor.
How to prevent abnormal vaginal discharge
There are several steps you can follow to reduce the risk of abnormal vaginal discharge, including:
- Use cotton underwear, because it can absorb sweat and keep the feminine area moist.
- Clean the area using warm water and a mild soap. After that, dry the vagina from the direction of the vagina to the anus to avoid the transfer of bacteria from the anus to the vagina.
- Avoid wearing pants that are too tight.
- Avoid using vaginal cleaning products or soaps that contain fragrance. This is because the use of these products can eradicate the good bacteria in the vagina which serves to protect the vagina from infection.
- Avoid bathing or showering with hot water for too long and often.
- Immediately change underwear or pants when wet, for example when sweating a lot or after swimming.
- Change pads regularly during menstruation.
In order to avoid diseases that can cause abnormal vaginal discharge, you are also advised to use condoms when having sex and avoid having sex with more than one partner.
If the vaginal discharge is not bothersome or leads to normal vaginal discharge, this is nothing to worry about. However, if vaginal discharge is accompanied by other symptoms that indicate abnormal vaginal discharge, then you need to immediately see a doctor.
The doctor will perform an examination to find out the cause. After the cause is known, then the doctor can determine the appropriate treatment to overcome the vaginal discharge.