How to distinguish normal and abnormal vaginal discharge & bull; hello healthy

Aka Whitish vaginal discharge is the discharge of body fluids from the vagina. Natural vaginal discharge does occur when a woman experiences changes according to the menstrual cycle. Usually the discharge is thick and sticky throughout the cycle, but is more fluid and clear when ovulation occurs.

Normal vaginal discharge vs abnormal vaginal discharge

There are several factors that are still considered normal and safe when a woman experiences vaginal discharge. Leucorrhoea occurs more during times of stress, pregnancy, or sexual activity.

However, be careful if the vaginal discharge that occurs is pathological or abnormal. The sign is fairly straightforward, pathological vaginal discharge can be seen from its unusual color, consistency, volume, and odor. In addition, there are other symptoms that are experienced, before / simultaneously / after the discharge.

Pathological discharge is usually caused by infection and non-infection. Non-infectious causes are usually related to the presence of a foreign body (such as spiral contraceptives) or other diseases, such as cervical cancer. While the causes of infection include bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections. These three causes are often experienced by women, especially women of reproductive age who are still sexually active. How to tell the difference? Come on, we follow the explanation below.

3 main causes of abnormal vaginal discharge in women

Leucorrhoea is one of the health problems that usually makes women worry. But what must be remembered, vaginal discharge is not a disease, but a symptom of a disease. Pathological vaginal discharge caused by infection usually comes from inflammation of the vagina, which is called vaginitis. The causes of infection vary, from bacteria, viruses, fungi to parasites. The following are the most common causes of vaginal inflammation from each group, which eventually causes vaginal discharge.

1. The bacteria group

Gardnerella vaginalis is a type of anaerobic bacteria that doesn't need oxygen to live. The number of cases due to this bacterial infection reached 23.6%.

2. Group of mushrooms

Candida albicans is a fungus that usually attacks organs covered with skin and walls (mucosa). The number of cases of vaginal discharge due to this yeast infection is the highest among other types of infection, which is around 15 - 42%. This type of discharge is increasing in pregnant women.

3. Class of parasites

Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasite that causes vaginal discharge around 5.1-20%.

How do I know whether my vaginal discharge is normal or not?

Pathological vaginal discharge will show several changes in color, odor, and thickness to indicate the microorganism causing it. Likewise with complaints such as itching, urinary pain, pelvic pain, pain during intercourse and vaginal heat, usually accompanying complaints of vaginal discharge.

1. Pay attention to the condition of vaginal discharge

The condition of vaginal discharge is an important key to differentiating the cause. In bacterial infections, the discharge is usually white to grayish in color and homogeneous. They are very large in quantity and sticky, so they easily stick to underwear. The vaginal walls are also covered with a whitish coating. Whereas a yeast infection shows a consistency like cheese or lumps of milk. Yellowish white, initially a little, when it gets worse, the whiteness increases in number. In parasitic infections, vaginal discharge is somewhat different. The color is greenish yellow, sticky, and the amount increases little by little per day. Sometimes visible foam on the discharge.

2. Pay attention to the smell of vaginal discharge

Normal vaginal discharge has no smell, while pathological vaginal discharge will cause a distinctive odor. Leucorrhoea due to bacterial infection usually smells fishy, ​​while vaginal discharge due to fungal infection is sometimes odorless. The most characteristic odor is vaginal discharge due to parasitic infection. The discharge smells foul and gets worse during sexual intercourse. Usually the patient's sexual partner also complains about the smell.

3. Complementary symptoms of vaginal discharge

Complementary symptoms of vaginal discharge can also provide clues about the cause of vaginal discharge being experienced. In bacterial infections, the most common accompanying symptom is itching. Patients tend to scratch, so that the vagina can be reddish until blisters. In fungal infections, vaginal burning predominates. This is more severe for pregnant women, because usually the condition of the female organs is more humid, so that the growth of yeast increases. Leucorrhoea due to parasites usually does not show accompanying symptoms in the early phase. However, when it is in the advanced phase, the accompanying symptoms are more, namely vaginal itching, pain when urinating, and even pain during sexual intercourse.

What happens if pathological vaginal discharge is not treated

Leucorrhoea can cause various complications if not treated properly. Therefore, get your condition checked immediately if you experience vaginal discharge with the characteristics above. Complications of vaginal discharge, especially those caused by infection, include:

1. Pelvic inflammation (Pelvic Inflamatory Disease = PID) can occur when the infection from the vagina spreads upward. This disease is characterized by tenderness, chronic pelvic pain, or lower abdominal pain that does not resolve with pain medications. Usually the patient also has a fever.
2. Infertility aka infertility is a further complication of PID.
3. Ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy with a fetus outside the uterus, for example in the fallopian tubes and even in the abdominal cavity.